Max Payne 3: Kingdom of the crystal skull (a rant/ review)

[Gaston]

So I just finished the campaign of MP3... and I found the game to be greatly disappointing. Now as game it's not awful or really bad by all means, but there were a lot of questionable decisions of design in both game play and especially the writing. Before I dissect my opinions about it here are some things I liked about the game.
+I liked how the game looked graphically especially compared to Max from the 1st game.
+I also liked the destructible structures that you or enemies can cause.
+Some of the music was really good
+I liked the visual style that replaced the comic book cut scenes (it did its job well)
+Last level and ending was satisfying.
+It's great to see Max back... but that soon changes
Now for my dislikes that apparently (well for me anyways) people glare away from... especially people who played and loved the first two games.

#1-The Max Pain Retreat of: Why Brazil?

I never fully understood the idea of Max going to Brazil... especially in the mind of a dev. MP was a cop for NYPD or in this game an ex-cop. Why bring in a new character that claims to "have a relationship" with Max back god knows what and god when to be a bodyguard, especially in the state that Max is in now anyways. I still don't know the transition and reason behind Brazil, it's not like this series' setting was so stale they had to do something about it. Oh and not to mention the "motivation" for MP to agree and leave. It is because a mob boss wants him dead. -_- ' ' ' '
It wouldn't be the first time something like this has happen to our dear old tragic detective. Hell that's even more of a reason to have the game take place in New York. But no he's in South America helping people who are as likeable as rich party boy stereotypes are and most of the goons and dialogue between the world are in a different language (with no subtitles might I add). I guess they wanted to be authentic in way that it makes the relationship easier between Max and the player, but holy crap some these cut scenes with these goons go on for so long. It gets down right irritating.

#2- Max Payne and oh sh*t I forgot I was playing: In game cut scenes are a Payne

Speaking about long drawn out cut scenes I hate where some these in-game cut scenes leave the player at. Especially the long ones, where it starts right along a firing squad. "Wait a minute" you may ask to yourself. You see them coming why don't you do something about it. Well there random person I would love to do something about it, but the time you get control of Max is when they start firing at you. It's really pain in the butt when you take damage because you ran out of bullet time before hand and that you can't aim fast enough to kill the 3+ enemies scattered in the area. So as a result you are guarantee damage (10%-35% of your HP). Continuing on about the annoyances of in-game cut scenes, I really hate how Max switches to weapons that have no ammo or drops your primary gun for a non-plot scene. What were they thinking!!! In fact looking back at it, kinda so bad it's hilarious. I love it when Max pulls out his pistol of choice at an enemy and then switches out to the player only to realize there's no ammo in the gun. 10/10
But no in all seriousness I don't mind losing a weapon or getting another gun if it's explained well. I.E. an explosion launches Max losing his weapons or he was captured and etc.
Other than that it really feels like a really poor design.

#3 The Realistic adventures of Max Butter Fingers Payne Mcgee: Since when was this series realistic?

So Max Payne can only carry 3 guns. Why you may ask? So the f*ck would I liked to know. In the third game there's a constant theme of "HARD BOILED-NESS" and "REALISTIC!" Oh Max can't just carry an assault rifle and a sniper weapon, he must choose. My favorite scenario is when I accidently selected the duel wield option Max just drops his third gun. WHY! It's so inconvenient. Remember back in 2 where you can duel wield without losing everything else, hell remember when you melee (and no I'm not making any note of the multiplayer) and throw grenades? MP3-Fanboys:"No."
Well I remember and it was f*cking awesome, this game makes it annoying as hell to manage the weapons of choice. I was even more baffled how Max never has ever thought of carrying an extra strap to hold more weapons! This could have been an awesome design choice so the devs can give a quick sample in the beginning and come end game for Max being a gun wielding bad-ass. But no it never happens; Max is forever holding an assault rifle in one hand while he shoots his secondary like a dumb-ass. On top of constantly dropping his third gun when duel wielding. Agh...

#4 Max's adventure of exploring a big empty field, starring the teleporting enemies.

Oh boy let's talk about questionable level design. So in this game Rockstar tries to modernize the series by adding a cover mechanic. Nothing wrong with that, it's good to try out new ideas that make sense. Unfortunately Rockstar really wants to hammer in the point of this mechanic so much that the level design is heavily dependent on it. What I mean by this is that most of the gun fights are in open areas. This is really annoying as sh*t when you constantly being flanked by enemies of higher levels/ grounds. Not to mention that the cover system is mediocre at best. I want to say that it's almost identical to GTA4's cover system. So now it's an aggravating sitting and waiting game to kill those enemies, and filling up your bullet time. But hey with bullet time for those open areas where there aren't high stationed enemies it's pretty easy to mow down and continue. Well then only for the game to say to its NPC to get on the stage. What I mean by this is that sometimes it's a bad idea to advance after getting the first wave of enemies. On multiple occasions I've plowed through the first wave and reaching the opposite side of the area to be locked out (plot purposes I suppose), and then get flanked by enemies from the back (fine whatever) or worse have enemies pop out of nowhere to you. Then you are dead and you have to restart back.
On a side note I really like clearing and area and seeing environmental traps that I assume the devs think I will use. Ops, sorry if I didn't slowly cover shoot my way up and then used the exploding barrel once it was in range (this also goes for most cover shooter games too).
Ok so you killed all the baddies and you are free to explore. Oh boy I can't tell back in the day how awesome it was finding secret areas or helping random people caught in the cross fire... and IT'S GONE. There's none of that in this game. I guess the closest thing was walking near a painting that just fell down for some reason revealing a safe behind it. Other than that there really wasn't anything like in the first two MP games. I guess breakable walls or off color windows that are breakable weren't very "realistic" for Rockstar. So what can the devs do so they can elude idea of the player walking in a big empty field or area? Simple, by adding useless stuff such as "clues" and golden gun parts. To me this really feels unsatisfying and makes exploration more of a chore. In fact let's look at the next number inline that also bothers me when trying to explore.

[Gaston]

#5 Max Payne the Escort presents: "COME ON MAX!" "LET'S GET GOING MAX!"

*Takes a deep breath*
Ok so escort missions in games are fine an all if they are used sparingly or with a capable partner. Max Payne 2 had a few missions based on this concept. So it's a no brainer when MP who's a bodyguard must protect people or be around them. Remember when I said how unlikable most of characters are in this game. Well it only makes sense that they Spout THe MOSt ANNOying F*CKING SOUND QUIPS EVERY ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ SECOND IF YOU DECIDE TO EXPLORE FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT!!!!!! This is the point that makes me give a middle finger to anyone that says that this game deserves an 8/10 or higher. No it doesn't, these NPC try to discourage the player's own pace and exploration. It's really annoying and at times I wanted to mute the game and even quit.
YES I KNOW THERE'S A DOOR, BUT I WANT TO FIND SOME AMMO AND PILLS!!!
I swear to god the game consist about 40-60% of this. It's really asinine to go with these useless, selfish, and hate-able characters. Oh did I mention useless. I mean they do absolutely jack-sh*t! Even if one of them is armed.
The Title says it all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m1kpjEG7pk
Now on top that you occasionally must provide support to these characters. Well since we have established the game having teleporting enemies and annoying in-game cut scenes. When you put the two together you will get some utter bullsh*t! The worst level by far is the graveyard flashback. Passos will die instantly in a couple scenarios if the player doesn't know where all the enemies spawn, that includes enemies hiding behind objects. You know what the worst thing about this too? If you succeed you are awarded by Passos saying "HURRY UP MAX, OPEN THE DOOR!" -_-
Why is this game so greatly praised, especially by fans of the originals? It makes you think right? Well I hope so.

#6 The Hangover Part 4: Staring Max Payne

So Max Payne is all of sudden an alcoholic that likes to show that he drinks, and broods like an emo teenager. I would love to think that this game is just a big hangover Max is having and only finding half of São Paulo in flames because of Max's wild adventures. No seriously when did Max Payne turn into an exaggeration of himself. Max Payne isn't a guy that swears left of right and is damning his life constantly... Well at least not so much in the previous titles. Hey by the way since when did Max ever make a bunch of political agenda's of the rich? Then only to work for said rich family. Kinda beats the purpose to me. Oh wait! Just like in the hangover films there kinda of a bigger or another side story going on with drug dealers an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ people along the way. Max is a fall guy for this one evil guys plan. Why? Idk something about Max being unstable because of plot convinces that don't make sense in the span of 3 games. Holy sh*t now thinking about it Max is like a serious version of the character Alan in the hangover films.
They even look alike!!!
http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/27/2205623-rsg_mp3_290.jpg
http://zalebs.com/media/uploads/2013/10/30/hangover_3_1920.jpg
Hmmm... this could answer to me of why Max Payne does not feel like May Payne. Could be he was being stared by Zach Galifianakis and was displayed by his silly and brooding character traits.
I can see it now: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/385437/14173629/1316131559327/mp3S.jpg?token=45Ub62Xos6dqJRe390vG1sgVX5M%3D

#7 Max Payne is a stupid ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ idiot head

So on top of exaggeration of his character traits, making Max an alcoholic, and watching to one too many cut scenes from the GTA games; Max Payne is really f*cking stupid in the third game. Ok so other than selecting an empty gun some of the time I want to go to more of the infamous territory for me.
Oh yeah SPOILERS if you really care for this poor excuse of a story.
So Max is trying to locate the people he was trying to protect by fighting through gangs in the slums. He finds them in this one small building with around 5-7 guys all exposed in a window. Instead of doing the most logical reason, and shoot them outside via bullet time, he decides to slowly walk in and demands them to stop doing what they doing and release the people. Well if you aren't brain dead it doesn't go so well. Also I have no idea why the hell Max would even bother negotiating with them; they don't exactly speak or understand fluent English (like really what can possibly go wrong?). So Max gets disarmed and one of the people is killed and the rest are taken away (Oh...). Wow Max any other bright ideas? How about shaving your head and wearing a Hawaiian shirt to make your enemies seem like you are having a crazy midlife crisis. Only problem is that this game doesn't take place in part of world that would care or even acknowledge Max's version of a "midlife crisis." I really feel like Rockstar doesn't know what they can actually do with Max Payne's character. I feel like they just read through some Wikipedia articles of the plot of mainly the first game and build on from it. Yet they built it using artificially placed plot devices that can only happen by making the character dumb.
Hey speaking of artificially placed plot devices let's make a quick note about clues, and how it took Max forever to figure out who's the big bad. Spoilers it's the rich guy who's trying to win the election and wants power. It doesn't take a genius to suspect him even with the obvious signs left behind the game's cut scenes and "interactive" clues. Remind me again why people praise the story again?

#8 The Max Payne Manifesto: Max's Political Agenda

So I'm not like going act like Max never made comments of social orders comments but at least in the first two titles they were just to expand the plot and mind set of Max. Here I feel like if Max isn't stating the obvious he's just being way too cynical. In fact in retrospect it's pretty much his fault for ever accepting this job. It's not like he didn't know he won't be working those higher class people. Why be an ass to the rich when you part take with their enjoyments including drinking their drinks and taking their pills. It seems very counter intuitive for Max's character. Also to clarify back in the other titles these parts of the game of Max's comments seems very valid since he's just thrown in there beyond his own control, unlike this game. Hell why does Max even give a damn after saying such mean comments? What's his drive to save these people in particular anyways? In actuality was it a clever way of Max getting his sick kicks by subtlety condemning these people? Hmmm... maybe I underestimated Max's motivations, NOPE, never mind he's drinking about and calling himself a failure for the next 5 minutes. Nice and come next chapter just to rinse and repeat.
Now another thing to mention is question why Rockstar placed some controversial topics in the game. Such as stealing organs from people, and police brutality/ fatalities. I really feel like they want to incorporate these ideas to make the player think, but then you remind yourself you are playing a Max Payne game. What's the point of theses, to make the bad guy look like a bigger ass?
Lastly for some reason Max has the idea he's such a morally high guy and it's his duty to save these people. Ok let me stop the game right there. Remember when Max literally murdered cops in his previous games to get to the big bad. Hell he even murdered one of the people from his own station in his sequel. So why does Max so highly think of himself as the law. To be honest he isn't, he's just a person out on revenge, or is uncovering the guy who's trying to kill him.

Nit-picks that I have which you don't have to agree:
-Bullet time doesn't feel rewarding as in MP2 (where duration last longer the more you kill)
-Not a lot of interactive things in the game, I want to turn on all the faucets.
-First starting the game takes forever for some reason and you have to join the rockstar social club
-couldn't play multiplayer since no one was on to play it (though I find to be tacked on since the single player is really the heart of the main series)
-The game hand holds for some reason, death holds no value in this game and you given a clean slate and fresh pills
-no quick saves or save states (not a terrible thing, but I wish I can still carry out my damage I've gained)
-The New York minuet challenges don't make sense anymore (You're not in NY!)
-The game almost forgets the events of MP2 with the exceptions of "clues" that don't really make too much sense from what Max says.

The Conclusion
So those are the bad about this latest game. Please note this game isn't god awful it's just a bad Max Payne game. This game feels like Rockstar wanted to play it very safe with this title, and the story is so bare bones and head scratching it ruins the fun and enjoyment of the previous titles. You can say all the fun and whimsical things just got hard-boiled to broodiness and realism. Please if you are a fan of the originals and you are looking to play this game take it with a grain of salt. In this title it's really debatable whether this is the Max Payne game we all deserved. I hope maybe Rockstar can look back at their mistakes and improved upon the writing and expand the bullet time or even polish the cover mechanics.
Also don't believe the blind fan boys who blindly gave this game an 8/10 or above.
If you ask me this game is about a 6.5-7.5 out of 10.
Now feel free to call me a stupid ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ try hard for making almost 5 pages of complaints of the recent MP game.

[b21993r]

1.Brazil is the most possible place for a desprate and hopless Max to find his redemption,a tropical hellhole.He has nothing and has nothing to lose.And Passos came at the right moment to give him a little twist in his life,or to put off his suicide at least.

2.Cutscenes are designed to hide the loading time between chapters,switching wapons is indeed a bit annyoing but I can deal with it,if you are good at shooting running out of ammo is nearly impossible.

3.What Rockstar tried to depict is a much more depressed and realistic Max who can't get rid of his violent past,so his movement and weapon option is related to that and should fit his actual condition now.Which is a drunk ex-cop abused by painkllers for years and gained a lot of weight.So he moves slowly,can just take weapons like normal people did,but that's suitable and I still find gameplay satisfying.

4.Rockstar made a lot of open world games with plenty to explore,but they don't want to do that in this franchise,just like the cutscenes they are designed to be extremely linear and hardcore,while Remedy was trying to add some sand box elements into the first two games.Personally I like what Rockstar did just as what Remedy did.

5.Just as I said above Rockstar is doing things in their own way while keeping the same Max and his core.Which resulted a extremely linear and immense gaming exprience.If you don't like it you can ignore it,but I still found ammos without any problems even if Passos is hurrying me up all the time.

6.9 years of depression and abuse of alchol and painkllers are the answers,he slipped much further along the path of self-destruction during this time period,and his middle age crisis arrived right on time.That explained his leave of New Jersey as well,he himself is thinking this can change his life nonetheless.No matter better or worse.

7.Max always walked into the mess,he can just chose the "logical" route to avoid getting into the hotel ran by lupino in the first installment and find a way to call the police in,but he didn't.Brasil is a place he is not familiar with at all,and the best way is to get straight into the hellhole to find out the truth. Also his bullet time is limited,if he starts to shoot into the house then Serrano can just kill all of the hostages rightaway,he is not for the money and play the game,otherwise Giovanna and Marcello won't be detained.

8.Max Payne 3 is set in a much bigger surroundings than the first two games,and Max's own redemption was along the way of the revealing of the whole political topic,he's more like a witness than a hero,but his redemption was found along the way.He doesn't care about his life at all at the beginning,condeming all the time while unable to change anything,so does his job,he just thought this might give him a bit twist of his life,because "Everyone Deserves A Break".What he didn't expect is he was put into the most violent and desprate situations he had ever met,and made him started to push back.You know what?Sam Lake liked the idea and the bald Max was actually pointed out by him,to show him finally waving goodbye to his past.

[b21993r]

Max Payne's core is his own paradox of not able to moving foward mentally while chosing not to think anymore and let the guns do the business.The most possible way of letting all of these things go is throwing him into a much uncomfortable and violent surroundings and try to push him to the death,because just like he said,"If you push a man too far,he'll start to push back."

Rockstar delivered it perfectly,and in a very brave way,Remedy can't describe the voilence and blood of Sao Paolo well,just like Rockstar won't try to imitate Remedy's old fashined Noir York.Both studios put their understandings into Max Payne very well,and Sam Lake was relieved to see Rockstar doing in its own way and praised Houser's writing.I'm a fan of original series,and I think Rockstar done a fantastic job.

Another suggestion is,don't just reviewing this game in the way like"Oh this is not present on the Remedy titles so I hate it" or "Oh this is absent from Rockstar title so I hate it too",that's way too shallow.Rockstar is not here to replicate Remedy's title,otherwise they won't make it at all.Max is a great character that would evolve through time,and this time the evolution of his mind and action made me feel like he is much more realistic,more than a symbol in a noir film.That's Rockstar's purpose and success when it comes to characterization.

[PCConsoleGamer]

Good review. I only played once, went back to Max Payne and Max Payne 2 afterwards. With this game, I felt like I was watching a mini series, and If I wanted that, I'd watch hill street blues. I feel as you do, its not god awful, its just a bad Max Payne Game. Promoted big time, flopped miserably. Anyways, we do have hitman to look foreward to. Take care.

[b21993r]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย TheStealthGamer:

Good review. I only played once, went back to Max Payne and Max Payne 2 afterwards. With this game, I felt like I was watching a mini series, and If I wanted that, I'd watch hill street blues. I feel as you do, its not god awful, its just a bad Max Payne Game. Promoted big time, flopped miserably. Anyways, we do have hitman to look foreward to. Take care.

Interestingly the first two Max Paynes are made like neo noir films and Hong Kong action movies,should I say I would watch The Killer other than playing it?Also the second intallment of Max Payne flopped even worse,thus made the game having no sequel for 9 years,in fact the booming success on commercial side for MP1 was more or less because of The Matrix promoting the idea of bullet time.The only excuse is that this game is implementing something new while some fundamentalists can't accept it because anything unlike the first two games are not good.

[Gaston]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย b21993r:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย TheStealthGamer:

Good review. I only played once, went back to Max Payne and Max Payne 2 afterwards. With this game, I felt like I was watching a mini series, and If I wanted that, I'd watch hill street blues. I feel as you do, its not god awful, its just a bad Max Payne Game. Promoted big time, flopped miserably. Anyways, we do have hitman to look foreward to. Take care.

Interestingly the first two Max Paynes are made like neo noir films and Hong Kong action movies,should I say I would watch The Killer other than playing it?Also the second intallment of Max Payne flopped even worse,thus made the game having no sequel for 9 years,in fact the booming success on commercial side for MP1 was more or less because of The Matrix promoting the idea of bullet time.The only excuse is that this game is implementing something new while some fundamentalists can't accept it because anything unlike the first two games are not good.

game sales ≠ game quality
You need a better clarifcation to say something is bad then it's sales.
Psychonauts is a game that's extremely well made... well with the exception of the meat circus, but did horrible in intial sales.

[Gaston]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย b21993r:

1.Brazil is the most possible place for a desprate and hopless Max to find his redemption,a tropical hellhole.He has nothing and has nothing to lose.And Passos came at the right moment to give him a little twist in his life,or to put off his suicide at least.

Ok... that tells me absolutely no reason why Max should go specifically Brazil and why all of a sudden there's a Passos character.
By your logic, Max might as well go to Africa, the middle east, eastern europe , or Mexico since those are hell holes.
Hell, if it's hell hole or redemption Max's wants then he might as well fight against the gangs and mafia here in New York! He lost everyone he's love and has absolutely no reason to live. There would be no consequence for him.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย b21993r:

2.Cutscenes are designed to hide the loading time between chapters,switching wapons is indeed a bit annyoing but I can deal with it,if you are good at shooting running out of ammo is nearly impossible.

That's fine if the cut scenes are to cover load time (every game has it's moment to load a map/ level), but by all mean it should put you into control before the enemies fire at you in the open. Or have Max go to cover and then let the player have control. Not enemies fire and now you just got control, hope you have bullet time to doge those shots.
In regards to your running out of ammo, it depends on difficulty of the game. In the abandon hotel level you start off with a silenced pistol with about 10-15 rounds (may vary in difficulty). Now after killing your first way you should have your second or third weapon. Problem is that the game switches to the silencer in certain cut scenes. AND NO! Enemies don't drop down the rounds for that gun. So once again NO. No matter how good you are with shooting there are more enemies than the amount of ammo you are given for that gun.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย b21993r:

3.What Rockstar tried to depict is a much more depressed and realistic Max who can't get rid of his violent past,so his movement and weapon option is related to that and should fit his actual condition now.Which is a drunk ex-cop abused by painkllers for years and gained a lot of weight.So he moves slowly,can just take weapons like normal people did,but that's suitable and I still find gameplay satisfying.

The problem is that being cut out GTA character with a drinking problem doesn't make you seem more depressed. An example of a very powerful scene that perfectly encapsulates MP's character is from 2, when in his apartment you can play an audio recording of Max calling a sex phone operator. Where Max just ask to talk to someone because he's alone and depressed. Not damning everyone and not caring a single thing in the world. Not to mention making him way more vulgar. Though this is mentioned more in depth in another segment, I'll get to it soon.
Now the main problem is that Max can't carry more than 3 weapons. And NO it's not because of Max's characteristics. That makes no sense. He could of easily carry an extra strap, or jury-rig his own straps to hold the assault rifle. As I said in my review, this would have been ok if it was like this for the first few early chapters but then Max upgrades (especially for the final battle).

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย b21993r:

4.Rockstar made a lot of open world games with plenty to explore,but they don't want to do that in this franchise...

But they did make open levels (not to the grand scheme as some of their other titles), and most of it really didn't have any reward for exploration other than some pills, golden gun parts (which from knowledge are just an aesthetic), and clues that don't do much since they don't change anything.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย b21993r:

...just like the cutscenes they are designed to be extremely linear and hardcore...

What?
Hardcore?
What does that mean in terms of level design?
Ok well... I'll talk about the linear part then.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย b21993r:

Remedy was trying to add some sand box elements into the first two games.Personally I like what Rockstar did just as what Remedy did.

Well in hindsight maybe rockstar wanted to implement a very purely linear design (no extra rooms or secrets), but I want to say they don't want to alienate Remedy fans, but ended up doing a less than stellar job. Since most of the more open places just are big empty places with nothing to offer (or are very insignificant).

[b21993r]

1.Yes,any place which could put him into the most dangerous situation and tired to put him to death is possible for a personal redemption,while Rockstar made Brasil a right choice.New Jersey doesn't mean anything for him anymore,nearly all of the people he knew from the first two installment is dead.And Passos's appearence is just in the right time for him to go for a change and stepped into another trap that pushed him to limit and he pushed back finally.The plot was logical and suited his own character development as well.Max Payne is about a character,not about any spectacular place he is in,and Rockstar understood that well.

Also if you describe it in that way,New York has no relation to Max as well,being deeply depressed and drunk in 9 years while suddenly caught in the gunfire of a mob boss for killing his son,and your former "workmate" gave you an option to fly away and earn easy money,what would you do?It wasn't until he is into Brasil and all the conspiracy behind the gurading job that pushed him to the limit and made him fight back,it's a logical development of the plot.

2.I cleared the story on all of difficulties and didn't found any shortage of ammo at all,including the hotel chapter you mentioned,the wapon carrying system in this installment made switching weapons very quick and convinient and when Max was out of ammo with that silent pistol,he was behind a very safe cover without hired guns noting him at all,I don't think it would be impossible to quickswitch your weapon to the ones that had ammo.And it was proved during my gameplay.

3.Rockstar is not describing a cut off of GTA characters,if you really compare the writings of plot of MP3 and other GTAs and RDR it's easy to see the difference.That's why I'm saying try not to bash MP3 because it's different from Remedy's titles.Is he not lonely just because of he is not phoning a sex line to show his loneliness?He looked like an alien stepping into Sao Paolo and the contrast between the hot and noisy surroundings around him formed a significant contrast between his own depression.That's some much more tangible loneliness for me.By the way Max has been through the downward spiral of his life for 9 years and what does he left to care about the world?His suicidal thoughts existed once he got the revenge for his family and the progression is believable,Remedy built an artistic symbol of typical noir film while Rockstar is bringing him down to the ground,not making him vulgar.Has Max ever fought in the daylight before this title?He is responding everything around him in a much normal and fitting way,making him a relatable character who is dealing with his deep depression and mid-life crisis like everyone do.

The gun carrying is another example of Rockstar bringing Max into life,he is only waring shoulder holsters during the game and is there any places for him to carry some more rifles or shutguns or even grenade launchers?Most of the gunbattles he's in happened in very sudden ways and he has no way to wear tactical jackets to deal with it.Also that doesn't influence my gaming exprience at all,the gunfight was as enjoyable as ever,and made game has some tactical element to force you to choose your arms wisely.

4.If Rockstar is really making real open levels they won't make it in this way,MP3 is a linear hardcore action shooter which was well represented by its plot and level designs.They are putting their understandings of Max Payne in their own way while implementing their toughts along the way.And Sam Lake was relieved to see Rockstar doing that and praised the writing skills of Dan Houser while saying MP3 still being a Max Payne game,just as I said don't try to just bash this game beacuse it's different from Remedy's titles,I enjoyed this one in its own way and found actually the progression of Max's personality and his view of life is as natural as the first two titles.

[b21993r]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Gaston:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย b21993r:

Interestingly the first two Max Paynes are made like neo noir films and Hong Kong action movies,should I say I would watch The Killer other than playing it?Also the second intallment of Max Payne flopped even worse,thus made the game having no sequel for 9 years,in fact the booming success on commercial side for MP1 was more or less because of The Matrix promoting the idea of bullet time.The only excuse is that this game is implementing something new while some fundamentalists can't accept it because anything unlike the first two games are not good.

game sales ≠ game quality
You need a better clarifcation to say something is bad then it's sales.
Psychonauts is a game that's extremely well made... well with the exception of the meat circus, but did horrible in intial sales.

I need better clarification?Someone who tried to bash this game bacuse of it's sales figure needs that.

[Gaston]

Come back when you can proof read your stuff.
Also here's a helpful tool that can help you with your spelling mistakes:
https://www.jspell.com/public-spell-checker.html

[b21993r]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Gaston:

Come back when you can proof read your stuff.
Also here's a helpful tool that can help you with your spelling mistakes:
https://www.jspell.com/public-spell-checker.html

At least I'm not a fanboy who would bash a game just becuase it's telling a story in a way that's different from it's prequels.And I'm not that bad at playing shooting games as well.What I wanted to say was already clearly expressed at posts above.

[Gaston]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย b21993r:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Gaston:

Come back when you can proof read your stuff.
Also here's a helpful tool that can help you with your spelling mistakes:
https://www.jspell.com/public-spell-checker.html

At least I'm not a fanboy who would bash a game just becuase it's telling a story in a way that's different from it's prequels.And I'm not that bad at playing shooting games as well.What I wanted to say was already clearly expressed at posts above.

But it has glaring plot holes and poor characterization! (This also is explained above)
On top of that it's a sequel to a story based game with 3rd person action shooter elements.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย b21993r:

And I'm not that bad at playing shooting games as well.

What the hell are you talking about? When have I criticize you about your playing skills? What's your point with this? You seem to add things that are really irrelevant to the subject on matter.


I feel like at this point there's no reasoning with you. You seem to brush off obvious issues with "well you just don't get man." Better yet, you insinuate that my main problem is that I'm a "fanboy," which is a real cheap excuse to prove your case (in fact two can play that game, but why should I even bother. It would be a never ending argument at that point).
I gave out mostly constructive criticisms of things I really dislike with the game instead of only saying I dislike the game. If you like the game fine whatever.
Overall to me it's a disappointing rockstar game, a disappointing Max Payne game, an especially a disappointing follow-up/ sequel.
End of Case.

[b21993r]

Plot holes and poor characterization?More like "I can't accept what Rcokstar tried to express" by me.I also explained in my former posts about how Rockstar understands Max and what's the core of him.Seems like you doesn't have an idea about that and was too obsessive on small aspects that Rockstar would certainly do in a different way when compared to Remedy.That's why I said your complains are too fanboy-like.Rockstar is not trying to mimic Remedy's style here,just keeping the core of him and tell his story in its own way,which is the right choice and actually Lake was relieved to see that happen.The same goes to gameplay,you don't even realize that after most cutscenes Max was behind the cover and sometimes even unnoticed by enemies while saying you're straight into a fight without ammo,the the only way I think you hate it is because you can't handle it and also didn't really paid attention while playing.Your cheap and rushed hatred made me think of your so-called constructive thoughts questionable.And those ideas are mainly persuading Rockstar to mimic Remedy's style-Sorry,that's the true disaster had that happened.

End of case for me.

[Crow]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย you:

it's not like this series' setting was so stale they had to do something about it

Except it was. We've had two games in NY. Brasil is a great ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to set the game in. Sure, sunshine is hardly "noir" but this just serves to illuminate the grim realities there. I believe Max even mentions this during his monologie as he wanders the favela.

[Gaston]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย JoeCrow:

Except it was. We've had two games in NY. Brasil is a great ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to set the game in. Sure, sunshine is hardly "noir" but this just serves to illuminate the grim realities there. I believe Max even mentions this during his monologie as he wanders the favela.

Yes it's true that two games took place in NY, but it's been so long since the last game that making it again and set in NY would be alright (MP2 was release back in 2003, 9 years before MP3). I feel like having this reintroduction of Max back in the market would have benefited that. The folks down at Rockstar surely could make some really creative settings and places in modern day NY.
Now back to Brazil, the reason why I'm not feeling it is both "lacking of noir," and how poorly excused/ reasoned to come down there. Yes the place that Max goes especially the favelas is big sh*t-hole, and yes Max said at one point that it would be best go there to let the heat die down. To me it just feel all of a sudden, Passos come all of a sudden for some dumb reason just to make Max the fall guy for an overcomplicated plan from the big bad., not to mention a complete change of tone.
Now I'm not going lie the setting looks pretty great but it just doesn't fit well with as a Max Pain game. Maybe if the story didn't go a non-linear route and explain at a decent pace, just maybe the Brazil would be more acceptable for me.