Max Payne  is the original cinematic shooter, thanks to its signature move, Bullet Time. Max Payne 3 takes the series online in a big way, and the developers at Rockstar Games understandably didn't want to leave Bullet Time behind.

A new video details how Bullet Time has been adapted for online play, in addition to offering a look at at Max Payne 3's multiplayer modes.

Rockstar Games has already revealed the "Crews" feature that will debut in Max Payne 3 and carry over to Grand Theft Auto V. For that matter, a number of Max Payne 3 multiplayer screenshots have been released, but today we get our first real look at the game's multiplayer in action.

It just wouldn't feel like Max Payne without the ability to launch forward in slow motion, gunning down enemies as you careen toward the ground -- but how will that work in a multiplayer game? The answer is as simple as it is elegant: line of sight. When a player launches into Bullet Time, only the opponants in the player's line of sight will be affected -- for everyone else, the game moves ahead at a normal clip.

This isn't the first time we've heard about Max Payne 3's narrative driven multiplayer or the "bursts" that will be available to players, but seeing them in motion makes all the difference. Check out the Max Payne 3 multiplayer gameplay video below for a look at Bullet Time, along with two of the game's online modes: Gang Wars (which is where the "Crews" feature is really going to shine) and Payne Killer.

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Rockstar titles have traditionally been hit and miss (mostly miss) where online play is concerned, and yes that includes Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto 4. Could Max Payne 3 be the game that finally delivers excellent multiplayer with that Rockstar touch? And if so, what does that say about the prospects for online play in Grand Theft Auto V? What do you think?

Max Payne 3 releases May 15, 2012, for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

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