Rockstar games is ready to pop you full of pills and let you abuse bullet time to your heart’s content in the long awaited Max Payne 3. But it’s been a while since we last got to see Max (not counting that god awful movie), so Rockstar has taken things a bit retro with a pop up video inspired trailer.

Set years after the events of Max Payne 2, Max has become the scruffy drunkard we always knew he was at heart. Having long since left the NYPD, Max now makes his living by providing security in South America for, well, shady guys that need protecting. But now the gangs of San Paulo have threatened his loved ones, which means it’s time to shave his head, groom his beard, and tear ass across the city in a blaze of slow time glory.

Besides the beardy goodness, the series has gained a much needed graphics overhaul. It remains unclear if the comic book style storytelling will return to the game itself, but if the pop up details on the trailer are any indication, it seems likely. And enhancements to the bullet time mean you can now dodge individual bullets and place your own with skull splitting accuracy (everyone’s favorite bullet following kill cam has reared its head again much to gore fanatic’s delight). It seems Mr. Payne’s revenge may be the sweetest one yet.

The game is expected to release in 2012, but let’s be honest, Rockstar will give it to us when they’re ready.

Tags: bullet time, Max Payne 3, revenge, Rockstar Studios, video games