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Max Payne 3 is the latest release from Rockstar North and, if you couldn't tell from the name, the 3rd game in the Max Payne franchise. After nearly 10 years since the release of the previous installment, it's good to see Max back on his feet, so to speak. Don't fret though, you don't need to play the first two games to enjoy this release but I do suggest checking them out as they give you a better understanding who Max is and a deeper grasp of one of the most unfortunate characters I've had the pleasure of playing.

The game takes place about 12 years after the events of Max Payne 2 and we find Max in worse shape then ever. Still torn up after the loss of his wife and daughter, he has pretty much hit rock bottom. After being kicked off the police force, Max hooks up with an old cop buddy and reluctantly takes an offer to work security detail for the wealthy elite of South America, but Max has a bad habit of being drunk and/or high on painkillers at all times which isn't helping his situation and makes it a bit tough to be a good body guard.

The Max Payne series is all about gun play and never has a game from this series been more refined and polished then this latest entry. Since the game is running on an updated version of the RAGE engine, the gun fights are similar to that of GTA4 and Red Dead, but have been enhanced from previous iterations. Aiming is smoother then ever and it feels great. Whether in real time or slow mo aiming controls never feel too forced and with every successful hit you will feel like a bigger bad ass.

Thanks to the update engine and Euphoria technology, shooting someone has never felt so good. Every gun shoots differently and every shot looks like it hurts in its own special way. Shoot a shotgun and you will see a spray of bullets fly towards your target and when they hit, each pellet has an entry wound and enemies react accordingly with were they've been shot and with what they were shot with.

Bullet Time is back and better then ever. As you make kills during the game you fill up your adrenaline meter, which when activated will slow down time to give you a little more precision when trying to take down a large group. Unlike the previous games when you enter bullet time, your aiming is also slowed down, not as slow as your foes but slow enough to add a satisfying challenge when you pop 5 or more guys in one sequence. Most of the time, you will find yourself relying on taking cover then bullet time.

One of my favorite aspects to fire fights that returns to the series is the bullet camera for all final kills. After going up against of 20 something gang members that killing bullet for the last guy slows time and lets you enjoy that final kill in all of its cringe worthy glory.

Max Payne 3 is by far one of the, if not the, most beautiful games to be released this generation. Playing on Xbox I was blown away with the quality of the textures and dynamics effects that Rockstar was able to pull off on a console. Unlike the previous titles, the environments in this game are bright, colorful and just wonderful to look at. From the Penthouse Suites at sunset to the House party nightclub to the back alley strip clubs, Rockstar brought to life a world that is as stunning to playthrough as it is just to sit back and stair at.

The single player campaign is as linear as a linear game can get, the only need for the slight exploration that the game offers is to find the games many collectables. From beginning to end the game can be finished in about 10 hours, which isn't much longer then its predecessors, which isn't a bad thing. There are also several unlockable game difficulties and modes for replay value, such as New York Minute which requires you to beat each area of the game within a one minute timer while each kill gains you extra time. Though nice add-ons. they're not going to keep the average player coming back for more unless you're looking for new challenges in the game.

There is a multiplayer feature to the game which is similar to that of GTA4, which is probably my biggest complaint with the game. It is your typical run of the mill mutliplayer shooter, death match, TDM and a few new additions like Payne Killer were one person takes on the role of Max Payne and the other 7 or so players must kill Max. The player who kills Max then takes on the role of Max and so it goes on and on till the end of the match. Multiplayer definitely adds additional content to a great game but I don't think it was a necessary to fully enjoy this product.

All in all this is one of my top picks for GOTY for 2012 and one of my favorites for this generation. If you want a quick weekend killer that is going to blow a hole in your ass then this is definitely something you're going to want to pick up. And if you're a fan of Rockstar and you haven't bought this game yet get your ass to the store and pick it up tonight and if you have an Xbox hopefully Ill see you in multiplayer.....

Oh ya, before i forget...there's boobs and sex scenes thrown in too.....

5 out of 5