2012 Gaming Year in Review: Max Payne 3 (May)

The first pure third person shooter on this list so far, Max Payne 3 by Rockstar Games introduces the same violent balding alcoholic that we’re already familiar with, Max.  Although his wife and daughter are long dead, he continues to work as a bodyguard for a wealthy family in Brazil.  In the game you uncover more about your past and the people you work for, as well as a lot of reasons why not to visit Brazil, especially the Favelas.  


One great feature of this game that has made this series so popular is the slow motion that your character can activate at any gunfight in the game. It gives you an advantage for several seconds, and recharges, allowing you to make that perfect headshot and dodge bullets at the same time.  

Another selling point of this game was its truely amazing storyline.  As you uncover Max’s past, you realize the grief this man has been through, and through interactive flashbacks you realize that Max is usually just at the wrong place at the wrong time.  When it comes to graphics, Max Payne is brought to life using both the RAGE graphics engine and the Euphoria animation engine for those realistic moments.  In fact, it won best animation at the Inside Gaming Awards this year.  

In conclusion, although Max Payne 3 doesn’t offer much past the campaign, its lengthy storyline and on demand slow motion gun fights will leave you occupied and wanting for more.  Definitely a solid 8.5/10, and worth trying for those of you who enjoy a mix of matrix firefights and sad stories.