Review
Played on: PC & Xbox 360
Released: 2012After replaying Remedy’s Max Payne 1 and 2, reviews here, I decided to replay Max Payne 3 too. Made by Rockstar, I originally played this on the Xbox 360. This time, I decided to go for the PC version. It works excellent with a controller and allows for boosting up the graphics, image quality and framerate far beyond the console versions.
Although the Xbox game is backwards compatible on Xbox Series X/S, I wanted the responsiveness of the high framerate, playing it all maxed out at 1440p@120fps. Texture work is considerably higher quality on PC too!
I’ve forgotten large segments of the story; I wasn't a huge fan back when it released in 2012 and recall speeding through it. It suffered from overly long cutscenes, consistently interrupting the gameplay. These cutscenes weren't possible to skip either, due to the fact they were masking loading sequences, making replays of favourite levels a pain. Thus I played it once and never returned.
Considering I’d just replayed the first two games, I wanted to give the third a second change. Rockstar have, after all, done and incredible job with the gameplay and presentation. You just need to be prepared for different approach to the visual style and presentation compared to Remedy's first two games.
Well aware of Rockstar's animation focus when it comes to movement of characters, like Grand Theft Auto 4 & 5 where movement feels like you’re moving through syrup, Max Payne 3 is rather different. It highlights the developers best gameplay for a third person shooter to date, complete with satisfying slow motion movement in addition.
Impressively, the sheer amount of objects and environmental detail that can be shot to pieces, plus the brutal damage on enemies, showcases a sharp eye for detail by the developers. There’s a ton of variation in the environments too, with a solid amount of attention to small finesse like objects lying about. Depicting chaotic Favela backyards, neon-lit club scenes, high-tech office buildings and an airport, to name a few. Satisfying to look at, take your time because it's quickly passed by in its linear structure!
This linearity suits the way the story is told though, pushing Max forward from one gunfight to the next cutscenes and so forth. Yet, leaves little room for proper exploration, clearly the game is streamed into system memory as it consistently loads during cutscenes.
I’ve forgotten large segments of the story; I wasn't a huge fan back when it released in 2012 and recall speeding through it. It suffered from overly long cutscenes, consistently interrupting the gameplay. These cutscenes weren't possible to skip either, due to the fact they were masking loading sequences, making replays of favourite levels a pain. Thus I played it once and never returned.
Considering I’d just replayed the first two games, I wanted to give the third a second change. Rockstar have, after all, done and incredible job with the gameplay and presentation. You just need to be prepared for different approach to the visual style and presentation compared to Remedy's first two games.
Well aware of Rockstar's animation focus when it comes to movement of characters, like Grand Theft Auto 4 & 5 where movement feels like you’re moving through syrup, Max Payne 3 is rather different. It highlights the developers best gameplay for a third person shooter to date, complete with satisfying slow motion movement in addition.
Impressively, the sheer amount of objects and environmental detail that can be shot to pieces, plus the brutal damage on enemies, showcases a sharp eye for detail by the developers. There’s a ton of variation in the environments too, with a solid amount of attention to small finesse like objects lying about. Depicting chaotic Favela backyards, neon-lit club scenes, high-tech office buildings and an airport, to name a few. Satisfying to look at, take your time because it's quickly passed by in its linear structure!
This linearity suits the way the story is told though, pushing Max forward from one gunfight to the next cutscenes and so forth. Yet, leaves little room for proper exploration, clearly the game is streamed into system memory as it consistently loads during cutscenes.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the story and James McCaffrey delivers his best Max Payne voice performance yet. Complete with a ton of memorable, dry and witty, comments about his dark view on life and the bad guys.
That said, the gameplay sections should last longer. The ratio between segments and actual playtime is not well balanced. A lot of the gunfights could easily have thrown in more enemies and lasted twice the time they do!
The story amazingly depicts a run down, alcoholic Max, taking on a job as a bodyguard in Brazil for a super-rich family. It's a brutal depiction of Max, he's clearly depressed and an incredibly damaged person.
The story amazingly depicts a run down, alcoholic Max, taking on a job as a bodyguard in Brazil for a super-rich family. It's a brutal depiction of Max, he's clearly depressed and an incredibly damaged person.
A kidnapping of the rich family's son and daughters ensues, and Max is fighting not only a bunch of heavily armed criminals, but also a local police force to get them back. Moving from Max in an expensive suit, knocking down painkillers and whiskey at high class clubs and venues, to a rough, Hawaii shirt wearing, shaven headed, Max with a beard in the Favela, is an incredibly character depiction. Captivating, ruthless and sad, all at the same time.
Gunplay is incredibly satisfying, depicting how lethal firearms are, with a lot of variation in how they handle. Sadly, it's only at the tail end of the playthrough it opens the player to extended gunfight segments with tons of enemies and little interruptions. The ending level is just an insane action level, giving massive Die Hard 2 vibes.
Gunplay is incredibly satisfying, depicting how lethal firearms are, with a lot of variation in how they handle. Sadly, it's only at the tail end of the playthrough it opens the player to extended gunfight segments with tons of enemies and little interruptions. The ending level is just an insane action level, giving massive Die Hard 2 vibes.
However, I just wish they’d toned down having to depict everything in cutscenes, interrupting the flow of the gameplay. There’re just too many scenes here, some feel like they easily could've just been dialogues spoken while continuing to play.
On PC, Max Payne 3 holds up incredible, visually. There’s a lot of diversity in locations, colour and environmental design. The amount of detail is brilliant too, with lots of destructible scenery and interiors crowded with furniture and objects. The variety in a sun drenched Favela to a cold New York night at the cemetery is excellent. It’s almost still up there along modern releases in terms of visuals.
On PC, Max Payne 3 holds up incredible, visually. There’s a lot of diversity in locations, colour and environmental design. The amount of detail is brilliant too, with lots of destructible scenery and interiors crowded with furniture and objects. The variety in a sun drenched Favela to a cold New York night at the cemetery is excellent. It’s almost still up there along modern releases in terms of visuals.
Granted, it has an extremely linear design, moving Max through a corridor from beginning to end, but sometimes linearity is a good thing in an action game. Not having think about where you need to go next, just try to survive and gun down those bad guys! .
Overall, it ends up being more enjoyable than my first encounter. Just prepare yourself for a lot of dialogue cutscenes.
