Max Payne 3 | Xbox 360

About the Game

Max Payne 3 is the third main game in the series and takes place a good few years after the events of the previous entries. Following his work as a DEA agent and a New York City Police Department detective, protagonist Max Payne moves from Hoboken, New Jersey to São Paulo, Brazil. Looking for a new life and to leave his past behind, he works in a private security detail for Rodrigo Branco. When Branco's wife Fabiana is captured by a street gang during a rooftop party, Payne sets out to save her but the events quickly spiral out of control.

Story & Setting

He still drinks heavily and even though the drawn comic book panels are no longer present, the cut-scenes still incorporate the panel look and now further the story using the in-game engine with the characteristic inner dialogue voice-over and the film noir elements. Not all of the story is told in chronological order. The main scenario is supplemented with an arcade mode, and the New York Minute mode unlocked after completing the game once.

Gameplay & Core Systems

The game is played as a third-person shooter where Payne is often outnumbered by enemies. Activating it slows down time and it allows him to jump, dodge, shoot, and lock onto multiple enemies in succession to take them out. While in a grounded position after a jump Max stays in that position and can quickly shoot in any direction. Defeated opponents leave behind weapons that can be exchanged or be emptied for additional ammo. Multiple weapons can be collected and through a radial menu another one can be selected quickly.

Standout Features

• Halfway through the game Payne also exchanges his typical suit or trench coat for a bearded, short-haired look wearing a shirt.
• Payne is also able to dual-wield pistols and he uses shotguns and automatic weapons.
• The gameplay incorporates a cover mechanic where cover can be sought near virtually any object.
• Certain objects in the environment can be examined for clues and flashing buttons can be shot to open doors and gates.
• players can manually slow down the camera and rotate, and then continue shooting.
• Next to the main objectives the shooting style is rewarded through grind achievements and optional golden gun parts can be collected to form sets.
• Multiplayer is entirely new to the series.
• Crews that are set up through Rockstar's Social Club environment can be carried over to different games.

Modes & Ways to Play

Next to regular deathmatch games it has a Gang Wars team mode based around gaining experience, using perks, defining custom loadouts, etc.

Player support includes Free-for-all / One-on-one (VS) and Team.

Presentation & Atmosphere

Compared to the previous game and because of the location the visuals are also often much brighter. For cinematic effect there is a bullet camera that follows the projectile until impact.

Display support includes HDTV 720p, HDTV 1080i, and HDTV 1080p. Audio support includes Dolby Digital.