Max Payne was THE TPS franchise of the last gen. Times have changed, though. Cover based TPS gaming mechanics have evolved. Max Payne 3 still does it very well but it doesn't do a lot of the tricks we've grown accustomed to in games like Gears and Uncharted. Blind firing, moving instantly from cover to cover, diving--Max Payne just doesn't do it.
Where Max Payne shines is its extremely adult story, gritty characters, brutal graphics, and unmatched atmosphere. This game is so gritty that I have to take a shower after every play session. Presentation is just top notch, even though the gameplay fails to match the best of the genre. Auto aim, execution cams, bullet time, and other features are nice but not game changing.
I'd still give this game a 8.5/10 so far simply because it sucks you into its world and doesn't let you go. A must play.
