Max Payne 3 Review

Max Payne wakes from a nine-year hibernation, and it is good

by Hiranand Sunny Naresh 

 

04:45 AM May 16, 2012

 

Nine years is a long time in the world of gaming. And instead of spending that time coming up with a "revolutionary" first-person shooter to rival the Call of Duty or Gears of War series, Rockstar games decided to go with what the fans wanted: Modernising a cult classic.

Max Payne 3 has kept the core that made the previous two Max Payne titles so revered but bumped it up with advances to keep up with modern gaming technology. The result is a game that could possibly be one of the best this year.

The storyline: No longer a cop, Max is washed-up, drunk and addicted to painkillers. Along with friend Raul Passos, Max has left New York, and finds himself in Sao Paulo, working as private security for a mega-rich family.

What I love about the game is that it actually discourages you from taking cover - which is almost unheard of in shooters these days.

You will be given a chance to catch your breath, plan an attack and maybe pop a few bad guys before flinging yourself back into action, but clearing a room filled with trained paramilitaries from behind a wall is next to impossible.

So rather than picking off goons as they peek over cover, you will have to rely on that staple of Max Payne - Bullet Time.

Press down on the right stick and time will slow to crawl as the screen washes out in a flourescent glow. Watch your enemies drop like flies while you take on minimal damage, Bullet Time is what you want in a real firefight.

However, take a one slug too many and Max will tumble to the ground. The screen will turn bright save for a flashing light from the guy who shot you last. Finish him off and, as long as you are packing painkillers, you'll be back on your feet.

The additions and tweaks to Max Payne may be spectacular but it is what's not changed that makes the game refreshing. After almost a decade of playing games with regenerating health, playing May Payne without it can be, well, a pain - sweet, delicious pain.

Max is restricted to a single life bar that can only be replenished by gulping painkillers. And in the midst of a firefight, that health bar can run out startling fast.

This forcees you to plan your firefights so you make it out with a decent sliver of health and your painkiller stock intact. Hiranand Sunny.



Verdict: Max Payne 3 looks fantastic, handles beautifully and the depth of content in its in-game design and settings offer a ton of replay value.

Rating: 4.5/5

Source:  www.todayonline.com