5/5 ★ – tannytanthecat's review of Max Payne 3.

Some people might kill me for thinking this is the rightful and earned finale for Max Payne, and also because I think this is the best game in the franchise-- But I'm serious, I think it's a good thing it didn't end on the second game. Sure, the second game had a pretty conclusive ending, so this game's existence TECHNICALLY betrays it, but did people forget Max Payne 1 ended the same way? Max Payne wasn't made with a sequel in mind, neither did the second one. So, instead of rambling about the gameplay being some of the best third person shooting out there, I feel like the story isn't given it's credit. More importantly, on how it really expands Max's character, the third to last level in the Imperial Palace Hotel is a highlight, and my favorite level from a narrative point of view. For all of Max's depression, lack of will to do anything, or wondering why he's doing ANY of this, this is his breaking point. He discovers what's been happening behind the scenes, and for once, he gets back his will to fight. He has a purpose again. That's why this ending works for me better than 2. Max was just strung along by Mona and Vlad for the ending of that game, but this one? It was his OWN choice. His own sense of wanting to make things right. So at the end, when he smiles to himself at a bar, drinking a bottled soda, and then walking off into the sunset without him having to say a single word? That hit much harder than the finale of the second game.