While Xbox 360 and PS3 users have worked themselves into a veritable tizzy over downloadable content, PC users have been accustomed to having the lifeline of their favorite games extended far past their in-the-box values since the days of Doom - and even before that. What's more, we're used to downloading new levels, weapons, characters, and new episodes absolutely free of charge.
Big Download understands that a five-hour game can be extended by hundreds of hours via total conversions, brand new monsters, and weapons you've always wanted to see in your favorite title. In the spirit of extending a title's longevity beyond mere out-of-the-box expectations, MODmonday celebrates the best modifications for games new and old. Half-Life, Half-Life 2, StarCraft, Diablo II, Doom and more will all be represented here, ensuring a wide spread of mods available across every possible genre of PC gaming.
This week's MODmonday modification is Polar Paradise, a total conversion for Max Payne that casts players in the role of Dinky, a big, angry polar bear with an automatic snowball rifle. Stay tuned to MODmonday as we count down until the release of the Max Payne movie on October 16 by covering some of the best mods for Max Payne and Max Payne 2.
Mod: Polar Paradise
Developer: Payneful Productions
Type: Single-player
Download Link
Required Game: Max Payne
Installation Instructions:
- Download Polar Paradise.
- Unzip the contents of the zip file into your Max Payne folder.
Running the Mod:
- Select "Polar Paradise" from the Choose Customized Game tab.
- Start the game.
Browse the MODmonday Archive
Review
Forget everything you think you know about Santa Claus: the warm wishes for a "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night", the benevolence, the merriment, the elves working tirelessly in Santa's workshop - it's all nonsense. I'm here to tell you that Jolly Saint Nick is a jerk. Don't believe me? Just ask Dinky the polar bear.
Upon returning to the North Pole, Dinky discovers that his family has been kidnapped by Santa's elves, lanky green demon-like creatures wearing malicious grins instead of rosy cheeks, bushy beards and squeaky chortles. What's a polar bear to do? Bust some caps... er, snowballs, of course.
With the Diddy Kong Racing snow track music providing a deceptively chipper backdrop, you'll guide Dinky through a disappointingly small selection of levels ranging from outside Santa's workshop to inside the factory itself. The characters are blocky -- this is the original Max Payne, after all -- but the environments are striking. Snow-covered cabins are scattered across an icy winter wonderland. Heap of over-sized Christmas gifts are stacked outside the giant double wooden doors leading into Santa's sweatshop.
Dinky won't have much time to marvel at his surroundings, as Santa's demonic elves are packing serious heat. Luckily, Dinky has access to the same arsenal, and it is Polar Paradise's weaponry that makes the mod so much fun to play. At the outset of the tale, Dinky possesses a few kung fu moves -- and snowballs. Pelt your foes with the packed balls of ice and watch them fly back in slow motion, blood spurting from their wounds and dirtying the pure white snow. The icicle rifle can send shards of ice through multiple enemies in a line, the turkey launcher's explosive gobblers devastate packs of enemies, and the jingle bell cannon's ammo can be lobbed off walls to deal with elves too scared to stand and fight.
It's ridiculous, but wonderfully so. Watching a wide-eyed turkey zoom forward in slow motion before its explosion scatters elves is hilarious, as is the sight of an elf spinning around from the impact of a hail of snowballs fired from an automatic snowball gun. Payneful Productions went all out on the weaponry for Polar Paradise, and they obviously realize that this is their mod's strongest point: ammo and guns are plentiful, and mobs of enemies are thrown at Dinky every step of the way. It's chaotic absurdity at its very best.
Polar's only poor point is its short length. The available levels are few, and while some are rather long, shooter experts will easily finish the adventure in under an hour. But while it lasts, it's fantastic, and of high enough quality that you'll likely play the mod twice consecutively when the mood for Christmas shenanigans strikes you.
Don't be a Scrooge -- download Polar Paradise.
Developer: Payneful Productions
Type: Single-player
Download Link
Required Game: Max Payne
Installation Instructions:
- Download Polar Paradise.
- Unzip the contents of the zip file into your Max Payne folder.
Running the Mod:
- Select "Polar Paradise" from the Choose Customized Game tab.
- Start the game.
Browse the MODmonday Archive
Review
Forget everything you think you know about Santa Claus: the warm wishes for a "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night", the benevolence, the merriment, the elves working tirelessly in Santa's workshop - it's all nonsense. I'm here to tell you that Jolly Saint Nick is a jerk. Don't believe me? Just ask Dinky the polar bear.Upon returning to the North Pole, Dinky discovers that his family has been kidnapped by Santa's elves, lanky green demon-like creatures wearing malicious grins instead of rosy cheeks, bushy beards and squeaky chortles. What's a polar bear to do? Bust some caps... er, snowballs, of course.
With the Diddy Kong Racing snow track music providing a deceptively chipper backdrop, you'll guide Dinky through a disappointingly small selection of levels ranging from outside Santa's workshop to inside the factory itself. The characters are blocky -- this is the original Max Payne, after all -- but the environments are striking. Snow-covered cabins are scattered across an icy winter wonderland. Heap of over-sized Christmas gifts are stacked outside the giant double wooden doors leading into Santa's sweatshop.
Dinky won't have much time to marvel at his surroundings, as Santa's demonic elves are packing serious heat. Luckily, Dinky has access to the same arsenal, and it is Polar Paradise's weaponry that makes the mod so much fun to play. At the outset of the tale, Dinky possesses a few kung fu moves -- and snowballs. Pelt your foes with the packed balls of ice and watch them fly back in slow motion, blood spurting from their wounds and dirtying the pure white snow. The icicle rifle can send shards of ice through multiple enemies in a line, the turkey launcher's explosive gobblers devastate packs of enemies, and the jingle bell cannon's ammo can be lobbed off walls to deal with elves too scared to stand and fight.
It's ridiculous, but wonderfully so. Watching a wide-eyed turkey zoom forward in slow motion before its explosion scatters elves is hilarious, as is the sight of an elf spinning around from the impact of a hail of snowballs fired from an automatic snowball gun. Payneful Productions went all out on the weaponry for Polar Paradise, and they obviously realize that this is their mod's strongest point: ammo and guns are plentiful, and mobs of enemies are thrown at Dinky every step of the way. It's chaotic absurdity at its very best.
Polar's only poor point is its short length. The available levels are few, and while some are rather long, shooter experts will easily finish the adventure in under an hour. But while it lasts, it's fantastic, and of high enough quality that you'll likely play the mod twice consecutively when the mood for Christmas shenanigans strikes you.
Don't be a Scrooge -- download Polar Paradise.
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