One of the hard hitters at last years E3 was Max Payne, which received critical reviews for its amazing visual effects. Running on Remedy's Max-FX 3D engine, a cost effective powerhouse way of developing high end games, Max Payne stunned the show with wicked particle effects, top-notch modeling, lighting and use of shadows. And the realistic facial expressions were nothing short of amazing. They've also concentrated on a great cinematic quality in the gameplay, with slow motion breaking up the fast action similar to the Matrix. But what gives? This one's been in development for years now and we're still waiting! And then there was the big scare that we'd never see Max, a rumor that he was to be shelved never to see the light of day. Well the developer is still hard at work pounding out the title so it matches their expectations, and in our books that's just fine. Because in some cases the longer it takes, the sweeter the results. So far it's coming late Q4 2001. I'm sure well see more of Max at this year's E3. More to follow. DA FEATURES -Two camera modes show the grim present day New York City setting and the gunplay action from the best possible angles. -The follow-up mode tails Max Payne as he runs, guns blazing. -Realistic weapon setup includes over a dozen real-life guns, all fitting the crime-story setting like a bullet in the head. -The action is surrounded with more than 80 hand-painted comic-screens that enhance the game's gritty atmosphere and attitude, introduce the game's murderous cast of characters, and carry the twisting plot from one location to the next.