Max Payne was a breath of fresh air when it exploded onto the PC scene in 2001 after considerable delays. The game convincingly reflected elements of the gritty film noir genre with its turbulent storyline that firmly plants the gamer into the bloody boots of Max Payne, one tough cop who has nothing to lose after his family is murdered. His quest for vengeance leads to a rollercoaster ride of emotions, beautifully conveyed through the narrative-driven gameplay. Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne looks to continue in the same vein as its predecessor, keeping everything that set it so far apart from the market while introducing plenty of new elements that further the complete experience.

Because the game revolves around the story and the troubling misery of Max, it's fitting to begin with a look at the background for the sequel. He is now back on the police force again, only his motivation is sapped after his experiences in the first game. But when his new partner is murdered, Max is yet again framed (the poor guy). So far it has been revealed that Max will indeed confess to the murder: what his motives are for doing so will certainly be a critical driving point to the plot.

A major focus in the plot now will be the love story, as evident from the subtitle "A Film Noir Love Story" in the game name, which conveniently summarizes what Max Payne 2 is essentially all about. Max's love interest is a femme fatale murder suspect named Mona Sax, who becomes a dubious ally of sorts. Expect plenty of plot twists and many tragic events to occur throughout the game. The plot will be roughly three times as long as it was in the first, and advances will be revealed in similar fashion through in-game cut-scenes and the now infamous comic panels.

Aside from the story, the trademark of Max Payne is its Bullet-Time feature that allows slow-motion combat for precision targeting, and well, just cool effects in general. Gameplay remains basically the same, as you assume the role of Max and slug through gangs of thugs. Bullet-Time makes simultaneously battling a dozen enemies a feasible action rather than a hopeless fancy, and gunfights end up looking similar to scenes ripped from a John Woo movie with tons of cinematic flair and gun-ho action.

While Max Payne felt like a one-vs- the world uphill battle, the sequel will include cooperative non-player characters (NPCs) who lend a hand at opportune times and make battles that much more exciting. The fully integrated Havoc physics engine incorporates ragdoll effects into the fights, as enemies convincingly collapse and twist upon dying.

Max Payne 2 looks leaps and bounds above the predecessor and has what it takes to compete with the next generation shooters. Extremely detailed and grimy New York City environments serve as backdrops for the action, which contribute further to the film noir sensation. An extensive particle effects engine has been implemented to display sparks from ricocheting gunshots. Character animation and models have been improved considerably, with lip synchronization and various facial animations. Max Payne no longer has that constipated grimace permanently affixed to his face, but now looks rather worn and tired, reflecting the trauma he's faced.

Even with heavyweight sequels such as Half-Life 2, Doom 3, and Halo 2 looming in the near future, the quality and individuality of Max Payne 2 will ensure that it won't be eclipsed in the shadows of those juggernauts. Look for it this October on PC and December on PS2 and Xbox, on a cold, desolate winter day when you drop back into the shady streets of New York City.