When Square Enix announced the action/adventure title Nier right before E3 last year, I was a little intrigued, but didn't know that much about it. Now it's eight months later, and I still don't really know all that much about it. There is one thing I can tell you, though: Nier's release date. The game, which the newest press release describes as an "action RPG", will be launching in North America on April 27, 2010. This is less than two months after that other game Square Enix has been promoting lately. What was it called again? Oh yeah, Final Fantasy XIII.

This means that if Nier is really good, Square Enix pretty much owns your entire spring. I'm still not sure what to make of this one, though. I'm always interested in an action-packed role-playing game, as long as the combat is strong. According to the press release, the battle system will combine "proven RPG-style gameplay, such as magic, character development and faithful allies, with action-focused explosive swordplay and combat." Without having seen it in action, though, it's hard to really get a mental picture of Nier. What do you think, awesome potential or forgettable action-RPG?

The press release is below if you need help answering that question.

LOS ANGELES (February 3, 2010) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that their upcoming Action-RPG NIER™ for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, will be available at North American retail outlets on April 27, 2010.

The latest offering from the RPG masters at Square Enix, NIER is a unique “Action-RPG” that blends traditional RPG gameplay mechanics with intense, bloody combat and powerful magic to create an action-packed single-player experience where players explore and discover a future lost to a shadowy past.

Developed by cavia Inc, NIER delivers on Square Enix’s renowned pedigree for creating unique and twisting storylines coupled with deep character development – a pedigree that has kept gamers around the world enraptured for decades.

Players will jump into the title role of the unyielding Nier as he begins his desperate quest to discover a cure for his daughter, Yonah, who is stricken with the deadly Black Scrawl disease. Armed with powerful magic as well as mighty swords, Nier will battle alongside formidable allies against waves of dark enemies and giant bosses to discover the truth about the disease, his daughter…and himself.

For more information about NIER, please visit the game’s official Web site at http://www.niergame.com/.  Fans can also stay up-to-date with all of the latest screenshots, videos and breaking news by becoming a fan on the official Facebook page, at http://www.facebook.com/NIERGame.  

FEATURES

·         The Next RPG from Square Enix: NIER, the newest franchise from RPG masters Square Enix, delivers unique and memorable characters, intense action-packed battles, explosive magic and storytelling like only Square Enix can.

·         Unbelievable Story Twists and Reveals: Immerse in an amazingly intricate storyline set in a world plagued by human anguish, buried secrets and a ravaging disease.  With plot twists hiding around every corner, NIER’s story needs to be seen to be believed.

·         RPG Gameplay Injected With Action-Packed Combat: Battle ferocious and mysterious enemies by combining proven RPG-style gameplay, such as magic, character development and faithful allies, with action-focused explosive swordplay and combat.

·         Powerful Magical Abilities: When his sword isn’t enough, Nier can call on a remarkable array of stylish and powerful spells to augment his combat moves and overcome adversaries.  As players progress, upgraded spells will help defeat ever-more-deadly enemies.

·         Brutal Combat Moves: Face off against evil creatures and unleash brutal combat moves along with devastating combo attacks.  Unlock an arsenal of devastating weapons, each with its own design and attack style.

·         Formidable Allies: Travel with a dynamic party of allies and do battle against monstrous giants as a powerful and united party.

·         A Dynamic and Stunning World: Travel across an unforgettable world filled with dynamic landscapes featuring the hauntingly familiar remains of modern society.