Biomutant Delayed to 2019

THQ Nordic has announced that its post-apocalyptic kung-fu fable RPG, Biomutant, has been delayed from its previous 2018 window to 2019. More specifically, the Experiment 101-developed title is now poised to release sometime next summer.

To alleviate the bad news, the pair have also released a brand-new trailer, which shows a game that looks considerably better than it did when it was previously shown off. In other words, the new trailer actually just makes stomaching the delay that much harder.

Neither THQ Nordic nor Experiment 101 provided a reason why the game is being delayed, so presumably it comes down to the latter needing more time.

Interestingly, the pair have opted to release the game during the summer period, which is notably starved of big releases each year. In fact, the summer is typically when smaller releases and independent games seek refuge from the busy release schedule of the fall and the first half of the year.

Whether this release window is THQ Nordic looking to capitalize on the lack of competition (something we could see more games doing in the future) or is because it doesn't think it could hang during busier times in the year, isn't clear. I suppose time will tell, though.

Biomutant is in development for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Below, you can read more about the game via its list of "key features."

• A New Take on Third-Person Combat – The martial arts style combat system allows you maximum freedom of movement and agility while mixing shooting, melee and powers from your mutations. Learning new Wushu combat forms through progression and learning from masters you'll meet, will constantly add to your choices and make sure combat never gets old.

• Evolve Your Gameplay – You'll be able to re-code your genetic structure to change the way you look and play. This will of course affect your attributes and in addition to this, exposure to bio-contamination in the world will lead to physical mutations like mantis-claws and barbed tails, while exposure to radioactivity found in bunkers from the old world will affect your mind and unlock psi-mutations like telekinesis, levitation and more.

• Next Level of Crafting – You are totally free when crafting weapons. Mix and match parts to create your own unique 1H or 2H slash, crush and pierce melee weapons. Revolvers, rifles and shotguns and add modifications like cork-screws and battery-powered chainsaw modules to bio-contaminated sludge vials adding to your combat arsenal. There are even characters you'll meet that'll craft cool stuff for you, like bionic wings, a jump-pack and even let you modify your Automaton – the scrap-toy sidekick!

• Gear Up for Adventure – You are totally free when equipping your character. Not only when it comes to choosing weapons you created, but what type of gear you wear. Equip a gas-mask and an oxygen tank for exploring the Dead Zones, thermos-resistant clothes for venturing into cryonic areas or protective gear for taking on bio-contaminated creatures, the choice is up to you.

• Survive in a Vibrant Open World – You are free to explore the world and what lies beneath its surface, by foot, mech, jet-ski, air-balloon or area unique mounts. Explore the dying wildland, the tunnels and bunker networks of the underworld, and find your way up the mountains or out in the archipelago. There are lots of discoveries to be made, mysteries to unravel, creatures to confront and weird characters to meet in this vibrant and colorful world.

• An Unusual Story with an Unusual End – Your actions play a major part in the unfolding of a story where End is coming to the New World. A plague is ruining the land and the Tree-of-Life is bleeding death from its roots. The Tribes stand divided, in need of someone strong enough to unite them or bring them all down… You are guided through the world by a Storyteller that narrates every step of your journey, but it's your actions and choices that'll decide how your story of survival ends