Before moving onto supernatural stories like Alan Wake and Control, Remedy games burst onto the scene with Max Payne in 2001. The gritty noir narrative was unlike anything players had scene in the medium before, and the studio immediately followed it up with a 2003 sequel.
The third entry would not come out for another nine years from Rockstar games. The whole trilogy is notable for tight gunplay and an internal narrative from the main character, delivered expertly by actor James McCaffrey. The protagonist’s life is summed up by these super sad quotes, most of which players have all related to at least once in their lives.
10 “But When Was I Ever About Smart Moves. I’m A Dumb Move Guy.” (Max Payne 3)
If smart moves were always so obvious and easy, everybody would be making the best and most intelligent decisions on a daily basis. Unfortunately, people are prone to do what is the most appealing at the time based on their wants and emotions, rather than what is actually good for them. While this is unfortunate, it makes most players immediately relate to the former detective.
9 “But Dreams Have A Nasty Habit Of Going Bad When You’re Not Looking.” (Max Payne)
Max delivers this line in the introduction to his first game. For him, his dream was soured by the murder of his wife and child. Most have not fallen into such an extreme tragedy, but usually something bad has happened to everyone when they least expect it. Always appreciate the good things in life; you never know when they could be taken away.
8 “The More You Run, The Deeper, More Terrible It Grows Behind You, Its Edges Yawning At Your Heels.” (Max Payne 2)
A lot of people have problems in their lives, some of which are deeper than others. Much like Max, some have taken to running from their issues, only to learn this is a useless endeavor. We cannot flee from issues; we have to turn around, kick them in the shins and eliminate them. Until issues are confronted immediately, they will only gnaw at someone more incessantly.
7 “A Bad Caricature Of A Better Man.” (Max Payne 3)
The character is never in a good state throughout the series, but Max Payne 3 sees Max falling into alcoholism and failing at every turn. He mutters this in his internal monologue in Chapter Eleven while realizing how far he has let himself go in the years since Max Payne 2.
We all go through some personal crises in our lives. What really matters is how fast one realizes it and works to bring themselves out of it.
6 “I Wanted To Dig Inside My Skull And Scrape Out The Pain.” (Max Payne 2)
When Max says this, he is both referring to emotional scars and the literal pain within him from all the damage he takes during the course of Max Payne 2, which most hopefully played on PC or Xbox, because the PS2 port is a disaster. Seriously, the hero gets shot up, beat up, and at one point literally shot in the head. When players feel this way it is still tragic — perhaps referring to the pain of a breakup or losing a loved one — but at least it is not also talking about physical wounds.
5 “The Feeling Hit Me Like A Point Blank Shot Straight In The Face.” (Max Payne)
Max feels two emotions throughout the whole trilogy: deep sadness and boiling rage. However, these feelings run deep and the way he expresses them is perfectly described by this above quote. Getting hit with anything directly in the face is unpleasant, even intangible feelings. We’ve all received shocking news in our lives at some point. Even if it is not a big deal, the abruptness can sometimes make it so much worse.
4 “The Cartoon Moment When Gravity Waits For The Coyote To Realize His Mistake Before The Plunge.” (Max Payne 2)
Sometimes people make bad decisions they did not realize were mistakes until long afterwards. However, this quote relates to moments when one can see the immediate consequence of their mistake in slow motion.
Max makes a string of bad moves in the second game, and has to live with these for the rest of his life. If only the consequences were as funny as the Road Runner cartoons.
3 “It Ain’t Often You Get Nostalgic For Getting Your [Butt] Kicked By Six Sailors On Shore Leave.” (Max Payne 3)
Max utters this in the first flashback level of Max Payne 3 when he first meets Passos. Hopefully, no reader can relate to the exact situation, but some of us have gotten so down we start longing for days when life was only slightly less miserable. When things start getting too bad, it is always possible to look at Max Payne’s life and feel better about one’s own situation.
2 “I Knew The Appetite Of Ghosts Intimately. They Hungered For Revenge.” (Max Payne)
Is it really the ghosts in Max’s life hungering for revenge or simply Max himself wishing to avenge his family’s brutal slaying? Granted, if we were murdered after being wrapped up in a criminal conspiracy, we’d want someone to take revenge on our behalf. Most have felt the pull of vengeance at least once in their life.
1 “I Ain’t Slipping Man. I’m Slipped.” (Max Payne 3)
Max Payne 3 follows an older Max battling the demon alcohol. After failing to protect the woman he was hired to guard several times, he lets out this sad remark. Gamers are a lot older than they were in 2001 and have aged like the protagonist of this trilogy. However, It is always possible to retain one’s youth and learn new things even at an older age.
