Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Max Payne 3 (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Max Payne 3 on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Max Payne, which both story-rich and atmospheric.
- Max Payne 3 is tagged Action, Third-Person Shooter, Bullet Time, Story Rich, Multiplayer, Shooter, Cinematic, Third Person by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Max Payne
Why it matched: both story-rich and atmospheric; shares 11 player tags including Noir, Third-Person Shooter and Bullet Time.
Max Payne is a man with nothing to lose in the violent, cold urban night. A fugitive undercover cop framed for murder, hunted by cops and the mob, Max is a man with his back against the wall, fighting a battle he cannot hope to win. Prepare for pain…
Max Payne at a glance Released 2001 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 89% positive of 15,818 Price $3.49 NoirThird-Person ShooterBullet TimeStory RichDarkThird PersonShooterGreat Soundtrack
- 2
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Why it matched: both story-rich and atmospheric; shares 10 player tags including Noir, Third-Person Shooter and Bullet Time.
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne is a violent, film-noir love story. Dark, tragic and intense, the in-depth story is a thrill-ride of shocking twists and revelations. Love hurts.
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne at a glance Released 2003 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 94% positive of 14,615 Price $2.49 NoirThird-Person ShooterBullet TimeStory RichShooterThird PersonDarkGreat Soundtrack
- 3
Mafia II
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Story Rich, Nudity and Violent; released around the same time (2010).
War hero Vito Scaletta becomes entangled with the mob in hopes of paying his father’s debts. Vito works to prove himself, climbing the family ladder with crimes of larger reward and consequence.
Mafia II at a glance Released 2010 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 74% positive of 38,540 Price $29.99 Story RichNudityViolentThird PersonThird-Person ShooterNoirShooterGreat Soundtrack
- 4
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Cinematic and Third Person; released around the same time (2015).
Ushering in a new era for the METAL GEAR franchise with cutting-edge technology powered by the Fox Engine, METAL GEAR SOLID V: The Phantom Pain, will provide players a first-rate gaming experience as they are offered tactical freedom to carry out open-world missions.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain at a glance Released 2015 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 92% positive of 107,873 Price $19.99 Story RichCinematicThird PersonGreat SoundtrackThird-Person ShooterShooterDark
- 5
Mafia II: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Story Rich, Nudity and Violent.
War hero Vito Scaletta becomes entangled with the mob in hopes of paying his father’s debts. Vito works to prove himself, climbing the family ladder with crimes of larger reward and consequence.
Mafia II: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2020 Studio Hangar 13 Player sentiment 74% positive of 38,558 Price $29.99 Story RichNudityViolentThird PersonThird-Person ShooterNoirShooterGreat Soundtrack
- 6
Mafia III
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Third Person and Violent; released around the same time (2016).
After Lincoln Clay's surrogate family, the black mob, is betrayed and killed by the Italian Mafia, Lincoln builds a new family and blazes a path of revenge through the Mafioso responsible.
Mafia III at a glance Released 2016 Studio Aspyr Player sentiment 57% positive of 64,036 Price $29.99 Story RichThird PersonViolentShooterGreat SoundtrackThird-Person ShooterNudity
- 7
Quantum Break
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Cinematic and Third Person; released around the same time (2016).
From Remedy Entertainment, the masters of cinematic action games, comes Quantum Break, a time-amplified suspenseful blockbuster. The Quantum Break experience is part game, part live action show—where decisions in one dramatically affect the other.
Quantum Break at a glance Released 2016 Studio Remedy Entertainment Player sentiment 86% positive of 30,932 Price $39.99 Story RichCinematicThird PersonThird-Person ShooterShooterBullet TimeGreat Soundtrack
- 8
Mafia
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Great Soundtrack and Third Person.
It’s 1930. After an inadvertent brush with the mafia, cabdriver Tommy Angelo is reluctantly thrust into the world of organized crime. Initially, he is uneasy about falling in with the Salieri family, but soon the rewards become too big to ignore.
Mafia at a glance Released 2002 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 88% positive of 16,301 Price $14.99 Story RichGreat SoundtrackThird PersonViolentThird-Person ShooterShooterDrama
- 9
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Third-Person Shooter, Violent and Shooter; released around the same time (2010).
Pure adrenaline of non-stop action in Single Player, Online Co-op and Multiplayer. Double the pleasure and mayhem with new multiplayer DLCs! (click for details)
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days at a glance Released 2010 Studio IO Interactive Player sentiment 67% positive of 9,765 Price $9.99 Third-Person ShooterViolentShooterThird PersonNudityStory RichGreat Soundtrack
- 10
The Evil Within
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Third Person, Dark and Third-Person Shooter; released around the same time (2014).
Developed by Shinji Mikami -- creator of the seminal Resident Evil series -- and the talented team at Tango Gameworks, The Evil Within embodies the meaning of pure survival horror. Highly-crafted environments, horrifying anxiety, and an intricate story are combined to create an immersive world that will bring you to the height of tension.
The Evil Within at a glance Released 2014 Studio Tango Gameworks Player sentiment 85% positive of 33,579 Price $19.99 Third PersonDarkThird-Person ShooterCinematicShooterStory Rich
- 11
The Evil Within 2
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Third-Person Shooter and Third Person.
Detective Sebastian Castellanos has lost everything, including his daughter, Lily. To save her, he must descend into the nightmarish world of STEM. Horrifying threats emerge from every corner, and he must rely on his wits to survive. For his one chance at redemption, the only way out is in.
The Evil Within 2 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Tango Gameworks Player sentiment 92% positive of 30,959 Price $39.99 Story RichThird-Person ShooterThird PersonViolentShooterDarkGreat Soundtrack
- 12
Mafia: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Third-Person Shooter and Violent.
An inadvertent brush with the mob thrusts cabdriver Tommy Angelo into the world of organized crime. Initially uneasy about falling in with the Salieri family, the rewards become too big to ignore.
Mafia: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2020 Studio Hangar 13 Player sentiment 87% positive of 110,615 Price $39.99 Story RichThird-Person ShooterViolentThird PersonShooterNoirGreat Soundtrack
- 13
Mafia III: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Third Person and Violent.
After Lincoln Clay's surrogate family, the black mob, is betrayed and killed by the Italian Mafia, Lincoln builds a new family and blazes a path of revenge through the Mafioso responsible.
Mafia III: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2020 Studio Hangar 13 Player sentiment 57% positive of 64,063 Price $29.99 Story RichThird PersonViolentShooterGreat SoundtrackThird-Person ShooterNudity
- 14
Mafia II (Classic)
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Story Rich, Third Person and Third-Person Shooter; released around the same time (2011).
Vito Scaletta has started to make a name for himself on the streets of Empire Bay as someone who can be trusted to get a job done. Together with his buddy Joe, he is working to prove himself to the Mafia, quickly escalating up the family ladder with crimes of larger reward, status and consequence… the life as a wise guy isn’t quite as...
Mafia II (Classic) at a glance Released 2011 Studio 2K Czech Player sentiment 94% positive of 58,640 Price $29.99 Story RichThird PersonThird-Person ShooterShooterGreat SoundtrackNudity
- 15
L.A. Noire
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Noir, Story Rich and Third Person; released around the same time (2011).
In his fight to climb the ranks and do what's right, LAPD detective Cole Phelps must unravel the truth behind a string of arson attacks, conspiracies, and brutal murders, battling the L.A. underworld and even members of his own department.
L.A. Noire at a glance Released 2011 Studio Team Bondi Player sentiment 86% positive of 36,822 Price $19.99 NoirStory RichThird PersonCinematicNudityThird-Person Shooter
- 16
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Third Person, Shooter and Third-Person Shooter; released around the same time (2010).
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City includes both The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony together and does not require a copy of the original Grand Theft Auto IV to play.
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City at a glance Released 2010 Studio Rockstar North / Toronto Player sentiment 74% positive of 10,072 Price Not listed Third PersonShooterThird-Person ShooterGreat SoundtrackNudityStory Rich
- 17
Alan Wake
Why it matched: both story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Third Person, Story Rich and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2012).
A Dark Presence stalks the small town of Bright Falls, pushing Alan Wake to the brink of sanity in his fight to unravel the mystery and save his love.
Alan Wake at a glance Released 2012 Studio Remedy Entertainment Player sentiment 90% positive of 59,228 Price $1.49 Third PersonStory RichGreat SoundtrackThird-Person ShooterDarkCinematicShooter
- 18
Sleeping Dogs
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Third Person, Story Rich and Great Soundtrack.
As Wei Shen, an undercover cop trying to take down the Triads, you'll have to fight your way up the organization without blowing your cover.
Sleeping Dogs at a glance Released Not recorded Studio United Front Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 17,264 Price Not listed Third PersonStory RichGreat SoundtrackViolentThird-Person ShooterShooter
- 19
CONTROL Ultimate Edition
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Story Rich, Third Person and Third-Person Shooter.
Winner of over 80 awards, CONTROL is a visually stunning third-person action-adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
CONTROL Ultimate Edition at a glance Released 2020 Studio Remedy Entertainment Player sentiment 86% positive of 63,191 Price $3.99 Story RichThird PersonThird-Person ShooterShooterViolentGreat Soundtrack
- 20
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Third Person, Story Rich and Violent.
As Lara Croft races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, she must become the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider at a glance Released 2018 Studio Crystal Dynamics Player sentiment 85% positive of 87,978 Price $5.99 Third PersonStory RichViolentShooterGreat SoundtrackDark
- 21
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Third Person, Story Rich and Violent.
As Lara Croft races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, she must become the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2018 Studio Eidos-Montréal Player sentiment 85% positive of 87,994 Price $5.99 Third PersonStory RichViolentShooterGreat SoundtrackDark
- 22
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Story Rich, Nudity and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2015).
You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you can explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt at a glance Released 2015 Studio CD Projekt RED Player sentiment 97% positive of 885,535 Price $49.99 Story RichNudityGreat SoundtrackThird PersonDark
- 23
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Third Person, Story Rich and Third-Person Shooter; released around the same time (2015).
Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration includes the base game and Season Pass featuring all-new content. Explore Croft Manor in the new “Blood Ties” story, then defend it against a zombie invasion in “Lara’s Nightmare”.
Rise of the Tomb Raider at a glance Released 2015 Studio Crystal Dynamics Player sentiment 94% positive of 155,369 Price $4.49 Third PersonStory RichThird-Person ShooterShooterGreat Soundtrack
- 24
Mass Effect (2007)
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Story Rich, Third-Person Shooter and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2008).
As Commander Shepard, you lead an elite squad on a heroic, action-packed adventure throughout the galaxy.
Mass Effect (2007) at a glance Released 2008 Studio BioWare Player sentiment 94% positive of 16,574 Price $29.99 Story RichThird-Person ShooterGreat SoundtrackThird PersonShooter
Common questions
What game is most like Max Payne 3?
Max Payne, on the evidence we have. It both story-rich and atmospheric. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Max Payne 3" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Max Payne 3. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.