Max 2 info is here - Sep CGW Magazine [Archive]

Joe Siegler

08-04-2003, 01:25 PM

You've waited quite awhile for news on the Max Payne sequel, and now we can tell you that there's information available now in the September 2003 issue of Computer Gaming World Magazine (http://www.gamers.com/cgw/index.jsp) (US). As you can see by the magazine cover here, Max is the cover story!

The magazine is on newsstands now, so head on over to check out all the screenshots in the magazine, plus their exclusive preview of the game! Here's a small sample of what they had to say about it..

 "Everything you'd expect to see in a Max Payne game is there and then some." "Max Payne's signature bullet-time effect is, if anything, even cooler this time around, ratcheting up this feature's uniquely cinematic feel." "Remedy has torn apart the rendering engine in order to create more insanely detailed and atmospheric environments - you can practically smell the rain during a rooftop shootout". "More of Max Payne's singular brand of action can only be a good thing." "Max Payne 2 should be an exhausting excursion into one man's personal hell."

There's plenty more where that came from, but to read the entire CGW article (including things like length of game, who the woman is in the game art, and much more), rush to your newsstand and pick up the September 2003 issue of Computer Gaming World today!

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/cgw0903.jpg

[ 08-04-2003, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Joe3DR ]

Co11

08-04-2003, 01:44 PM

/me gets into car

Crashnet

08-04-2003, 01:54 PM

Co11....me toos images/icons/smile.gif

Daedalus

08-04-2003, 02:11 PM

And what about us non-american residents? images/icons/frown.gif

I hope someone scans the pages about MP2 and lets us read the article, too.

Yenz

08-04-2003, 02:38 PM

How long before there will be in game videos? But I guess that's a WID question images/icons/frown.gif

Synti

08-04-2003, 02:49 PM

Indeed, Daedalus. I wonder where I, a humble european elitist, could get those information. Maybe this months Pelit magazine has something! Omg, omg. Maybe it comes tomorrow, pleeease tell us it comes tomorrow.

biXen

08-04-2003, 02:57 PM

I heard Pelit had some stuff. In Norway we are pretty much in the cold though.... erm... yeah. Thanks for the big fat mails with all this info Rockstar/Remedy images/icons/wink.gif

^^
WARNING heavy sarcasm usage

Joe Siegler

08-04-2003, 03:03 PM

There's supposed to be something like over 10 other mag covers that aren't inside the US. I don't have details on all that at the moment.

Synti

08-04-2003, 03:18 PM

Just checked it up on Pelit Magazines forum and yes, there is a "hype" article about Max Payne2.

So some Max2 info for us Finns.

Wrathstalker

08-04-2003, 03:45 PM

^^ w00t!! ^^

Jade

08-04-2003, 03:45 PM

I'll check TGM....maybe they have something too...I hope...

aavenr

08-04-2003, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by Jade:
I'll check TGM....maybe they have something too...I hope... Didn't the MP2 TGM issue came out a while ago? I remember you posted some screens about it. images/icons/confused.gif

Synti: One would expect Pelit to get the sweetest article of all, after all, who can be more welcome to the RMD offices than their finnish comrades? images/icons/grin.gif

And by the way Joe, thanks for the tip, way to go! Finally something to read for us living in the Americas (and I don't mean just the USA).

[ 08-04-2003, 05:16 PM: Message edited by: aavenr ]

Kevin's girl

08-04-2003, 08:59 PM

Would wall-mart have the magazine? I think Wal Greens would. I have to get it!!
*goes and asks mom for money* images/icons/smile.gif

The Baskinator

08-04-2003, 09:59 PM

Hmmn, bet my brother has this. I'll just be. . . heading over there. . . to "borrow" it. Yes, borrow.

*runs away*

Bushido

08-04-2003, 10:09 PM

Sweet...ah, I remember the old PCGamer article for the first Max Payne...Can't wait to read the new one guys!

KillJoy

08-04-2003, 10:45 PM

I bought the June 1999 issue of CGW for Max Payne, and now it looks like I have to get another issue of CGW just for Max Payne 2.

Now I will have two issues of CGW

Dsilence

08-05-2003, 12:33 AM

good news for us finns images/icons/smile.gif
http://www.pelit.fi/lehdet/lehti.asp?mag=1

SRTDeagle

08-05-2003, 12:42 AM

If I feel like getting into my car and picking up a copy of CGW off the newstand, then what will happen when Max Payne 2 acutally hits the stores? I work at Best Buy, so something is definately going down... Max and I will be chilling, blowing some thugs to bitts... I can't wait.

- (SRT)-DEAGLE
"Run little girl, run. Soon our worlds will be one."

Jade

08-05-2003, 04:29 AM

Originally posted by aavenr:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Jade:
I'll check TGM....maybe they have something too...I hope... Didn't the MP2 TGM issue came out a while ago? I remember you posted some screens about it. images/icons/confused.gif
<hr /></blockquote>Yes...it's my mistake...I didn't read carefully the post...I thought Joe were talking about new screenshots and articles... images/icons/blush.gif
Why americans have to wait until september for MP2 articles???

[ 08-05-2003, 04:44 AM: Message edited by: Jade ]

aavenr

08-05-2003, 10:19 PM

Straight from Deep Six (http://www.planetmaxpayne.com). Hopefully a bit more complete than Joe's but still no substitute for the article (so that we don't get sued). Enjoy:

Okay guys, this is for all the people around the world that don't have Computer Gaming World magazine on their local newsstands or still haven't been able to buy it. Here's a brief snippet of an article everybody agrees is very well written:

- Max has left the DEA to rejoin the NYPD. He's framed (again) for the murder of his own partner.

- Game begins on a rainy autumn night as one long flashback.

- Mona Sax, a "classic femme fatale" returns in the sequel. Her role is unknown.

- Graphic novel depictions of key events occur only during transitions between levels.

- Quick in-engine cutscenes during midlevel portions of the game, such as when Max enters a murder scene.

- Dream sequences are back. No details.

- Game length is roughly 20+ hours, 2x the length of the original. The original was short because Remedy "cut all the crap away."

- Script is 3x longer than the original. Penned once again by Sam Lake.

- Focus on development of main characters; less characters introduced. Plot is tighter, more like a movie.

- New random character animations that enhance the bullet time effect and the cinematic feel.

- AI is less heavily scripted.

- Radiant lighting allows for better shadow definition.

- Improved particle effects make it possible for location-specific sparks to "fly off a van being struck by ricocheting bullets."

- Havok physics engine integrated.

- A few dozen professional New York actors provided all the faces in the game. They're voiced by different people.

- New facial animation engine allows facial expressions and good lip synching: "faces are more realistic in their skins than those in HL2, but the eyes and facial expressions are stiffer and less believable."

So if you have access to it but still haven't bought the mag, your excuse works no longer. Many thanks go to Frightener from the Blue's News boards for supplying the tidbits.

[ 08-05-2003, 10:33 PM: Message edited by: aavenr ]

eggyolk

08-05-2003, 10:29 PM

When you say that, "- A few dozen professional New York actors provided all the faces in the game. They're voiced by different people." Does this mean (hopefully) that the voices are not changed from the original? The faces I can understand...and the outfit...eh...more conservative. Voices were nice though, but Sam seemed a little monotone if you ask me. images/icons/smile.gif

FullMetalJacket

08-05-2003, 10:40 PM

Sam never did Max's voice. The voice was done by James McCaffrey, who's doing it again this time around.
Any other returning cast members? Mona Sax might have the same voice, and since Woden is back as well, I presume he would.
The rest of the cast should be new, unless the G-thugs use the same voices. images/icons/smile.gif

KillJoy

08-05-2003, 11:26 PM

- Game length is roughly 20+ hours, 2x the length of the original. The original was short because Remedy "cut all the crap away." Does that mean they didn't cut the crap away this time?

eggyolk

08-05-2003, 11:30 PM

Originally posted by FullMetalJacket:
Sam never did Max's voice. The voice was done by James McCaffrey, who's doing it again this time around.
Any other returning cast members? Mona Sax might have the same voice, and since Woden is back as well, I presume he would.
The rest of the cast should be new, unless the G-thugs use the same voices. images/icons/smile.gif Forgive my n00bness. images/icons/frown.gif Anywho, there were times when the voice of Max did get a little monotonous, but I never dived for the mute button, mind you. images/icons/wink.gif

Originally posted by aavenr:
- Dream sequences are back. No details.yay! More blood trails... images/icons/smile.gif

biXen

08-06-2003, 01:02 AM

KillJoy: no, this means they kept the crap now, so that every damn gameplay is so short nagger will shut up this time. hehe

Wasn't really anything I didn't know in that summary, but it's nice to get some things confirmed.

FullMetalJacket

08-06-2003, 09:45 AM

KillJoy,

Maybe it was only "crap" back then because they couldn't figure out how to render it, or something. images/icons/smile.gif

08-06-2003, 05:02 PM

The new Pelit is out. It had the same old screenshots everyone's seen already. However, it had - atleast for me - some new information. You can kick in doors and um.. well, I actually forgot about the rest. images/icons/grin.gif

Most of it was the same old stuff you can read anywhere, though.

Crashnet

08-06-2003, 05:06 PM

has anyone gotten the new Computer Gaming World yet? I'd like to see what was in THAT one too. images/icons/smile.gif

Kennerado

08-06-2003, 05:39 PM

Didn't an Aussie mag have the first preview for this game?
http://www.pcpowerplay.com.au//media/magazine/22/pcpp_089_cd.jpg

[ 08-06-2003, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: Kennerado ]

aavenr

08-06-2003, 07:00 PM

It was among the first issues out, yeah. A VERY well written article I must say, writer David Wildgoose did a kick ass job. Oh and please don't ask me how I got to read it (check out the bottom of this post and you'll see i live far, far away from anything Australian) images/icons/rolleyes.gif

[ 08-06-2003, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: aavenr ]

FullMetalJacket

08-06-2003, 07:07 PM

Kick down doors?! Sweet!

KillJoy

08-06-2003, 09:38 PM

Hey Aavenr,

How did you get to read it, because I checked out the bottom of your post and I noticed that you live far, far away from anything Australian.

aavenr

08-06-2003, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by KillJoy:
Hey Aavenr,

How did you get to read it, because I checked out the bottom of your post and I noticed that you live far, far away from anything Australian. hehe, well there's a reason I requested no questions and that is because the answer is not entirely politically correct. So let's just leave it at that, you'll probably figure it out. images/icons/wink.gif

[ 08-06-2003, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: aavenr ]

Simon Charles

08-07-2003, 12:08 AM

Originally posted by aavenr:
- Havok physics engine integrated.All I wanted to know.

Joe Siegler

08-07-2003, 01:47 PM

I'm going to do a news story later this afternoon on other magazine covers on Max Payne 2. Remedy sent me a bunch of scans.

Bushido

08-08-2003, 02:01 AM

Sweet! Can't wait!^^^

Qtipie

08-08-2003, 02:20 AM

Originally posted by Joe3DR:
I'm going to do a news story later this afternoon on other magazine covers on Max Payne 2. Remedy sent me a bunch of scans. bring them on, bring them on!! don't pretend you got better or more important things to do images/icons/grin.gif

Jade

08-08-2003, 06:08 AM

Joe Siegler

08-08-2003, 06:04 PM

The CGW cover we reported on a couple of days ago is by far not the only appearance of Max Payne 2 on a magazine cover. Remedy has sent us scans of several other overseas (well, to us they're overseas <g>) gaming magazines that are also doing cover stories on Max. Here's a gallery for you to check out:

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_gen4_small.jpg (http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_gen4.jpg)

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_micromania_small.jpg (http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_micromania.jpg)

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_pcgamesde_small.jpg (http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_pcgamesde.jpg)

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_pcplayerdk_small.jpg (http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_pcplayerdk.jpg)

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_pczone_small.jpg (http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_pczone.jpg)

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_pczoneuk_small.jpg (http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_pczoneuk.jpg)

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_pelit_small.jpg (http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_pelit.jpg)

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_tgm_small.jpg (http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/max2_tgm.jpg)

The covers come from these magazines (in order that they appear above):

 Gen4: France Micromania: Spain Pc Games: Germany PC Player: Denmark PC Zone Benelux: Benelux countris (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg) PC Zone UK: UK Pelit: Finland TGM: Italy

aavenr

08-08-2003, 07:47 PM

Kick ass Joe, that's a statement on how Max Payne 2's class is recognized around the world.

Kev_Hectic

08-08-2003, 07:50 PM

^ Cool, looks like MP2 is getting some good exposure. Any idea when we'll be seeing online coverage?

The Baskinator

08-08-2003, 10:26 PM

Cool.

Kennerado

08-08-2003, 10:36 PM

Good Job, but where's the PC PowerPlay cover?

Joe Siegler

08-08-2003, 11:54 PM

Originally posted by Kennerado:
Good Job, but where's the PC PowerPlay cover? Hey, I can only post what I have! images/icons/smile.gif

Skitso

08-09-2003, 03:09 AM

Originally posted by j:
The new Pelit is out. It had the same old screenshots everyone's seen already. However, it had - atleast for me - some new information. You can kick in doors and um.. well, I actually forgot about the rest. images/icons/grin.gif

Most of it was the same old stuff you can read anywhere, though. There was also this subtle hint that we could get to play with Mona Sax... or not. images/icons/smile.gif

Jade

08-09-2003, 04:02 AM

Cool, I wish I've all magazines images/icons/grin.gif

Fraeon Waser Duhni

08-09-2003, 04:05 AM

Now if I would only would be ordering Pelit... images/icons/frown.gif

...Oh well, might as well bum the copy from a friend of mine. images/icons/grin.gif

aavenr

08-09-2003, 10:30 AM

For all the non-finnish crowd out there, we'll have a translated snippet on Pelit's scoop soon at Deep Six. I personally can't wait images/icons/grin.gif

Fraeon Waser Duhni

08-09-2003, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by aavenr:
For all the non-finnish crowd out there, we'll have a translated snippet on Pelit's scoop soon at Deep Six. I personally can't wait images/icons/grin.gif VVvvuuuut? There's a spy amongst the finns? LET'S BUTCHER THE TRAITOR!!111 images/icons/mad.gif

aavenr

08-09-2003, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by Fraeon-Waser-Duhni:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by aavenr:
For all the non-finnish crowd out there, we'll have a translated snippet on Pelit's scoop soon at Deep Six. I personally can't wait images/icons/grin.gif VVvvuuuut? There's a spy amongst the finns? LET'S BUTCHER THE TRAITOR!!111 images/icons/mad.gif <hr /></blockquote>LOL, okay fraeon, put away that machete, you'll have to wait a couple of days for the answer. images/icons/grin.gif

Fraeon Waser Duhni

08-09-2003, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by aavenr:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Fraeon-Waser-Duhni:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by aavenr:
For all the non-finnish crowd out there, we'll have a translated snippet on Pelit's scoop soon at Deep Six. I personally can't wait images/icons/grin.gif VVvvuuuut? There's a spy amongst the finns? LET'S BUTCHER THE TRAITOR!!111 images/icons/mad.gif <hr /></blockquote>LOL, okay fraeon, put away that machete, you'll have to wait a couple of days for the answer. images/icons/grin.gif <hr /></blockquote>That's not a machete, it's a halberd. images/icons/wink.gif

I've yet to read the magazine...maybe tomorrow...but seeing some of the feature-lists for the sequel, it seems like Remedy likes tormenting its fans. Most people hated the dream sequences. Now that the game is 2x longer, maybe the dream sequences are 2x longer as well? images/icons/tongue.gif

[ 08-09-2003, 01:13 PM: Message edited by: Fraeon-Waser-Duhni ]

Jade

08-09-2003, 03:56 PM

Kennerado

08-09-2003, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by Joe3DR:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Kennerado:
Good Job, but where's the PC PowerPlay cover? Hey, I can only post what I have! images/icons/smile.gif <hr /></blockquote>Joe, I've got the issue. I can send you a scan of the cover if you want.

eggyolk

08-10-2003, 01:38 PM

When I saw those on the front page, I thought they were very beautiful. images/icons/tongue.gif

aavenr

08-10-2003, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by Jade:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by aavenr:
For all the non-finnish crowd out there, we'll have a translated snippet on Pelit's scoop soon at Deep Six. I personally can't wait images/icons/grin.gif Scoop??? <hr /></blockquote>scoop = preview

Jade

08-10-2003, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by aavenr:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Jade:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by aavenr:
For all the non-finnish crowd out there, we'll have a translated snippet on Pelit's scoop soon at Deep Six. I personally can't wait images/icons/grin.gif Scoop??? <hr /></blockquote>scoop = preview <hr /></blockquote>Nothing new with screens or something...?

aavenr

08-10-2003, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by Jade:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by aavenr:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Jade:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by aavenr:
For all the non-finnish crowd out there, we'll have a translated snippet on Pelit's scoop soon at Deep Six. I personally can't wait images/icons/grin.gif Scoop??? <hr /></blockquote>scoop = preview <hr /></blockquote>Nothing new with screens or something...? <hr /></blockquote>You see, all the previews published so far are based on the same showcase at this years E3 show. Therefore, I wouldn't expect a lot of juicy details revealed here (though there seems to be an intriguing hint about Max being able to kick down doors I haven't seen anywhere else), and there may be some new screens or graphic material but I wouldn't expect much from it either. I'll have to read the article to find out.

Either case, the absence of radically new content doesn't mean this is worthless, it's definitively interesting to read about the game from a different perspective and I am particularly interested on what the premier finnish gaming mag has to say about the country's best gaming export.

08-10-2003, 06:16 PM

And oh, Pelit said that the game is told in a flashback narrated by Max just like the first one. It begins (and ends) with Max killing a fellow policeman. (which most of us probably already knew)

And the guys we've seen Max running around with in a few of the shots are from the italian Mafia.

There was one more thing, but somehow I managed to forget it. Oh well..

Jade

08-11-2003, 04:09 AM

Thanks j....that seems interesting...

Joe Siegler

08-21-2003, 05:12 PM

Max Payne 2 has a few more cover articles out, and we've got a few more scans for you. One is from Australia (PC PowerPlay), and the other is from the US (Game Informant). Click on either of the thumbnails to check out larger versions.

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/gameinformer0803_small.jpg (http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/gameinformer0803.jpg)

http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/pcaustralia0803_small.jpg (http://www.3drealms.com/images/magazines/pcaustralia0803.jpg)

Make sure and check your local newsstands for copies of these magazines, and the others we've mentioned below.

[ 08-22-2003, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: Joe3DR ]