Max Payne 3

Max Payne 3 is a third-person shooter video game developed by Rockstar Studios^[a] and published by Rockstar Games. It was released on 15 May 2012 for thePlayStation 3 and Xbox 360; a Microsoft Windows port was released on 31 May 2012, followed by an OS X port on 20 June 2013. The game is the first entry in the Max Payne series since 2003's Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne, developed by Remedy Entertainment.

The game is played from a third-person perspective. Throughout the single-player mode, players control Max Payne, a former detective who has become a vigilante after the murder of his wife and daughter. Nine years after the events of the second game, Max becomes employed as a private security contractor in Brazil, but quickly becomes entangled in a quest filled with death and betrayal. An online multiplayer mode is included with the game, allowing up to 16 players to engage in both cooperativeand competitive gameplay in re-creations of multiple single-player settings.

As part of their research for the game's setting, the developers conducted field research around São Paulo throughout development and captured footage for the design team. Development duties were shared between many of Rockstar's studios worldwide. At release, it was acclaimed by many reviewers, with praise particularly directed at the story and action. Max Payne 3 received high sales, shipping approximately three million units in the first week of release. It was nominated for multiple year-end accolades from several gaming publications, winning a variety of them.

Gameplay[edit]

Players may take cover behind objects during firefights, using it as a tactical advantage and to avoid taking damage from enemies. This feature was not present in earlier games in the series.

Max Payne 3 is a third-person shooter in which the player assumes the role of its titular character, Max Payne. A new feature to the series, introduced in Max Payne 3, is the cover system, which allows players to gain a tactical advantage, and avoid taking damage from enemies.^[3] To progress through the linear story, players take on enemies throughout levels. The game features interactive cutscenes which transition seamlessly into continuing gameplay; there are no loading screens across gameplay and cutscenes.^[4]

In combat, auto-aim and a cover system can be used as assistance against enemies. Should players take damage, painkillers can be used to regenerate health. Players use melee attacks, firearms and explosives to fight enemies. In action sequences, bullet timecan be used; using this feature, it is possible to see every bullet strike an enemy in detail.^[5] The game also utilizes a "Last Stand" mechanic, granting players a grace period when health is fully depleted, allowing them to kill the enemy that last wounded them. After using the shoot-dodge mechanic, which enables players to dodge enemies by diving, players may shoot at any angle while remaining grounded.^[3]

Multiplayer[edit]

The online multiplayer mode features maps and modes that dynamically change within a match.^[6] Up to 16 players engage in cooperative or competitive gameplay in re-creations of multiple single-player settings. Players may band together in organized player teams called crews to complete tasks together. Players can create their own crews, via the Rockstar Games Social Club, and join up to five total. Crews win multiplayer matches to earn experience points and climb online leaderboards.^[7]

Synopsis[edit]

Setting[edit]

According to Rockstar's Sam Houser, it was their intention to start a new chapter of Max Payne's life with the game: "This is Max as we've never seen him before, a few years older, more world-weary and cynical than ever." The press release states that since the last game, Max has left New York City behind and "drifted from bad to worse." The press release goes on to say Max has been double-crossed in this new city and is searching for both the truth and a way out.^[8] The game is set in São Paulo, Brazil, several years after the events of "the first ending" of the second game.^[9][10] Max Payne now works in executive protection for the wealthy Rodrigo Branco and his family in the hopes of escaping the memories of his troubled past. When a street gang kidnaps Rodrigo's wife, Max is pulled into a conspiracy of shadowy, warring factions threading every aspect of São Paulo society in a deadly web that threatens to engulf everyone and everything around him.