This Max Payne 3 mod will let you dive into action looking like Sam Lake

Sam Lake
(Image credit: Alexsavvy)

In time for the 22nd anniversary of the original Max Payne modder Alexey Savvon has released a mod that brings the original face of Sam Lake back into the action. 

This mod allows players to play "with Sam Lake's legendary facial expression modeled especially for Max Payne 3", Savvon said in the mod's description. Lake's head is fully integrated into the game with altered textures, and even different hairstyles changing to adapt to Lake's head. For those who are wondering, there are apparently 14 various hairstyles in the story, not just the typical hair-on and hair-off variants.

Savvon has also ensured that each one of Max's costumes is fitted perfectly to Sam Lake's physique; it even includes the leather jacket and Hawaiian shirt from the first game for the chapters that take part in New York. 

"In total, the mod replaces 98 models and 66 textures", Savvon said. "Plus models and textures in the mirror for the scene where Max shaves his head. Yes, you will see how Sam Lake shaves his head!"

This mod has piqued the interest of many fans, but one more memorable face has entered the discourse celebrating just how fantastic this mod is. The original face of Max Payne, Sam Lake, himself took to Twitter to express just how impressed he was by this work. 

Sam Lake is best known for his work on Alan Wake and Control but started his journey playing Max Payne. He wasn't only the original face of the NYPD detective, but he even dressed up for the role in the original game's cutscene. 

Max Payne 3 is available on PS3 and Xbox 360. However, you'll only find this mod if you play on PC. 

If you're looking to play this fantastic title on a next-gen console, then get ready for the highly anticipated remakes for Max Payne 1 and 2.

Elie Gould
Features Writer

Elie is a Features Writer for TechRadar Gaming, here to write about anything new or slightly weird. Before writing for TRG, Elie studied for a Masters at Cardiff University JOMEC in International Journalism and Documentaries – spending their free time filming short docs or editing the gaming section for their student publications. 

Elie’s first step into gaming was through Pokémon but they've taken the natural next step in the horror genre. Any and every game that would keep you up at night is on their list to play - despite the fact that one of Elie’s biggest fears is being chased.