Remedy Entertainment, the studio known for blockbuster titles like Alan Wake and Control, is setting its sights on a new project that should not be taken lightly. According to the company’s creative director, Sam Lake, remaking the classic Max Payne 1 and Max Payne 2 games is going to be a big deal. In a recent interview with Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Lake said that bringing both games “up to modern standards and combining them into one” is a “significant undertaking.”
The plan is to release the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC remakes. These remakes will use the Northlight Engine, offering enhanced graphics and improved gameplay. Notably, Rockstar Games is backing the project financially and in terms of publishing, marketing, and distribution.
Though Max Payne 1 and Max Payne 2 are older titles, modernizing them is no walk in the park. According to Lake, even considering the games’ age, updating them to meet current expectations is a considerable project. This involves revamping the graphics and possibly reworking the gameplay, story elements, and more to align with today’s gaming standards.
The two games will be sold together in a single package, making it easier for fans of the series to experience the full story in one go. However, there’s still no official release date. So, fans will have to keep an eye out for further updates.
When asked if he would be reprising his role as Max Payne, Lake was coy, stating, “No comment! That’s going too far.” However, given that he appears in Alan Wake 2 as Alex Casey, a character inspired by Max Payne, it’s not entirely out of the question.
It’s a busy time for Remedy Entertainment, with multiple projects in the pipeline. In addition to the Max Payne remakes, the company is also working on Alan Wake 2 and Control 2. Interestingly, Alan Wake 2 is expected to set up the story for Control 2, weaving a complex narrative across these different titles.