Joining us for this episode is Producedbycos, returning to The Rookie Run as the veteran, as we take a deep dive into Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne.

A stylish and cinematic sequel to Remedy's original third-person shooter, Max Payne 2 builds on the bullet-time action, noir atmosphere and hard-boiled storytelling of the first game. But does this darker, more focused sequel still hold up as one of the best action games of its era?

In this episode, we discuss:

• The story of Max Payne, Mona Sax and the conspiracy surrounding the Inner Circle • How Max Payne 2 improves on the original game's shooting, bullet time and movement • The game's iconic noir atmosphere, comic-book presentation and cinematic storytelling • The level design, enemy encounters, weapons and incredibly satisfying gunplay • The physics, ragdolls and interactive environments — and some of the game's funniest moments • Mona Sax, Vlad, Vinnie Gognitti and the game's memorable cast of characters • The game's darker themes, romance and Max's increasingly bleak outlook on life • How Max Payne 2 compares to the original Max Payne • Producedbycos' veteran perspective versus my experience playing it as the Rookie • Whether Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne still deserves its reputation as one of the greatest third-person shooters ever made

Released in 2003 for PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox, Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne is a landmark third-person action game known for its bullet-time mechanics, noir storytelling, cinematic presentation and stylish gunplay. We revisit Remedy's sequel to see how well it holds up over two decades later.

If you enjoy discussions about:

• Max Payne 2 • Max Payne • Remedy Entertainment • Third-person shooters • Bullet time • Video game history • Gaming retrospectives • Classic PC games • Action games • Noir games • Video game nostalgia • Game reviews

then this episode is for you.

The Rookie Run

ProducedbyCos

Joining us for this episode is Gman, our Jet Set Radio Future veteran, as we take a deep dive into one of the most stylish and unique games of the early 2000s: Jet Set Radio Future.

Released in 2002 for the original Xbox, Jet Set Radio Future took the graffiti-covered streets, cel-shaded visuals and rebellious attitude of Jet Set Radio and expanded them into a bigger, faster and more open-ended experience. But after all these years, does JSRF still live up to its cult classic reputation?

In this episode, we discuss:

• The story of the GG's, the Rokkaku Group and the fight to take back Tokyo-to

• What made Jet Set Radio Future such a unique game — from its cel-shaded art style and graffiti mechanics to its skating, grinding and movement

• The game's world, level design and exploration, including the iconic Shibuya-cho, Chuo and Sky Dinosaurian Square

• The incredible soundtrack, its legendary basslines and how the music contributes to JSRF's unmistakable atmosphere

• The game's combat, rival gangs, graffiti system and how the mechanics have aged

• The freedom and flow of skating around Tokyo-to, and why movement is such an important part of the JSRF experience

• Gman's veteran perspective versus my Rookie experience playing Jet Set Radio Future for the first time

• The game's more frustrating areas, including the sewers and skyscraper sections

• Jet Set Radio Future's cult following, its influence and why fans have wanted a modern remake for so long

• Whether Jet Set Radio Future still deserves its reputation as one of the most unique and memorable games on the original Xbox

Originally released for the Xbox in 2002, Jet Set Radio Future has gone on to become one of gaming's most beloved cult classics. With its incredible art direction, unforgettable soundtrack, distinctive characters and incredibly satisfying movement, we revisit Tokyo-to and ask whether this strange, stylish world still holds up decades later.

If you enjoy discussions about:

• Jet Set Radio Future • Jet Set Radio • Sega • Xbox • Original Xbox • Video game retrospectives • Video game history • Classic video games • Gaming nostalgia • Cel-shaded games • Open-world games • Action games • Sega games • Video game soundtracks • Gaming retrospectives

then this episode is for you.

The Rookie Run Links

Joining us for this episode is Dave Jackson, host of Tales From The Backlog, as we take a deep dive into one of the most beloved video games of all time: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever made, Ocarina of Time helped redefine 3D action-adventure games and set the standard for countless games that followed. But does it still live up to its legendary reputation today?

In this episode, we discuss:

• The story of Link, Zelda, Ganondorf and the battle for Hyrule

• What made Ocarina of Time such a groundbreaking 3D Zelda game • The transition from 2D to 3D and how Nintendo approached it

• The game's dungeons, puzzles, combat and exploration

• The importance of Z-targeting and how it influenced 3D games • The music, atmosphere and iconic world of Hyrule

• The game's time-travel mechanics and its adult/child Link system • Dave's veteran perspective versus my Rookie experience

• Whether Ocarina of Time still deserves its reputation as one of the greatest games ever made & Our thoughts on the upcoming remake

Released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time became a landmark in video game history. From Kokiri Forest and Hyrule Field to the Water Temple, Shadow Temple and beyond, we revisit one of gaming's most influential adventures and ask whether its magic still holds up decades later.

If you enjoy discussions about:

• The Legend of Zelda • Ocarina of Time • Nintendo 64 • Nintendo games • Zelda retrospectives • Video game history • Classic video games • Action-adventure games • Gaming nostalgia • Video game retrospectives

then this episode is for you.

Tales From The Backlog

The Rookie Run