Max Payne 3
2012
Audio: English · Subtitles: Japanese, German, Italian, French, English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese
- shooter
- action
- thriller
- sandbox
- single player
- multiplayer
The story
Max Payne 3 is a third-person shooter in which the player assumes the role of its titular character, Max Payne. A new feature to the series, introduced in Max Payne 3, is the cover system, which allows players to gain a tactical advantage, and avoid taking damage from enemies. To progress through the linear story, players take on enemies throughout levels. The game features interactive cutscenes which transition seamlessly into continuing gameplay; there are no loading screens across gameplay and cutscenes.
What it’s like
Sun-bleached and sweat-soaked, with hard Brazilian daylight bouncing off pale favela walls, cracked pool tiles and glossy hotel marble, then dropping into sodium-orange night and grimy neon. The palette runs dusty ochre, bruised purple and arterial red, and the camera hugs Max's shoulder so the frame shakes with his breathing, with slow-motion bullet time stretching every gunshot into a bloom of shell casings and sprayed blood. The score is a moody, slightly seedy blend of strings and low synth pulse, punctuated by sudden silences during cutscenes that run seamlessly into gameplay with no loading screens. The vibe is weary, rain-less noir with a sweltering, sun-scorched edge: bitter, self-pitying and tense. It suits a late night alone with the lights off, or a long session when you want to feel like a battered anti-hero grinding through one bad night after another. Pacing is relentless and combat-driven, with the story unfolding in brief, grim interludes. Violence is frequent, bloody and brutal, with gunfights, gore, drug use, cruelty and dark, adult themes throughout. Made for players who want stylised, unforgiving third-person action and a melancholy, cynical hero, not for anyone seeking something gentle.
More games like Max Payne 3
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Max Payne 3and we’ll explain which ones fit you.
