Max Payne#Remakes

{{Short description|Video game series}}

{{About|the video game series|the first game in the series|Max Payne (video game){{!}}Max Payne (video game)|the title character|Max Payne (character)|other uses}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}}

{{Infobox video game series

| title = Max Payne

| image = Max Payne Logo.svg

| genre = Third-person shooter

| developer = Remedy Entertainment (2001–2003; 2022–present)
Rockstar Studios (2012)

| publisher = Gathering of Developers (2001, PC)
Rockstar Games

| writer = Sam Lake (1–2)
Dan Houser (3)
Michael Unsworth (3)
Rupert Humphries (3)

| composer = Kärtsy Hatakka (1–2)
Kimmo Kajasto (1–2)
Perttu Kivilaakso (2)
Health (3)

| platforms = {{plainlist|

| first release version = Max Payne

| first release date = July 24, 2001

| latest release version = Max Payne 3

| latest release date = May 15, 2012

}}

Max Payne is a neo-noir third-person shooter video game series developed by Remedy Entertainment (Max Payne and Max Payne 2) and Rockstar Studios (Max Payne 3). The series is named after its protagonist, Max Payne, a New York City police detective turned vigilante after his family was murdered by drug addicts. The first two installments were written by Sam Lake, while Max Payne 3 was primarily written by Rockstar Games' Dan Houser.

The first game in the series, Max Payne, was released for Windows in 2001 and for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Apple Macintosh in 2002; a different version of the game was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. A sequel, titled Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne was released for PlayStation 2, Windows, and Xbox in 2003. In 2008, a movie adaptation, loosely based on the original game, entitled Max Payne, was released, starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis in the roles of Max Payne and Mona Sax, respectively. Max Payne 3 was developed by Rockstar Studios and released for PlayStation 3, Windows, and Xbox 360 in 2012.

In November 2021, Microsoft announced that in celebration of 20 years of Xbox, they would be adding over 70 more games to their backwards compatibility program. Headlining these games was the Max Payne trilogy, making the games available to play on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S{{Cite press release|last1=Lo|first1=Peggy|date=November 15, 2021|title=Celebrate 20 years of Xbox with over 70 new Backward Compatible Games|url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/11/15/70-new-backward-compatible-games/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Xbox Wire|language=en-US|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130232409/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/11/15/70-new-backward-compatible-games/}}

The franchise is notable for its use of "bullet time" in action sequences, as well as being positively received by critics.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/maxpayne?q=Max%20Payne|title=Max Payne on Metacritic|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=November 29, 2008|archive-date=October 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026205924/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/maxpayne?q=max%20payne|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/maxpayne2?q=Max%20Payne|title=Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne on Metacritic|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=November 29, 2008|archive-date=March 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328042949/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/maxpayne2?q=max%20payne|url-status=live}} As of 2011, the Max Payne franchise has sold over 7.5 million units.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37228/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV_Passes_22M_Shipped_Franchise_Above_114M.php |title=Grand Theft Auto IV Passes 22M Shipped, Franchise Above 114M |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=September 14, 2011 |publisher=Gamasutra |access-date=November 12, 2011 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163339/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37228/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV_Passes_22M_Shipped_Franchise_Above_114M.php |url-status=dead }} The film rendition received negative reviews but was commercially successful.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/maxpayne?q=Max%20Payne|title=Film: Max Payne on Metacritic|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=November 29, 2008|archive-date=November 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104025038/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/maxpayne?q=max%20payne|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/11/27/remedy-reflects-on-the-2008-max-payne-film.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129071302/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/11/27/remedy-reflects-on-the-2008-max-payne-film.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=November 29, 2015|title=Remedy Reflects On The Disappointing 2008 Max Payne Film|first=Kyle|last=Hilliard|magazine=Game Informer|date=27 November 2015|access-date=31 March 2024}}

In April 2022, Remedy announced that remakes of Max Payne and Max Payne 2 are being developed in collaboration with Rockstar Games. The two games will be released as a single title.{{cite press release|url=https://investors.remedygames.com/announcements/remedy-entertainment-enters-agreement-with-rockstar-games-for-new-max-payne-12-project/ |title=Remedy Entertainment Enters Agreement with Rockstar Games for New Max Payne 1&2 Project |publisher=Remedy Entertainment |date=April 6, 2022 |access-date=April 6, 2022 |archive-date=April 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406205508/https://investors.remedygames.com/announcements/remedy-entertainment-enters-agreement-with-rockstar-games-for-new-max-payne-12-project/ |url-status=live }}

Games

{{VG Series Reviews

| game1 = Max Payne

| mc1 = (GBA) 78{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/max-payne/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=Max Payne Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403161907/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/max-payne |url-status=live }}
(PC) 89{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/max-payne/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Max Payne Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=August 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825223417/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/max-payne |url-status=live }}
(PS2) 80{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/max-payne/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Max Payne Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=August 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831090608/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/max-payne |url-status=live }}
(Xbox) 89{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/max-payne/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Max Payne Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=December 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224004104/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/max-payne |url-status=live }}

| game2 = Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

| mc2 = (PC) 86{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/max-payne-2-the-fall-of-max-payne/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107062840/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/max-payne-2-the-fall-of-max-payne |url-status=live }}
(PS2) 73{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/max-payne-2-the-fall-of-max-payne/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=January 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118005806/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/max-payne-2-the-fall-of-max-payne |url-status=live }}
(Xbox) 84{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/max-payne-2-the-fall-of-max-payne/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=January 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115082748/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/max-payne-2-the-fall-of-max-payne |url-status=live }}

| game3 = Max Payne 3

| mc3 = (PC) 87{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/max-payne-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Max Payne 3 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=December 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207043613/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/max-payne-3 |url-status=live }}
(PS3) 87{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/max-payne-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Max Payne 3 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=December 31, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231221555/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/max-payne-3 |url-status=live }}
(X360) 86{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/max-payne-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Max Payne 3 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=November 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122144552/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/max-payne-3 |url-status=live }}

}}

=''Max Payne''=

{{main|Max Payne (video game)}}

Renegade DEA agent and former NYPD officer Max Payne attempts to hunt down the ones responsible for murdering his wife and child, as well as framing him for the murder of his NYPD partner, Alex Balder. As the story unfolds, he gains a number of "allies", including Vladimir Lem (a suave, old-fashioned Russian mobster) and Mona Sax (a vigilante who is out to avenge the death of her twin sister) and uncovers a major conspiracy involving the trafficking of a narcotic called V, or Valkyr—after the mythological figures in Norse mythology—which is somehow connected to the death of Max's family.

=''Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne''=

{{main|Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne}}

Two years after the first game, Max Payne has rejoined the NYPD and has been cleared of the charges for his killing spree thanks to his connection to Senator Alfred Woden, the leader of a secret society called the Inner Circle. During a routine murder investigation, Max finds himself face-to-face with the fugitive Mona Sax, who reluctantly joins him in his investigation. As the two work together to uncover the truth, they begin to develop feelings for each other, and come across another major conspiracy, which this time involves Vladimir Lem, the Italian Mob, and the Inner Circle.

=''Max Payne 3''=

{{main|Max Payne 3}}

Nine years after the second game, Max Payne has left New York and is working on a private security detail in São Paulo, Brazil. When the wife of his employer is kidnapped by a local street gang, Max and his old friend Raul Passos join forces in an attempt to rescue her, igniting a war that will lead them to confront a larger conspiracy.{{cite web|url=http://www.rockstarwatch.net/news/734/Max-Payne-3-Announced/|title=Max Payne 3 Announced!|date=March 23, 2009|access-date=March 23, 2009|publisher=RockstarWatch.net|archive-date=January 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104203921/http://www.rockstarwatch.net/news/734/Max-Payne-3-Announced|url-status=live}}

=Remakes=

Remedy, with funding from Rockstar who holds the rights to the series, announced plans to remake Max Payne and Max Payne 2 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in April 2022. At the time of the announcement, the remakes were at an early development state, and no planned release date was announced.{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/04/rockstar-remedy-shake-hands-on-new-max-payne-12-remaster-series/ | title = Rockstar, Remedy shake hands on new Max Payne 1+2 remaster series | first = Sam | last = Mackovech | date = April 6, 2022 | accessdate = April 6, 2022 | work = Ars Technica | archive-date = April 6, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220406223510/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/04/rockstar-remedy-shake-hands-on-new-max-payne-12-remaster-series/ | url-status = live }} It was confirmed that the two games will be released as a single title.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2022-04-06 |title=Max Payne remakes are on the way |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/6/23013920/max-payne-1-2-remakes-remedy-rockstar-take-two |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407150638/https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/6/23013920/max-payne-1-2-remakes-remedy-rockstar-take-two |url-status=live }}

Film adaptation

{{Main|Max Payne (film)}}

Early in 2003, it was confirmed that 20th Century Fox had bought the rights to adapt the game to film.{{cite web | title=Max Payne Movie | url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/629/629253p1.html | publisher=IGN | date=June 27, 2005 | access-date=June 24, 2007 | author=IGN Filmforce | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023071002/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/629/629253p1.html | archive-date=October 23, 2007 | df=mdy-all }} The Max Payne movie went into production in 2008 and was directed by John Moore. The movie was produced by Collision Entertainment and Firm Films in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.{{cite web | url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/831/831652p1.html | title=Max Payne Movie Update | date=October 31, 2007 | access-date=November 9, 2007 | publisher=IGN | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103195706/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/831/831652p1.html | archive-date=November 3, 2007 | df=mdy-all }} Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis{{cite news | url=https://variety.com/2008/digital/markets-festivals/killer-role-for-kunis-in-max-payne-1117982100/ | title=Killer role for Kunis in 'Max Payne | date=March 9, 2008 | access-date=March 10, 2008 | publisher=Variety | first=Michael | last=Fleming | archive-date=February 5, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205202343/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117982100.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | url-status=live }} play the roles of Max Payne and Mona Sax respectively.{{cite news | title=Mark Wahlberg to star in 'Max' | url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/mark-wahlberg-to-star-in-max-2-1117975641/ | author=Fleming, Michael | publisher=Variety | date=November 8, 2007 | access-date=November 9, 2007 | archive-date=November 9, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109172128/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975641.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | url-status=live }} Beau Bridges, Chris O'Donnell, Nelly Furtado and Ludacris have roles as B.B. Hensley, Jason Colvin, Christa Balder and Jim Bravura respectively.{{Cite web |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810007086/cast |title=Max Payne (2008) – Cast and Credits – Yahoo! Movies |access-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522151142/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810007086/cast |url-status=live }} On July 10, 2008, a teaser trailer was released, featuring an instrumental version of the Marilyn Manson song, "If I Was Your Vampire".{{cite news |url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53528 |title=First Max Payne Movie Trailer Released |publisher=Shacknews |date=July 10, 2008 |access-date=July 10, 2007 |archive-date=September 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913150252/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53528 |url-status=live }} The film was released to theaters in the U.S. on October 17, 2008, with a PG-13 rating.GamePro, Issue #234, March 2008. pg. 30 While it was ranked first on its opening weekend, grossing US$18 million at the box office,{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2008&wknd=42&p=.htm | title=Weekend Box Office Results from 10/17 to 10/19 | publisher=Box Office Mojo | access-date=October 21, 2008 | archive-date=December 16, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216041229/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2008&wknd=42&p=.htm | url-status=live }} the film received mainly negative reviews, having a 16% rating at Rotten Tomatoes, based on 129 reviews.[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/max_payne/ Max Payne Movie Reviews] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801113156/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/max_payne |date=August 1, 2020 }}. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on April 30, 2011. In June 2022, 20th Century Studios announced that a Max Payne reboot movie is in development.{{cite web|url=https://knightedgemedia.com/2022/06/max-payne-reboot-project-in-early-development/|title=20th Century Studios Puts A 'Max Payne' Reboot Project Into Early Development|website=Knightedge Media|last=Williams|first=Caleb|date=June 16, 2022|access-date=June 17, 2022}}

Characters

Note: A gray cell indicates that the character does not appear in that medium.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%"

! rowspan="3" |Character

! colspan="3" |Games

!Film

style="width:20%;" |Max Payne

! style="width:20%;" |Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

! style="width:20%;" |Max Payne 3

! style="width:20%;" |Max Payne

style="background:ivory;" |{{small|2001}}

| style="background:ivory;" |{{small|2003}}

| style="background:ivory;" |{{small|2012}}

| style="background:ivory;" |{{small|2008}}

colspan="5" style="background-color:#111111;" |Cast
Max Payne

| colspan="3" |James McCaffrey

|Mark Wahlberg

Mona Sax

|Julia Murney

| colspan="2" |Wendy Hoopes

|Mila Kunis

Vladimir Lem

|Dominic Hawksley

| colspan="2" |Jonathan Davis

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Senator Alfred Woden

|John Randolph Jones

|John Braden

|John Randolph Jones

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Vinnie Gognitti

|Joe Dallo

| colspan="2" |Fred Berman

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Lt. Jim Bravura

|Peter Appel

|Vince Viverito

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Ludacris

Nicole Horne

| colspan="3" |Jane Gennaro

|Kate Burton

Michelle Payne

|Haviland Morris

|Character is silent

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Marianthi Evans

Alex Balder

|Chris Philips

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Donal Logue

B.B. Hensley

|Adam Grupper

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Beau Bridges

Don Angelo Punchinello

|Joe Ragno

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Joe Ragno

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Jack Lupino

|Jeff Gurner

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Jeff Gurner

|Amaury Nolasco

Joey & Virgilio Finito

|Tye Reign

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Rico Muerte

|Joe Maruzzo

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Candy Dawn

|Joanie Ellen

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Frankie "The Bat" Niagara

|Bruce Kronenberg

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Boris Dime

|Peter Appel

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Vince Mugnaio

|Character is silent

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Pilate "Big Brother" Providence

|Character is silent

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Joe "Deadpan" Salem

|Character is silent

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Lisa Punchinello / Natasha Sax

|Character is silent

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Olga Kurylenko

Det. Valerie Winterson

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

| colspan="2" |Jennifer Server

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Kaufman

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Gregory Sims

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Mike "The Cowboy"

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Gary Yudman

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Annie Finn

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Kimberly Howard

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Senator Sebastian Gates

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Character is silent

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Corcoran

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Character is silent

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Raul Passos

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Julian Dean

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Rodrigo Branco

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Frank Rodriguez

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Victor Branco

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Robert Montano

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Marcelo Branco

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Dillon Porter

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Fabiana Branco

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Benedita Aires Pereira

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Giovanna Taveres

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Shirley Rumierk

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Wilson Da Silva

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Stephen Girasuolo

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Serrano

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Babs Olusanmokun

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Armando Becker

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Bira Castro

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Álvaro Neves

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Gil Cardoso

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Bachmeyer

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Gilberto Romagnolo

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Milo Rego

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Daniel Bittencourt

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Anthony DeMarco

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Ray Iannicelli

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Tony DeMarco

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Charlie Semine

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Arthur Fischer

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Marconi de Morais

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Anders Detling

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Wayne Duvall

| style="background:lightgrey;" |  

Jason Colvin

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Chris O'Donnell

Christa Balder

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Nelly Furtado

Owen Green

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Joel Gordon

Lincoln DeNeuf

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Jamie Hector

Tattoo Artist

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |  

|Stephen R. Hart

References

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}