She’s Gaming: Max Payne 3 (No Spoilers)

For those who have known me a long time or regularly talk to me about gaming, they know that Max Payne is one of my top ten gaming series ever. Max Payne was the first game that I purchased when I got an original Xbox ages ago and has remained a favorite since. To say that I’ve been anticipating this latest game is the understatement of the year. The only thing I anticipated as much is Mass Effect 3.

I will admit I was a little apprehensive about how the noir feel of the game would work with the new setting. Not saying that noir is restricted to settings like East Coast, USA, but I always associate Brazil with colorful, vivacious, and fast-paced. Things I don’t associate with noir (aside from fast-paced). However, as a gaming company, I think that Rockstar is consistent if nothing else and dared to hope that they wouldn’t disappoint.

So far, I like it. Nay, I love it. Starting with the opening where Max is trying to drink his torments away, giving cryptic, slightly crazed rambling clues about his life (which I hope will be expounded on as the games goes on for new players), I was hooked. This opening soliloquy establishes what fans of the series know--Max is continuing his downward trend.

Brazil is just as vibrant as I imagined it would be in the game, which is different for the series, but at the same time, it really emphasizes how out of his element Max really is. His whole demeanor clashes with the fun, ritzy, shallow lifestyle that he’s being exposed to, and Max being Max is quick to point out how much he hates it. Rockstar has, in my opinion, successfully fused the gritty, dirty elements of the first two games with this new vibrant setting. But don’t take that to mean that you don’t see some old locations.

Bullet time returned, of course, and we got something new called Bullet Cam, which slows down the last kill, allowing players to fire even more shots into a baddie for a dramatic finish. Then, there’s another new element called Last Man Standing. I’m not sure how I feel about Last Man Standing, yet, which forces a dying Max into bullet time to take out the threat. Successfully killing the other guy uses one painkiller automatically and restores a little bit of Max’s health. On one hand, I like the concept. On the other, I feel like that may be a painkiller wasted. I’ll see as I progress further. 

I am enjoying this journey. There was one scene in the very beginning that had my heart pounding from excitement. And for me, some of the joy in this series has always been the story. Max's story is tragic and doesn't seem to give players much hope, but you want to know what happens next despite all that. Now some may think there's too much commentary going on with Max reminding you every three seconds how dire a situation is, but I liked that they've revamped an old style with some fresh elements. 

I hope the game continues to stay awesome as I continue, but if I know Rockstar, it will.

She’s Gaming: The Witcher Initial Impression

Initially, I started this after I beat both Mass Effect 3 and Dragon Age: Origins, but I still had a lot of Bioware feelings left. So, I ended up finishing Mass Effect 3 again and beating Dragon Age 2. Now, I think I’m sick of all the Bioware feelings and need a change of pace for a bit. Not that I’m going to actually stop talking about all things Bioware with everyone or even playing through the games. That’s beside the point, though. The Witcher will be my main focus along with Max Payne 3.

 
Initial response: I’m intrigued. The voice acting leaves a little be desired, but the opening cutscene definitely held my attention with Geralt battling the striga in a pretty epic battle. The graphics are pretty good, but I am not one of those people who has to have these better than perfect graphics for a game to be enjoyable. I’m currently still defending Kaer Morhen. I’m plodding through it slowly because I don’t know how I feel about the combat right now. It’s giving me some issues. 

Okay, maybe that’s not the problem. I think it’s the camera that’s presenting the problem. In combat, since most of it is close range combat, it can be a little hard to keep targeting what you’re trying to kill with the sword. I’m using the OTS (over-the-shoulder) camera right now, and it makes me feel like I don’t have enough room to maneuver. I think I’m going to have to try something different with the camera when I start back to playing.

I know there will be three fighting styles, but right now I only have two--the quick fighting style and the heavy fighting style. I really like the quick style, but I’m learning that this game is going to require that I switch out styles to defeat certain enemies, which is fine. That’ll keep me from mostly button mashing my way through this... I think. I don’t really have much more to say. I’m still very early in the game, so I’ll leave you with this.

I love how he is holding this sword, guys. I swear that is exactly what I would look like if you game me a word in real life and told me to go forth and conquer.