Review · Action · PC · PlayStation 3 · Xbox
Max Payne
Reviewed: 01 May 2026
PC · PlayStation 3 · Xbox · Classic Macintosh · PlayStation 2 · Xbox 360 · PlayStation 4
Remedy Entertainment · 2001
Ludograph rating
C
Mixed
52 /100
Max Payne is an action shooter where older kids build problem solving and hand-eye coordination, but contains mature violence and language.
Growth (BDS)
37
Risk (RIS)
11
Daily limit
–
Age guidance
17+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.44 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.00 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.65 | |
Max Payne offers a challenging single-player experience that requires players to utilize problem-solving, strategic thinking, and critical thinking skills to overcome obstacles. The game's fast-paced action also helps develop hand-eye coordination and reaction time.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.00 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.00 | |
The game contains intense violence, mature language, and references to substance abuse, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. The dark and gritty narrative may also be emotionally taxing for some players.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 1.00 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.33 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 0.67 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.67 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / Horror | 0.67 | |
Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.
Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria
- DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
- GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
- ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.
These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.