The highly anticipated action-RPG by Square Enix and Platinum Games, Nier: Automata, was given some news today about its release in Early 2017. Previously Nier: Automata had only been scheduled for release on PlayStation 4, but it is now scheduled to make the series premiere on PC when it launches. The announcement was made at Gamescom 2016 via video, in addition to a press release sent out later. Director Yoko Taro's unique sense of humor defines the short video that had the announcement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ElEieNSd28
NieR: Automata is the sequel to the 2010 cult classic by Cavia and Square Enix that was released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. A spinoff of Square Enix's Drakengard series, the game follows one of the endings from Drakengard 1 and has a unique tone that helps it stand out. That weirdness is something that the team has pledged will be returning in NieR: Automata, and will be complemented by a combat system designed by Platinum Games to mix their trademark action style with the first games type of combat.
In Nier: Automata the human race has been driven from the earth and forced to take refuge on the moon due to invaders from another world. There, humanity was able to build its own androids to combat the alien's mechanical horde but it merely slowed the advance. To break the deadlock they had to create something new, a new breed of android was released, the Yorha Squad.
NieR: Automata follows the story of three separate androids: 2B, 9S, and A2, as they battle to reclaim the world from a machine-driven dystopia overrun by powerful weapons.
Nier: Automata will be releasing in early 2017 on PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam.
Quick Take
While I haven't had the chance to play the original NieR it has intrigued me quite a bit, and the combination of Platinum appears likely to only improve the game. As someone who primarily plays on PC, the release of NieR: Automata on PC is great news, and I always think it's a good thing when more people can play a game. I think it would be great if Square were to port the original to current generation consoles and PC as well, but I suspect given the poor sales it had that is unlikely unless NieR: Automata does very well.
What do you think of NieR: Automata coming to PC? Will you play it on PC or PlayStation 4, or are you even interested? Share your thoughts in the comments below!