Max Payne 3 – Max Payne series
Max Payne 3 is an incredibly stylish game that boasts solid gameplay and a gripping narrative filled with double-crossing characters and betrayals that one would expect from a game of this ilk. And while it was well received by critics, sales figures tell a completely different story. It sold a lot less than what Rockstar had hoped for, and the project was ultimately deemed a flop.
Why many fans didn’t jump on this game can be boiled down to just how different the game feels with respect to its predecessors, not just in the gameplay department but also in the tonality of writing. And while I can agree on those complaints in some sense, I like to view that shift in Max’s personality as a part of his cynical character development – largely influenced by his alcohol consumption and the grief of his loved one’s deaths.
Once you view it from that lens, Max Payne 3 starts to make so much more sense than before from a narrative department. The gameplay might feel heavier and limiting in terms of weapon choices, but it’s easily the most polished of the trilogy, and it comes with some of the best levels – complete with set pieces and all the markings of a AAA quality experience.
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