Horror third-person shooter NIGTMARE OPERATOR announced by Shueisha Games. Yokai hunting in a near-future Tokyo 

Fans of post-apocalyptic stories and customizable weaponry will want to keep their eyes on the upcoming horror third-person shooter NIGHTMARE OPERATOR. Developed by DDDistortion and published by Shueisha Games, the game begins in the near-future city of Shin-Chiba, which has been overrun by yokai-like creatures. 

You play as Misha, a Public Safety Operator barely scraping by as she works for the Provisional Government. One day, the militant separatist group Tasogare-no-Yaiba launches an attack on Shin-Chiba. Tasked with investigating those responsible, Misha finds herself embroiled in a conspiracy as she hunts for Tasogare-no-Yaiba’s commander, Tsurugi Tsukuyomi, throughout the Tokyo Ruins.  

The Yokai inhabiting the city resemble creatures from Japanese urban myths and folklore, with some fighting like wild animals and others employing group tactics and strategies to take you down.  

To combat the Yokai, Misha uses her Modular Gun, a versatile weapon issued to every Public Safety Operator that can be equipped with a wide variety of weapon modules. One weapon module turns the Modular Gun into a railgun capable of stunning or freezing Yokai, while another converts it into a stake launcher that impales foes and deals damage over time.

To switch weapon modules, you need to use the Modular Gun’s Clutch System, which includes following a series of on-screen prompts (similar to how you activate Helldivers 2’s Stratagems). In addition to leaving yourself open to attacks while swapping modules, performing too many Modular Gun actions and combos in succession causes it to overheat, leaving you vulnerable. Aside from your standard third-person shooting mechanics, combat also revolves around planning when to switch weapon modules and knowing when to go all out. 

The Modular Gun can also be fitted with Weapon Programs to modify its capabilities to your liking. Some programs dissipate heat from the weapon when performing melee attacks, allowing you to perform more actions before it overheats. Other programs modify specific Weapon Modules, one of which increases the rate of fire of the Rifle module the longer you hold down the trigger. 

In between missions, you can hang out at the Sumida Reclamation Output. This is also where you can buy new Weapon Modules and permanent upgrades for the Modular Gun, practice combat in the Target Range, and interact with NPCs to learn more about the world and its inhabitants. 

NIGHTMARE OPERATOR features a distinct, low-poly aesthetic inspired by early 3D video games. While the game predominantly features third-person shooter combat, the Modular Gun’s Clutch System was inspired by the precise and rewarding mechanics of fighting games. 

NIGHTMARE OPERATOR is currently in development for Windows (Steam). 

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