As video game characters go, Max Payne has had a tough life. Starting as a New York detective on the beat, he arrived home to find his wife and daughter murdered by the very criminals he is trying to put away. Max fell into a spiral of depression and vowed revenge.

Over the first two games we encountered Max trying to move on and learn to love again, whilst taking down the criminal syndicates that took everything dear away from him. Max Payne was one of the most awarded and anticipated games early this century and so it goes without saying that this game has been one of the most anticipated games of 2012. Could Rockstar really take the third person shooter and update it for what gamers expect in 2012? The results are mixed, but in general yes. Max Payne 3 proves that despite the numerous third person cover shooters released in the last five or so years, he still has a place in gaming and Rockstar has done enough to keep this game relevant.

Max Payne 3 picks up with Max doing what Max does best. Chugging down alcohol and taking pain killers, slowly killing himself on this cocktail of drugs. Max remains a bitter and broken man. He is out of the police force and instead working as a PMC (private military contractor) for those who have too much money to know what to do with. One even changes Max's life and realising he can no longer live in New York. He takes a job in Brazil to protect the family of a wealthy banker. The storyline is one of the strongest sides of Max Payne 3.