It's a gritty third-person shooter that's clearly inspired by the stylish cinematography and choreography of the Hong Kong action movie genre, particularly the work of director John Woo. Like many of Woo's films, Max Payne is rife with gunplay that's almost indescribably beautiful to watch and yet actually playing it is even better. After all, it's not often you get an outstanding and original action game that's not just different from all other shooters to date, but also in many ways superior. The action in Max Payne is dramatic, great-looking, and intense. You play as the title character throughout the game. Max is a modern-day New York undercover cop, whose wife and baby daughter were brutally murdered and who has since been framed for a heinous crime. Thus begins his blood-soaked battle to find the truth and to get revenge.

Minimum Specifications: Pentium II 400 96 MB RAM SVGA 16MB Direct 3D

Recommended Specifications: Athlon 700 128 MB RAM SVGA 32MB Direct 3D