Save it for SciFi

Darkadvent2 · 06-28-2009

I think that Max Payne 3 raises the question, how much is too much? I mean, isn't MP supposed to seem like something that could happen? After coming home to a dead wife, Max goes undercover to get revenge on the druggies. Then he's beaten half to death, and finds out there's much more to the drug problem than he thought. So, he has to kill the CEO of a pharmeceutical company. Okay, I'll buy that. Seems believable enough.
In the Fall of Max Payne, this same guy is the one who has to tackle the big, bad contract killer organization. Come on. This would have been a great game if it wasn't the same guy...
And now we have MP3, where we find Max, who has been through all of this, guns blazing in Sao Paulo. How likely is it for all this ti happen to one man? Is his middle name Job?
Obviously, I'm being overcritical of the series. It's a great series, but a tired one. And Max Payne isn't the only series like this. The fact is, whether it's in a games, movies, or books, there are always series that feature seemingly bulletproof protagonists who singlehandedly save the world. The Jack Ryan series was very interesting at first, but after the millionth-or-so spinoff, it got old. To me, this kind of protagonist only belongs in science fiction, like Master Chief in Halo.

Jimdalf · 06-28-2009

I disagree. Games are different to other forms of entertainment. While a writer can have a fresh protagonist for every novel and a film-maker can do the same, its easy for them. Stephen King books sell because they are Stephen King books, Tarantino films fill theatre because they are made by Quentin Tarantino. Naturally a stable central character like Lee Child's Jack Reacher can contribute to sequel sales, but most books and films don't have sequels.

Whereas with games, its all about the intellectual property. Most gamers don't buy Madden because its made by a small EA studio, they buy it because its a Madden game. If Infinity Ward were to release a donkey racing game some gamers would buy it just because its an IW product, but most would ignore it completely. But all Tim Burton has to do is shit on a film and it'll make millions.

So games companies have to build characters and series... Max Payne is a developed and recognisable character. Starting from scratch with a new character would demand more time devoted to developing the new guy, and there would be a smaller 'native' market of people loyal to the creators due to the loss of identification.

So basically, roll on Tomb Raider: Angel of Mars.

Darkadvent2 · 06-28-2009

I'm sorry for any confusion. There is no doubt that the name makes the sale in games, but my point was that it eventually loses all sense of realism. But you have to remember that a new IP can do great as well. Keep in mind that Halo and GTA were both new IP's at one time. And lately new IP's have been selling surprisingly well, such as Assassin's Creed, and Wii Play, and Wii Fit. But your point is well taken. Games are always the underdog, and probably always will be. I don't think there will ever be a time where a game will become an instant hit just because it was made by Valve.

LuFeng · 06-30-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkadvent2

I'm sorry for any confusion. There is no doubt that the name makes the sale in games, but my point was that it eventually loses all sense of realism. But you have to remember that a new IP can do great as well. Keep in mind that Halo and GTA were both new IP's at one time. And lately new IP's have been selling surprisingly well, such as Assassin's Creed, and Wii Play, and Wii Fit. But your point is well taken. Games are always the underdog, and probably always will be. I don't think there will ever be a time where a game will become an instant hit just because it was made by Valve.

with bullet time was it really ever realistic??? i loved the series too but if you read the GI article on it they explain everythign pretty well for now. he went to SP to get away...start over per say and escape his demons. im sorry but if all that bad shit happened to me in NY i damn sure wouldnt want to continue living there. he is basically a gun for hire/bodyguard and again i think thats fits him well this time in his life. he is more grizzled and rough around the edges...again.....if you went through all that you would be too. no need to be overcriticle.

also how can it be tiresome or played out(franchise that is) i mean theres only been 2 games so far and its been ages since the last...why not reinvent it and see what happens. atleast they didnt ruin the name by making a max payne every year from the start.