At the end of the month, Konami's upcoming shooter-adventure hybrid game NeverDead will release, and to drum up hype for the under-the-radar title, the publisher has released twelve brand new screenshots focusing on the game's characters and dismemberment abilities.

The two central characters in NeverDead are the immortal demon hunter Bryce Boltzman, and NADA (National Agent Demon Agency) agent Arcadia, both of whom were detailed in the most recent NeverDead trailer. The new screenshots show off both characters, though they mainly focus on Bryce, using his immortality and regenerative abilities to slay demons.

In NeverDead, Bryce cannot die, and as a bonus, he can remove his limbs to use in combat. The below screenshots showcase Bryce removing his arm and using it as a weapon, while another displays his decapitated head, the state Bryce resorts to when all of his limbs have been lost. Bryce's head can also be used to solve puzzles - also depicted in one of the screenshots as he looks like he is about to stick his head in some heavy machinery. We wouldn't recommend trying that at home.

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NeverDead's creator, Shinta Nojiri (a name which may sound familiar if you've ever played the Metal Gear: Acid series) believes that the dismemberment mechanic will add a new layer of depth to the game's combat and something completely unique to the genre, as it will provide players with plenty of versatility, if not a few laughs.

“In NeverDead, we‘ve gone all out to change the approach the player takes in battle,  losing a limb is a mere inconvenience and Bryce’s physical skills allow a wealth of ways to take out the enemy — from close-range combat, to throwing limbs into clusters of monsters and shooting them remotely. This adds a level of humor to the game that brings the world-weary main character to life, while players revel in game worlds that are fully interactive and eminently destructible.”

Compared to other next gen games - and even those releasing the same day as NeverDead - the game looks a bit dated. The graphics aren't the sharpest, and on the whole from what we've seen of gameplay, it does seem a tad rough, perhaps explaining the lack of buzz and marketing. Of course, that's not always a bad thing. Some of the most enjoyable games are those with a lack of polish, and as long as NeverDead's gameplay holds up, it could end up being one of the most under appreciated titles of the year. I still think releasing on the same day as Soul Calibur V and Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a terrible idea though.

NeverDead releases January 31st, 2012 for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

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