Square Enix has released more details about the combat of NieR: Automata. Specifically, some of the different classes of weapons players will have access as well as more information on the game's action-based combat system.

Three different types of weapons were shown: one-handed swords, two-handed swords, and gauntlets. One-handed swords are the default weapon in the game and balance weight, speed, and attack. Two-handed swords are considerably bulkier and slower, but compensate with a greater reach and damage. Gauntlets are the quickest of the three, but have low damage and reach.

Actual combat uses the Square and Triangle buttons as primary forms of attack, light and heavy attacks espectively. Each weapon will have its own version of those attacks and those will be able to be mixed together in weapon pairs. Two weapon pairs will be available to switch between at a time. Players will be able to switch between the pairs even mid-combo. For example, a one-handed sword light attack and a two-handed sword heavy attack could change to a two-handed sword light attack and gauntlet heavy attack.

Avoiding damage will also be an important part of the game. By pressing R2, players will dodge. Combining this with a direction on the analog stick will make the character perform an evasive dash. Dodging just as an attack is about to land makes the character become temporarily invincible, during which exclusive moves will be available. R1 will activate the character's pod, which will fire bullets in different patterns and speeds. The pod will be able to be upgraded throughout the game. For those less adept at action games, an Automatic Mode is also being added to the game's Easy Mode, which causes the character to automatically evade and attack as players move around.

NieR: Automata will be available in Japan on February 23, 2017. The game arrives in North America and Europe for the PlayStation 4 and PC sometime in early 2017.

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