Set in São Paulo, Brazil, where Payne is working in the private security sector for a wealthy local family, set eight years after the events of the second game.
Even though Max here has a completely different personality, it still makes sense. Max has had so many tragedies in his life... from his mother's death... to killing his father... to his family getting killed... to Mona Sax getting killed (in Detective mode)...
so it really makes sense that Max turns to alcohol, cigarettes, and pain killers.
If any one wants to know why Max is different here... just read the comic book Max Payne 3: After the Fall written by Sam Lake and Dan Houser.
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Don't forget about the great graphics...
The AWESOME gameplay...
The realistic blood and ragdolls...
BUT...
Even with all those things said... I would have loved this game better if Rockstar put more flash backs into the game. CHEERS!!! :D