It’s become a trend lately for game publishers to get companion games made for the iOS platform in the lead up to big releases, particularly games like Mass Effect, Dead Space, Rage and others. Rockstar have decided to get on the bandwagon ahead of the upcoming release of Max Payne 3 and have now released Max Payne Mobile, although it’s a little different to the rest.

What sets this particular iOS game apart from the rest is the fact that it is a port of the original Max Payne game which was released in 2001. The original Max Payne played an important role in video game history by the way in which it set itself apart from other action-shooters at the time. The first game to use the Bullet Time gameplay mechanic, and the noir-style graphic novel cutscenes created something that had not been seen before, and which still influence game design today.

Rockstar Games have created this game as an opportunity for gamers who may have missed out on the original to get a chance to play through it and see where the franchise began. The original PC game is there entirely with updated resolution graphics and textures. With a large range of customizability of speed, aiming and camera settings, sensitivity, and button layouts it should suit gamers of any skill level.

Another cool feature of Max Payne Mobile is connectivity with Rockstar’s fantastic Social Club stat-tracking website. Much the same as other games by Rockstar, the Social Club allows you to follow your stats and achievements from the game.

I’ve spent a short amount of time playing it on my iPad already and it seems to be pretty good so far. The controls take a little bit of getting used to if you aren’t used to standard iOS controls, but I would recommend it if you are looking forward to Max Payne 3 and want to see where there story began.

Max Payne Mobile is available on the iTunes App Store for AU$2.99 for iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, 4th Generation iPod Touch, as well as all three models of iPad. An Android version is set for release on April 26th.