So, I've noticed that there are piano's in the game that Max can play, and, although they aren't collectables, Max's ability (or inability) to play them appear to reflect on his current emotional state or sense of purpose. In Chapter I, right before he dives across the roof to save Fabiana, he attempts to play the game's theme and fails. Near the end of the boat sequence in the Panama flashback, he attempts to play only a few notes (harmonized to the badass backing track for that stage). Finally, Max finds an out-of-tune piano in the run-down hotel in Chapter XII and successfully plays the main theme.

Did you guys notice these on your playthrough, too? Did I miss any? I thought they were nice little easter eggs that added a bit to Max's character arc.

It was a good throwback to the other games. Odd that out of all the things to reference, that's the thing they focus on the most. It got more attention than Mona.

It's nice to hear that they did something with it this time. In the original games it was just random.

I love finding these. There's also one in the church in the graveyard. That's my favorite so far, but I still have 3 chapters left including XII that you mentioned.

There are 4 total I believe - one more during the Chapter VIII flashback at the cathedral.

Pretty clever easter egg to convey Max's progress through the game, only other secrets I know of are the TVs and the old school skins.

its a pretty good theme

I must have missed the second 2 pianos. I've have to find them on my next playthough.

@Quarters said:

It was a good throwback to the other games. Odd that out of all the things to reference, that's the thing they focus on the most. It got more attention than Mona.

I thought it was familiar, but I honestly can't remember them from the first games. Then again, I haven't played the first two since they were each released. I'd seen them at my local used game shop for a while before I picked Max 3 and was going to revisit them beforehand, but I thought I'd wait to see if this game spurred on an HD collection.

@Lebensbaum: The Portuguese Captain Baseball Bat Boy episode was pretty amusing. It's too bad they didn't play that up some more.

@Triumvir: it seemed directly pulled from the GTA IV style cartoons (I remember Republican Space Rangers). The Brazilian commercials and news broadcasts had some very sleek design treatment as Rockstar is known for.

Now, that demon troll baby on the other hand... I just don't know.

yea well what does THIS mean, then?

@Triumvir: Yeah, in the other two games, you find a piano and each, and if you use it, he plays the theme real quick. If you shoot the piano and try using it, he tries playing again, but it sounds like total crap. As for an HD collection...I don't know if that will happen or not. It would be awesome, but it would only work if they used the PC versions of the game as a base. The console versions had some serious problems, such as terrible framerate, super long load times, and just looking like garbage. However, if they did release the PC version as an HD collection, that would be pretty great.

Yeah, I was really happy when I found the first piano, and I made sure to find them all. A great throwback to the old games and a good little bit of fourth wall breaking going on - just like old times for Max Payne.

When I came across the final piano and played it, the animation glitched out, causing Max's arms to contort and twist upwards until the scene ended. Kind of killed the moment.

yea i found them. i thought it was really cool. always played the theme over and over when i found a piano in the other games

yes i found them and loved it. i was secretly hoping an achievement would pop up after though. either way its a nice touch. max payne is one of my all time favorite characters / games

@Lebensbaum: Yeah about that troll baby... what? No really, what the hell.

@Itwastuesday said:

yea well what does THIS mean, then?

WOW!. I didn't think other people would get that glitch.It made a moment, that was pretty badass and turned into a LOLOLOLOLOLAWL~! fest.

@Lebensbaum: Yeah about that troll baby... what? No really, what the hell.

@MikeGosot: Interesting, thanks for the clarification! Demonic and disturbing nonetheless. You know Portuguese, right? Does that Amor e Damas show have some sort of parallel to Address Unknown, or is it just making fun of absurd soap operas?

Edit: or maybe Lords & Ladies?

I found three. I was happy for Max when he actually did it right the last time.

It's definitely a nice touch.

@MikeGosot: Interesting, thanks for the clarification. Demonic and disturbing nonetheless. You know Portuguese, right? Does that Amor e Damas show have some sort of parallel to Address Unknown or is it just making fun of absurd soap operas, because I'm at a complete loss.