Video game:PlayStation 2 Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

Developed by Remedy Entertainment in 2001, Max Payne is a third-person shooter franchise that draws inspiration from classic noir crime novels and films. The game follows a New York City police officer, Max Payne, whose life spirals out of control after the death of his wife and child. As he seeks out the people responsible for their murder, Max delves into a world of drug dealers, mobsters, and conspiracy.

Ironically, though Max begins his journey hunting and condemning drug dealers, his physical and emotional trauma cause him to develop an addiction to alcohol and painkillers. This is reflected in the gameplay mechanics, as character health is restored through the use of painkillers.

Max Payne rose to success by being one of the first games to incorporate "Bullet Time" as a fundamental feature of gameplay. Bullet Time allows for the passage of time to slow down so the audience can witness objects that normally move at imperceptible speeds, such as bullets. In Max Payne, Bullet Time mode slows time within the game while still allowing players to adjust the camera and aim weapons at a normal speed. When activated, players can deliver more accurate and deadly blows to opponents.

Instead of using traditional animated cut-scenes, Max Payne made notable use of gritty comic book illustrations and voice-overs between campaigns. This gave the game a unique aesthetic compared to other games on the market, and remains one of the game's most distinct features.

Max Payne's story has been widely acclaimed, earning the game a number of awards, including a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Interactive Entertainment award. Additionally, Max Payne is frequently listed among the best PC games of all time by members of the gaming press, like PC Gamer magazine. Though later games in the series have yet to reach the original's level of commercial success, they continue to be celebrated for their engaging plots and magnetic gameplay.