Many consider the first two Max Payne games as some of the best third-person shooters of their time, helping popularize the use of the bullet-time effect in video games after the 1999 sci-fi film, The Matrix, used it to great effect.
Unfortunately, having worked on Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne in 2001 and 2003, respectively, Remedy moved on to other endeavors following the latter’s poor sales. Nearly two decades, a threequel by Rockstar Games, and a live-action film starring Mark Wahlberg bearing the same name later, Remedy is back to where it all began. Remedy has worked out a “development agreement” with Rockstar to remake the first two Max Payne games for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and the PC. As said in press release by Rockstar Games founder, Sam Houser, the fan-favorite publisher is “massive fans of the work the Remedy team has created over the years, and we can’t wait to play these new versions.” In addition, the press release confirmed that the compiled remake - both games will be released as a single title - is still in the “concept development stage” and will be “financed by Rockstar Games, the size of which will be in line with a typical Remedy AAA-game production.” The Max Payne remakes follow Take-Two Interactive’s recent earnings call where Rockstar’s parent company teased “new” Max Payne games, among others. Just last year, Remedy released Alan Wake Remastered, which is an updated take on the cult classic title. The Finish video game developer is currently juggling several projects, including Alan Wake 2, as well as a multiplayer spin-off and sequel to 2019’s Control, and a rumored Doctor Strange game. Hopefully, Remedy can handle all these big-budget titles without compromising the quality of the finished products.