Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

20 to 40 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Best in series"

Max Payne is hauntingly scarred by the past. Gone are the mobsters, noir, police and various professional killers from the preceding games, swapped for war lords, alcohol, more painkillers and a last attempt at redemption that makes this the most fun, bloody and personal game yet.

Max has left all his ghosts behind him in New York, finding shelter in Brazil alongside meds & booze. He no longer goes undercover or hunts down leads, serving as a private security for a wealthy family. Amongst various kidnap attempts and close deaths, Max hits rock bottom, putting it all on the line to right the wrongs, delivering some of his most private & possibly suicidal commentary yet, even dawning a hair & beard combo similar to rapper Rick Ross. The iconic series storyboards only appear during loading, replaced by cut scenes that are continually delivered in between action.

The third person zooms in for a more over the shoulder style, including a nice close up of Max's bloody and bullet infested corpse if he takes too much damage. Still swallowing a hefty amount of painkillers to relive harm Max can now duck, hide or take cover within the environment, which is very destructive and overwhelming with detail. The A.I. puts up a hard fight, bullet time; another iconic element is more effective, allowing for better aiming and convention. The debuting multiplayer doesn't pattern itself after other titles, throwing players into gangs with addition points earned in task completing and rivalry with opposing players. One will find it hard to choose which mode (single or multiplayer) to start with but both are quite acceptable and worth some serious game time.

The people, building interiors and outdoors look beautiful, very comprehensive. The seamlessly play orientated cut scenes are powered by the graphics with everything opening with a single loading screen. The sound is great, providing more firing guns and explosions effects then a Michael Bay film. Controls are standard though the right stick used for aiming could be tad faster but that might possibly be Max's old age. Replay value is rich here, included in multiply levels of difficulty, arcade challenges, multiplayer and various scattered collectables in the main story.

Max Payne 3 is undoubtedly the best in the trilogy. Not only bringing everything from the original game full circle it shows the rise and fall of seemingly self pitted but not lost human being. Game play hasn't changed much, if at all but it hides an assuming, lengthy adventure, matched with fun & challenge multiplayer. Simply put newcomers and veterans will find something to throw hours away with this worthwhile purchase.

Last Words: A, easily the best entry and a standout title on any platform.