GAME REVIEW: Max Payne 3 (PC)

Many critics suggested that Max Payne 3 was one of the must play games, so when Max Payne 3 was on sale during the autumn steam sale for a low price, I just had to buy it. Being a newbie to the franchise, I was quite impressed and generally excited with the overall experience that Max Payne 3 was able to provide. Nevertheless, I’ll quickly point out what I found outstanding and the issues that annoyed me. 

GOOD:

1.       Storyline/ Cut scenes

A major factor that propelled me through the game was the interesting storyline and the fluidity of the cut scenes. Unlike other games, Max Payne 3 was able to incorporate cut scenes that do not ruin the feel of the game, by suddenly cutting to random cut scenes. Instead, the cut scene transitions are almost flawless and was able to keep me hooked to the story, as if I was watching an A grade action film. Additionally, the soundtrack compliments both the gameplay and cut scenes beautifully. 

2.       The Ending

I just had to make the ending its own point, because I found it absolutely BADASS. The various objectives the leads to the ending made me tremble with excitement as epic music plays as you fight your way to the main villain. I do not want to leak any spoilers, simply because it is that good. I finished feeling like the biggest badass that no other game could for years. 

3.       Bullet Time Effect

A main gameplay feature that Max Payne 3 allows is bullet time effect. A common feature in recent games, what Max Payne 3 does effectively is make any and every fight turn into the matrix. Who doesn’t want to shoot down 10 guys as you float across cover, and to be able to do that whenever I like is just plain entertaining and the potential to do shenanigans is endless.  

BAD:

1.       Flickering Lights

The game uses an effect where the game overlaps itself into stuttering colours, which I assume is to emphasise the current emotional state of Max. Unfortunately it has been overdone slightly, and I found it quite annoying. If I wanted to feel drunk and be blinded as if I was in a night club, I’ll drink and go clubbing. Not when I’m playing a game. My eyes got quite irritated and I was slightly detached from the storyline, however it did not ruin the overall experience. 

2.       Last Stand

The last stand mechanic in the game is both a blessing and a curse. When you are about to die, the game allows you to go into bullet time so you can kill an enemy, which keeps you alive. The bad thing is that you can only shoot the guy that does the final blow. A common issues I found is that if I already killed the guy who shot me, I have no choice but to die and restart from the save point. I understand that the mechanic makes it easier to execute, however with the bullet time effect activated it’s more like an annoyance when the issue I brought up does happen.

No matter the personal negativities I found annoying, Max Payne 3 is indeed what the critics say. I cannot find a major flaw to the game, which would cause anyone to rage quit or lose commitment. Overall the combination of well written and presented storyline, and entertaining gameplay made Max Payne 3 a game that makes the player feel completely badass.  Max Payne 3 deserves an impressive rating of 9/10. 

(source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0osBThQBmw)