Rockstar Presents: Rad Payne 3
I've never been so uninterested in a game's overall story and presentation before. Max Payne 3 is very much not a Remedy experience, and I'm kinda glad Rockstar went in a different direction for Max Payne, rather than trying to imitate Remedy's magic. Instead, Rockstar played to their strengths and just provided a nonstop action experience with the most terrible, disgusting, gritty, and sardonic characters. I don't think I'm much of a fan, and the presentation genuinely makes me motion sick. Thank god there's about 2,633 cutscenes in this game, cutting away after every hallway entrance. Max Payne has also completely transformed as a character, turning into a deeply depressed drunkard, clearly not caring whether he lives or dies (over 60 times) in any gunfight. It's almost like a parody of Max Payne, or an extreme deterioration of the character to help fit with the tone of this game. His lines are still dripping with that James McCaffrey goodness (may he rest in peace), but this is definitely not the same guy from Max Payne 1 or 2 lol.
The gameplay singlehandedly carries this video game. This was the evolution I was hoping for Max Payne with its sequel, doubling down on the bullet time mechanic. Each scenario is an opportunity to fill your veins with the adrenaline that is slowing down time, and picking off targets in one beautifully orchestrated dive off a railing into cover. It never gets old! And the level design promoting set piece after set piece keeps each fight interesting. I think the turret sections and the sniper sections are a bit lame, as restrictive movement isn’t exactly fun in Max Payne. But the rest of the game is by far the peak of the series in terms of gameplay.
Overall, Max Payne 3 is rad in its own way. It may tell a story that doesn't connect with me at all (but won me over in its last third), but I couldn't get enough of the gameplay. I almost beat the entire in one sitting if that explains anything.
8/10 :)
I've never been so uninterested in a game's overall story and presentation before. Max Payne 3 is very much not a Remedy experience, and I'm kinda glad Rockstar went in a different direction for Max Payne, rather than trying to imitate Remedy's magic. Instead, Rockstar played to their strengths and just provided a nonstop action experience with the most terrible, disgusting, gritty, and sardonic characters. I don't think I'm much of a fan, and the presentation genuinely makes me motion sick. Thank god there's about 2,633 cutscenes in this game, cutting away after every hallway entrance. Max Payne has also completely transformed as a character, turning into a deeply depressed drunkard, clearly not caring whether he lives or dies (over 60 times) in any gunfight. It's almost like a parody of Max Payne, or an extreme deterioration of the character to help fit with the tone of this game. His lines are still dripping with that James McCaffrey goodness (may he rest in peace), but this is definitely not the same guy from Max Payne 1 or 2 lol.
The gameplay singlehandedly carries this video game. This was the evolution I was hoping for Max Payne with its sequel, doubling down on the bullet time mechanic. Each scenario is an opportunity to fill your veins with the adrenaline that is slowing down time, and picking off targets in one beautifully orchestrated dive off a railing into cover. It never gets old! And the level design promoting set piece after set piece keeps each fight interesting. I think the turret sections and the sniper sections are a bit lame, as restrictive movement isn’t exactly fun in Max Payne. But the rest of the game is by far the peak of the series in terms of gameplay.
Overall, Max Payne 3 is rad in its own way. It may tell a story that doesn't connect with me at all (but won me over in its last third), but I couldn't get enough of the gameplay. I almost beat the entire in one sitting if that explains anything.
8/10 :)
dumbdumbmcgee
28 days ago