Square Enix ignited NieR fan hopes only to extinguish them immediately. The mysterious NieR: Cosmic Horror project with a countdown and teaser turned out to be a regular April Fool's joke, although many momentarily believed it was a new game announcement.
At the beginning of April, a mysterious video appeared online, accompanied by a timer and a cryptic message hinting at a fresh installment in the franchise. The material quickly stirred up the community, which has been waiting for a full-fledged sequel for many years.
The problem is that the publication took place on April 1, which immediately raised suspicions. Nevertheless, some fans believed in the reality of the announcement, considering the specific style of the series creator Yoko Taro, known for his unconventional marketing moves. As a result, the official NieR account confirmed that Cosmic Horror was just a joke, apologizing for the commotion and the strong reaction.
The action caused mixed emotions. On the one hand, players appreciated the humor, which suits the spirit of the brand, on the other hand, many felt disappointed, as the teaser looked like a full-fledged project. Many years have passed since the release of NieR: Automata, but Square Enix achieved its goal – the internet discussed the franchise for several hours.