Max Payne 3

UPC: 710425376061

Platform: PlayStation 3

Publisher: Rockstar Games

Developer: Rockstar Vancouver

Category: Shooter

Style(s): Third-Person 3D Shooter

Synopsis: The series that introduced "bullet-time" gunplay for dramatic and artful slow-motion shooting sequences returns after a seven-year hiatus with Max Payne 3. The gritty and vengeful protagonist, whose family was viciously murdered by drug addicts, has left his role as a New York City detective to start a clean slate in another country: Sao Paulo, Brazil. Yet Payne cannot escape the violence that has tragically shaped his character. Twelve years after the events from the second game, Payne finds himself victim of a double cross. An older, wearier Payne must once again rely on his primal instincts to find a way out of his quandary. The action takes place from a third-person perspective as Payne utilizes an assortment of weapons to mete out his distinctive brand of justice. For the first time in the series, Max Payne 3 includes a multiplayer component that has players earning experience, acquiring skills, and completing objectives in a sequence of events. Players will choose a faction and then battle the opposing team, using bullet-time and slow-motion dodges to gain a tactical edge on the competition. Objectives range from collecting duffel bags of money to disarming bombs to conquering territory. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Package Contents: 24-page Instruction Manual

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

Max Payne 3 continues the neo-noir shooting series whose claim to fame was introducing gamers to a nifty mechanic called "bullet time," similar to the special effect used in 1999's The Matrix. Payne players could slow time to dodge bullets and unload clips into enemies before they had time to react. The Max Payne series was also known for its bitter and cynical protagonist, a cop who lost his family to brutal violence. The voiceover narration and comic book-style story screens made the game's gritty narrative just as memorable as its action. For the third entry in the series (and first developed by Rockstar Vancouver), Payne takes a job as a bodyguard for a wealthy family in Brazil. The job appeals to Max largely because he can drink all he wants for free, which is about the only thing he cares about at this stage in his life. Things quickly go awry, as things in Payne's life routinely do, as the people he is supposed to be protecting are being targeted. Max's addictions to alcohol and painkillers show a man nearly broken: drinking, stumbling, and occasionally puking throughout his misadventures. As Max says in the game, "I ain't slippin' man. I'm slipped." He figures the least he can do is make things right, which is where you come in. The gameplay is challenging but straightforward. Nearly every sequence involves a Hollywood-style shootout, and the environments, while diverse, are designed to funnel you toward the next area with few distractions. You'll rely on bullet time to quickly gun down a group of thugs, watch a rather lengthy cinematic, and then do it all over again. The comic book panels are no longer present, and there doesn't seem to be a way to actually avoid individual bullets; the shoot dodge technique is more a slow-motion dive best used for moving from cover to cover while trying to land as many headshots as you can during the trip. The gunplay feels a lot like the Uncharted series, as Max is constantly forced to battle his way through an excessive amount of foes who absorb bullets like sponges. A simple cover system lets you briefly take respite from the firefights, but you can't stay in one spot for too long or enemies will quickly box you in. In this way, the game can be exhilarating, as you devise a plan to get out of trouble while conserving ammo and bullet time. If Max gets shot, there's a chance to recover his health by killing an enemy before he checks out, but Max Payne 3 is by no means an easy game. The only way to heal is to consume painkillers, which are in limited supply. One problem is that because of the sheer numbers of enemies in a particular scene, you are practically forced to use a partial targeting assist to have any chance at success. Your gun sight is a little white or red dot, and it's easy to lose track of it during the heat of battle or while engaged in bullet time. Enemies are also deadly accurate, use weapons you can't acquire (such as grenades), and are ruthlessly aggressive. It's not uncommon to restart a sequence ten times or more, but since each gunfight unfolds differently depending on your actions, you can often find success in modifying your approach. The game's repetitive nature is also offset to an extent by the variety of movie-style action scenes. You'll provide sniper cover for your partner in a soccer stadium, take out thugs on board a speedboat, battle soldiers inside an office complex, and much more. The environments are exquisitely detailed, but again, many of the areas are closed off to exploration. As with other Rockstar games, the developers offer plenty of ways to keep you playing the game after you complete the main campaign. Like the first two Max Payne titles, you can unlock a New York Minute mode that has you trying to complete missions within a time limit that's extended by killing enemies. There's also an arcade option for those who want to earn high scores for creative shooting, and a multiplayer mode for up to 16 players. Unfortunately, the developers have made the multiplayer mode a bit too obtuse for the casual player who simply wants to shoot things. The controls and classes are confusing, and there is no in-game tutorial to acclimate you to the various features. It also feels a lot like Red Dead Redemption's multiplayer component, which is to say it's an acquired taste. You can earn experience, unlock new weapons, and purchase various items to customize your character. Yet you have to go through a few hoops to unlock all of the play modes, many of which aren't as appealing as the basic deathmatch variants. The wait time between matches is also long -- around a minute -- as the game takes its sweet time to load the next map. Overall, Max Payne 3 is an entertaining game that, like its protagonist, has its share of flaws. Those who enjoyed the bullet ballet of its predecessors will enjoy thinking up various ways to take out enemies with style and panache, but the challenge and repetitive nature of the gameplay might leave other players cold. In one scene in the game, Max says "I've been stuck in the past so long I forgot what year it was." Whether that's good or bad depends on what you're looking for in a third-person shooter. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.