Some insight onNieR‘s legacy from some of its creative leads
NieR: Automatawas recently ported to theNintendo Switch, and by most accounts, it was anexcellent transfer over.
Alongside checking the game out, we got the chance to send over a handful of questions to the leads behindNieR: Automata. Posed with the chance to ask director Yoko Taro, producer Yosuke Saito, and composer Keiichi Okabe about the 2017 game and its legacy, we inquired about a few things.
Could 2B ever cross over into more games? Why was bringingAutomatato the Switch important? Does Yoko Taro love money? All of this and more lies below. (And yes, we did ask about thechurch, but did not receive a response.)
Yoko Taro, director
With five years since the release ofNieR: Automata, what’s been the most surprising thingabout its reception at launch and in the years since?
Since Saito P. of Square Enix said he wanted to target the Japanese market this time instead of the Western market, I created a game for Japanese audiences with a beautiful blindfolded girl wielding a Japanese sword, so it was a surprise to me that the game was a hit in the West.
Are you interested in any more crossovers like those inFinal Fantasy XIVandPUBG, andwith any game or media property in particular?
I, Yoko Taro am a slave to capitalism, so I will do anything as long as I am paid and will do nothing if there’s no money in it.
Yosuke Saito, producer
What was the reasoning behind bringingNieR: Automatato Nintendo Switch, and what doyou look forward to Switch players experiencing in it?
This came about because I wanted something to commemorate the game’s 5th anniversary, and after seeingASTRAL CHAIN, I began to think thatNieR: Automatacould be released on the Nintendo Switch as well.
I think we’ve managed to port this as an extremely high level reproduction, and hope you’ll play it!
FollowingReplicant, does the team have any interest in going further back into theNieRtimeline to update or re-release any older entries? (TheDrakengardgames, for example)
The development ofNieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…was extremely challenging, so if I’m going to go through that much hard work again, I’d rather it be for something new (lol).
Keiichi Okabe, composer
Has it been rewarding to see your music receive a significant amount of acclaim, and receive so many covers and remixes in places like Final Fantasy XIV? Do you have a favorite one in particular?
In the past, I was aware of the fact that a lot of people were listening to my music, but to be honest it never really sank in.
It gradually started to feel more real after hosting concerts and events, meeting fans in person, and seeing their reactions on social media.
I feel a sense of accomplishment but most of all I’m simply happy that so many people have heard the music and resonated with it. It’s hard to choose a single favorite.
