Nier: Automata is one of the biggest surprise RPG hits of the past generation, bringing the works of Yoko Taro into the mainstream. The director has been making bizarre and eccentric RPGs since the debut of Drakengard on the PlayStation 2 in 2003. Since then, the creator's work has become known for dark subject matter and atmosphere, as well as complex narratives. During a recent livestream, Taro and Nier series producer Yosuke Saito announced they are currently working on two upcoming projects.
The most recent title Taro and Saito released was Nier: Automata, a sequel to the 2010 Drakengard spin-off. Unlike the original Nier, Automata was developed by Bayonetta and Vanquish studio Platinum Games, its first ever collaboration with Square Enix. Nier: Automata went on to become the most successful game in the entire series, selling over five million copies since its release in March 2017. Taro is currently supervising development of Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., a remaster of the original Nier's Replicant version, which never released outside of Japan.
Speaking during the "Games Industry Chit-Chat 2020 Year End Party," Saito revealed that he and Taro are hard at work on two new projects following the success of Nier: Automata. Saito revealed one of the projects was a game that Taro approached him to make over a year ago, however Saito rejected the proposal as he did not believe he would ever want to make the game. Taro was stubborn, however, and after giving Saito an hour-long pitch for the game, Saito agreed to the project. One year later, Saito claims he still does not believe in the project, and claims he would abandon it if he could.
While this would spell doom to many video game industry projects, this likely has fans excited to see what the duo are collaborating on, as Taro is known for his unique and auteur-driven approach to game direction. The success of Nier: Automata likely means that Taro is now is a position to have more creative control than ever before. Luckily, Saito also revealed that the other project the two are working on is one they agree much more on. This project is also expected to release first, and it seems likely this may be another entry in the Drakengard/Nier series.
Nier fans still have a lot to look forward to until then, as 2021 is not only bringing the release of Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., but also Nier Reincarnation, a mobile game in development from Applibot with Taro serving as creative director. The game is slated to release on Android and iOS devices with pre-registrations currently available in Japan. Reincarnation utilizes a turn-based combat system and gatcha elements similar to other mobile games such as Genshin Impact. Nier and Nier: Automata composer Keiichi Okabe is also returning to compose the soundtrack.
Nier: Automata is available for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Source: Gematsu