I used the Nvidia control panel to create a custom resolution of 1440x1080 and selected it to run my 16:9 monitor in 4:3. First, set your monitor’s resolution to a 4:3 res. But the image will be stretched, since Max Payne was only designed for 4:3 resolutions. You can use these, and Max Payne will run. There should be a number of resolutions, going all the way up to 8K. Next, open up GeDoSaTo’s settings and check out the downsampling resolution options displayed there. This will allow the application to downsample Max Payne without it needing to be on a whitelist. Now open GeDoSaTo and set it to Blacklist mode. If you don’t already have Durante’s GeDoSaTo downsampling tool, download it here. This file will let us use Durante’s GeDoSaTo to downsample from high resolutions. One last download before we attempt to play Max Payne in high resolution: download this Direct3D8 to Direct3D9 converter and unzip it in your Max Payne install folder. Go to this thread, download the patch, and follow the instructions to get your sound working. Luckily, there’s a sound fix on the Steam forums. On Windows 8, sound worked for me in-engine, but didn’t play during cutscenes. The game runs on both Windows 7 and Windows 8, but may have some sound issues. Add it to your library and install it to get started. Easy, right? It’s normally $10 on Steam, though as of this writing it’s on sale for a bargain $2.50.

This week’s Pixel Boost takes you to the neo noir streets of New York at 5760x4320 resolution. Playing Max Payne properly on a PC today takes a few simple fixes, but the good news is that it will run great at very high resolutions. And writer Sam Lake’s face, which was used as the model for Max’s constipated scowl? Still priceless. Nearly 15 years later, Max Payne is still a fun, challenging third-person shooter. But it really made a name for itself with bullet time, which had Max throwing himself around the room in slow motion as bullets whizzed by his head. With writing like that, how can you not love Max Payne? Remedy’s original bullet-slinger from 2001 had the schlockiest, hardest boiled writing to ever appear in a game. A spreading labyrinth of questions, like a pool of blood spreading on the snow. I was trying to look for the answers, but every gunshot, instead of closure, was just a hole with more questions leaking out.

The NYPD was trailing me by the dotted line of empty shell casings that I left behind. Pushed over the edge, I found myself in the cold no-man's land between right and wrong. The bad things came, like a winter storm. A couple of days ago it had all come crashing down.

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