Square Enix announced its the PlatinumGames-developed NieR: Automata has been delayed to early 2017 and released a new E3 2016 trailer and boss gameplay footage.
Unveiled at last year’s E3, NieR: Automata is set after the events of the cult original game and stars a girl android named 2B and her fellow YoRHa android soldiers created by humanity to fight the invading machine lifeforms sent from extraterrestrial beings.
In the gameplay footage, androids 2B and her ally 9S face off against a creepy opera-singing robot boss. The aura of eeriness during the battle is boosted thanks to the background music by Keiichi Okabe, who composed the original NieR’s soundtrack.
Automata’s combat looks smooth and fast-paced – just what you would expect from the developer of Bayonetta series, Vanquish, and Metal Gear Rising. 2B uses primarily her blades to deal damage but has a companion robot “Pod” beside her to dish out long-range fire.
To dodge attacks, 2B can quickly dash on the ground or in the air. You’ll need to time jumps and dashes just right against this boss, as one phase looks like something out of a bullet hell shooter!
NieR: Automata is shaping up to potentially be a sleeper hit action RPG and could end up being a fantastic game for Square Enix. Along with composer Okabe, the creative duo behind the original NieR, Yoko Taro and Yosuke Saito return as the Creative Director and Producer, respectively. Character designs are by the famed Akihiko Yoshida, who previously worked on Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy XIV, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Vagrant Story.