Max Payne 3 Reviews
No longer a New York City cop, Max Payne moves to São Paulo to protect a wealthy family in an effort to finally escape his troubled past. This complete edition of Max Payne 3 includes the complete original game and all previously released downloadable content.
App ID | 204100 |
App Type | GAME |
Developers | Rockstar Studios |
Publishers | Rockstar Games |
Categories | Single-player, Steam Achievements, Multi-player, Partial Controller Support |
Genres | Action |
Release Date | 31 May, 2012 |
Platforms | Windows |
Supported Languages | French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Japanese, Russian, English, Korean, Polish |
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21 130 Total Reviews
17 801 Positive Reviews
3 329 Negative Reviews
Very Positive Score
Max Payne 3 has garnered a total of 21 130 reviews, with 17 801 positive reviews and 3 329 negative reviews, resulting in a ‘Very Positive’ overall score.
Reviews Chart
Chart above illustrates the trend of feedback for Max Payne 3 over time, showcasing the dynamic changes in player opinions as new updates and features have been introduced. This visual representation helps to understand the game's reception and how it has evolved.
Recent Steam Reviews
This section displays the 10 most recent Steam reviews for the game, showcasing a mix of player experiences and sentiments. Each review summary includes the total playtime along with the number of thumbs-up and thumbs-down reactions, clearly indicating the community's feedback
Playtime:
1030 minutes
I really liked MP1 and 2 but this is my favorite. Maybe because I'm brazilian. Maybe because it has one of the best gameplay mechanics for a third-person-shooter ever made.
👍 : 1 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
5201 minutes
Great story, gamelplay is a bot clunky at times (perspective coming out of cover) but otherwise my favourite game since it came out.
👍 : 1 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
671 minutes
It is nowhere near to original Max Payne.
What you expect:
- Dark noire game with dark colors and atmosphere.
- Deep and interesting detective & action story
What you get:
- Mediocre GTA-like Miami yellow color action game.
- Primitive story without anything deep, just shoot and go.
- Hell of a count of redundant cutscenes which you want to skip from the half of the game.
Impression is that authors didn't know about original Max Payne style and story and just wanted to make some random action game. Nothing left from Max Payne, honestly.
👍 : 3 |
😃 : 2
Negative
Playtime:
823 minutes
DONT buy this game on pc. Rockstar Club is a scam and they will steal from you. I tried recovering my old account and they still had the audacity to say that it is linked to a different account. Its criminal to think they have the rights to restrict access on a game I BOUGHT with my HARD EARNED MONEY. F.. Rockstar
👍 : 4 |
😃 : 0
Negative
Playtime:
761 minutes
Rockstar is a joke now. Great game but I cant even play the game that i own with their account b*llshit. Make a new one & you ca'nt.
👍 : 2 |
😃 : 0
Negative
Playtime:
495 minutes
pretty good game but requires rockstar launcher so just get it somewhere else
👍 : 2 |
😃 : 0
Negative
Playtime:
1321 minutes
Poorly optimized on PC. Randomly pauses itself and you can't keep the game paused for too long because it will crash. I paused to go piss and came back to it frozen and needing to be restarted multiple times. Verifying files did not work.
Edit: Playing longer, the crashes get worse, the game pauses itself, and in some parts the audio stops working. GET THIS FOR A CONSOLE NOT PC
👍 : 3 |
😃 : 0
Negative
Playtime:
4180 minutes
[h1]Review[/h1]
I have played the original games. So, its quite a surprise that after such a long time that rockstar had announced a third game in the Max Payne franchise where the main protagonist suddenly becomes bald and its set in South America. That is an absolutely radical move against the identity of the originals and is usually just a sign for disappointment.
[u]Gameplay[/u]
Its hard to find a game that took the franchises gameplay and improved it in every aspect in a sequel. Not only can you dodge in every direction, but also stay and move a lot on the ground. Bullet time is a bit overpowered as you can use it any time during dodging, although standing up takes a while which makes positioning one of the most important parts of the game, aside fast reaction time and going for headshots.
Due to the way the dodges and bullet times are included, the gameplay not only is fun but also in itself a cinematic experience. The biggest drawback of the game, which actually can be so annoying that it can kill the replay value is the lack of a proper skip button for cutscenes. There are mods to fix this although not being ideal. Otherwise, the replay value is high for special modes, time attack, high scores, challenges and so on and so forth.
The games levels very a lot, with multiple different interesting set pieces that also add to the gameplay or change it up. Even something like shooting outside of a vehicle never gets stale due to different set pieces and context it provides.
Your character can die easily but so can enemies. My biggest criticism of the previous games was that you could die in a second from full health. Here you don’t have to spam quicksave because the health system works much better. You can find painkillers which regenerate your health. Alternatively, if you don’t use it and have no health left, your character will drop to the ground and you can shoot the person who downed you. If you accomplish this, your character will stand up with half hp left.
Luckily the dream sequences in the previous game are gone. I never liked those much.
There is even a multiplayer mode which has made slow motion work in a pvp setting. Although there aren’t many playing anymore and its balancing is questionable, it can increase playtime.
[u]Story[/u]
A more complex story although being not that personal. This causes the stakes to be not that interesting. The biggest twist for me was that the buildup to being betrayed came by a different person that you neither remember much after discovering it nor care about due to this. The story is eventful although less about the main stories plot but rather through the perspective and experiences from the main character. I’m still impressed on the very witty and sometimes stupid on purpose writing coupled with the ironic main character who takes a job in a Brazil while never bothering to learn any Portuguese whatsoever.
[u]Sound[/u]
A variety of unique and distinctive tracks with combat sound effects that adds to a unique memorable experience. Every level has a distinct track which gives it a completely different feel than the level already provides. I specially like the voice acting from the protagonist as its better than it ever was.
[u]Graphics[/u]
Its incredible how much quality you can get in a game when you have a studio with an enormous budget and the focus on a single player experience. The game came out over 10 years ago and the graphics are so good it could have been a few years ago. Everything can be thorn to pieces, especially environments but bullets have an impact on enemies too, although not being to the point that you can shoots of limbs and have gore.
[u]Conclusion/TL;DR[/u]
One of the best single player third person action shooters. It provides a decent story, different set piece after set piece in its level structure, satisfying gunplay with a bullet time feature that stands out and is well implemented into the gameplay. A third instalment into a franchise that does almost everything better while also staying true to its identity even while making moves that would make it seem that it did the opposite. This is a true sequel that almost makes you feel like Max Payne.
👍 : 4 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
835 minutes
Interesting enough story. Gunplay is fun and setting is cool
👍 : 5 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
28616 minutes
Rating: 9/10
Max Payne 3, developed by Rockstar Studios and released in 2012, brings the iconic character of Max Payne back for another dark, gritty adventure filled with slow-motion gunplay, brooding storytelling, and complex character dynamics. While the game received widespread praise for its gameplay improvements and engaging story, it also faced some criticisms, particularly for its departure from the series' original setting and tone. Here’s a detailed review of why Max Payne 3 remains a standout title, despite a few flaws.
What Works
🎮 Engaging, Mature Storytelling
One of the core strengths of Max Payne 3 is its compelling narrative. Max is no longer the young, troubled cop of the past. Now a washed-up, broken man living in São Paulo, Brazil, he’s hired as a bodyguard for a wealthy family embroiled in a dangerous world of crime and corruption. The writing is sharp, and the voice acting (with James McCaffrey returning as Max Payne) does an excellent job of conveying Max’s despair and cynicism. The story is deeply emotional, offering insights into Max’s troubled past, while also keeping players on edge with unpredictable twists and high-stakes action.
💥 Outstanding Combat and Bullet Time Mechanics
The bullet time mechanic that Max Payne is famous for returns in Max Payne 3 with more refined controls and spectacular visuals. The gunplay feels more fluid than ever, with intense shootouts that are made even more thrilling by the slow-motion effects. The wide variety of weapons, from pistols to shotguns and assault rifles, coupled with the ability to dive into gunfights with acrobatic moves, gives the game a dynamic and exhilarating combat system.
🌎 Immersive Environments and Graphics
While the game moves away from the snowy streets of New York, the environments in São Paulo are just as detailed and atmospheric. The game captures the gritty, urban setting with impressive visuals, whether you're navigating the favelas, mansions, or seedy nightclubs. Rockstar Studios does a great job of making every locale feel rich and lived-in, adding to the overall atmosphere of Max Payne 3. The cinematics blend seamlessly with gameplay, making you feel like you're playing through a film.
🎮 Smooth, Polished Gameplay
With Rockstar’s involvement, the game benefitted from high-quality game mechanics and smooth integration of narrative and gameplay. The controls are tight, and the pacing of the action sequences is excellent, with a perfect balance between quiet moments and intense firefights. Whether you're using a cover system or performing an intense bullet-time dive, the gameplay feels responsive and satisfying.
What Doesn’t Work
❌ Shift in Tone and Setting
One of the most divisive aspects of Max Payne 3 is its departure from the New York City setting. The shift to São Paulo changes the feel of the game, removing much of the iconic film noir atmosphere that made the first two games stand out. While the new setting is immersive in its own right, some long-time fans felt that the game's gritty, urban landscape lost some of the charm of its predecessors, which had a more cold, noir-inspired tone.
❌ Linear Level Design
Although the story and combat are top-notch, Max Payne 3 is relatively linear in terms of level design. Some players felt that the game’s focus on scripted moments, narrow corridors, and restricted paths made it feel somewhat less free than the more open-world experiences Rockstar is known for. While this doesn’t ruin the game, it’s a small downside for those hoping for more freedom in exploration.
❌ Occasional Repetitiveness
While the action sequences are varied and exciting, there are moments in the game where the combat can start to feel repetitive. Many of the levels consist of clearing areas full of enemies, and while the game offers several ways to approach combat, the structure of the gameplay can sometimes feel formulaic.
Conclusion
Max Payne 3 is an excellent game that builds upon its predecessors by improving the mechanics and delivering a gripping, dark narrative. The character of Max Payne is as tortured and complex as ever, and the combat mechanics are as exciting as they come. While the shift in setting and tone might disappoint some, Max Payne 3 still succeeds in delivering a memorable and intense experience. The game’s cinematic presentation, combined with the stunning action and emotional depth, makes it a standout title that’s well worth playing for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
Rating: 9/10 – A brilliant entry into the Max Payne series, offering a satisfying combination of action and storytelling, though not without a few flaws in terms of setting and repetition.
👍 : 16 |
😃 : 1
Positive