Why Max Works?

blenkarnie · 07-20-2009, 08:34 AM

I am currently playing Doom 3 and Quake 4; a little late but I was waiting for the right operating system and large screen to fully enjoy them.

I was standing in the umpteenth storage facility shooting monsters in Doom 3 and I thought "What is in it for me? I am just a mere grunt working for a corporation with nothing to look forward to at the end of the game but the next release."

The character you play in games like Doom or Quake is no character at all. He posesses no traits, has not past or future and your relatiomnship with him is like is like inhabiting a cyber bot.

Why Max works is why Thief often works; you are given a psychological relationship to the character, his mission is your mission, he engages you to feel more than just the moment of shooting, but the need to carry out your mission for personal objectives. And he has relationships. But Max is also an attractive person to be, comfortable in his skin.

Will the later-life character of Max be as engrossing? My main concern is that the artwork so far looks like a person I'd probably rather shoot than adopt as a persona. We shall see

Of all the shooter games I have played Max is the strongest character.

Lupara · 07-20-2009, 02:28 PM

Well, John Carmack once said (or at least he's frequently quoted on that): "Story in a game is like a story in a porn movie. It's expected to be there, but it's not that important."

Doom and Quake certainly stick to that paradigm. Max, however, goes in a completely different direction. If you ask me, then yes, plot, character development are as important in games as any other component. Especially in the shooter type, where the gameplay itself might wear off a bit after a while.

dan2091 · 07-20-2009, 10:12 PM

I agree with you. Max Payne 2 is the game I've been playing since its release, and I'll never get bored because it is like a good movie with a good plot and screenplay. The story itself is important to me, all the game is about has inspired me artistically in many ways since 2003.
If I ever stop playing games, I'd never stop playing Max Payne, specially the second one, because they're something more.

I actually played the first Max Payne in 2003, two years after its release.

blenkarnie · 07-31-2009, 03:52 PM

Wow, must have been great to play it as far back as 2003, ahead of it's time.

Remember Max is one of the few games which looks great even on a 15' monitor.

Perhaps the new Max might have a flavour of Charles Bronson or Clint Eastwood. nothing wrong with age as long as the character maintains his sexyness and coolness.

Peter Benders · 08-08-2009, 03:18 AM

MAX works because of his style.... i mean the way he shoots,shootdodges,that voice.....just amazing.... hope the same style is retained or maintained in 3rd part....

07-20-2009, 08:34 AM	#1
blenkarnie	Why Max Works? I am currently playing Doom 3 and Quake 4; a little late but I was waiting for the right operating system and large screen to fully enjoy them. I was standing in the umpteenth storage facility shooting monsters in Doom 3 and I thought "What is in it for me? I am just a mere grunt working for a corporation with nothing to look forward to at the end of the game but the next release." The character you play in games like Doom or Quake is no character at all. He posesses no traits, has not past or future and your relatiomnship with him is like is like inhabiting a cyber bot. Why Max works is why Thief often works; you are given a psychological relationship to the character, his mission is your mission, he engages you to feel more than just the moment of shooting, but the need to carry out your mission for personal objectives. And he has relationships. But Max is also an attractive person to be, comfortable in his skin. Will the later-life character of Max be as engrossing? My main concern is that the artwork so far looks like a person I'd probably rather shoot than adopt as a persona. We shall see Of all the shooter games I have played Max is the strongest character. __________________ "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." ~Woody Allen~ Last edited by blenkarnie; 07-20-2009 at 08:43 AM.

07-20-2009, 02:28 PM	#2
Lupara	Re: Why Max Works? Well, John Carmack once said (or at least he's frequently quoted on that): "Story in a game is like a story in a porn movie. It's expected to be there, but it's not that important." Doom and Quake certainly stick to that paradigm. Max, however, goes in a completely different direction. If you ask me, then yes, plot, character development are as important in games as any other component. Especially in the shooter type, where the gameplay itself might wear off a bit after a while.

07-20-2009, 10:12 PM	#3
dan2091	Re: Why Max Works? I agree with you. Max Payne 2 is the game I've been playing since its release, and I'll never get bored because it is like a good movie with a good plot and screenplay. The story itself is important to me, all the game is about has inspired me artistically in many ways since 2003. If I ever stop playing games, I'd never stop playing Max Payne, specially the second one, because they're something more. I actually played the first Max Payne in 2003, two years after its release. __________________ J'etais parti ce matin au bois. Pour toi, mon amour, por toi... -Barbara

07-31-2009, 03:52 PM	#4
blenkarnie	Re: Why Max Works? Wow, must have been great to play it as far back as 2003, ahead of it's time. Remember Max is one of the few games which looks great even on a 15' monitor. Perhaps the new Max might have a flavour of Charles Bronson or Clint Eastwood. nothing wrong with age as long as the character maintains his sexyness and coolness. __________________ "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." ~Woody Allen~

08-08-2009, 03:18 AM	#5
Peter Benders	Re: Why Max Works? MAX works because of his style.... i mean the way he shoots,shootdodges,that voice.....just amazing.... hope the same style is retained or maintained in 3rd part....