It took Rockstar Vancouver about 10 years to create a continuation of the dramatic story of New York police officer Max Payne. But due to the change of the developer, many were distrustful of the new part. They were tormented by doubts that the new team will be able to return the hero they once loved.
In fact, something like this happened. There are many differences between games. True, this is the same third-person action movie with endless shooting, slo-mo effects and the participation of the same character. But first things first. So, Rockstar Vancouver, Max Payne 3 - the review begins.
New story
9 years after the events that occurred in the second part, Max Payne is again under a hail of bullets. Only the scene is no longer New York, but the Brazilian sunny town of SĂŁo Paulo with a population of about 12 million people. His services were needed by one local businessman, and he hired Max as a bodyguard.
Itâs a strange choice on the part of Rodrigo Branco, given that Payne himself can look for protection himself, because people of the Italian mafioso who once lost his son through his fault have been looking for him for a long time. And this is the first.
And secondly, the former cop has changed a lot. Moreover, he didnât just get old, but fell ill, for which he âthanksâ to the alcohol and narcotic substances that the hero used hard all this time. But, apparently, his former merits nevertheless prevailed, and in the end he receives this honorable position.
Max himself decided that he could finally breathe calmly. That I found myself a quiet warm place where I can spend the rest of my life. And while he was thinking about it, a bad premonition that something was about to happen did not leave him for a second. And, as it turned out, not in vain.
They showed up right at one of the charity evenings, which were often organized by a large Branco family. There were a lot of them. Everyone has masks on their heads. Commando Sombra is the largest criminal gang in Sao Paulo. And who did they come for? For Rodrigo Branco? Or maybe his brothers - Victor and Marcelo? No, they needed Rodrigo's wife, Fabiana, and they got her. Let not the first time. It seems that a quiet life is being canceled, it's time to work out the fee. Here is such a story happened with the hero of the game Max Payne 3. Review of "Gambling", for example, notes a weak storyline. Yes, perhaps the last and not the most bewitching. But look at the other sides of the game.
Graphics and music
Of course, it is noticeable how the developers worked on the graphic component. Rockstar Studio was able to create a surprisingly realistic, detailed and beautiful world, including all objects included in it. The environment is worked out so much that every chip on the wall and a crack on the tile are noticeable. Snow, water, rainy levels - all this looks impressive.
The animation in the game created using the Motion Capture technology also looks quite realistic. Thanks to her, you can notice how folds appear on the clothes of the characters during movement and the elements of the weapon move when shooting and reloading. And the bullet that hit the enemy leaves a hole from which blood naturally begins to flow. In general, with the graphics, everything is fine with the game. The device for which Max Payne 3 is also available is the PS3. A review, by the way, of this version shows that it loses a little computer in visual terms.
One cannot fail to note the excellent Rockstar product optimization. It seemed that with such a schedule one could not do without the âtop-endâ iron. But it turned out differently. The game was well launched even by computers with average characteristics.
If we talk about the soundtrack to the game, then the music here is an amateur. Maxim performs most of his actions under the compositions of the groups Health and Emicida.
Gameplay Features
One of the reasons why it is interesting to observe the events taking place in the game is their presentation. The camera does not stand still, but constantly changes position, showing the hero from several angles. Moreover, the director controls it so cleverly that it is sometimes difficult to determine where the videos are and where the gameplay is. And by the way, in Max Payne 3, any delay can cost the protagonist of life.
The traditional Slo-mo regime has not gone away. This proprietary ability of Max is still effective and spectacular. True, in narrow rooms it is of less use, since, in fact, there is nowhere to fly. And in general, it should be used less often, because the resource that is necessary for its activation is spent very quickly.
A new opportunity has also appeared - to hide behind objects. Such a gift is very useful, because the enemies are often extremely powerful. Therefore, sometimes it is possible to deal with them only by conducting targeted fire from shelter. Moreover, this way you can save on cartridges that disappear very quickly.
Also in the review of the game Max Payne 3 should add a problem with painkillers. They are constantly lacking. And without analgesics, it is difficult to reach the control point, given the rather large distance.
In addition, Max is no longer able to carry more than two types of weapons with him. At the same time, the hero can carry one one-handed and one two-handed. Moreover, he will always hold the last in his hand. So if he decides to shoot with both hands, for example, from two "Desert Eagles", he will have to get rid of the rifle. And that also adds to the problems.
The complexity of the game is one of its main components. And it's not that there is little ammunition or painkillers. Not that the enemies are tenacious and attack in large numbers. It's all about the crazy rhythm of the game. Any hassle is a test of the playerâs reaction. Sometimes you have to rush around the entire location, shooting in all directions, just not to go to the boot screen. In such a situation, it is difficult to save ammo, but isnât that all the charm? Without a driving shootout, Max Payne 3 would be a boring linear shooter.
"Disorganized crime"
The next thing worth adding to the review of the game Max Payne 3 is reviews of its add-ons. Since the release of these came out four pieces. As for this DLC, then in it players will have to fight on a certain multiplayer map near Payne's old refuge. Several modifications will also be available, which include: special bullets exploding when they reach the target, activating the enemies' increased aggressiveness and headshots, when you can kill the enemy only by hitting the head.
"Release of the hostages"
And this addition includes content that allows you to expand the capabilities of the hero. From weapons, it adds an IA2 assault rifle and an M24 sniper rifle.
As for equipment, this is a bomb suit (ideal protection against missiles and explosions), a heavy helmet (eats 75% of damage to the head) and an intimidating mask (headgear that increases the time for reloading enemy weapons).
"Painful memories"
And here is the next addition to the game Max Payne 3, a review of which especially devoted fans can cause a slight attack of nostalgia, as it includes a map that was familiar from the previous parts - the metro station Roscoe. But this is the only reference to the "young" Payne, the remaining three cards are taken from the third part.
In addition, two new types of weapons and a new âHangoverâ impulse, which worsens the opponents' eyesight and well-being, will be available to players. There are even three interesting subjects for multiplayer. âBookmaker's receiptâ allows you to receive money after the victory of a partner in a vendetta. Upon receipt of the âCalculator,â the player counts one kill after rendering two supports. And the "Happy Flask" allows you to avoid a hangover, and also protects against a sniper shot.
"The battle concluded in heaven"
The latest addition at the moment includes new achievements, products, impulses and several modes.
A co-op mode for two people is a test of how long two players can hold out against an infinite number of enemies. During the game, new places on the map, weapons, etc. will open.
Run and Stun is a mode where two random players turn into the goddess Shachi, armed with a stun gun, and into the captain of the Baseball Bat, who, having united, must fight against the other participants. Anyone touched by a shocker or baseball bat will automatically go over to the side of the enemy. The match ends when time or opponents run out.
Black Mark is a mode in which marked players will receive 5 points for each vendetta that has been successfully completed, plus 5 more points for vendetta, from which they were able to exit with a victory. To be on the leaderboards and collect as many points as possible, you need to win as many vendettas as possible. To do this, on a special multiplayer map, the player will have to move very quickly, given what valuable goal he is.
"Shooting for a while" is a mode in which you have to move very quickly on the map, shooting enemies for a while. For the first kill, one point will be given, but for each subsequent destruction of the enemy the number of prize points will increase several times. And so, until the timer finishes the countdown.
Max Payne 3: Complete Edition. Overview
Well, those who decide to purchase the full edition will receive not only the above additions. They will also have access to the Silent Killer equipment pack, Special Edition pack, Local Justice pack, and Adrenaline Rush. In addition, in the version of Max Payne 3: Complete, which there is no point in reviewing, since everything is unchanged in terms of plot and graphics, the player will be given the opportunity to play for the classic Max Payne and run around the cemetery map from the third part.
A little bit about multiplayer
The third part of the franchise was not without multiplayer. And it turned out to be very good. There are many items, equipment and weapons that open quickly enough, unless, of course, more often participate in network battles.
Of all the opportunities that the multiplayer game Max Payne 3 provides, it is advisable to do a review on the "Gang Wars" mode. It means playing for different factions. One match consists of five stages and supports the participation of only two factions. And each stage is a new plot.
Interestingly, the time dilation function is included in the multiplayer. And it works well. True, its effect does not extend to the entire card, but only to the participant that the hero is currently looking at. There is another interesting feature that can change the colors of the inscriptions above the players, which allows you to deceive the enemies. And that, of course, is not all. On the multiplayer game Max Payne 3, the review can be continued further, but let it be better for everyone to see everything for themselves.
As for system requirements, it is worth noting that the operating system installed on the computer for the application to work correctly must be at least Windows 7 or Vista. The minimum required amount of RAM is 2 GB, but it is better if it is more than 3 GB. The processor should be at least dual-core, and preferably quad-core.