"Serious Payne" and "Payne In The Ass" achievement/trophy not unlocking in Max Payne 3

Last Updated: May 31, 2023

Question: I just beat Max Payne 3 story mode on hard/hardcore in soft-lock or hard-lock and the achievement/trophy didn't pop up.  Is it broken?  Do I have to be in Free Aim?

Answer: The achievements for completing Max Payne 3 in Hard and Hardcore must be done in Free Aim.  The game has to be started on Free Aim and you cannot alter the aim setting at any point during the playthrough.  If you attempt to enter the mode without Free Aim, or change your aim mid-game from Free Aim to Soft Lock or Hard Lock, you will have to confirm a message box stating that you are OK with the playthrough achievement being disabled. 

All of the other achievements in Max Payne 3 can be completed using any aim setting unless they specifically list Free aim as a requirement.  

Feel the Payne – CAN START THE GAME IN SOFT LOCK OR FREE AIM AND FINISH THE GAME IN SOFT LOCK OR FREE AIM (NO HARD LOCK ALLOWED)Story Complete [MEDIUM]

Serious Payne – MUST START THE GAME IN FREE AIM AND CAN NEVER CHANGE IT THROUGHOUT PLAYTHROUGHStory Complete [HARD]

Maximum Payne – MUST START THE GAME IN FREE AIM CAN NEVER CHANGE IT THROUGHOUT PLAYTHROUGHStory Complete [OLD SCHOOL]

Payne In The Ass – MUST START THE GAME IN FREE AIM AND CAN NEVER CHANGE IT THROUGHOUT PLAYTHROUGHStory Complete [HARDCORE]