Given the massive library of PC games, it only stands to reason that many venerable titles have yet to receive sequels. Sometimes that can be a good thing. Many are the developers who churn out half-baked sequels in an obvious attempt to cash in on a preceding game's success, only to burn out their fans who view the anticipated sequels as nothing more than petty patch updates running $50 or more.
Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne, are not two such games. Since autumn of 2003, the brooding cop and his popular noir tales have sat dormant despite audible pleading from fans for a third installment. Rumors of Max Payne 3 have flown for years, leaving fans searching out the best in user-developed mod to sate a void only a virtual painkiller can truly heal.
Enter Mona: The Assassin, a new mod for Max Payne 2 that, while not a true sequel, successfully captures the paced action and gritty atmosphere that made Max's two official forays successful enough to... well, to warrant such a frothing demand for a true sequel.
Focusing on the luscious Mona Sax from Max's second adventure, Mona: The Assassin sends the femme fatale on a quest for revenge against a Mafia boss who chased her from her hideout. Ironically, the contract killer is now the hunted, but those who know Mona know she's not one to run and hide for long.
Players who delve into this impressive mod will find lots to love. The atmosphere and level design are pure Max Payne. All firearms and athletic maneuvers should feel familiar to those who completed Mona's brief playable cameo in Max's sequel entry. While a bit of newness could stand to be added to the repertoire, Max never had an extensive array of moves to begin with. What made controlling Max and Mona a blast was bullet-time, the slow-mo effect made popular by The Matrix. Enemy placement allows for players to enact dazzling assassinations that, after only five levels, will leave them thirsting for more.
The length of Mona: The Assassin is the mod's only true flaw. Everything in the mod pulses with the professionalism not seen in many actual development studios, but it wraps up far too quickly.
But what a flaw to have. Gamers yearning for more Max Payne will surely enjoy Mona: The Assassin, a mod that is worth replaying as many times as Max's two official entries have doubtlessly been re-treaded countless times by fans.
Players who delve into this impressive mod will find lots to love. The atmosphere and level design are pure Max Payne. All firearms and athletic maneuvers should feel familiar to those who completed Mona's brief playable cameo in Max's sequel entry. While a bit of newness could stand to be added to the repertoire, Max never had an extensive array of moves to begin with. What made controlling Max and Mona a blast was bullet-time, the slow-mo effect made popular by The Matrix. Enemy placement allows for players to enact dazzling assassinations that, after only five levels, will leave them thirsting for more.
The length of Mona: The Assassin is the mod's only true flaw. Everything in the mod pulses with the professionalism not seen in many actual development studios, but it wraps up far too quickly.
But what a flaw to have. Gamers yearning for more Max Payne will surely enjoy Mona: The Assassin, a mod that is worth replaying as many times as Max's two official entries have doubtlessly been re-treaded countless times by fans.
The Baconing (6/23/11)
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