By: Jon Christensen on June 23rd, 2009 pm30 3:02 pm
Rockstar Games has released the first high-resolution screens for Max Payne 3. If you don’t know, the first two installments were developed by Remedy Entertainment, however,the studio is currently working on Alan Wake. So,Rockstar had no choice but to hand the game over to another developer and it definitely shows.
Rockstar Vancouver, who is best known for Bully, has assumed duties for the next Max Payne. While graphically shines, it just doesn’t look or feel like Max Payne. The series is known for its gritty-dark film-noir style story-telling, but now it seems like the game it taken a much more colorful look.
While I have no doubt the title is attended for mature audiences and it will probably end up being a pretty good game overall, I just think it has taken a step back from what Max Payne did so well, which was telling a story from a dark and depressing place. Not only was Max Payne’s mind weeping and seeking revenge because of his murdered wife and child, but the environments being rugged like they were; was a great metaphor for Payne’s gloomy heart.
After the jump, check out the rest of the screens. (more…)
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By: Jon Christensen on June 10th, 2009 am30 10:44 am
Thanks to the magazine Game Informer, details for Rockstar’s upcoming Max Payne 3 has started to trickle down to the Internets. The publication is reporting that Max has started to go further into his depression. The ex-cop is now bald, has facial hair, and is now addicted to pain killers — which according to the magazine will somehow affect the gameplay. Judging by the cover of Game Informer, Max Payne now reminds me of a cross between the newly bearded Sam Fisher and the bald headed/white tank-top wearing John McClane, of the Die Hard series.
This time around, instead of exploring the gritty streets of New York City, Payne finds himself in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Early reports suggest that Max decided to move away from NYC, where is child and wife were both killed, which was portrayed in the first game.
Game Informer is impressed with the visual style and they even compared it to the beautiful looking game, Uncharted 2. Not only does the game supposedly look gorgeous, but the environments are described as fully-destructible. This is all done because Rockstar is using their in-house engine called RAGE, which has already been used for Grand Theft Auto IV and more recently Midnight Club: Los Angeles.
A big chunk of the videogame will take place in ghetto Brazilian urban areas, where large gunfights will take place. And yes, the Max Payne signature bullet time is back. Not only that, but a brand new cover system will debut with the action title, which seems like a standard for shooters of late. Deeko, who has the mag, said Game Informer is promising the title to be ultra-violent and maybe even more so than its predecessors.
We should also expect to see some kind of multiplayer for Max Payne 3 when it hit store shelves, which is a first for the series. I could definitely see Rockstar creating something very innovative for multiplayer — especially with the bullet time.
Rockstar hopes that they can ship the next incarnation of Max Payne before the end of the year and made available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.
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By: Jon Christensen on April 27th, 2009 pm30 1:31 pm
In my opinion, one of the greatest shooters that came out last generation was Max Payne. The game packed awesome gun fight battles, decent Film Noir storytelling and the introduction of ‘bullet-time,’ the game just felt perfect.
Last month, rumors were starting to submerge that Rockstar Games were going to release the last two installments on Xbox Marketplace, in preparation for Max Payne 3. Out of nowhere, Rockstar has just announced that both Max Payne 1 & 2 are already available under the Xbox Originals. Each title will sell for 12 MS Points (about $15).
I’m actually thinking debating to download the second Max Payne because sadly, I didn’t get a chance to finish it. If you haven’t had the opportunity to play either, you should probably stop reading and buy both. You don’t want to miss these classic gems.
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By: Jon Christensen on March 23rd, 2009 am31 11:13 am
Rockstar games announced today that they will be developing the third installment of Max Payne. The studio Rockstar Vancouver (Bully), has been chosen to bring back Payne to the limelight and will be releasing the title on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC at the end of the year.
The founder of Rockstar Sam Houser, talked a little bit about Max Payne 3;
“We’re starting a new chapter of Max’s life with this game. This is Max as we’ve never seen him before, a few years older, more world-weary and cynical than ever. We experience the downward spiral of his life after the events of Max Payne 2 and witness his last chance for salvation.”
The game is set much further in the future then the original game. Max is retired and had move away from the dark streets of New York City. However, he is somehow betrayed while visiting the NYC, the sameplace where is wife and kid were killed, and of course, he seeks revenge… Because that’s what Payne does best.
Again, the game is due out winter of 2009, which probably means we should see some gameplay elements at this year’s E3 — if not sooner. I for one can’t wait, I’ve been waiting patiently for the next installment and have faith in Rockstar Vancouver. The team is not a stranger to controversy. In many respects, their last game Bully, had more ‘bad press’ than Grand Theft Auto — even before the game was available in stores.
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