Max Payne 3's new environments (and plus-sized hero) previewed

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 3rd 2009 at 4:00PM }

A lot of fans of the Max Payne series have been hesitant to get completely excited about Rockstar's third installment in the series, largely due to the unfamiliar setting of São Paulo, Brazil, and the obvious aesthetic changes undergone by the game's titular anti-hero. Perhaps their fears will be abated by a recent Game Informer preview of the title, which analyzes the big differences between the first two installments and the boldly redesigned threequel.

The preview mentions a few intriguing gameplay additions, including improved Bullet Time physics (thanks largely to the implementation of the Euphoria engine), and a cover system, which the game's devs promised would be optional. The article also explains the aforementioned aesthetic shifts. For instance, we learned that this older version of Max Payne isn't actually chubby. His beefier frame can be attributed to muscle, not obesity. That makes sense -- a diet consisting solely of whiskey and painkillers probably isn't loaded with saturated fats.

Gallery: Max Payne 3

Tags: game-informer, max-payne, max-payne-3, preview, rockstar, rockstar-vancouver

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Carbonize @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:07PM

Also first to get voted down.

Das Boot @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:08PM

And how.

gLitterbug @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:10PM

Anyone with eyes and a brain saw in the first screens that he didn't become fat but put on muscle.

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:20PM

in pic 5 at least, he very clearly has a gut, definitely not muscle there

nukee @ Oct 3rd 2009 6:10PM

No no no. Those are his ab muscles, they're just that large.

freaparn @ Oct 3rd 2009 6:45PM

That ain't a six-pack, that's a keg.

PhilipJFryrish @ Oct 3rd 2009 8:20PM

Finally a hero I can relate to!

Autopsy15 @ Oct 4th 2009 2:38AM

Just look at his silhouette in pic 4. It kind of makes you sad for Max.

Deadpool @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:11PM

Hey guys! Is he allowed to say (1st to comment) :) and get away with it? I don't know the rules about saying I'm first so I just don't do it.

Bubbameister33 @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:16PM

That's not the preferred nomenclature.

swimtedswim @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:20PM

i want max payne not uncharted 1 and a half!!!!!!!!

Fullmetal Salchemist @ Oct 3rd 2009 7:36PM

My thoughts exactly.

art.is.resistance @ Oct 3rd 2009 8:56PM

Then wait until the game is released, and play it. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Burns11 @ Oct 3rd 2009 9:50PM

I'm sure you have no idea how we'll feel about the game once it's released.

art.is.resistance @ Oct 4th 2009 12:25AM

My point is, he'll still most likely be getting a true Max Payne game, regardless in the change of location and the change in the characters appearance. Rockstar isn't required to stick with a rainy city JUST because the series is inspired by film noir. That isn't all that noir revolves around.

arkweld @ Oct 4th 2009 2:06AM

Splinter Cell Uncharted: Max Payne 3

Cj @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:20PM

Idk if I like the direction this one is going. He looks like Bruce Willis now. And everyone knows how much I lurve the Willis, but this doesnt look right for Max Payne.

Deadpool @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:40PM

With Bruce Willis we could see the baldness coming since the first Diehard. Now Max Payne had a healthy full head of hair, with no signs of male pattern baldness. I remember looking at Max Payne 2 saying to myself "Wow look at that nice head of hair" and now look it.

iamnotafish @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:21PM

As long as they keep the gritty, film noire feel of the first two, they'll be fine. But how they can do that in Sao Paolo is beyond me.

Deadpool @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:22PM

Ohh...nomenclature. That's a new word for me. I'm gonna go look it up....because knowing is half the battle! :)

Ryan @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:32PM

im think that the last pic is from mw2

mvp576 @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:26PM

WOW Uncharted 3 looks so amaz...oh...(looks closer)...nvm

The1stMJC @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:38PM

Still kind of iffy on the direction Max Payne is going, but gotta give the devs credit for going that direction. Let's see this unfold.

Aerothorn @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:40PM

Still don't see how they're going to pull this off without Sam Lake.

MAX56789 @ Oct 3rd 2009 5:12PM

The same wondering..

CH3BURASHKA @ Oct 3rd 2009 7:13PM

Oh shit, he's not on the project??? Now I'm more worried... his unique, albeit weird, use of metaphors and similes better still be there, though I don't know if that style can be copied.

linebeginstoblur @ Oct 3rd 2009 9:15PM

Exactly. I'm totally with you there. I loved the first two Max Payne games, but I think a lot of that came from Sam Lake and the others at Remedy. Even if Rockstar Vancouver can do a pretty good job and make it a good game overall, I'm worried it just might not seem like it fits with the other Max Payne games...

NintendoJunkie @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:46PM

I thought of this when I saw the screenshots:

http://www.planet13.com.au/images/videoImages/1234090152Demon%20Hunter.jpg

Silicon Siren @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:48PM

I can't wait for the new Punisher game, it's looking great so far! What happened to Frank Castle's hair?

Deadpool @ Oct 3rd 2009 4:58PM

Are you really comparing Max Payne to the Punisher?

******************************************WARNING************************************************

Do not watch this video if you have a weak tolerance of blatent gore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dln9MPCeJqA