Atlus has announced Zeno Clash 2, a sequel to the insane and really quite wonderful 2009 PC and (in 2010) XBLA brawler.

Developed by ACE Team, the game retains the pugilistic focus and first-person perspective of the first game, but now adds co-op multiplayer and an open-world to proceedings.

Impressively, ACE Team reckons it has improved on the already impressive melee fighting, by refining the mechanics and the lock-on mechanic. You play the role of Ghat, with your drop-in/out co-op partner playing his sister, Rimat.

"The world of Zenozoik is one of wild dreams and wilder nightmares,” said ACE Team co-founder Andres Bordeu. “This is part of the reason we are working on Zeno Clash 2, to give players the opportunity to explore Zenozoik with a friend via online cooperative multiplayer, turning those moments of wonder and awe into a shared adventure.

"We will make certain that going back and forth between solo and cooperative play preserves the consistency and impact of the narrative experience, while still allowing friends easily drop in and out of the game's fulfilling exploration and visceral melee combat."

There’s a trailer and some screens below. Zeno Clash II is due out on PSN in early 2013.