The oft-delayed Max Payne 3, first announced in March of 2009, will release in March 2012 – Rockstar Games revealed today. It’s due out on Xbox 360, PC, and PS3.

Plot-wise, the title picks up where Max Payne 2 left off, as Max begins a new life working private security for a wealthy industrialist in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Fraught with a dark and twisted past, Max will “rid himself of the demons that have tortured him for far too long.” Sounds like territory ripe for flashbacks.

“Max Payne 3 gave us an amazing creative opportunity to evolve one of our most iconic characters,” said R* founder Sam Houser. “We’re excited to show fans a modern version of Max that pulls them back into his dark and twisted story.”

Rockstar is particularly proud of the tech behind Max Payne 3. It’s touted as a “true cross-studio collaboration” between all of the company’s global studios, featuring enhanced physics and an updated version of Rockstar’s own Rage engine, which was used in GTA IV. Promised is “highly-refined gameplay, with an extensive range of realistic weaponry, an intelligent cover system and sophisticated Bullet-Time mechanics.”

As the first Max Payne title to feature multiplayer, it’ll boast “a deep reward and leveling system, persistent clans and multiple strategic load-out options.” More details are forthcoming.

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