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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 3 — 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.
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.
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.
