September 17, 2009 - After an eight-year absence Max is back. He's bigger, badder, and balder than ever. Get your trigger fingers in shape because this looks like it's going to hurt.

Rockstar presents Max Payne 3. The creators are taking some risks with the series, mostly in terms of graphics and storyline. Max Payne 3 is still going to be a high-octane first-person shooter featuring judicious use of the famous bullet time effect (with some new ones), but after eight years things are a little different in Max's personal life.

In Max Payne 3, Max doesn't look like the Max of old. He's aged considerably. At first glance it appears as though time has not been good to Max. He's put on weight. He's lost most of his hair although he's sporting a grizzled beard. His face shows signs of a rugged and difficult life. Max no longer looks cool, he looks downright scary. Gone is the trendy trench coat. This is not a guy that you want to screw around with. His experiences have made him tougher, stronger, more confident, and a hell of a lot meaner. If the title didn't have Max's name on it, you might not know that you're playing as Max Payne.

I applaud Rockstar for having the guts to change this flagship character so drastically. Not only does Max look different, but the story is not presented in the exact same faux, film noir style as the original and sequel. The developers could have called this game by another title and no one would be the wiser. Having the character age and develop over time is a great concept but one that is sure to divide fans of the series. It's less about style; it's about gritty, grimy realism. Rockstar is attempting to have us bond with the character by giving him human attributes such as aging. This ain't no Archie comic; Max has continued with his virtual life away from the intrusive gaming console that will once again literally control his life. When we finally catch up with Max almost a decade later wouldn't we expect things to be a little different?

Max has left New York behind. He's never recovered from the brutal murder of his family. Personal demons continue to haunt him despite his successful attempts for revenge. He's not getting better, he's getting badder. His psychological state has deteriorated, transforming him from an angry cop to a calculating, cold-hearted killer. This is Max as we've never seen or played him before. He's a professional now.

Max is employed as a bodyguard in Brazil, one of the most dangerous and violent countries in the world. He's protecting a wealthy family in the city of Sao Paolo, and things are not going well. This is a world filled with scammers, thieves, kidnappers, gang bangers, drug lords, and guerrillas. To add to his misery, Max is addicted to the painkillers that provide him with health. When he's running low and can't find a supply he will start to hallucinate, weaving fact and fiction into indistinguishable layers. Max attempts to keep his head above the surrounding cesspool but finds himself being dragged deeper into the dark underbelly.

Adding to the realism, Max will have to obey the laws of physics when it comes to operating weapons. While he can still wield dual pistols, he can only shoot one rifle at a time, having to drop the gun to swap. Cutscenes will also be in real-time. Bullet time will be featured in which Max is able to slow time down to the point where he is able to dodge bullets fired from a gun and return fire before time runs out. Max will be able to save his life with an adrenaline boost if he manages to pull off a kill shot before the screen fades to black.

Sao Paolo has been painstakingly rendered, especially the favelas. What I've seen of the environments is not only photo-realistic but displays a great sense of space and depth. Lots of items will be destructible including windows, crates, walls, furniture, vehicles, and of course people. You will now be able to use human shields in Max Payne 3. The developers have created a new cover system the goes beyond ducking behind structures. Like the human shields some of the cover will be mobile or portable, adding more depth to the genre.

Max Payne 3 is breaking new ground, exploring strange new worlds, and boldly going where no Max has gone before. Coming this winter to a computer, Xbox 360, or PS3 near you.

By Cole Smith
CCC Senior Writer