Max Payne 3

Max Payne 3 is a third-person shooter released in 2012, developed and published by Rockstar Games. It continues the story from *Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne* (2003) and is the third installment in the series. Players control Max Payne, a former NYPD detective, who, nine years after the previous game, has taken a job as a private security contractor in São Paulo, Brazil. There, he gets caught up in a web of death, corruption, and betrayal. The game also features an online multiplayer mode supporting up to 16 players in cooperative and competitive matches set in locations from the single-player campaign.

To accurately depict São Paulo, Rockstar’s developers conducted field research there throughout development and used the footage to guide the design team. Multiple Rockstar studios around the world collaborated on the project. The game launched on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on May 15, 2012, followed by a Windows version on May 29, and an OS X port on June 20, 2013. It is also playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S through backward compatibility.

Critics gave *Max Payne 3* positive reviews, highlighting its direction, acting, gameplay, narrative, and soundtrack. Some criticism focused on the shift in style from earlier games, its linear level design, and its portrayal of São Paulo. By May 2013, the game had shipped 4 million units. It received several year-end award nominations and won a number of them.

**Gameplay**

*Max Payne 3* is a third-person shooter where the player controls Max Payne. A new addition to the series is a cover system, letting players take tactical shelter behind objects to avoid enemy fire. The story progresses linearly as players fight through levels. Interactive cutscenes blend seamlessly into gameplay, with no loading screens between the two.

Combat includes auto-aim and the cover system for assistance. Painkillers restore health when the player takes damage. Players can use melee attacks, firearms, and explosives. Bullet time returns, allowing players to see each bullet hit enemies in detail. A new "Last Stand" mechanic gives players a brief window after health is fully depleted to kill the enemy that wounded them, as long as they have a recovery item; using this drains all remaining bullet time. The shoot-dodge mechanic also returns, letting players dive and shoot at any angle while on the ground.