IGN: Max Payne 3 review

IGN Writes: 'The gameplay is simple yet satisfying, but it’s entirely in the service of a strongly-authored narrative. Players aren’t at the liberty to roam, to explore, or to shake things up. Some might find this too controlling, but in return for your freedom, you’re rewarded with a mature genre piece which is also a finely-realised character study. Action games continue to inch the dial towards 11, sometimes at the expense of their narrative integrity. Max Payne 3, however, has the conviction to reign in the action, imbue it with purpose - the spectacle still sparkles but it also makes sense. '

[Pacman321]

Good score, from the 2 reviews that I've read, the main point is that the game is great, but not the best.

[realiks]

It did not get a 10/10 because lacked one thing from GTA--Freedom to move.
But it's ok since it's Max Payne (a whole other genre).

[ginsunuva]

Just because that was one of the complaints doesn't mean it would have been 10/10 without it.

Plus, no one expects MP3 to have a GTA sandbox just because it's from one of Rockstar's 9 sub-developers. There's no single R* that made RDR, Mp3 and GTA, altogether.
Reviewers said it had no open-endedness as in how to approach each situation. You pretty much have to go all guns blazing in a narrow path the whole game.

[-Mezzo-]

Awesome score, my copy should be here anytime now. So Excited.

----------------------------- -----

Join The N4G Rockstar Social Club Crew & get some games going once the 'Max Payne 3' is out on 15th.

http://socialclub.rockstarg...

[StraightPath]

Gametrailers gave it a 7.6, EDGE have it a 7.

[Pushagree]

Edge gives 90% of mainstream games a 7.

[NeXXXuS]

7 is still a good score. it means that it's playable and enjoyable and worth it for at least a playthrough.

[Eamon]

In Edge's score system, a 7 is actually a decent score.

[ReservoirDog316]

Haha, you're crazy.

Get my copy from amazon tomorrow but the real question is.....does Captain Baseball Bat Boy and tv shows like Lords and Ladies return?

[ShabbaRanks]

LOL ;)

[MaxXAttaxX]

What does GTAIV have to do with it?
You can't take reviews as fact. Some games are over-scored or under-scored.

[Pacman321]

Because both games were by Rockstar.
I can comprehend that reviews are just opinions, I was just merely summarizing what I had read.
Cleary this didn't go well with N4G, hence the disagrees.

[b163o1]

LMAO, PACMAN321 no disrespect, but they destroyed you on this one. I actually agree with you thou, GTA4 was over hyped after the euphoria of a new GTA, people started to see It's short comings....

"FREE CAKE, FREE CAKE" -RS

[jjdoyle]

At least it's doing better than poor Duke Nukem! Here's to hoping gamers feel the same as the critiques on this one!

[MaxXAttaxX]

Just because both games are by Rockstar doesn't mean they should be compared the same way.
They're different games, different genres.

[chaldo]

Its getting a lot of 9's. Too me, its the best lol. Nice job rockstar games!

[A-Glorious-Dawn]

Yeah I was wondering, IGN give out a lot of 9's..

But this is Rockstar and I personally have never had a bad game from them....

[Sev]

While I agree that Max Payne 3 is probably a 9, all these 9s that IGN gives out left and right water down the meaning of a 9.

A 9 is a must-buy amazing title. They seem to give 9s to just "good" games.

[MattyG]

You obviously never owned State of Emergency. Oh god, it was so bad.

[NastyLeftHook0]

good score, cant wait to try out the multiplayer! see you on psn.

[JellyJelly]

I'm also hyped for the multiplayer. No idea why you are getting disagrees. I mean according to IGN's review Rockstar in no way compromised the single player story for the mp.

[RedHotChiliPepaSpray]

"see you on psn" - 20 disagrees for that? lol

[360GamerFG]

These people gave a 77 metacritic scoring game a 9/10, I don't value their opinion anymore.
Edit: yes i do go on to metacritic. Alot. I read alot of reviews to make my decisions, games are expensive and I cannot afford to buy horrible games trying to make up my own mind.
Thats how I ended up with flops like spiderman 3 and dbz raging blast 2, making up my own mind even though reviews told me to stay away.

[NastyLeftHook0]

honestly...you go to metacritic? wow...

[LightofDarkness]

METACRITIC KNOWS ALL

/s

[ElementX]

Metacritic is useful if you want to see a bunch of reviews in one place with links to the full article

[xPhearR3dx]

The game has an 87 on Meta right now. That's pretty close to 90 aka 9/10......

[RedHotChiliPepaSpray]

Captain Obvious to the rescue!

[Alcohog]

IGN Review logic: 9, 8.5,8.5,8.5,8= 9/10

[TheFirstClassic]

"These people" you realize that a review is done by one person right? I mean, it's not like they get the whole freakin staff to decide on a score by a game, it is decided by one guy, who will have opinions you and other people may or may not agree on.

You can't just look at a score for a game like this because the single player brought it down. It's like resistance 3, it had an awesome single player, but the multiplayer was nothing special, so it brought down the score. But I bought it for the single player, so it's a 9/10 for me.

When I buy starhawk, I'll be buying it for the multiplayer. The mediocre single player won't bother me too much because the game has fantastic multiplayer. Sometimes, I would rather have a game specialize on one part of the game instead of just being good at both.

[DigitalAnalog]

You do realize that system can be abused. I can simply have 3 different reviewers, each with their own personal disdain of a certain game (or worse) console and let them review it to the best of their "opinions". Vice-Versa.

[P_Bomb]

Meta-score isn't the only aggregate, and averages vary between them (eg. compare Rotten Tomatoes' 93% "The Avengers" avg with Metacritic's 69%).

In the end, that 77% meta mystery game is just an average of metacritic's own weighted sites (why did 1up get dropped?) and re-interpreted scores (eg. the letter scale) by staff at metacritic who we don't even know.

That average more likely than not, is also part of a community of 70-80 sites most people probably, honestly don't read. There are bad reviews that impact the meta-score just as much as good ones. Nature of the beast. To insinuate that anything higher than its meta-score however is a review that can't be trusted, is something even the staunchest critics like Jim Sterling would find major, major fault with.

[LOGICWINS]

Daniel Krupa is a good reviewer. I'd like to see him review more games...but taking off a point for lack of freedom? Hel-LOOOO, thats the point. It's supposed to be a linear experience.

Either way, Day 1.

[chaldo]

Then think of it as a 10 my friend. :) cant wait may 29. Gametrailers gave it a 7.8 which is not surprising lol they suck

[LOGICWINS]

Nah, Gametrailers are usually on point with their reviews. And their reviews are extremely in depth. Way more in the depth than IGN reviews at least. I'll be watching it soon, but opinions are opinions.

Personally, I think deducting points for not having enough freedom in a linear/story driven game is like deducting points from a third person shooter for not having bullet time. It's a developer design choice.

Just like you can't expect every third person shooter to have the SAME features, you can't expect a story driven game to have much freedom. But Krupa DOES mention that the linearity is a trade off for the excellent focused story.

So, its basically a 10 really.

[dubt72]

@chaldo may 29? Is that the release date where you live? I thought this was a worlwide release this week...

[chaldo]

@dubt72

PC Release lol

[Der_Kommandant]

Can't wait for tomorrow!!

I just re-bought Max Payne 1 on the PSN store, unfortunately has not aged well...

[mynameisEvil]

Well, first off, you basically just bought the PS2 version of the game, the version that had the lowest reviews. If you want a true Max Payne experience, play it on PC.

Two... saying Max Payne hasn't aged well is like saying the same about Serious Sam. It has health bars, ugly graphics (remember when the PC version of Max Payne was like "HOLY CRAP, THAT'S AMAZING!"?), and a traditional way of carrying guns. Serious Sam 3 has the same (minus the ugly graphics). It's not that the game has aged poorly, it's that you've become a bit too adjusted to modern-day gaming conventions.

Max Payne is what simply a linear game when you essentially rub the floor so much you think he'd have married it instead of Michelle. While on the floor, many bullets are fired, many people go "ARRGWHWGHGH", and many shots of Sam Lake's constipated face are shown. As long as you know that, the game should be a blast (a blast that requires tons of quicksaves/loads on PC).

[Zechs34]

The game is fantastic. I beat it yesterday after about 10 hours or so. It's indeed very mature and gory but in a very satisfying way. It says enough that while the gameplay can be repetitive, it doesn't diminish the game in any way and you will not even notice due to the phenomenal dialog and excitement as you play.

[seanpitt23]

wow cannot wait for this game bring on thursday.

[Kingdom Come]

Can't wait for my Pre-Order to arrive, another Rockstar sensation...

[Tunerboy8732]

A 9 sounds pretty good to me gonna go preorder this at best buy and use my $10 off coupon and get it for 50 XD.

[TheHomerPimpson]

That's a hell of a story.

[noprin]

well deserved

[Alcohog]

So what platform did they review it on? And did I just miss it or was there no mention of how the game performs on the hardware? My biggest question is whether I get it for PC or console and that has yet to be addressed.

[StayStatic]

The PC version is out June 1st , guess their will be another review because theirs a lot of extra things going into the game like direct x 11 as its a 35GB game .

Pre-Ordered on steam , was nice to get Max Payne 1 & 2 free with it but a shame I already own them xD

[Alcohog]

Yeah I already own them as well. Guess I'll try the console version for this one. I was waiting to upgrade my PC for a HL3 announcement (my PC is covered in dust, yes).

[honkyjesus]

If you are looking at reviews for a Rockstar megabudget game and think a 9/10 from IGN is good you may as well just buy the game. An 8/10 is about as low as a review this type of game will get, which means this is about the worst game money alone could make.

Giant Bomb - 8/10

Gametrailers - 8/10

If you are a fanboy justifying your purchase, fine, just tell yourself whatever you want.

[SKUD]

Watched the gametrailers review. Single player experience suffers while the multiplayer is the best part of the game. Curious as to why the game has multiplayer in the first place. Oh well. Solid RENT.

[Psychotica]

"Players aren’t at the liberty to roam, to explore, or to shake things up. Some might find this too controlling"

I will probably still get this game but it really bugs me to think what this game could of been like if it had an open world.

[MattyG]

It would have been GTA with bullet time if it was open world. Max Payne has never been and never will be (hopefully) an open world game.

[Psychotica]

And that would be a problem because?? I never understood why people want linear gameplay. What replay value will it have if it's the same thing every time? Open world allows you to play the campaign and create your own fun besides.

[MattyG]

@Psychotica It would be a problem because the Max Payne series has never been about an open world. It isn't about making choices or doing your own thing, it's about telling a story. "Linear" has developed a negative connotation in the past few years. Linearity isn't always a bad thing, it is usually used to keep players on track. In GTA, I couldn't keep track of the story because I'd get sidetracked in the open world. In such a heavily story-driven game like Max Payne, an open world would disrupt the flow terribly. Not every game needs an open world with sweeping vistas. Sometimes it's good to just have fun while having your path already drawn out for you.

[Psychotica]

Well you could be right, I guess I will have to try it.

[Hufandpuf]

MP3 9/10, GTA 3 10/10
seems legit.

[NIRVANArazor]

what? why the hell are you complaining? those are from two complete different times. You can not compare the two. GTFO.

[Hufandpuf]

How is having a 9 and a 10 complaining!? Did I even say I disagreed with the score? No. I think you're mad because it didn't get a 10 when clearly it deserves a 9. You gtfo.

I'm getting max Payne 3 because they are all awesome games.

[lifesanrpg]

Did anybody think IGN would give it anything less?

[Pintheshadows]

At the end of the day every review, whether positive or negative, is just words and a number.

I would get Max Payne 3 whatever scores it gets.

The only time I pay attention to reviews is if the game is an unknown quantity. For example Game of Thrones as I can't tell if it's going to be good or not from the media i've seen. I'll use the reviews to help me with my decision.

[kevnb]

use the forums, reviews are so badly done these days it isnt funny.

[Drazz]

Rockstar= most consistent DEV/PUB this gen?

[byrnezy]

hmmm LA Snoire, GTA Bore really consistant this gen...
I just finished MP3 and tbh it is a poor TPS, pathetic cover system, bullet dodge that seems more of a chore than fun. You seem to walk through a corridor and open a door and bam gun battle it is so repetitive am I the only one who sees this?

RDR and hopefully GTA5 will be the aces for R* this gen, they have fallen from the top in my books.

[uHuRu]

I know it's always good to play the game before coming to conclusions, but from what I've seen, this game does not look really good.

[maurice27]

day one for me i hope the story is still engaging

[kevnb]

those cutscenes look annoying, and if there are way too many of them... I think we have another la noire here. Ill give it a try, but giving how worthless reviews are its nothing to do with ign. The review doesnt tell me why anything is good or bad, just that it is.

[RedDeadLB]

Fuck Diablo, this is what I'm waiting for. 29th can't come soon enough.

[ThatIrishGamer]

Another IGN review for Rockstar North. . .and another top class score.

Hmmmm.

Then again they also scores GTAIV highly - and that game included taking a relative out to a comedy club.

Bewildering.

[Omnislash]

Another one of IGN's Scores for a Rockstar game. They gave GTA4 a 10/10 and I dont think it deserved it, so we'll see about this one...

[YodaCracker]

I know of no game more deserving of a 10 this gen than GTA IV.

[Omnislash]

Really? I thught San Andreas was a better game than GTA4, in fact I couldnt finish GTA4 because it was too boring.

On another note I just saw the review and MP3 looks good.

[mochachino]

I like to usher in every summer with a Rockstar game. For some reason, it's comforting.

[Trenta27]

I would have bought this game regardless of its reviews. It's Rockstar!

[frankboy2012]

The best reviewer you can trust is yourself,if your on the fence about it i would rent it i personally hope its awesome and judging by the gameplay vids its looking promising,but the likes of IGN and these 'coveted' game review sites are a bit of a hit n miss in my eyes.

[josephayal]

Amazing def GOTY 2012

[mynameisEvil]

Out of all of the amazing games coming out this year, this is the game you decide is GotY... before you've even played the damn thing?

*sigh*

[2pacalypsenow]

pre order 47.99 from neweg :-) PC

[Adityac]

FINALLY it's released and OUT of the way, at long last... we can now get some nice GTA V info and trailers.

[BraveToaster]

OH GOD GUYS IGN GAVE A NEW AAA GAME A 9/10 STOP THE PRESSES

[spike]

Does Max Payne have difficulty settings?

[RaymondM]

I had faith in good old Max, and it looks like I won't be let down tomorrow! Although I do wish he would have kept his hair.

[bahabeast]

i am getting this bad boy ROCKSTAR is in top 5 game makers.

[WetN00dle69]

1:42 left till i get mine!

[bigcupofSTFU]

since i dont care for multiplayer on max payne, i shall rent it.

also anyone who only wanted the SP, how was it? (i know im not the only one who doesnt care for MP)

[Redcrimson101]

What a terrible review, really! If you're a true fan of max Payne lime myself you'll get this game without giving a dam a out any review.

Now all I have to do is figure out what system I should get it on. Ps3 or 369. I heard the 360 version is two disc.

[MarkusMcNugen]

Actually, if your a true fan of Max Payne you'd know it wasnt developed by Remedy or written by Sam Lake. So you shouldnt put too much stock in it being a true sequel to the second game. Ill get it and see for myself, and if it doesnt feel like a Max Payne game with the right atmosphere, I will NOT be very happy with Rockstar for ruining one of my favorite game series.

[Zephol]

All the games from Rockstar are overated

[spunkee311]

I'm really really excited for this. I loved the first 2 games. To this day, I still remember most parts of the games. Those games are excellent. I still remember having to follow a trail of blood as you hear your baby crying in one of the delusional trips that Max frequently had.

Most of all, I'm excited that Rockstar came through on this one. I was really worried when it was first announced that the effort and passion wouldn't be there. But I'm glad I was proved wrong. It looks like a very long game with a lot of modes. And the best surprise of all, is that its looks like the Multiplayer is actually fun and well implemented and not some tacky/broken add on (Bioshock 2, Bionic Commando). And with a DLC Season Pass for this game, it looks like they are definitely going to support it. Can't wait to get this!

[MarkusMcNugen]

I have a feeling it will be a good game but it wont really feel like a Max Payne game to me. It's not written by Sam Lake or developed by Remedy...

[Kos-Mos]

Ign is the most popular review site on n4g even though people always complain about their reviews.

[Somebody]

I thought the lower right corner was the review score for the game at 90. And then I came back a hour later, it jumped to 91.

I know MP3 might be good but not THAT good that it warrant a review score increase....

Oh, it's the actually number of posters in the comment comment section. The score was on the left.

[SicilianGunner]

im gonna skip max payne for Diablo 3!!!!

[sriki007]

multiplayer is quite different.
I like it :)