Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

Release Date:	2003
Developer:	Remedy Entertainment
Publisher:	Rockstar Games
Series:	Max Payne
Platforms:	Xbox Playstation 2 PC
Genre:	Third-Person Shooter

Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne is a multiple-award winning third-person shooter video game, the sequel to Max Payne. Two years after the events of the first game in the series, Max has cleared his name and retaken his old job as a detective for the NYPD. While investigating a string of cases involving contract killers dressed as cleaners, Max reunites with Mona Sax, assumed dead at the end of the last game. Mona is framed for killing Senator Gates, and Max has to deal with the confused loyalties of his partner Detective Winterson, leading to a climactic clash of the Mafia and the cleaners.

The game was released for the PC, Xbox and PS2 in 2003. Unfortunately, like the first game, the PC version has no built-in render mode for 16:9 and 16:10 aspect ratio resolutions; instead, the game renders a 4:3 aspect ratio image with the same horizontal size and then compresses it vertically to fit. This results in the odd "squashed" look seen in the screenshots below. Early UT3 engine games would later do the same thing, but cut the top and bottom off the 4:3 aspect ratio image instead of resizing it.

The following weapons can be seen in the video game Max Payne 2:

Handguns

Beretta 92FS

Max Payne's signature 9mm Pistols are Beretta 92FS's. The magazine capacity for the Beretta in this game is 16 rounds, instead of 18 as in the previous game. While a 16 round capacity can be achieved with a full 15-round standard magazine and extra round in the chamber, a 16-round magazine itself is erroneous. It is worth noting that the Beretta 92FS isn't an authorized service weapon of the real-life NYPD and that the use of dual Beretta 92FS semi-automatic pistols is a homage to John Woo, which the Max Payne series borrows heavily from. For some reason, the slide does not move when fired, even though it is shown to do so in pre-release screenshots. The slide also never locks back when the pistol runs dry.

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm

Max holds his Beretta on a cleaner.

A cleaner executes Annie Finn with his Beretta.

Max fires his Berettas while shoot-dodging.

Max holds his 92FS after waking up in the hospital in the prologue.

A poster found in the gun workshop touts the Beretta as an "American's Avenger", which is ironic because the Beretta is an Italian gun however it could be referring to its cousin in the military.

A box of 9mm ammo, or should we say "Beretta Ammo".

Desert Eagle Mark XIX

The Desert Eagle Mark XIX is the signature weapon of Mona Sax. The version in game is a very shiny stainless steel, with gold controls and ivory grips. Magazine capacity for the Desert Eagle in this game is 10 rounds, down from 12 in the first game. A 10-round magazine is erroneous - A 10-round capacity itself is only possible with a Desert Eagle in .357 Magnum with a round chambered and a full magazine. However, the gun in the game is modeled after a .50 AE variant (close examination of the gun shows ".50AE" on the front of the gun's frame). In the console versions of the game, the Desert Eagle is shown in something like olive drab, and the slide does not move when fired. In the PC version, the slide moves after each shot, but does not lock empty.

A Desert Eagle Mark XIX with chrome finish, gold controls, and dark-ivory grip - .50 AE. This is an actual movie gun from the inventory of Weapons Specialists, Ltd. in New York, and was featured in The Sopranos. It was also most likely the inspiration for the Desert Eagle seen in Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne.

The first appearance of Mona and the Desert Eagle.

Mona continues to take down the cleaners by the elevator, each with a single headshot. The taller cocking serrations and scope rails are clear in this shot, indicating a Mark XIX variant. Sadly, due to engine constraints, the slide does not move and brass is not ejected during cut-scenes.

Mona's formal introduction, in freeze frame. If you zoom in on the front of the Desert Eagle, you can see it clearly marked ".50AE".

Max's Desert Eagle cycles in slow motion.

Max's dual Desert Eagles cycle.

Close up of the side of the Desert Eagle, showing the trademarks on the frame.

Smith & Wesson Model 29

'Dick Justice' is a TV show inside the game, named after its title character. Dick Justice, just like Dirty Harry, uses a Smith & Wesson Model 29 in the TV series. It follows the adventures of a cop who is framed for murdering his wife and must run from the law to clear his name. Sounds familiar?

Smith & Wesson Model 29 with 8 3/8" barrel - .44 Magnum

Max stops to watch his favorite TV show, Dick Justice.

Dick Justice holds his Model 29.

Dick holds the M29 on a poster.

Another poster of Dick Justice at Mona's hideout.

Shotguns

Remington 870

The Remington 870P, distinguished by its folding stock, is the primary pump action shotgun available in the game. Holds 7 shells in the tubular magazine. The cleaning company members often carry it in the later levels. This like the Desert Eagle is one of the few weapons that shows the weapon cycling, showing the breach move back after each pump releasing the spent shell

Remington 870 Police Magnum with stock folded - 12 Gauge

Max discovers a Remington 870 shotgun and a box of 12 gauge shells in a closet.

Max holds the Remington 870 shotgun.

Max performs a shoot-dodge with the Remington shotgun in his hands.

Mona aims with the shotgun, using a strange "hold the grip in between the ring and middle finger" approach.

Max pumps the 870.

Sawn-Off Double-Barrel shotgun

The "Sawed-Off" Side-by-Side double barrel shotgun is the first shotgun found by Max. Its primary usefulness comes from having the fastest rate of fire of the three shotguns, but given its capacity of only 2 shells, its effectiveness against multiple targets is limited. That disadvantage is completely bypassed in bullet-time mode however, since any and all weapons can be instantly reloaded while the player character performs a strange "spinning crouch" animation that somehow completely loads the weapons(s) in his or her hand(s).

Thus, when bullet-time mode is active, the Sawed-Off shotgun becomes the quickest way to shoot shotgun shells quickly and consistently at targets, which may be one reason why it cannot be accessed in the game's "Dead Man Walking" mode, as it would provide an overly easy method of achieving a high score.

Sawn-off Double Barreled Shotgun - 12 Gauge

The sawed-off shotgun in the game.

Max dives while firing his "sawed-off" shotgun.

Max fires both barrels of his shotgun in rapid succession.

Max reloads the sawed-off shotgun.

Armsel Striker

The Armsel Striker is known as the "Striker" in the game. Also note that the real-life weapon can't be reloaded with a simple replacement of the drum-shaped magazine (as seen in the game), because it has a fixed magazine, the buckshot must be inserted one by one as with a normal tube magazine-fed shotgun. Furthermore, the weapon's real-life magazine capacity is 12 cartridges, not 10 as in the game. Fires continuously (as if it was an auto-shotgun) if the fire button is held, just like ALL the semi-automatic weapons.

Armsel Striker - 12 Gauge

Max holds the Striker.

Max shoots the Striker.

Max kills two of Gognitti's goons with the Striker.

Max reloads the Striker in an absolutely impossible way.

Submachine Guns

MAC-10

The MAC-10 is used frequently by both Max and gangsters throughout the game. Called "Ingram" in the game, which is a reference to the MAC-10's designer Gordon B. Ingram. The name is accurate - The weapon in-game is indeed modeled after an actual Ingram-designed MAC-10, and not a Cobray M11/9 as in the first game. Has a 32-round magazine and can be dual-wielded. Fires in 2-round burst when the fire key is clicked and the full-auto fire is also only a rapid series of 2-round bursts after each other. Interestingly, you can see the actual round chambered in the breach during cut scenes and when pressing the "pause" button.

Ingram MAC-10 - .45 ACP

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A mob hitman fires his MAC-10 at Max in the gun works.

Max fires dual MAC-10s.

Mona fires the MAC-10.

Vinnie Gognitti and one of his goons with a MAC-10.

"You'll fucking pay for this, Russian! You'll fucking pay!"
Vinnie Gognitti makes a prudent retreat while holding his MAC-10.

Kaufman exits the elevator with two MAC's in his hands.

Mona reloads the MAC-10.

Mona kills a cleaning company thug while sliding on the floor.

Two boxes of MAC-10 ammunition.

Heckler & Koch HK94A3

Called simply the "MP5", the weapon is actually a chopped and converted Heckler & Koch HK94A3. This is likely because the developers were given an HK94 to model the game weapon from (the chopped-and-converted HK94 carbines are often seen used in films and TV as a stand-in for actual MP5A3s). The distinguishing features of the HK94 are its lack of a paddle magazine release, the different shape of the grip and where it connects to the lower receiver (which is also different), and the slightly different shape of the barrel (which is a regular barrel cut down from its original carbine length, actual MP5s feature lugged barrels for mounting suppressors). The weapon in-game also features a mounted AGOG scope.

Heckler & Koch HK94A3 Chopped and converted to resemble an MP5A3 - 9x19mm

Heckler & Koch MP5A3, shown for comparison - 9x19mm. This is the weapon the chopped and converted HK94 is supposed to look like. Note the different features, among them the polymer lower receiver, paddle magazine release and barrel lugs.

Max holds his "MP5" while talking to Mona. Note the lack of a paddle magazine release, the straight tube, non-lugged barrel and the differing pistol grip and metal lower receiver, indicating the weapon is modeled after an HK94A3 and not an actual MP5A3. The bolt is also shown locked back, which in actuality would render the weapon unable to fire.

Max with his scoped "MP5".

Reloading the "MP5".

Looking through the ACOG mounted on the "MP5".

Two boxes of "MP5" ammo.

Rifles

Norinco Type 56

The Norinco Type 56, standing in for the AKM, appears in the game as the "Kalashnikov". Obtainable early in the game, it is most notably carried by Mike the Cowboy, one of Vladimir's high ranking soldiers. The "Kalashnikov" is depicted as the little brother of the M4A1, dealing significantly less damage when not aiming for the head.

Norinco Type 56 - 7.62x39mm.

Mike the Cowboy fires his Type 56 at invading mobsters in the Ragnarok nightclub.

Max holding the "Kalashnikov". Note that it has slant muzzle brake, like the AKM.

Max aims the Type 56 at Vinnie's mobsters.

The Type 56 cycles.

Max reloads the Type 56. Here can clearly be seen the hooded front sight, a feature unique to Type 56 AKs.

At Gognitti's Used Car Lot, a Type 56 with a really unique trigger guard can be seen on a poster.

Colt M4A1 Carbine

The Colt M4A1 appears in game as simply the "M4 Carbine", however fires in fully automatic mode. It is portrayed as having a very slow rate of fire, but makes up for it with power and accuracy. The in-game model has only safe and semi settings on the side where the ejection port is, but the auto is present on the other side correctly. When picked up, it always has only 15 rounds in the magazine.

Colt M4A1 with 6 position collapsible stock. The carry handle/rear sight are not removed - 5.56x45mm

A poster of the M4A1 Carbine in the gun works. The top image shows the M4A1 with back-up rear sight, the rifle on the bottom one is fitted with a vertical foregrip and suppressor. Neither of these accessory is available in the actual game.

The M4A1 in Max's hands.

Max fires the M4A1 in the hotel.

Mona reloads the M4A1 at the construction site.

Closer look on the rifle shows the selector set to semi.

Steyr SSG 69 PII

The Steyr SSG 69 PII appears in the game as the "Sniper Rifle". It is first seen in the hands of cleaners at Max's apartment complex, and Max can later get it for himself. Mona can never acquire this weapon. As in the first game, Max is not actually seen cycling the bolt, even though there is a "bolt action" sound effect after every shot.

Steyr SSG 69 PII with Harris bipod - 7.62x51mm NATO

The sniper rifle in the game. In games like Contract J.A.C.K., the SSG 69 is modeled with a 5-shot magazine which holds 10 rounds, however in Max Payne 2 the rifle is equipped with a 10-shot mag but holds only 5 rounds. Also note the double set trigger.

A Cleaning Company sniper fires the SSG 69 PII.

Max with the Sniper Rifle.

"My lord, Jack!" Max ventilates some awful TV.

A bullet fired from the SSG 69 PII as seen through the "bullet camera". This feature occurs only if the bullet will kill the target, but only if fired from the SSG 69 PII. Other sniper rifles do not have this view.

FPK / PSL Sniper Rifle

The FPK / PSL Sniper Rifle appears in the game as the "Dragunov". It is a semi-automatic sniper rifle with a 10-round magazine. Used only by Mona to cover Max at the construction site and at the fun house.