NieR, the cult-hit action RPG from 2010, is finally getting a sequel and will be arriving on the PC via Steam and PlayStation 4 sometime in early 2017.

Announced today at Gamescom in Germany, NieR: Automata was relieved to us via video announcement made by the game’s director Yoko Taro, who is sitting at a table wearing the mask of Emil (No. 7), a character from the first game.

Below you will find the press release, detailing the story of the game and the fantastic team who will be working on it:

NieR: Automata™, the upcoming action-RPG from SQUARE ENIX® and PlatinumGames Inc, will launch on STEAM® for PC as well as the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system in early 2017. The highly anticipated follow up to the 2010 cult-classic NIER®, NieR: Automata tells the story of androids 2B, 9S and A2 and their battle to reclaim a machine-driven dystopia overrun by powerful weapons known as machine lifeforms.

Developed by an all-star team consisting of producer Yosuke Saito (DRAGON QUEST® X / NIER), director YOKO TARO (Drakengard® / NIER ), character designer Akihiko Yoshida from CyDesignation, Inc. (FINAL FANTASY® XIV / BRAVELY DEFAULT®), game designer Takahisa Taura from PlatinumGames Inc. (Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance), and composer Keiichi Okabe from MONACA, Inc. (TEKKEN / Drakengard 3 / NIER ).

NieR is a spin-off of the Drakengard series, which first released back in 2003. In the game, we find ourselves a thousand years into the future of an Earth that was left in a state of ruin and decay. Players assume control of the protagonist Nier, who is trying to find a cure for a disease known as the Black Scrawl, which his daughter is sick with.

The game was designed to appeal to older players and a more Western crowd. It received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising the characters, story, and soundtrack, but noting criticism for some elements of gameplay and sub par graphics.