@ Liudvikas:

Yeah, I unfortunately missed these two games back when they came out. Maybe I will check them out sometime. I heard good things.

Never played first two games? Oh how I feel sorry for you :) They are excellent.
As for the third, I am rather afraid to play it, in case I ruin my childhoods memories. Watching the movie adaptation fucked up them enough, thank you very much.
I just don’t want to see Max Payne old and drunk off his ass, not his style all the drugs he uses are painkillers.

@ karthik:

Yeah, I think Chris hit on some interesting points in his review. I really liked his criticism that the big breakthrough midway through the game, when Max quits drinking and cleans up his act has absolutely no effect on game play.

What’s worse, health system is still based on popping pain-killers, and each time you do the screen goes woozy and max quips something about his addiction. This is after he supposedly went sober and swore off booze and pills. :/

Your synopsis echoes Errant Signal’s thoughts on the game. I suppose this is enough of a warning to stay away from it.

On that note, try playing Max Payne 2 sometime. While I wasn’t a big fan of the plotting or the story, at least there are no cutscenes except for the (well done) graphic novel interludes. And while it’s linear on the whole, it doesn’t funnel you from room to room. You have an objective and a large playground (mansion, construction site) to run around in. The ending is very cathartic, but for Max Payne, not for the player. I liked that.