When it comes to R Star's well-known IP, the first reaction of most players will be "GTA" or "Red Dead Redemption", and there is another one that is somewhat lesser known than the former, but its quality is also very high, that is, the "Max Payne" series. At that time, the first and second generations developed by Green Medi, with bullet time and a unique dark detective story, made a name for themselves, but there was no news of a sequel after the 2nd generation. In the end, R Star took over the long-lost three generations launched in 2012, different from the black and dark New York revenge detective style of the 1st and 2nd generations, the three generations not only moved to Central and South America, but also the scene was larger and brighter, plus the new shape of the protagonist Marx in the middle of the stage, and a new performance physics, trying to achieve another good result. But in the end, the sales can only be said to be ordinary, resulting in the silence of this series so far to see the news of a second-generation remake, this we will talk about this TPS work that has impressed me so far.
plot
In terms of plot, the three generations were changed to São Paulo, Brazil, and Marx tried to revitalize his new life in a different place after the second generation, and was involved in a larger conspiracy under the yin and yang, and had to face up to his original psychological trauma. Since the individual playing this kind of linear combat-oriented game does not require much plot, the three generations of the plot give me the feeling of being stable and stable, but there is nothing too memorable, basically revolving around the commission received at the beginning of the story and the rescue of hostages. The new cutscenes in this game are different, and Marx in the late and late stages of the story has the feeling of Bruce Willis in "Die Hard", and there are also a few levels in the play that recall the New York period, reliving the police detective and dark style. Overall, the story as a whole is decent, whether it is the anger of being framed or the regret of not being able to protect the client's target, or the feeling of remembering the pain of the year, to the showdown with the corrupt police captain at the end of the story, it is still up to the level of basic storytelling.
Gameplay system
The TPS system of "Max Payne 3" and the feel can be said to be quite in place, not only has the signature bullet time, weapon switching wheel, at the same time can be dual-armed with weapons or simple long guns, in terms of physical strength, it is as always painful accumulation + take painkillers to suppress, R star did not import the later mainstream breathing back blood Dafa. Coupled with TPS fixed bunkers and realistic physical destruction effects, as well as gun tests and melee ends, with a variety of level terrain and bunkers, players need to think about the current pain accumulation + painkiller number and bullet time scale, and consider the enemy configuration and level terrain to formulate tactics. Although the way of conduct is the traditional linear level, but the full combat experience is addictive, while the game's aiming crosshairs are small white dots, so the accuracy of the technology and slow motion assistance is also the focus, in a group of enemies around the environment, how to use a limited slow motion scale to fly out to maximize the annihilation of the enemy, in the landing to find cover to change positions, snowflakes splashing pleasing to the eye can get the action movie protagonist-like experience, is the common light and shadow of this game.
Fine art music
The three generations abandoned the iconic dark + NOIR style and comic book style of the first and second generations, and changed to a bright and warm action movie style, while the cutscenes had a lot of headache performances, coupled with the protagonist's bald head shape similar to Hollywood star Bruce Willis for some reason, on the whole, if there is no special love for the style of the first two generations of dark detectives, the art performance of the three generations can be said to be quite good. From indoor to outdoor scenes, the style of the scene is changeable, the thick cinematic performance of the cutscene and the occasional noise style, and the wonderful blood, bullet, and slow-motion three-beat waltz during the battle are impressive. The music is more delicate, the overall with the story to take a gloomy and depressing style, even the soundtrack during the gunfight gives people this feeling of nervousness and breathlessness, but it is a good match with the encounter and state of mind of Marx in this work.
Impressive place
There is no doubt that it is the strong and refreshing combat experience of this game without losing the challenge of setbacks, simple and clear to only appeal to the linearity of combat and plot advancement, even if it seems quite outdated today, but the most advantageous compactness with a large number of battles can be said to be a perfect match. Imagine if you were running somewhere else to find NPCs to do quests or collect in the current compact main storyline, which would be a ruining thing. Openness and linearity have their pros and cons, and ultimately it depends on whether the developer can correctly recognize their own subject matter and materials to cook. "Max Payne 3" solid gunfight feel and physical effect performance, in place of TPS bunker and gun system, do a good job of linear propulsion levels, so that the gunplay experience of this work is impressive, flying out with various weapons to make actions like Zhou Runfa or Wu Yusen movies, watching the enemy lying in a pool of blood, is the fun and essence of this work.
epilogue
Whether it is from the perspective of the market that has slowly blossomed now or in the past, the main plot of "Max Payne 3" and the unfree gameplay of a large number of linear battle advancements, coupled with the large difference from the style of the first and second generations, it is somewhat understandable why the sales performance cannot meet the lofty expectations of R Star. It can be said that the thick and strong linear combat gameplay of this game requires a certain degree of understanding and radio wave co-production to enjoy its fun, but the excellent combat feel of "Max Payne 3", the vivid gun battle performance and the action movie-like plot are undoubtedly worth savoring.