Rockstar Promises a "More Sophisticated" Max Payne 3

Andy Chalk

One Flag, One Fleet, One Cat
Nov 12, 2002
45,698
1
0
Rockstar Promises a "More Sophisticated" Max Payne 3


Rockstar says Max Payne 3 [http://www.amazon.com/Max-Payne-3-Pc/dp/B00178631E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1301945352&sr=8-3] is a "more sophisticated" experience that will satisfy the expectations of today's gamers, who are much more demanding than they were when the original Max Payne launched in 2001.

It's been ten years since the original Edge [http://www.amazon.com/Max-Payne-Pc/dp/B00002SUOV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301945391&sr=8-1]. "Gamers expect a more fully-realized cinematic experience, even if the main mechanic is still shooting. And though this is a more linear game for us, people want to be constantly surprised and entertained in new ways."

"So you need a lot of custom setups, the environments need to be varied, and all of that while keeping the gameplay fun and responsive - people have become really specific about how they want things to be controlled," he added. "It's a lot more work!"

Improved physics, coming by way of the Euphoria physics engine, is a major focus of that effort. Nelson said the technology makes character reactions more natural and realistic, and gives the studio a much greater degree of control over individual situations. "Euphoria is really helpful in making those situations feel natural, rather than having Max crash into things and ragdoll," he explained. "We can make it feel like he's anticipating an impact before it happens - that's an exciting thing we're working on."

Technological sophistication is never a bad thing but will it be enough to satisfy the masses? A painfully long time ago I Max Payne 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/the-needles/5011-Ahead-of-its-Time-The-Fall-of-Max-Payne-2] badly underperformed at retail precisely because it was a legitimately mature, sophisticated game, and that mainstream gamers weren't actually interested in that sort of thing. Has that changed? Speaking strictly for myself, I've got my fingers crossed that we'll get to see a little more of that narrative sophistication in the new game, too.


Permalink
 

Waaghpowa

Needs more Dakka
Apr 13, 2010
3,073
0
0
I still consider Max Payne 1 and 2 to be the best games I've ever played. So long as they aren't really planning to use the bald hobo Max and keep true to the originals, I can remain cautiously optimistic about 3.
 

Art Axiv

Cultural Code-Switcher
Dec 25, 2008
662
0
0
Demanding as in what? Max Payne was setting standards, but here I have a feeling Rockstar is talking about players who "demand eye candy". Call me a die-hard, but I loved both Max Payne 1 and 2 even if they had "monotonous" environments and no awesome physics and eye candy. I will observe what Rockstar is doing on the third installment, but I think its going to get the "modern" treatment. Hey look Max Payne is on Hawaii! A SECOND LATER HE IS ON MANHATTAN! Please, Rockstar, be considerate of the legacy which is Max Payne (and its New-York Minute mode!).
 

Skops

New member
Mar 9, 2010
820
0
0
I still don't understand why they're making a 3rd. Shit was solved at the end of the 2nd.
 

Worr Monger

New member
Jan 21, 2008
868
0
0
How dare they tell me what I expect from the game.

I expect it to be made by Remedy.. as it should be.

But I'm guessing Remedy intended for Max Payne to end on the 2nd game... so maybe I expect this game not to be made at all.

Loved the first 2. A third is unnecessary, especially if it's going to have a completely unrelated story, and different style. But I get it... need to sell the name... blah blah..
 

endnuen

New member
Sep 20, 2010
533
0
0
Max Payne 1 and 2 are some of the most awesome games ever made.
I truly hope Rockstar can live up to the legacy, and I'm also somewhat happy they got the franchise. They are competent people with great ideas.
 

Plinglebob

Team Stupid-Face
Nov 11, 2008
1,815
0
0
Skopintsev said:
I still don't understand why they're making a 3rd. Shit was solved at the end of the 2nd.
Money Dear Boy [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MoneyDearBoy]

Sadly, "More Sophisticated" screams "Realism and Chest High Walls". I loved the original Max Payne after buying it the week of release (wow, I feel old) because it had an interesting and entertaining plot coupled with Bullet Time and damage models. You have no idea how amazing breaking bottles in slow-mo once was.

While I doubt this will be any good, I'll prbably get it jujst for collection purposes.
 

BENZOOKA

This is the most wittiest title
Oct 26, 2009
3,920
0
0
I'd prefer it to be more sophisticated in viewing the dying enemies. In Previous Max Payne's, when I shot an enemy in bullet time, they did that crazy Matrix-style backwards-leaning , and the only way to know when they die (rather than just take some serious damage), was to stare intensely at the gun that the enemy was holding, to see when it drops; the only way to know for sure.
 

GrizzlerBorno

New member
Sep 2, 2010
2,295
0
0
I said it another thread about Max Payne 3. I'll say it here. The only important thing about Max Payne to me is it's story and atmosphere. Bullet time is important but hardly original by now.

I wonder if they'll come up with a new gimmick. I mean OTHER than Euphoria, which is cool, but also not original (look to GTA4).

Also, Dream sequences. Please? When I played Max Payne 1(when I was 8), I had ACTUAL nightmares about Drug OD induced nightmares, from a Video game! That shit makes Inception look bland.
 

The Imp

New member
Nov 9, 2009
170
0
0
Art Axiv said:
Call me a die-hard, but I loved both Max Payne 1 and 2 even if they had "monotonous" environments and no awesome physics and eye candy.
Uhm, Max Payne pretty much set new standards in graphics(my reason to buy a GeForce3) and physics with Havoc. Yes, the game is very doom&gloom but thats just the style of a noir cop story. Raincoats, mobsters, hookers, a man down on his luck and the only friends are a bottle of painkillers and his trusty Beretta - that is Max Payne and i dont want him any different.
 

Omgsarge

New member
May 11, 2009
78
0
0
Wait wait wait...what? More demanding?
What in the world does that even mean? I thought we live in a gaming world right now that supports going mostly for the lowest common denominator or the same old themes and settings over and over again. (the three Ms. Marines, Military and Multilayer)
A more cinematic experience? When I hear that I can only think that they will make the game more like...you know...every game on the market. With only normal cutscenes, no noir...cover based bullet time maybe?
I shouldn't get worked up about it because there is so little info on the game right now but when they say that making Max Payne less unique and more streamlined is an improvement, my gaming senses just start tingling.
I know its Rockstar and they make good games but...to me that isn't enough for this game. It has to be true to the Max Payne universe. Sigh, but I guess getting a little worked up doesn't matter anyway. They will do what they think is right and then we will see if it is a failure or not.
I just like my Noire, sometimes ridiculous, metaphor spewing, atmospheric Max Payne. Is that too much to ask?
 

Art Axiv

Cultural Code-Switcher
Dec 25, 2008
662
0
0
The Imp said:
Art Axiv said:
Call me a die-hard, but I loved both Max Payne 1 and 2 even if they had "monotonous" environments and no awesome physics and eye candy.
Uhm, Max Payne pretty much set new standards in graphics(my reason to buy a GeForce3) and physics with Havoc. Yes, the game is very doom&gloom but thats just the style of a noir cop story. Raincoats, mobsters, hookers, a man down on his luck and the only friends are a bottle of painkillers and his trusty Beretta - that is Max Payne and i dont want him any different.
Which is what my point was ;)
 

Waaghpowa

Needs more Dakka
Apr 13, 2010
3,073
0
0
Skopintsev said:
I still don't understand why they're making a 3rd. Shit was solved at the end of the 2nd.
By "shit was solved" do you mean:

They killed all the people involved with the war between the secret societies?

or

Max "died"? Because he really didn't so long as you played on anything harder than the starting difficulty, which I would consider the real ending.
 

Serenegoose

Faerie girl in hiding
Mar 17, 2009
2,016
0
0
Wait, Max Payne 3 will be more 'sophisticated'? Isn't that like announcing that they're making "The Watchmen 2: Custodiet harder" and it's going to be an Adam Sandler comedy?

Max Payne is cliched, overwrought noir brilliance, neither entirely serious nor entirely comic. It mingles a tragedy with escorting a russian mafia boss around whilst wearing a baseball mascot outfit. Telling me it's going to be more sophisticated only tells me you don't understand the game.
 

Mako SOLDIER

New member
Dec 13, 2008
338
0
0
Not sure R* know the meaning of the word sophisticated. One decent game that isn't entirely gratuitous and controversial for its own sake doesn't suddenly wipe away years of artistically barren gta titles etc.
 

DamnedChoir

Cylon Inquisitor
Oct 27, 2009
11
0
0
Guys...this is Rockstar. I doubt they're just going to phone in some cheap crap, even their failures are better than the best efforts of some game companies.

I'm pleasantly optimistic that Rockstar will deliver something awesome.
 

SnowyGamester

Tech Head
Oct 18, 2009
938
0
0
Just replayed MP2 yesterday after reading some news about 3 the day before. I was actually surprised how good it still looked for an 8 year old game, though some of the textures got to me a little, plus Max's weird shaped ears continue to annoy me. Wasn't game to play the first one right now in case the uglyness broke my nostalgia :(

I'm starting to have hopes for this game again, whether he ends up fat and bald or not. He has to wear a leather jacket at some stage though...and it better not have multiplayer, unless they find some fantastical way to do some decent co-op without fucking up the immersion or storyline (I sort-of wanted a bit of that in the last one, I think it could have been done).

...it better come out soon, I've been anticipating it since the last one come out :(