Max Payne 3 - is it good...? Or not really.

[Tracker]

Hey AB folks,

I've been awaiting MP3 for ages, and now it's here, in all it's %27 discount glory, shipping on Monday. Should I order it today? Or do I have to keep my hands off the keyboard regarding this 'epic' crime legend.

I'd like to have subtle hints, no spoilers please.

For example:

Graphics: Excellent
Gameplay: Playable
Story: Plausible
Sound/Music: Chilling
Multiplayer: Adrenaline Overdose

[RRS]

I asked the same question. The answer also depends on what do you want the game to be?

I loved to stroll the snow-covered New York streets during the night, with that depressing music theme in the background.

Today, Max Payne looks like this. (http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/max-payne-3/screenshots/gameShotId,565700/) Yeah, in broad Brazilian sunlight!

I haven't played the game yet, so I can't say if it's a good game. But surely this isn't the Max Payne I used to know.

[TheChosen]

Because you know, even after 9 year gap between the games the sequel has to look, feel and play exactly the same.

Not to worry though. I just saw a review recently where the guy was amazed how great the game is. With good action, good story, lots of attention to details and good multiplayer (not just a tacked-on thing). And it does actually feel like the previous games, but it brings lot of new and fresh things to the table. Not only its a great sequel, its a great game itself, with only negative points being that it might get repetitive since there's no sequence that would take a break from shooting and do something different, like nightmare sequence from the previous game.

[TotalAnarchy]

I have talked to people who played the game, and their opinion of it is - great atmosphere and narration, good gameplay, "pick-my-nose" story. I cannot enforce this impression yet, since I haven't played the game.

[RRS]

Because you know, even after 9 year gap between the games the sequel has to look, feel and play exactly the same.
Because, you know, when you name the game Max Payne 3 and not Bald Guy 1, people tend to expect it to feel like the previous ones.

Heck, the whole franchise/license thing is all about it. The fact that people know what to expect makes it less risky to release another product. Because you know there are people who want more of the same thing. If this didn't work that way, there would be no sequels.

Would you like "The Monkey Island" remade as a grim survival horror with turn-based combat? Because it would be nothing what "Monkey Island" stands for. Why would anyone want to name it like this? Ah, because it's established brand!

That's why I hate when someone reuses well known title/brand... only several years later... with no contribution from the original creators... and completely different in every aspect. Buy hey! buy it! because we have that cool title, ya know?

[Tomekk]

Because, you know, when you name the game Max Payne 3 and not Bald Guy 1, people tend to expect it to feel like the previous ones.

Heck, the whole franchise/license thing is all about it. The fact that people know what to expect makes it less risky to release another product. Because you know there are people who want more of the same thing. If this didn't work that way, there would be no sequels.

Would you like "The Monkey Island" remade as a grim survival horror with turn-based combat? Because it would be nothing what "Monkey Island" stands for. Why would anyone want to name it like this? Ah, because it's established brand!

That's why I hate when someone reuses well known title/brand... only several years later... with no contribution from the original creators... and completely different in every aspect. Buy hey! buy it! because we have that cool title, ya know?

+1

[DarthHelmet86]

Oh yeah because you can't be a dark and gritty Noir game in the sunlight. If games don't change we complain that they aren't doing anything new if games do change we complain that they are too different.

Everything I have heard about the game makes me want to play it, seems they are moving the Max story on, the combat looks good and the locations amazing. It isn't on the top of my list to buy I have too many other games and not enough money but like I did with 2 I will buy it in the end.

[RRS]

Oh yeah because you can't be a dark and gritty Noir game in the sunlight.
dark and gritty = sure
Noir = not much

I'll bet you're also one of those people who don't give a damn whether Indiana Jones is set in 1930s or 1950s? "Heck, it's all old shit to me, who cares?", right?

[DarthHelmet86]

Indiana could have had a good movie in the 1950s yep, he didn't but that was for other reasons. Does it really matter? You are never going to give the game a fair shake are you? It could be the best thing to ever happen to the franchise but a bit of sunlight and it is right out. A lot of what I have seen reminded me of Max Payne 2 and I can say I am really looking forward to a story that isn't stagnating in the same place and time but is moving forward with the character.

[hunvagy]

I saw a few reviews, the only gripe people had with the game was that the cutscene/gameplay ratio favors the cutscenes. But what gaming parts there were, those were solid. As for the gritty vs. Brazil. Max wanted to get away (no wonder, after the events of the first two games) and he became a bodyguard/merc working for some brazilian dude. So what if he has a hawaiian shirt now? That thing did wonders to the GTA guy. Sonny is still the best protagonist they ever had >.> And it's Rockstar now, so it's going to be full of eyecandy, one should expect that.

As for Indy, the last Indy movie sucked because of the aliens and Shia LeBeouf. The Indy parts were good, and so was the cinematography. Too bad the supporting cast was shyte.

[Tracker]

@Hunvagy: Sonny? You mean Tommi Vercetti, don't you? Yeah, the Max Payne 2 -> Max Payne 3 leap is similar to the GTA 3 -> GTA: Vice City leap, except everyone was awaiting it in curious joy, not in paranoid fear that it's going to be crap.

Big difference here.

It seems no review can help me here, because I either burn my cash or not. The reason I want to buy it is that I enjoyed the first two episodes. And that doesn't help either because in TC's book that's acceptible, but not in RRS's. I can understand both sides (well, I'm more with RRS on this one), but also I've been looking forward to a night of twisted metaphors, painkillers and guns. Will I get those in Max Payne 3?

[TotalAnarchy]

GTA III is still my favourite.

[RRS]

I didn't say MaxP3 is a bad game, it just doesn't evoke my Max Payne memories with its current style. And this I can assess before I even played it.
Just as in other thread I didn't say Fallout 3 is a bad game. It's simply way too different from what I (and many disappointed fans) wanted Fallout3 game to be.

[Panthro]

I'm quite keen to pick it up (really love Max Payne 1, haven't played the second one yet). From what I've watched (a friend of mine has it), it looks like they've got most of it right, but I'd have to see/play more to be sure.

Of course it's also riddled with DRM isn't it? Some sort of limited activations thing, and also the rockstar social club?

[DarthHelmet86]

I don't know if it is using securom with the limited activations, Rockstar normally doesn't do that (at least not on the games I have from them). The Rockstar Social Club thing would be optional as well of done the same as GTA4, you wont be able to get online without an account but you can enjoy the SP all the same without one. I am only judging this on the GTA 4/Episodes From Liberty City games I have, GTA SA didn't have any DRM that I remember either but that game is a bit out of date for current trends in DRM ideas.