Defying All Odds | A Max Payne Retrospective

Remedy Entertainment is a giant in the video game industry and they started their reign with Max Payne. Even though countless obstacles were thrown in their way, they overcame the odds and redefined the entire video game industry.
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Video Essay Playlist:
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Music:
~K E N K U R A - Lazy Evenings
~Max Payne OST

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[@gerardwaysway5999]

As a max payne fan, I feel like this video explains everything really well, you deserve a lot more attention

[@MrHammers]

Thanks man. Glad you enjoyed it

[@Noperare]

Activision/Ubisoft: hires a big Hollywood actor to play the villain Remedy: ask his mom to play the villain Honestly, so much charm of this game comes from low budget decisions. If your company have millions of dollars you can just toss money at the problems to be solved on the most obvious way. Budget restriction forces you to be creative because the simple obvious choice is not financially viable.

[@IAMthatIAM992]

Yes even the comic steps instead of cutscenes added so much identity. Wish they would've done that with the 3rd

[@Rad-Dude63andathird]

​@@IAMthatIAM992 I figure the remake(s) are gonna lean into the way 3 did things, but gosh do I really hope that they don't ditch the comic pages. Such a cool aesthetic choice.

[@Darkness-ut2zq]

​​@@IAMthatIAM992 for real mp 3 doesn't feel like a mp game.

[@D95er]

Rest in peace James McCaffrey AKA Max Payne. One of the greatest voice performances in gaming in history. His iconic voice brought to life one of the most well written characters that paved the way for storytelling in videogames. Thank you James.

[@Moister356]

Yeah!

[@theflyingguillotine3788]

That trail of blood dream sequence was a pain in the ass.

[@gunsmoke9388]

All u do is make a right as soon as u enter and jump to the cradle lol

[@laneh2000]

I was like 5 trying to figure wth was going on

[@ericescobar3054]

I hated that level!

[@TheRealSephiroth]

@@ericescobar3054 yeah i entered a cheat that allowed me to skip levels on the part 3 intro😂

[@Hugo_Tate]

Payne*

[@maskedhobo]

Nothing is a cliché when it is happening to you. One of the best lines in a game ever.

[@Ar1AnX1x]

Max Payne to me is Psychological Horror, even if it's not, this game was one of the most haunting games I've ever played.

[@sdp640]

That baby level though ☠☠☠

[@-Tuklaw-]

The looped cries of yer baby and screams of yer wife is the stuff of nightmares

[@sumthingwikked4257]

Psych-Noir

[@86LukeM]

Fun fact: outside of Sam Lake being the face of Max. The Russian, Vladimir Lem is played by the frontman of Poets of the fall. A person, who’s actually a friend of Sam Lake. The band poets of the fall was formed around Max Payne 2. Which they were asked to make a song Marko, Oli and the captain wrote the song, Late goodbye. The band still collaborates with Sam, both as Poets of the fall or alter ego Old gods of Asgard. Which are in max Payne, Alan Wake and Control.

[@mattcrowell5875]

There also was a GBA version of Max Payne 1, and it’s surprisingly good. It even retains the voice acted comic book style cutscenes.

[@corybrantley2345]

I was a senior in high school when this came out. My ps2 was bought for a DVD player. But Max Payne, The Suffering, & Manhunt got me hooked.

[@july172]

I honestly think the comic style voice over was a masterpiece. Definitely different, i never seen it in any other game and I played this when it came out

[@CyborgSodaCollects]

I got a controller just to play this on my phone. I wish Rockstar would make another Max Payne or remake the original.

[@user-gz1su4mf9t]

What controller did you get

[@CyborgSodaCollects]

@@user-gz1su4mf9t It sucked after a while lol there was phantom drift. I'll look up the model.

[@16-BitJonathanGonzalez]

Better hope for a remaster now, since Rockstar is now (probably) working on the GTA Trilogy ; )

[@CyborgSodaCollects]

@Ty Bey but Rockstar owns the IP now. It's outve Remedy's hands.

[@CyborgSodaCollects]

@Ty Bey it might be the weakest entry,but it's the best pure third person shooter period. Nothing else has the precision and refinement of movement like max Payne 3.

[@SuperHns]

I remember these graphics blew me AWAY back in 2001, it still looks good, I was used to playing Serious Sam 1 and 2nd encounter, and Unreal Tournament 99, THIS game DAMN!

[@kruegerpoolthe13th]

One thing I love about this game is how you and the enemies are on even footing Really adds to the badassery of Max as he is a mortal man utilizing his insane reflexes to come out on top

[@MayorHairBear]

Incredible video mate as someone who loves Remedy's games and a big fan of the Max Payne series I was excited to watch your thoughts! I think this is one of your best mate, not only do you get people excited to revisit the series with fascinating, concise points across the board but for those who haven't played the series you get them interested in finally giving the game a go. Max Payne is one of gamings greats and I'm excited for your thoughts on the rest of the series brother bear!

[@MrHammers]

Thanks bro! Much appreciated, I can't wait to share my thoughts on the sequels, replaying these games was honestly such a blast

[@InfamousSirHellfire]

My man's content breaking that A teir mark like it's a fucking stick on the sidewalk. Good hist my dude, can't wait for the next one.

[@MrHammers]

Thanks my dude!

[@JnEricsonx]

Getting to meet Sam Lake and James McCaffrey a few years ago was a high gamer mark for me. Hearing them agree with me that the Max Payne movie sucked was also hysterical. Except for James's 10 second cameo in the film.

[@barbaricrenaissance]

Perfect summary of gameplay and development at the same time, always a pleasure to watch. Also interesting to refresh the backstory, I never thought about the exact timing of the release of the Matrix, but I see them both as classics

[@MrHammers]

Thanks my friend! I actually didn't know the implications of the matrix release until watching an interview of Sam Lake explaining the issue, same with there being no prior third person shooters. It's such a popular perspective now, but I guess Max Payne paved the way for it.

[@barbaricrenaissance]

​@@MrHammers Yeah, it's easy to forget what happened a few years ago with so many new video games coming out each week. Keep them sweet retrospective coming man!

[@aranerem3767]

The nights I spent playing Max Payne

[@CyborgSodaCollects]

Same

[@Ar1AnX1x]

the game is so good at making you feel what Max is feeling very haunting game, specially for a kid.

[@Ar1AnX1x]

the world of Max Payne felt so dirty and corrupted, like so corrupted that it can't even be fixed.

[@jeffmarron3887]

"I don't know about angels, but it's fear that gives man wings"

[@sauceru99]

Man i bought those games a number of times, it was my favourite game through out my childhood, man i miss the old days of gaming No grinding, no sweating, just old plain shooting and dodging

[@CellShadedVisual]

What’s your opinion on Max Payne 2?

[@ZeMalta]

While i like Max Payne 2 and 3 is not bad, 1 simply is the best. It has such a charm and groove to it. It simply flows like butter while you play. The physic while limited to set animations, lines and breakabilities, where so finely tuned that it was in many ways better than plenty of ragdoll and loose 3D objects in other games. The graphics and effects are sooo clean, you get a feeling of a cinematic shot after each shootout, with everyone dropped in a way, with objects, holes and a little of destruction painting a perfect scene. It's great! And the storytelling is awesome. It gets to be funny, stupid, philosophical, mundane, cartoony and serious at the same time.

[@Pupppeteer]

MrHammers back at it again smashing the competition in bullet time!

[@MrHammers]

Big man ray always dropping in for the premiere, much appreciated homie!

[@Pupppeteer]

@@MrHammers it's always nice to chat to a king so I try to never miss them haha.

[@murkinsmurff219]

Its 2024 and I still play this game

[@Nickzstuff]

Great stuff so far!!! Work continues to get better and better with each vid, keep it up bro!

[@lonew0lfclaw859]

I have a special place for the first max payne in my heart..your review did it justice. Thank you.

[@isaacster5027]

20 years man. Great video

[@robotz2129]

Happy 20th birthday Max Payne! Amazing video, everything was so well made

[@MrHammers]

Thank you!

[@Andriej69]

Brilliant summary. I actually watched this video last instead of first, but it made it work just as well. I do remember how big this game was back in the day, still got a whole bunch of magazines from 2000 and 2001 with Max Payne promo posters "Do not cross" "A man with nothing to lose" - gotta say, got me hooked. Max Payne 2 is the one I've played the most by far (thanks to mods, mostly), but original is the one of the defining experiences of my childhood - along with Silent Hill 2, og Fallout 1&2, Neverwinter Nights and... Vice City

[@tylercouture216]

i swear i love Max Payne so much the theme music gives me goosebumps for an eternity one of the best games ever

[@EJD339]

It’s really a shame studios are walking away from making their own engines. I have no doubt how difficult it is to maintain one but I love how each engine has its own feel.

[@austincolenutt]

This was one of the first games that made me realize what games really could be

[@trajoanmayberry3808]

Max Payne trilogy is one of Best Video Game Trilogy Of All Time

[@flippedoutkyrii]

Hell of a job covering one of my favorite games ever! I didn't even know one of the mobsters was played by the Vending Machine Restocker!

[@MaxPayne.]

I subscribed and had a feeling that you’d cover all of the Max Payne games. One of my favorite trilogies.

[@Cyklopz007]

This is a great video. Well done!

[@GordonFreemanlvr]

Great video just played the first two games. Easily my favorite character in gaming

[@MrHammers]

Thank you! Max is definitely in my top 10 favorite characters for sure, such a well written dude

[@actiblizzard]

Still one of the best single player games i've ever played. Deus Ex is also up there

[@AlphaYellow]

I love this series a lot, a game that I play at least once every month or so. Remedy took many risks with this game, but they knew from the start they had a jewel in their hands, their past background in the demoscene culture definitely helped them in building the engine that powered it, with amazing dynamic lighting and particle effects for the time. Sam Lake is just a brilliant writer and his work on MP1 is one of his best along with the sequel. Just an interesting info, the original release schedule was summer of 1999, but they were forced to delay it at the last minute, cuz they thought the game's graphics didn't reflect what they were going for, and revamped the engine's lighting, textures and character modeling for a much more realistic aesthetic, and it proved to be the right choice in the end. The dark, gritty, realistic atmosphere of the New York streets will never age, neither the sarcasm and poetic quotes from Max, brilliantly voiced by James McCaffrey. Too bad McCaffrey never got the recognition he really deserved, even as actor.

[@henrygallego9197]

Dude keep doin what u are doin the way u are doin it I’m sure u will get the attention u deserve

[@heisenberg1372]

Underrated channel

[@MrHammers]

Thanks! 😊

[@heisenberg1372]

I love the effort you put on your videos mate... Very Professional👌 I wish you for more subscribers

[@Ali_Al-Nasir]

This was great. Subbed And also looking forward to your max payne 2 vid Edit : u already made it🔥🔥🔥

[@holden6104]

Few games are perfection. This is one of them.

[@user-ol1ep1yf8g]

What a fantastic review, I say you did this a great justice. When you mentioned the far east where I am from, I really liked it further.

[@bigkmoviesandgames]

I've always loved the Max Payne franchise especially 2. And though I don't think we'll ever get a fourth entry I would love to see modern re-release with some updated visuals. Although even if that never happens we still have it unless I'm Trilogy to look back on that's still fun to play to this day.

[@senormarston]

Max Payne, such a classic, I played for the first time in the PS2 and I play it even to this day on my PC

[@misterkefir]

Absolute classic, love it!

[@granvillecupido9971]

Seeing this i just realize how talented sam lake's writing is,it's now shocking to see how good he wrote alan wake 2 this guy is just on a different level

[@francosamericanmusings1560]

Max Payne fan and I LOVE this video

[@AustinDallasPictures]

Amazing video!

[@MrHammers]

Thank you!

[@roachmancam9012]

This gem just came up in the Microsoft store for xbox, had to immediately grab this classic

[@NStuffGuitars]

You definitely made a subscriber out of me today this is great

[@AasaaL]

amazing video

[@MrHammers]

Thank you :)

[@serendipity_hunter3974]

One of my all time top5 favorite games. I just did another playthrough of max Payne. Wish I could get max Payne 2 but it’s only available on ps3 sadly

[@derekmiller933]

Its on PC too!

[@MrHammers]

I played all 3 Max Paynes on Steam

[@derekmiller933]

@@MrHammers same bro! I got all 3 on steam. Amazing games! Hey great video btw!

[@MrHammers]

Hey thanks my dude!

[@SJxPVR]

Great video great game still own my ps2 copy 🤣

[@gingermachinimano1]

MrHammers i watched about 4 of your videos before i realised how little views n subs there are. I was so shocked as the quality of the content rivals those with millions n made me assume you had tonnes of views

[@MrHammers]

Thank you 🙏. That's very kind, glad you like the videos

[@gingermachinimano1]

@@MrHammers Nah man thank you, im loving the content. Motivated me to play the only rockstar game i never played which is manhunt. Spent more time fixing bugs than playing so far but none the less i am grateful for your videos

[@Orbital_Dew]

i'm just amazed how good this game still looks

[@IAMthatIAM992]

Play it every Christmas. Probably favorite game

[@TastyBirds]

Awesome video, subbed! I've been writing a few ideas down for retrospectives and this is super inspirational, how long have you been making these?

[@MrHammers]

Thanks dude! I've been making stuff for like 2 years on here on and off

[@maltsutty]

Love max Payne , apart from being a crazy innovative game at the time it was also very open to modding with badass matrix and kong fu mods lol

[@Hugo_Tate]

“Pin point accuracy” *runs into fire and dies* 😂

[@PsychoRavager]

AAA devs don't make 'em like they used to. I miss simpler times with games like MAX PAYNE.

[@mrmorrisjh]

We need a 20th anniversary remaster, come on Rockstar make it happen.

[@lowerclassbrats77]

I'd love for them to create Rockstar Revival studios. A studio dedicated entirely to fully remaking all of their back catalog with modern visuals and controls The Warriors, Bully, Red Dead Revolver, Max Payne etc.

[@SuperHns]

yeah seeing what they did to GTA Trilogy remaster.. no thanks

[@mrmorrisjh]

@@SuperHns yea be careful what you wish for

[@SuperHns]

@@mrmorrisjh Parker.

[@lowerclassbrats77]

@@SuperHns This purposed studio doesn't exist, therefore they couldn't have created the Trilogy Remaster.

[@angelcanez4426]

Best shooter game ever. Yes I stand by that.

[@Nickzstuff]

Darn missed the premier start 😩

[@MrHammers]

no problem! Thanks for checking it out dude

[@depopostalservice3838]

I never played Max Payne but now i,m intressted

[@MrHammers]

It's a great series! Still plays very well

[@dcard228]

I never thought about how weird it was, I just knew that it worked

[@WVRLORD]

Remedy’s firing at all cylinders rn as well apparently they have 4-5 games in the works I can’t wait to see what’s next for them

[@FlorescuAdryan]

Watching this after the anouncements of Max Payne 1 and 2 Remakes :D

[@Rad-Dude63andathird]

I feel it's worth mentionin' Death Rally had Duke Nukem as a playable guest character too. 😀

[@bostonterrierfanatic9652]

Absolute classic.

[@KingDaveth]

I can't wait for the remakes

[@billbailey1511]

The drugs called valkyr another reference to norse mythology.

[@CellShadedVisual]

It’s crazy that Max Payne was released a year before GTA3.

[@shotty2164]

I wish they’d remaster this game man. So fucking good

[@cowboywaingro7259]

Sick video

[@Mentis-de]

My favourite game beside mgs1 and 2

[@nicksam305]

12:56 this nuccka crazy

[@ConwayKitty]

Been playing this on my PS2 last couple days and there's been a lot of lag and stutter when there's more than 1 or 2 enemies shooting at me. Idr it ever having that before. Same with the 2nd game for ps2 I have.

[@StrongStyleKam]

I never realized the Norse references before

[@tHeForger1145]

It was over, a little closer to heaven

[@StalkingPigeon]

Hell yeah!

[@Kevinjohn7741]

This game scared me as a kid

[@anxofmyown]

Max Payne on GBA was awesome.

[@daph0307]

About the story... I don't know if it is old-fashioned for today's standards (an eupheminism for cliché), or if it was already old-fashioned back then but they actually made it on purpose as a call-back or love letter if you like, as I read how an user referred to it, to the game's influences.

[@AwareWolfOnWheels]

I remember my mate had this on his PC and a mod that let you wall run and use melee combat, it was so dope but I do remember the plot being proper fucked up.

[@jyrese117]

well i had no idea max payne thought of bullet time before the matrix

[@Mickylitman]

Max payne is very Frank Miller. It's a lot like Sin City

[@chrissmart219]

Just helping the algorithm 😆

[@internziko]

2001 was an amazing year gor gaming

[@CallMeDoctor96]

I’m a few years late but Hammers the game was made with the intention of a sequel not a one off the end credits end with this is not the end of maxs story more is to come

[@jackwalsh4535]

Funny in 2001 people woulda been like woah these cutscenes are so realistic

[@dominicraynes1569]

I wish they would re release Max Payne 3 for Xbox and PlayStation.

[@dearhorse085]

You have to understand, at that time 3D gaming was at the early stage of innovation, that's why we had a lot of good ones that "shouldn't have worked". Nothing like that happens anymore. It was just something new at the time and experimental. A lot of game engines were being forged. PS2 had a lot of new games in it that were innovative as hel.

[@nicksam305]

The most unholy game ever created..

[@JJB902]

Killer vending machine

[@larrywilliams4619]

REBOOT!!!!

[@raymxslappedyall3660]

when dead to rights devs were asked if they just copied max they said their game was in development before their game was,dunno if that's true

[@Handsyboi]

can you cover cold fear and hydrophobia?

[@MrHammers]

Cold Fear is on my radar, never heard of hydrophobia, I'll have to check it out