Remedy Entertainment is known as one of the top-tier game studios out there. Each game they produce is not just top-notch but also one-of-a-kind. You can’t help but admire them for it. Another thing that sets the studio apart is the involvement of their creative director, Sam Lake, in all their games. This practice wasn’t followed in Max Payne 3, developed with Rockstar Games. But now, you can play Max Payne 3 as Sam Lake — all thanks to a mod.
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How to Play Max Payne 3 as Sam Lake?
The “Sam Lake Mod”, on Nexus Mods, developed by AlexSavvy, lets you play Max Payne 3 as Sam Lake. This mod transports the character design from the 2001 Max Payne game, developed by Remedy, to the 2013 version, developed by Rockstar Games. But it’s not a simple copy and paste — Alex fully remodelled Sam Lake from scratch.
As per the mod’s description, it integrates seamlessly with the game since it’s a ground-up model. It looks superb from all angles, syncs perfectly with in-game animations, and even works in cutscenes. You can see how well it functions in the video below.
With this mod, you’ll get 14 hairstyles, 66 textures, and 98 general models. As a result, Max Payne 3 appears as though Sam Lake’s face was used in the original game. This could be an excellent opportunity to revisit the third instalment, which has generally been less popular among series fans.
But why would a simple change of face stir up so much excitement? We must delve into Sam Lake’s tradition in Remedy Entertainment games to understand that. But look at those images — playing Max Payne 3 as Sam Lake looks perfect.
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Is Sam Lake in All Remedy Games?
No, Sam Lake doesn’t feature in all games. However, he does appear in some original Remedy projects, albeit without exact modelling. Consider it a tradition within the studio.
Here are the characters and games where Sam Lake makes an appearance:
- Max Payne on Max Payne — 2001
- Sam Lake (Himself) on Quantum Break — 2016
- Janitor Ahti (Only voice) on Control — 2019
- FBI Agent on Alan Wake 2 — 2023
As you can see, he has a part in many iconic games. It must be a thrilling experience for a creative director to have a role in the games he creates. Now, thanks to the above mod, Max Payne 3 can be added to this list unofficially. With AlexSavvy’s mod, you can play Max Payne 3 as Sam Lake, even in a bald version.
Before we wrap up the article, there’s more good news for you. With the installation of this mod, the character modelling for Max Payne will also change entirely. So instead of the unnecessarily muscular Max, you’ll get the slim Max, reminiscent of the first game, just like the original Sam Lake modelling. Consequently, the character’s clothing and movements within the game will mirror those from the first game much more closely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Remedy Entertainment Develop Max Payne 3?
No — the rights to the Max Payne series were transferred to Rockstar Games after Max Payne and Max Payne 2. Therefore, Rockstar North developed Max Payne 3. The storyline unfolds many years after the second game and is still quite gripping.
However, the unique atmosphere of the first two games is missing, setting it apart as a distinct title. The destiny of the fourth game remains uncertain, so in the meantime, you might want to give Max Payne 3 a try.
Is Max Payne 3 Still Worth It?
Yes — Max Payne 3 is a decent action game. It retains iconic features of the series, such as Bullet-time. Yet, it offers a different vibe as the narrative shifts from New York, the setting of the first two games, to Brazil. Although it received criticism from series fans, its high Metacritic rating of 87 proves its quality.
Is Nexus Mods Safe?
Yes — every mod uploaded to Nexus Mods undergoes a specific review process. Essentially, you can consider installed mods to be mostly safe. However, incorrect or incomplete installations can damage your game files. If you want to play Max Payne 3 as Sam Lake, follow the installation steps carefully.
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