General gameplay tips for Max Payne 2

Last Updated: July 20, 2023

General gameplay Tips for Max Payne 2

Is everyone out to get me - should I just blaze away?

No. When a character offers to fight alongside Max Payne, take them up on the offer! Don't run ahead of them - watch their actions and use them to your advantage. Talk to any characters encountered along the way. They may reveal important information or provide weapons and painkillers.

Other than the thugs out to get me, should I watch out for anything else?

Max will take damage and die if he encounters real world hazards, e.g. flames. Max Payne will also suffer pain if he is in the proximity of explosions, etc. Walls and other obstacles will provide cover for Max.

Can Max jump down from high places?

If Max falls from a high location, he will be injured and if the drop is high enough he may die.

I shot several shots at this enemy but he would not go down. What's happening?

Weapons have different characteristics. Some offer a better rate of fire and more damage. Remember the accuracy of weapons at a distance may vary greatly. Your selection of weapon for an encounter is an important choice.

Within the game Max will encounter enemies with different levels of training, stamina and behaviors. All enemies are not alike -some more prominent enemies may be tougher to beat. Some enemy types have body armor covering their torsos. Also shooting at enemies' critical areas will cause more damage than shooting his feet. Some areas of enemies are more vulnerable than others- use this to your advantage.

I have enabled the "select best weapon" from the game options menu - will this work best in all areas?

It selects the generally most lethal weapon at your disposal. The best weapon selection does not take into account the particular situation.. You may choose different weapons to spare certain ammo or to use more accurate weapons if taking shots from a distance. If you feel that best weapon option does not suit your playing style deselect this from the game options menu.

Why did Max Payne not pick up the ammo?

For each weapon there is a specific amount of ammo that Max can carry. Once this is reached he cannot collect any more of that ammo until some has been dispensed. Reload the weapon if you have a half empty clip - this way you may be able to pick up the full amount of ammo.

What items can Max use?

You will need to use items in the game to progress. Max's head will turn towards interesting items to indicate them. Max may find TV shows, answering machines and other items of interest during game play -don't pass these up. Take time to use these items and gain information about the story.

I did well before but things are getting tougher, what's happening?

Some parts of the game might be trickier for different gamers, but the self-adjusting skill level has probably evaluated your performance and the level of difficulty has been set to match your abilities. Remember, this also works the other way round: if you had problems completing a level, the game will ease up a bit and give you a little more slack.

Miscellaneous Tips:

Never forget to search each level thoroughly. Painkillers and weapons are hidden throughout the levels in some very unexpected places.

Use explosive objects to your advantage. Take out multiple enemies at once by shooting a single explosive barrel or ammo crate.

If Max crouches (hit 'C') during a gunfight, he presents a smaller target and is less likely to get hit. Crouching behind obstacles in combat provi