Fans have been hungry for the first gameplay footage of Max Payne 3. What has Rockstar Games been doing to revitalize the urban noir shooter? We will soon find out as the developers have begun releasing a video series that talks about the game's design and technology, beginning with how they're creating a cutting edge shooter.

One of the issues with third-person shooters is that they don't always have tight controls. Rockstar has been guilty of providing some pretty subpar and clunky shooting mechanics in its open world games, like L.A. Noire and Red Dead Redemption. Not so with Max Payne 3. In this video, the first in the "Design and Technology Series," it appears that Rockstar has created a much better shooting experience. Rightfully so, as the series is almost exclusively focused on that one mechanic, so it can't just be good. It has to be awesome.

While Max Payne 3's basic storyline has been revealed, Rockstar is rather keen on avoiding spoilers for the game. Hopefully, this tactic won't put the game at a disadvantage, and may even help build interest in what is being done to raise the third-person shooter bar with Max Payne 3.

It's great to finally see some extensive Max Payne 3 gameplay footage, as the first trailer didn't feature much of it at all. Check out the video below, but be aware it is VERY bloody at times.

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Max Payne 3 looks really good so far. Perhaps most impressive of all is the nuance seen in the game's animation. All the character models react in a very realistic way, whether it be Max blowing something up and being staggered from an authentic distance, or enemies getting shot in specific areas of the body.

The next video in the "Design and Technology Series" will focus on the kinds of gunplay that players can look forward to in Max Payne 3. Let's be honest, though -- the whole game is something to look forward to.

Max Payne 3 releases March 2012 for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

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