New Max Payne 3 Hands-On Features from Polygon and CVG

Posted: April 30, 2012 5:07PM | Author: R* Q

Last week, we invited the guys from Polygon and CVG to experience three of the early levels in Max Payne 3. Here's a small preview from each of these features.

Playing through these levels, CVG remarked that the game is "the perfect marriage of stylish action and hard-boiled noir" and came away summarily impressed at the levels of action, ambience and authenticity:

"In a sequence worthy of a Ringo Lam film, Max hurtles through corridors avoiding sniper fire, cuts through several rooftops while dropping bad guys en route and drops down on a crew of thugs through the roof of a chopshop. The environments he blazes through - the dilapidated apartments, the slush-covered roofs and a booze-slick bar - look disgustingly seedy. It's almost as though someone took the interior of Club Ragnarok from the first Max Payne game, and expanded it to the length of three city blocks."

Read CVG's preview at http://www.computerandvideogames.com/345795/previews/max-payne-3-hands-on-with-the-first-3-hours/

Polygon also came away awestruck at the way "narrative and gunplay wrap so neatly together", not to mention the ways Max Payne 3 looks to redefine the conventions of a 3rd person action shooter:

"Cover, when it's available, is just a place to wait to die. These hiding spots are invariably chewed away by gun shots and almost always give your enemies time to regroup and flank you. The only way to succeed in Max Payne 3 is to scramble and dive, to bullet time and clear a room."

Read Polygon's preview at http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/4/30/2981770/true-to-its-roots-max-payne-3-is-at-its-heart-a-game-about-max

Additionally, Max Payne 3 is the focus of Brian Crecente's 'Good Game' column for Polygon. Check out his interview that delves into the narrative aspects of the game and how they shape Max's journey in Max Payne 3:

"'In this game ... we are not tackling the issue of addiction, but we are looking at the character and actions of a man who has problems with substances, but also a lot of other problems," he said. "There is a subtle but important difference. It's a shooter about a drunk, somewhat morose, widowed ex-cop, trying to find some kind of peace with himself. It is not a game about the realities of being a drunk in terms of the need to drink. It is a game about being Max Payne.'

In layering a character study about a man warped by the violence he has both witnessed and inflicted, onto a violent video game, Rockstar has created something surprisingly complex."

Read the full interview at http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/4/30/2988059/Max-payne-3-is-a-character-study-shaped-by-addiction-and-violence


Previously:
Special Max Payne 3 Episode of GameTrailers TV Coming Next Week
Max Payne 3 Previews: Kotaku Praise Multiplayer as ‘Essential’, Plus Interviews with James McCaffrey and More

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Max Payne 3 at PAX East Recap

Posted: April 09, 2012 3:10PM | Author: R* Q

Thanks to everybody that came out to PAX East in Boston this weekend and hit up the Rockstar booth for the chance to go hands-on with Max Payne 3 across all platforms - PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Attendees who made their way in through the East entrance were greeted by the 40 foot tall banners of Max adorning all four corners of the booth - with Friday attendees getting to play the Stadium level recently previewed by the gaming press, while guests on Saturday and Sunday were treated to a whole different scenario from Max's time in New York.

Fans eager to experience the return of Max Payne braved long lines at our booth to have a go (a special shout to anybody that came through twice to see both levels). Among those that stopped by: @jaclynejimenez from our #MaxPayne3 Twitter Casting Event. After having a first play of the PC version (thanks as well to Origin for supplying our kits) she vowed to take on all comers in the first Max Payne 3 PC Social Club Multiplayer Event on June 3rd. Fan site admin Domenic Fiore also came by - you can check out his impressions of the experience right now on PayneKillers.com. And we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the gentleman who flashed us his GTAIV Key to Liberty City while he was queued up in line, plus a re-appearance of a Cole Phelps cos-player we met originally at NYCC last fall (see the slideshow above for a pic).

Props to our longtime booth DJ Chess Hubbard for keeping the music pumping all weekend long and to everyone who scored new Max Payne 3 gear we were handing out - if you weren't there we hope you had a chance to enter our giveaway on Facebook this past weekend - look for the winners to be announced very soon. These items should also be rolling out on the Rockstar Warehouse for purchase over the next few weeks as well, so stay tuned.

For those that were not able to make it, we hope the steady stream of updates from our Twitter feed helped you feel like you were there in spirit - we can't wait for everybody to get their hands on the game next month. Read on for a selection of quotes from some of the gaming press also in attendance.

“Hardcore fans are sure to be pleased and newcomers cannot ask for a better time to join. This game better be on your radar” - Blast Magazine

“A gloomy, yet stunning graphic style along with the countless environmental intricacies in every memory makes you feel right at home in Max Payne's head” - Curse

“Max Payne 3 was definitely one of our favorite games of the show, and we definitely think this is going to be a game that you simply can’t overlook” - New Gamer Nation

“It is bound to be a modern day masterpiece for an action game and will put action movies to shame” - VGRevolution

“a brilliant experience that looks great with incredible sound design and rock solid shooting” - DualShockers

“Max Payne 3 is gleaming with Rockstar Games' signature quality in every aspect” - GameRevolution
 

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UPDATE: Play Max Payne 3 at PAX East in Boston this Weekend (April 6th - 8th) & Score Deluxe Gear

Posted: April 05, 2012 12:50PM | Author: R* Q

We're proud to announce that we will be at PAX East this weekend (today April 6th through Sunday April 8th) with Max Payne 3 playable at our booth (#912) on all three platforms: PlayStation®3, Xbox 360® and PC.

If you're in the Boston area or plan to travel to the show, come through for an exclusive opportunity to go hands-on with the game before its release this May.

We'll also be on hand with giveaways of some brand new Max Payne 3 gear hot off the presses - including the Max Payne 3 Logo Tee, the Rockstar Bullet Tee, the game's Official Poster, and the Deluxe Sticker Pack with oversized action-packed stickers all as seen here.

If you're not able to make it to the show, not to worry - we'll also be giving our fans on Facebook the chance to score these collectible items this weekend as well, with Max Payne 3 Prize Packs being given away to lucky Likers (look for the sweepstakes to launch on our Facebook page starting today April 6th).

Also stay tuned for this gear to be made available for purchase at the Rockstar Warehouse over the coming weeks...

For more information on PAX East, visit http://east.paxsite.com.

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“Bullet Time in Multiplayer Is Freakin’ Awesome” - More Max Payne 3 Multiplayer Previews from Destructoid, GamesRadar, 1UP and More

Posted: April 02, 2012 8:20PM | Author: R* S

Check out more hands-on impressions of Max Payne 3 Multiplayer that have hit since the debut Multiplayer Gameplay Video (also posted below if you missed it) and previews round last week. Read on for excerpts and links to GamesRadar, 1Up, Destructoid and Sixth Axis from their in-depth look at Gang Wars, Crews, Payne Killer and of course the advent of online Bullet Time®...

“Bullet Time works beautifully, and it turns out that Shootdodging off a high platform in slow motion is a lot more fun when the guys you’re getting the drop on are other players… it’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into making Max Payne 3’s multiplayer work well while retaining the series’ flavor.”

http://www.gamesradar.com/max-payne-3-hands-gang-wars-payne-killer-and-multiplayer-bullet-time/?page=1

“Simply put, Bullet Time in multiplayer is freakin' awesome...“I have to give credit where it's due: Max Payne 3 certainly does not feature your run-of-the-mill multiplayer. Its modes are fun and varied, it features more depth and variety than most people will probably anticipate, and its gunplay is fast, frantic, and incredibly fun.”

http://www.destructoid.com/preview-fun-with-guns-in-max-payne-3-single-multiplayer-224751.phtml

“Fresh ideas may pave the way for the online experience of the summer... Max Payne's inability to trust his own friends in the story transfers over onto the player when they're in an online match, creating an interesting bridge across all facets of the game... Another theme that carries over between modes is that of revenge and vendettas… Vendettas occur when one player has been killed frequently by another. Once this happens, the Vendetta will form, and bonus XP perks will be rewarded to the victim if they get revenge, or on the killer if they manage to survive the Vendetta. This neat mechanic doesn't overpower the experience, but instead provides an interesting little metagame that players can engage in while still in a larger multiplayer affair."

“Max Payne 3's multiplayer already looks like it has the foundations to be a major contender for your free-time this summer. Rockstar hopes that the clan-like Gangs that players form throughout the multiplayer mode provide users with a more pronounced connection to their fellow players. And given the recent news that these Gangs will seamlessly transfer over to Grand Theft Auto V via the Rockstar Games Social Club proves that they're serious when they say that they want to create a premier, community-based online arena.”

http://www.1up.com/previews/max-payne-3-weaves-single

“(Gang Wars) was, without a shadow of a doubt, my favourite game mode of the pack we played. Some rounds lasted 15 minutes and some lasted under two. No one player on either team ever seemed to be the true champion, including experienced Rockstar players, and every round was as ridiculously enjoyable as the next… Every single mode was stunning though, I just think Gang Wars won my recommendation because of the sheer variety being put forward. Rockstar have definitely put their best foot forward with this flagship multiplayer mode.”

http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2012/03/29/max-payne-3-multiplayer-hands-on/2/

We've also added the screens that accompanied these hands-on Max Payne 3 multiplayer previews to www.rockstargames.com/maxpayne3/screens, available for viewing in full high def as always.

Previously:
“Welcome to the Delightfully Chaotic World of Max Payne 3 Multiplayer”: Hands-On Impressions from GameSpot, Vox Games, CVG and More...
 

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“Welcome to the Delightfully Chaotic World of Max Payne 3 Multiplayer”: Hands-On Impressions from GameSpot, Vox Games, CVG and More...

Posted: March 29, 2012 2:00PM | Author: R* Y

As promised yesterday, here's a barrage of hands-on previews of Max Payne 3's multiplayer that have hit the web today...

"You're pinned behind a bus in a São Paulo transit depot, with a half-dozen mercenaries ready to wipe you from the face of the Earth the second you peek your head past the headlights. You keep still, planning your next move, when out of nowhere some lunatic flings himself from a second-story window and manages to shoot every single one of those armed thugs before he even hits the ground. Immediately upon impact, he pops up as if to say, "I'm good!" and then proceeds to loot each of his victims like a ravenous hobo. Right now that guy might look like the craziest man on the planet, but he's also your teammate. And he just saved your life. Welcome to the delightfully chaotic world of Max Payne 3 multiplayer." - GameSpot

http://www.gamespot.com/max-payne-3/previews/spending-bullet-time-with-friends-max-payne-3-multiplayer-6368622/

"I had gone into my multiplayer hands-on session expecting an amusing ancillary mode to Max Payne 3's single-player campaign, but what I found was something as robust as any other multiplayer shooter in the genre. If Max's return was a big deal before, it should now be a lot bigger." - Vox Games

http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/3/29/2909581/max-payne-3-multiplayer-bullet-time-boosts-and-crews-explained

"The battles in Gang Wars are tied to key story moments, offering additional color to plot points in Max Payne 3's story, fleshing out what might have happened before or after Max Payne visited the favelas or docks in the game's version São Paulo. There's fiction and even voiceover woven into this multiplayer pillar of Max Payne 3, which may be enlightening to those who get sucked into the drama of the campaign." - GameTrailers

http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/2012/03/29/max-payne-3-multiplayer-hands-on-rockstar-brings-bullet-time-bursts-of-brilliance-to-deathmatch/

"When it comes to Rockstar - kings of the story game - there's never any compromise. Red Dead Redemption, GTA IV - these were two of the biggest, best story games of a generation and they're both complemented by genuinely innovative, genuinely different multiplayer modes. So it is with Max Payne 3." - CVG

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/341930/previews/max-payne-3-4-hours-with-rockstars-seriously-impressive-multiplayer/

"Rockstar is on to something truly interesting here... you’ll almost certainly be shoot-dodging across your couch to get into a Payne Killer or Gang Wars match as quickly as possible." - Official Xbox Magazine

http://www.oxmonline.com/max-payne-3-multiplayer-hands-preview

Of course, we'll keep you updated on more previews as they hit.

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Max Payne 3 Press Recap: Interview and Hands-On Preview from GamesRadar Plus First Looks from Mashable and NY Daily News

Posted: March 26, 2012 10:21AM | Author: R* Q

Check out a roundup of some of the latest previews and interviews covering Max Payne 3, including a pair of special features at GamesRadar, a first look from our hometown's NY Daily News and more...

In a new preview, the guys at GamesRadar dove deep into their recent hands-on experience with the game, with a detailed depiction of the sniping sequence that takes place during the 'Stadium' level:

"The joy of sailing through the air with bullet-time engaged and pumping bad dudes full of hot smoking lead is an undeniably joyful experience. It's a fast-paced slow-motion massacre that leaves you with a thumping heart and a pile of elegantly dispatched enemies in your bloody wake. Which is, of course, great. But the frenetic nature is not always conducive to sitting back and admiring the carnage in all its glory. That's where the sniper section comes in. By offering the closest thing to respite the two levels I played had to offer, the sniper-based interruption to the fairly relentless man-slaying afforded me the opportunity to really savour and appreciate the grisly, artful beauty of Max Payne 3's killing."

http://www.gamesradar.com/max-payne-3-most-fun-with-sniper-rifle-since-my-gun-licence-was-taken-away/

And in an exclusive interview with one of our lead designers about Max Payne 3's multiplayer details are divulged on Bursts and Items and how they're incorporated into your Loadout, how Bullet Time® works in multiplayer and how the Payne Killer and Gang Wars modes integrate elements of the single player experience into multiplayer. An excerpt:

In addition to Bursts, are there any other rewards players can unlock through leveling up? Are there passive abilities, killstreaks, and so on?

"We always want to reward and encourage players for playing multiplayer. Progressing through the ranks will consistently unlock new weapons, gear, bursts and projectiles. Excluding weapons and projectiles, players can equip a total of five items – three unique pieces of gear, along with varying degrees of body armor and tactical helmets. We have several dozen pieces of gear in the game, all of which bestow passive advantages to give players a boost in the heat of battle. They can range from things like sutures to decrease the time it takes to replenish health, to ammo pouches that increase maximum ammo. Rest assured that we’ll have a ton of unlocks."

http://www.gamesradar.com/max-payne-3-multiplayer-details-chat-lead-designer/

One of our hometown papers and one of the largest dailies in the US, the NY Daily News, got their first look at the game and had this to say:

"After the level, I was literally out of breath, and close to breaking a sweat. The lack of load times creates a truly intense playing experience unlike any third-person shooter you've ever played. Typically, we play a shooter and take a breather during a load screen or a cutscene, briefly putting the controller down to collect our thoughts. But that never happened in the demo level, and it dramatically changes the gameplay experience."

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/system-update-max-payne-3-hands-work-ipad-3-change-video-gaming-article-1.1049616

And leading tech and social media blog Mashable also got their first hands-on look at Max Payne 3 recently:

"From what we saw, the game will truly impress old fans of the franchise, become a staple for fans of Rockstar’s games, and bring in those unfamiliar to series... It feels very much like a movie. There is hardly a heads-up display to speak of, leaving you to focus on the action. The use of color, tight edits and dramatic lighting made it feel like an experienced cinematographer had their hands all over the game."

http://mashable.com/2012/03/15/max-payne-3-first-look/

Stay tuned for more Max Payne 3 previews, interviews and special features hitting in the weeks ahead...

Previously:
More Hands-On Previews of Max Payne 3 from The Telegraph, PC Gamer and Vox
“The Experience Is Mind-Blowing”: The Press Goes Hands-On with Max Payne 3 for the First Time
 

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More Hands-On Previews of Max Payne 3 from The Telegraph, PC Gamer and Vox

Posted: March 07, 2012 7:50PM | Author: R* Q

Check out some more hands-on impressions of Max Payne 3 that have hit since last week's round up - from PC Gamer, The Guardian and Vox Games:

"It's easy to be impressed with the style and detailing, but it's not until you actually take control of Max that Rockstar's work begins to really sparkle... There were concerns that a cover system could rip the heart out of Max's up 'n at 'em carnage, but here it’s just a small part of your arsenal. You'll be able to hunker down for a brief moment of respite, plan an attack and maybe pop a few bad guys before flinging yourself back into action, but you won't be able to clear a room from behind a wall without being blitzed. Enemies move in smart flanking movements to flush you out of your position. The trained paramilitaries, in particular, are far more tactical than the wild, suicidal guerillas... On this evidence, Rockstar has Max Payne 3's action nailed." - The Telegraph

"...my favorite part of Max Payne is the moment before I storm a room, when I’m plotting who I’ll take out first, where I’ll take cover, and when I’ll activate the series’ signature slow-mo 'bullet time' for the deadly conclusion. It’s like I’m a film director with the power to choreograph and execute absurdly challenging action scenes on the fly... I’m the conductor of a big gory symphony, and the Euphoria engine’s procedural animations are my musicians. Enemies tumble over railings, Max braces his falls, and every bullet jerks and contorts its victim." - PC Gamer

“It's this drive for realism that leaves every moment of Max Payne 3 feeling unlike any other shooter I've played… That was made clear to me when, trying to be ultra fancy, I took a running dive down a flight of steps in a South American soccer stadium while surrounded by gun-toting mercs. Mid-way through the dive, Max's adrenaline (what powers his signature bullet time), ran out and he came tumbling to earth in a flailing mess… I was thrilled. I had never seen such a realistic tumble down a flight of steps in a video game before. Hell, it felt like I had slipped. My back ached just watching it. Max didn't die, but he was worse for wear, clutching his own back. We bonded over our mutual anguish." - Vox Games (The Verge)


Previously:
“The Experience Is Mind-Blowing”: The Press Goes Hands-On with Max Payne 3 for the First Time

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The Gaming Press Goes Hands-On With L.A. Noire

Posted: March 01, 2011 4:47PM | Author: R* S

The recently released trailers and videos have all delivered a taste of the seamless blend of crime scene investigation, interrogation, cop show drama and action that permeates L.A. Noire. However, it's not until someone's been handed the controller to play for themselves, that the experience truly shines. This past week, the gaming press got their first opportunity to experience a few cases on the Homicide desk.  Below is a sample from some of today's preview stories:

"Recently, I got my first opportunity to play L.A. Noire... It works well, and if you get off track, your partner is there to spot things you miss. It’s important to scour the location for every clue, as missing things limits your options in subsequent interrogations.... L.A. Noire is going to give gamers an experience unlike anything we’ve ever played before." - Game Informer

"L.A. Noire is spectacular, both in looks and scope. Your first 10 minutes in the game will be spent in slack-jawed appreciation of its stunning visuals. Then you'll forget about that as you're swept into a game world full of clever storytelling, believable characters and stimulating gameplay." - MSN

"In interrogation scenarios you have a first-person view, letting you get a good look at every little bit of reaction as you ask your questions. Based on those reactions and the evidence you've gathered, you've got three options for a response: you can accept what they've said at face value; you can express doubt they're telling the truth if you've got a hunch that they're trying to pull the wool over your eyes; or you can call them out for lying, if you have the evidence to back that assertion up. The capture technology means this isn't so much a gameplay trick, as a purely human skill--it's not a matter of learning tells, or gameplay being shoehorned in; it's a matter of looking at someone's face and telling if they're lying." - GameSpot

"As someone who's been looking forward to L.A. Noire since it was first teased, I couldn't be happier with how the game is shaping up. The presentation, the mechanics, the story, the performances, they're all spot on. May 17 never seemed so far away." - G4

"It’s worth gushing over the MotionScan technology again here. The groundbreaking tech not only makes the characters appear and speak more realistically than any game ever, but it sets the scene perfectly and without it L.A. Noire would lose a lot of its appeal and well realised environments. As a result, it’s far from ‘just’ a cosmetic feature...On the whole, L.A. Noire is a breath of fresh air in this FPS filled world, and finally getting to grips with the game has heightened our anticipation for the game even more... Team Bondi and Rockstar seem to be onto a winner with this crime-thriller." - GamesRadar

"‘L.A. Noire’ is great entertainment, to tell it straight. The combination of witty dialogue, top-notch acting and of course amazing new MotionScan technology delivers something unique. How about that – a genuine first in how long? Yet it doesn’t feel like a gimmick, rather a mature new direction that ushers new opportunities for interactive drama of all kinds." - Yahoo Games UK

"It succeeds on all fronts, and this is not purely a result of the believable facial animation, but also the authentic setting, gruesome plot and stellar penmanship at work... Emotionally engaging and presented in a raw, bloodied context, L.A. Noire has the makings of a grim masterpiece, putting both its underlying tech and the talents of its ensemble cast to superb use." - NowGamer

"At the first look stage, we were enthralled; now, having gone hands-on, we're totally enamoured. It's one thing to present a genuinely innovative gaming concept that redefines styles of gameplay as we know them, and it's quite another to pull that concept off. Rockstar and Team Bondi are doing precisely that with LA Noire and, quite honestly, we can't write enough superlatives to describe how fresh and invigorating it is to play." - TVG

Previously:
Life And Crime in 1947 Los Angeles: Latest L.A. Noire Previews from IGN, Fast Company & More
L.A. Noire Latest Previews: Entertainment Weekly, Kotaku, Tech Radar and More
"Creating a New Genre of Videogames": The Daily Telegraph Interviews Rockstar & Team Bondi on L.A. Noire

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