Max Payne 3

Starting at $19.99Buy now

Max Payne 3 follows the titular Max Payne, a former detective turned hired gun, as he seeks to leave his past behind in Sao Paulo, Brazil. When a brush with the local criminal underworld threatens his new life, Max is once again plunged into a world of violence and intrigue. The game features a noir-inspired storyline, third-person shooter gameplay, and a variety of weapons and abilities to help Max on his quest for redemption.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 20,154 reviews

story3,218 positive mentions

stability232 negative mentions

story
7,285 mentions
44 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "Max Payne 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its dark and gritty narrative that follows Max as he navigates a chaotic life in Brazil after the events of the previous games. While some praise the engaging character development and emotional depth, others criticize the story for being convoluted, predictable, and lacking the noir charm of its predecessors. The frequent unskippable cutscenes and a more action-oriented plot have also drawn criticism, leading some fans to feel that it strays too far from the original series' storytelling style. Overall, the game is seen as a solid entry with enjoyable gameplay, but its narrative may not resonate with all fans of the franchise.
- “The story is captivating, plunging players into a dark and action-packed universe.”
- “Max Payne 3 is a masterclass in linear, story-driven third person shooters, and a welcome return to classic single-player games of old.”
- “The story is dark, gritty, and well-written, providing a fitting conclusion to Max's character arc.”
- “The story felt forced, fake, stupid, and boring.”
- “You are actually playing the game maybe 30 seconds to a couple of minutes at a time before being forced into another unskippable 5-minute cutscene which usually consists of guys walking from one place to another with the most basic dialogue that contributes nothing to the story or characters.”
- “The story is convoluted and boring, but the gameplay mechanics are remarkable, and the best out there of any game in my opinion.”
gameplay
4,113 mentions
44 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Max Payne 3" is widely praised for its fluid mechanics, particularly the iconic bullet time and shoot-dodge features, which enhance the shooting experience and create a cinematic feel. However, many players express frustration with the frequent and lengthy cutscenes that interrupt gameplay, leading to a perception that the game is more of an interactive movie than a traditional shooter. While the cover system and modernized mechanics are appreciated, some fans of the original games feel that the gameplay has become more linear and repetitive compared to its predecessors. Overall, the game is recognized for its engaging gunplay and solid mechanics, making it a standout title in the third-person shooter genre, despite its narrative shortcomings.
- “The gameplay is what really carries the title though.”
- “Its a great game don't get me wrong, like the physics and overall slow-mo action gameplay is amazing and is engaging until the very end, and jumping around the place with a Uzi and Deagle and hitting walls, jumping into enemies is awesome and is a big improvement on gameplay from the first one.”
- “The gameplay is the standout with how realistic the physics are and how fun the action is.”
- “The gameplay is a strange combination of cover based shooter and old school third person shooting, utilizing the 'bullet time' technique of slowing time to allow the player to fire off multiple shots while enemies respond in slow-motion.”
- “The gameplay is very linear, yet despite that, the john woo style gameplay, advanced physics, and super advanced ai make it feel free-flowing and creative.”
- “The gameplay is completely crap.”
graphics
1,935 mentions
58 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Max Payne 3" have received widespread acclaim for their impressive quality, even years after its release in 2012. Many reviewers noted that the visuals are stunning, showcasing detailed environments and character models that enhance the game's cinematic experience. While some players mentioned minor graphical glitches and a departure from the noir aesthetic of the earlier titles, the overall consensus is that the graphics remain a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive storytelling and action-packed gameplay.
- “The graphics are stunning for a 2012 game, the gameplay is extremely satisfying, and Max is angrier than ever before.”
- “The graphics, gameplay, and animations all look and feel exceptionally well even more than a decade after its release.”
- “The graphics are absolutely amazing as well as sound! The visuals are impressive, with lots of cinematic set pieces throughout the game.”
- “Furthermore, there were some awful performance/graphical issues like the world not rendering properly leading to me falling through the map or other weird stuff that led to me dying and having to repeat parts of the game all over again.”
- “The graphics are so bad in taste, it is not even functional; you get no feedback or visual cues that an enemy is dead, especially in slow motion.”
- “The constant neon flashing in the cutscenes is annoying; they removed the comic book aesthetic for this.”
music
966 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Max Payne 3," primarily composed by the band Health, has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and emotional depth. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's dynamic range, with tracks that effectively complement intense action sequences and poignant moments, particularly noting the standout song "Tears" during the climactic airport scene. While some players found certain tracks less fitting or overly electronic, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a significant highlight, contributing to the game's immersive experience and emotional resonance.
- “The soundtrack is yet again pretty fit to the situations and locations you encounter, also bringing back the original theme not just for nostalgia's sake but because it is what it is.”
- “The soundtrack, composed by Health, complements the game's tone perfectly, adding to the overall atmosphere.”
- “Max Payne 3, with its stellar soundtrack, goes beyond being a mere shooter; it's a testament to the power of gaming as an art form.”
- “The only thing I felt that let down this game was the way that the soundtrack was handled in-game.”
- “I needed a real drink to cope with the electronic music and robotic people.”
- “On the negative side, the music is Rockstar's style and it could be something that would be fine in a GTA game, but it does not fit Max Payne's world at all.”
atmosphere
331 mentions
45 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Max Payne 3" is a point of contention among players, with many noting a significant departure from the dark, noir aesthetic of the first two games. While some appreciate the vibrant Brazilian setting and its unique environments, others feel it lacks the immersive, gritty atmosphere that defined the series. The soundtrack and visual design receive praise for enhancing the experience, but the overall consensus is that the game struggles to replicate the atmospheric depth of its predecessors.
- “The atmosphere, film noir style, great writing, and characters just don't exist.”
- “The game's dark and brooding atmosphere, coupled with Max's trademark monologues, captures the essence of classic film noir and brings it to the gaming realm in a masterful way.”
- “From the neon-lit streets of São Paulo to the seedy underbelly of its criminal underworld, every environment is meticulously detailed and dripping with atmosphere.”
- “While the game excels in gameplay and action, it lacks very much in atmosphere and does not allow you to have much freedom as the game has cutscenes much too frequently that drag you into situations, which can be annoying if you enjoy tackling situations with a more tactical and stealthy approach.”
- “The atmosphere isn't really noir like other games; in fact, there's a lot of sunshine and beach parties in this one instead of Max smoking a cigarette at 2 AM on a cold, dank rooftop while it's pouring rain.”
- “The dark noir atmosphere, the hallmark of the series, is virtually non-existent.”
replayability
281 mentions
33 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The replayability of the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while the core gameplay and combat mechanics are highly enjoyable, unskippable cutscenes significantly detract from the overall experience. Some reviewers highlight the presence of various modes, collectibles, and challenges that enhance replay value, while others feel that the linear structure and narrative limitations reduce the incentive to replay once the story is completed. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some considering it highly replayable and others rating it low due to the interruptions caused by cutscenes.
- “The replayability is amazing.”
- “When it comes to replayability, I think the game offers quite a good amount of it with the achievement hunting, difficulties, and many golden weapon parts to unlock.”
- “Max Payne 3 is highly replayable, with unlockable higher difficulties and fun challenge modes, like New York Minute.”
- “Limited replayability once the story is completed.”
- “The cutscenes are constantly breaking up any flow of action this game might possess and since a large part of them are unskippable, not even a replay of the game can fix this (not that it has any replayability in the first place).”
- “This game is sadly plagued by unskippable cutscenes which make it unreplayable storywise.”
stability
261 mentions
10 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that significantly detract from the gameplay experience. While some players noted that the game runs well on certain platforms like the Steam Deck, the PC version is particularly criticized for its instability, including issues with the Rockstar Social Club integration. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with many recommending against purchasing it on PC due to these persistent technical problems.
- “The game runs great on today's hardware and still looks amazing.”
- “Performance wise, the game runs great on every system.”
- “Max Payne 3 as a game itself is awesome, it looks fantastic, plays extremely well, story is solid, extremely fun, bug free (I didn't find any), the game is just awesome.”
- “Long story short, this game in its current state is a buggy broken mess.”
- “This game is so monstrously buggy.”
- “It's disappointing how a game that's been out for so long from a name like Rockstar could be abandoned with so many glitches that destroy your gameplay experience...”
humor
257 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the Max Payne series, particularly in the third installment, is characterized by a blend of dark, cynical wit and self-deprecating commentary from the protagonist, Max. While some players appreciate the dry humor and find it genuinely funny, others feel that the series has lost the subtlety and charm of its predecessors, with humor becoming more sparse and overt. Overall, the game maintains a balance of grim storytelling and moments of levity, though opinions vary on its effectiveness and consistency.
- “Great gameplay, good story and acting, and funny dry humor.”
- “Max's dry humor is pretty funny, although it might fly over a couple people's heads.”
- “The writing is sharp, combining dark humor with moments of genuine poignancy, making you feel deeply connected to Max's struggles.”
- “And there are moments of alcoholism that are just so realistic and sad; man, it's not funny in those moments—especially if you have friends or family who've struggled with alcohol.”
- “Oh, and hope you like an absolutely irrepressible character who never stops making horrifically unfunny or uninspired noir-style quips.”
- “He's not funny, fun, or engaging anymore.”
optimization
222 mentions
56 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including older systems, while others report significant performance issues such as frame drops and graphical glitches. Many users highlight that despite the game's impressive visuals, it suffers from inconsistent performance, particularly on modern setups, leading to frustration. Overall, while some commend the game's optimization as top-notch, others feel it falls short, especially compared to earlier titles in the series.
- “The optimization is another top-notch point of the game, running smoothly even on low-grade systems.”
- “This game is extremely well optimized for how it looks; Rockstar did a great job on this game.”
- “Performance on the PC version is flawless, one of the best optimized games for PC ever made.”
- “Poorly optimized to the extent that the resolution drops to something like 480x760 for 'artistic' or 'stylistic' cut scenes.”
- “Just random frame drops in random moments; messing with graphics settings too much can kill performance or crash the game.”
- “The game felt poorly optimized for PC and Rockstar Social Club occasionally prevented me from playing the game due to my computer 'being offline'.”
emotional
137 mentions
87 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its dark, gritty narrative and the powerful voice acting of James McCaffrey, which adds depth to Max Payne's character and his struggles. However, many reviewers feel that the emotional impact is diminished compared to earlier installments, citing a lack of character development and a convoluted story that fails to engage players on a deeper level. Overall, while the game has its poignant moments, it struggles to maintain the emotional resonance that defined its predecessors.
- “The voice acting, particularly by James McCaffrey as Max Payne, is top-notch, delivering a performance that is both gritty and emotionally resonant.”
- “Max Payne 3 features a hauntingly beautiful score that perfectly complements the on-screen action, ramping up the tension during intense moments and providing emotional resonance during quieter scenes.”
- “To watch a man go from the perfect life to such a tragic downfall was a heartbreaking experience to witness.”
- “Boring story with an unlikeable protagonist who is just swimming in self-pity and having inner monologues all the time.”
- “A sad and boring storyline.”
- “They succeeded but then put it into a boring story with a character who's hard to love when he's filled with so much self-loathing that it makes me want to shoot him.”
grinding
109 mentions
3 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
72 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious, primarily due to unskippable cutscenes and repetitive gameplay mechanics, which disrupt the flow and enjoyment. While some players appreciate the solid gunplay and engaging story, many express frustration with the grind required for achievements and collectibles, often feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as requiring a significant time commitment, with some players suggesting it may be worth it for dedicated fans despite its grindy nature.
- “Even the achievements and grinds are challenging but not tedious.”
- “Some of them also add to the overall story and they aren't tedious to read through, as Max narrates the entire thing for you so you can continue on your journey whilst listening to his relatively entrancing voice.”
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The game is tedious and bad in single player: the cutscenes are frequent, intrusive in gameplay, and badly paced.”
- “Grinding through achievements is more hindered by hours of unskippable cutscenes than the level design and game AI.”
character development
39 mentions
46 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and authenticity of Max Payne's character arc, while others criticize the lack of emotional weight and continuity from previous installments. Many players appreciate the engaging narrative and transformation of Max, but feel that the game fails to fully explore or build upon the character development established in earlier titles. Overall, while there are moments of strong character development, the execution is inconsistent, leaving some players disappointed.
- “The character development is exceptional, especially with Max himself, who is portrayed with depth and authenticity.”
- “Max's character development is brilliant in MP3, and I felt more connected with him by the end of the game.”
- “And yet, the reason why I like this title even more than previous ones isn't only the perfected gameplay mechanics but the leap it took in shifting its focus to a well-strung narrative, strong contextual themes, and believable character development.”
- “The story is not too deep and there is not much character development.”
- “Overall, buy it if you want something that looks like the screenshots, drags you through long-winded cutscenes but somehow has no character development or intrigue, and if you do not care about the original two games.”
- “Unfortunately, the game seems to ignore some of Max's character development from the second game, but Max goes through other interesting changes in 3 as well.”
monetization
19 mentions
16 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
74 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the absence of microtransactions and the focus on pure gameplay, while others criticize the reliance on downloadable content (DLC) and the perceived cash grab mentality of the developers, particularly Rockstar. Many users express nostalgia for a time when games were less focused on monetization strategies, contrasting it with current practices that include aggressive marketing and anti-piracy measures. Overall, while the game is enjoyed for its classic gameplay, the monetization strategies employed by the developer have left a sour taste for some players.
- “Even after years, I keep coming back to this classic. Must buy, no microtransactions, no bull... just playing good old fun.”
- “If it didn't have like 5 DLCs, I would rate it 10/10. Shame that Rockstar went the way of DLCs and microtransactions, but still a very enjoyable game with good atmosphere. I enjoyed the campaign twice.”
- “I know Rockstar isn't exactly the crowned jewel of the gaming world anymore and they are committing some cardinal sins when it comes to microtransactions and story development in the present, but this is a diamond in the rough from a bygone era of gaming that I miss dearly.”
- “Much like SimCity or Dark Souls, you must be signed into their own online gaming service where if you sign up your information will be shared with whatever advertising agency they choose. It's not going to be up all the time so you can't log in to play, and you'll be sure to constantly receive email updates regardless of whether you want them or not.”
- “Rockstar and your broken game cash grab 2014.”