Grimbeard - Max Payne (PC) - Review 

Rest in peace, James McCaffrey. Your legacies within the industry were phenomenal, and we lost you too soon.

this intro? Perhaps your finest work to date

Max Payne: "The door's locked. I need a key to get through." JC Denton: "What a shame."

Just fantastic as always.

One of the many things I love about your channel is how much effort you put into slicing and dicing voice samples from people who are plausibly probably cool enough to give you a little soundbyte if you emailed them and asked nicely, which makes what you do all the sweeter.

Your joke about "The Scream" being about a guy who remembered he left a can in the freezer actually reminded me I left a can in the freezer. Thanks Bro

omg, dude... You'd not believe how happy I am to hear someone properly "nail" the appeal of MPs story. It's like you're in my head or something. Expensive paper.

Max Payne has this late nineties "glamourized urban decay" aesthetic that makes me want to put on a hoodie and go on a walk trough downtown in the middle of the night listening to that Bristol trip hop with homeless guest singers and a guy who softly raps to your neck in a very uncomfortable asmr way. Then I realize how creepy +30 men look in a hoodie... and I just end up reinstaling VTMB.

You have outdone yourself with that intro... fucking brilliant. Toe stub and all.

"He was trying to buy more sand for his hourglass. I wasn't selling any" The writing is beautiful. Its Noir chiche with a bit of badass action one-liners and they nailed it perfectly. Its so on the nose but it doesn't feel like its trying too hard. The third game tried to capture this but the setting and 'matured' Max don't help push the sense of a good guy turned bad for vengeance. It was good in its own right but wasn't the same. Amazing video btw

It's what I love about the Max Payne games, they are not afraid to be extremely dark and then have a funny one-liner the next minute. The writing manages to juggle both dark and light tones very well. It's always a treat to go back and replay these, especially the first two. Can't wait for you to cover the sequel, Max Payne 2 has great resolution to Max' character and the final line of the game is downright beautiful. Though neither would work really well without the fun gameplay.

Fun fact about the rats in Max Payne: If you shoot too many rats they start to turn on you and shoot at you back. I remember being blown away by that as a kid 💀

I remember playing this when I was a kid and being terrified at Max's bad trip

The nightmare level still haunts me 20 years later. It was quite grim.

God, the Max Payne comics you did in between the parts were really fucking good. The effort you put in does not go unappreciated

1:10:50 The fact Aesir is on the label is also dumb because like, the whole reason Max and Alex are undercover in the mob is to find out where they're getting Valkyr from. They're distributing it but they're not making it, so who's the big player behind it all. Their handler in the DEA, B. B., is crooked and betrays the two detectives when they're getting too close to cracking the case and Max has no idea Aesir is behind it all until like the 3rd Act. If the junkies were really walking around with Aesir-labelled vials the whole game wouldn't happen. The whole conspiracy would be blown open in public, Max would learn about who killed his wife on the 6 o'clock news and he would basically have no agency. On the other hand, casting Beau Bridges as B. B. is pretty funny.

Max Payne is a timeless classic, hope Remedy pulls a Resident Evil Remake and improve upon the original in every way.

>Eats French Fry >Explodes Masterpiece

RIP James McCaffrey

Vlad also has the greatest line in the second one: "Max, dearest of all my friends!" One of the best mob greeting lines ever.

You really went above and beyond for this one, even reviewing the GBA and the movie. Especially loved that splicing, hearing Max meet Chad killed me. And fuck yea we got the Rat Roundup now

The fact that you were able to edit in a quick cut of Dave Attell's Insomniac proves that your're only just beginning to put out gold. Good work, cant wait til your next one.

Just when I think my boy has topped himself he drops that absolute banger of an opening on us. Incredible video, outdone yourself once again.

Parapug, Chad, AND a Rat Roundup all in one video? Gothmas came early lol

“They F my boy up so hard he achieves Chim…” I respect the reference, you definitely know your audience!

I appreciate the work that went into the Stalin-Conker picture bit. It's a short gag, a small gag, and intensive to do right - those are the hardest to justify when you're actually there doing them but so often they're totally worth it.

It’s interesting how Max kinds revels in his vigilante status in the first game. That’s how I interpreted the monologue where he likens himself to a virus in the city’s circulatory system. But by the second game he makes a 180 because by that point, he had had some time and space to look back and “digest” the trauma he experienced. Not getting shot at constantly and holding a normal job does that to a man. Great video, Grim!

One of the best openings of a documentary. Ever. :D And yet another superb review. Thank you for your diligence. Despite being long, they're so easy to watch they feel like 20 minutes. You've got a gift, use it! The voice acting in this game is absolutely superb. The one I always remember "dum de de dum, KILLER VENDING MACHINE!" in that breathy wheezey soon-to-keel-over voice. While I respect people's right to their opinions, the critical reviews you pulled out are rather hilarious.

Man I always hoped you'd review this. Just like the suffering. And it's better than I hoped. You rock dude and I love the music btw. Kick ass.

A certified GrimCore classic.

Goddamn, that Intro is beautiful.

Every time I fall asleep with RU-vid auto-playing videos for me, I wake up to this one playing. And every time, I love this video more.

I’ve watched this so many times while studying sleeping cleaning baby bottles etc. Grimbeard is simply the best at what he does. Not to mention the music, love the music. Literally listened to some of it especially Pure Acid Hell while at the gym and damn it slays.

I’m diggin the new energy! Your skits and running jokes are some of my favorite parts of your videos

This is amazing. I've been binging these every night before bed. Great work

I can't think of a single person who understands why videogames are funnier on a deeper level than Grim. The molotov scene is ASTOUNDING.

Dude the intro WAS AMAZING

That locked door bit made me lose my shit. Thank you Grimmy

A good day just got even gooder, thank you Grim! It’s always a godsend to see your videos pop up

This is some of the greatest editing and jokes I've seen on this channel. Great video Grim, always looking forward to the next!

If our relationship wasnt entirely parasocial and one sided, we'd get on like a house on fire. I never fail to fucking HOWL at your jokes and asides. Like 1:00:43. Fuckin love it.

I'll never be able to get that beautiful, constipated, Finnish man's face out of my brain, and I'm totally ok with this. Love Max Payne.

Omg the I tro and the other parts you've made throughout the video are just amazing. Great work, I loled at each one. Not specifically for those, but this is my favorite video of yours yet. Thank you Grim, so glad I've been subscribed all these years. 😊

Now this is the kind of IP that'll finally get those subs that this channel deserves. As always, the whole thing is a masterpiece, but that intro was just...beautiful!

This is the first adult game I ever played. I was maybe 12. Played it in the coldest winter at night. It terrified me but the atmosphere of the game and the weather was SUPER immersive

I think what has always made me adore Max Payne is that if eels like it was made with love. Everyone had fun making it and that bleeds into the rest of the game in a way that not many others can replicate.

Well worth the wait. I'm glad I went back and binged all your earlier videos, you're on my list of creators I drop everything to watch now. Can't wait to see what you cover next!

Grim -- your video game essays are hands-down the best of this kind of content I have seen on RU-vid. It's just the perfect mix of analysis and critique, meme, original edits, nostalgia bait, etc. I will always watch, sometimes multiple times. The algorithm is criminal in how it hasn't properly swung the spotlight towards you. Keep it up, it will happen.

Over a year and I didn't notice Max holding a figure of the mercurial classic The Maxx you genius you

I love you Grim. I'm so glad you finally got around reviewing one of my favorite games ever.

hell yes! no more replaying older grim videos for... 1h and 44min!

That little ‘Rat-rating’ side mission was rib splitting you bastard!! You owe me new bones son!!! 😂😩

I am commenting before I watch the video to inform you that seeing a new video from Grimbeard brings me joy. Seeing a game related video is even better. But seeing a nearly 2 hour long gaming video by Grimbeard. Well that is that real shit my dude. I already know this is gonna be great. Keep up the great work.

It's a good day when Grim uploads a review of a classic. Praise to the algorithm gods

Grim this is your best intro yet, thank you

40:53 I had that exact thought! After playing as Harry in DE, I often wonder what kind of cop a fictional character is whenever I ecounter one. Also, that Intro was a work of art. Overall great retrospection and I love you for giving the story actual credit.

"I didn't like the way the show started..." Got a real laugh out of me haha

I will never get over my love for this game (and the first sequel). I keep trying to get through 3 but I always miss that perfectly absurd noir. Remedy bottled some amazing energy here. This video is pretty damn good too.

Great work, as usual! Really impressed with your attention to detail and the effort put into the editing. And I've said this before, but I vibe very much with your sense of humour. I reckon I could listen to you talk about anything.

Really enjoy seeing your videos gain more and more views. Great stuff as always.

That intro was awesome. I really hope they do Max Payne justice. Also, I believe how they were trying to make Valkyr how black tar heroin or cocaine would be, that is: Once you've had it once, you're completely addicted and its hard to stop. I can't wait for your next video. :)

That molotov failure scene was so hilarious, I'm happy you let it play out fully, it made me lose 50 depression points.

I haven't seen this kind of hard-hitting, deep rat analysis anywhere else. Liked and subscribed.

Yo your videos are so sick! I love the editing and the aesthetic of your channel. The logo looks cool

Dude you could release a 6 hour video and I'd watch every bit of it!

i audibly yelled out "Noooo" when you erased Conker from history.

Wow, how have I not discovered your channel sooner? Love the video editing and energy you bring. Subscribed!

I've been binging your videos ever since I saw this one, and I know everyone praises how much effort you put into them. But dude, your music too?? Holy crap, it's insanely good!

So many NPC voicelines I still remember and quote to this day. "I thought it was a bomb!" being an absolute favourite of mine. Also "Whack 'em!" in my brain always is specifically the one in this game.

Dude, your content is so good. You make Raycevick and the like resemble lazy amateurs. I'm only half way through this video and its already the best Max Payne related video on youtube.

The Tartarus of Piss and I am the Ferryman. Thanks for that laugh. I needed it.

Brilliant as always Grim, you never cease to amaze me with your reviews.

I thought perfection couldn't exist, until i saw this video... Continue doing good stuff grim 🤘

Hey Grim, just want to say I really appreciate your creative output and love your stylistic choices in your editing, writing and music. Thank you for putting out such amazing content

I love these big reviews. I know they're a lot of work, so thank you.

Wonderful video as always. I thought know about Max Payne a thing or two but you just dig in real hard. Max and I had a special connection, his pain, my pain, my pain his pain. When I first played through this gem I was very down in a hole, and don't want anything to do just woke up as late as possible, speak as few people as I just could, and play Max Payne alone, in the middle of the night until dawn hit is. I played I think 5 times in a row, in every difficulty, and since then nearly every year when the snow finally drops. - Last time was just this January and I only wanted to play a couple of levels, but it's just soo good I had to push on. So I played through again, then I give it a go on Hard Boiled finally Dead on Arrival, then the secret level, then just for fun again the last 4-5 levels which are always my favorite. And it's sure dated but still an absolute blast game. So thank you again for your equally blast review, and your thought about it.

Finished review. It's always great how you get into the other media related and history relevant to the game. I'm this case including the movie. And just to add: enjoy the passion you bring to your work.

omfg this intro!

Grim out here elevating the audio editing for game critiques. Keep it up fam.

Oh god that intro killed me. Great work as always

Dude, YOU are reviewing original Max Payne? I smashed a like without even pressing play!

I really enjoyed the movie review portion. That in addition to your Supernatural reviews makes me think you could really do more of thise if you're ever tapped out on video game vlogs. Great video, Grim! Loved it

Just recently discovered your channel and I gotta say. I love your style and editing. Funny, entertaining, and informative. I have no idea why you don't have more attention, but I'm glad I found ya. This video even got me to go back to Max Payne 1 and finish it. Lovely game and the writing and voice acting is probably one of my new favorites. Can't wait to start 2. Looking forward to the remaster. And looking forward to you and whatever content you put out! Keep on bein awesome!

Awesome!! I'm Finnish, and you pronounced the Finnish names/words surprisingly well.

1:23:03 I remember during the 90’s the term _first person shooter_ hadn’t caught on as the definitive name for the genre yet. One of the most popular terms used in its place was _Doom Clones_ used mostly by snooty point and click puzzle adventure gamers to derisively dismiss the genre as “not real games” because _”they didn’t involve logic or strategy”_ and were _”just mindless violence”_ unlike their definition of _”real games”_ like Myst and Gabriel Knight. So that review with the out of nowhere tribalistic fan divisiveness comparing Deus Ex to Duke Nukem seemed to be an evolution of those two fanbases bickering.

Oh no my lord! My lady! No my lord you mustn't! But i must! No my lord! My lady ! Oh no my lord the shame for i an your long lost sister ! Tune in next time ..

Holy shit finally my exact sense of humor in a channel. Do not mistake it Grim, you will be one of the greats.

Surprised it took so long for a Goth Gamer King to review Max Payne. Perfect fit for this channel and indeed perfectly crafted material. Thank you.

And here we are, 1 step closer to grim playing control by remedy and finding out its basically x files mixed with a character with jedi powers Edit: nevermind he is aware of control and likes it, thats pretty cool

I swear everyone played this when I was but a youngling. Being from the country of origin definitely factors into it, but thinking back on it, it's kinda funny how all the little booger eating bastards were crazy about this game. Fun as heck, but damn was it dark when you stopped to think about it. As kids I think we latched more onto the amusing parts of it and didn't really think too hard about the darker themes and to be fair, most of them were probably too confusing for our young little idiot brains. When I revisited this wayyy later, I found the game to be real spooky.

The comic scene gags were excellent especially the intro. I don’t know why but the bit where he stubs his toe on the door was one of the funniest parts.

I can't play this game without thinking of the SNL parody of Marky Mark: "Say hi to your mother for me!"

The truth hit me like a ton of bricks. It was my fault. All my fault. Ten minutes was all it took for the game to murder my wife and child. If there was any fun in that I couldn't see it. I had to face facts. I was going to have to return Max Payne to Gamestop. I hovered my cursor over the "one star" icon like some sniper in a bad war movie. *click* *boom* I'd done it. I'd killed my first video game. I only prayed God would have mercy on my soul.

The "dynamic difficulty scaling" is actually mentioned right on the box of the console versions. "Self adjusting difficulty keeps you in the sweet spot of gaming bliss." It's a line me and my friends actually still joke about to this day. edit- Max playing the theme on piano is a great recurring bit, particularly in 3, where he fucks it up every time unless you manage to find and play all the pianos in the game, and he'll finally get it right on the last one. Great stuff. Max Payne 3 is so good.

your reviews are art. please keep it up

Greetings from Finland. Appreciate the work you put on this. Kiitos!

Hey, I literally just replayed the whole trilogy like a day ago. Really great games (2 is the best but 3 is just insane but in its own way)

Max Heat 😂

That is some fun intro! I appreciate your work Mister.

I'll never stop watching reviews about Max Payne, I just love seeing different people give new perspectives to this brilliant game! This is one of the best of it I've watched, the humor here is also really well put.