Weapons

This section provides a rundown of the Max Payne 2 arsenal and provides tips for each.

Grenades and Molotov Cocktails

Grenades and Molotov cocktails offer a secondary means of damaging enemies. You can equip either into your secondary weapon slot and throw them using the default "F" key. These items can be thrown at any time and are ideally used against large group of enemies but can also be used to uproot stubborn enemies from behind cover or to damage them around corners or through doorways. You should also use grenades to create some devastating chain reactions. There are many objects to detonate in Max Payne 2: explosive crates, boxes of ammunition, toxic barrels, etc. Toss a grenade near them to create a more damaging explosion. Note that you can also equip "melee" as your secondary weapon. Here you'd use the "F" key to use your firearm as a melee weapon.

9MM Pistol and Desert Eagles

Both sets of pistols are good all-purpose weapons, though the desert eagle is the better choice at longer range. The desert eagle possesses excellent accuracy coupled with bullet time. If you don't have a sniper rifle, it's almost the next best thing (as long as you don't need zoom to see your target). Headshots are easier with the desert eagle than most other weapons. Note that both pistols can be dual-wielded. But if you're looking for an accurate shot, consider just the single variety. Then again, if you'd rather dish out a lot of damage in a short amount of time, equip dual pistols for maximum damage potential.

Ingrams and MP5

The Ingrams, which you can also wield in dual mode, possess an extremely high rate of fire. But the speed of these sub machine guns comes at a price: they're very inaccurate and consume ammunition extremely quickly. Though you should be in bullet time in nearly every combat situation, it can be even more important with the Ingram. Bullet time will help you adjust your aim precisely so you don't waste valuable ammunition. The MP5 is another submachine gun with a slower rate of fire than the Ingram but a more accurate shot. It also has a scope, which makes it more useful at longer range. With bullet time enabled, the MP5 can become a "poor man's" sniper rifle with its faster rate of fire.

Strikers, Pump-Action and Sawed-Off Shotguns

These three weapons comprise the shotgun set of weapons; each of these weapons is best used at close-range. Shotgun projectiles launch in a spread; the farther the target, the greater the spread. When less projectiles strike the target, the target sustains less damage. The shotguns are best used as ambush weapons. Lure an enemy around a corner and blast him at close-range with the pump-action or sawed-off shotgun. The striker is a drum-fed shotgun with a faster rate of fire. The concept remains the same, however; get close and crush the enemy at close-range. Watch your ammunition levels carefully, especially with the sawed-off shotgun. You'll have the reload these weapons frequently so be prepared to make a quick retreat or enable bullet time to reload safely.

M4 Carbine and Kalashnikov

These are the assault rifles and both are powerful weaponry excelling in any encounter. When you find ammunition for these weapons, use each shot wisely and conserve ammo for the most challenging battles. Push the fire button for each projectile launched. Aim for the enemy's head for the most damage. With bullet time, you can be extremely accurate at medium-range and eliminate a group of enemies very quickly.

Sniper Rifle and Dragunov

The sniper rifle and Mona's Dragunov are your long-range weapons. Enable zoom for pinpoint aim. Avoid using these weapons at close range and conserve ammunition for longer range engagements. Combine with bullet time to slow your enemies' movements so you can fire an accurate shot. Utilize these weapons in long hallways or in rooms with multiple levels (such as scaffolding).