“Much better than NieR Automata”: Yoko Taro checked out Stellar Blade and loved it

The release of Stellar Blade is approaching. The creator of NieR Automata checked out the game and was very pleased

There have not been any major new Nier games since Automata for quite a while, but developer Yoko Taro is not getting bored. Recently, the head of Shift Up studio, which is developing Stellar Blade, Kim Hyung-tae, and Taro spoke with IGN journalists.

As it turns out, Yoko Taro is a fan of Hyung-tae’s work, and he, in turn, is a fan of Taro’s:

“NieR: Automata inspired me with so many things, which makes it hard to pinpoint what [inspired me the most]. The game has so many fascinating elements. The image of a strong female warrior in a desolate world abandoned by its inhabitants struck me. I was also impressed by the quality of the story. I enjoyed the game tremendously and, of course, watched all the endings. 

However, since Mr. Yoko’s talent as a storyteller is exceptional, I cannot do anything like that. Aside from a broader plot and structure, the story of Stellar Blade is different from NieR: Automata. 

When I first saw NieR: Automata, it inspired me greatly in many aspects, including gameplay….”.

Yoko Taro checked out Stellar Blade and shared his thoughts as well:

“Stellar Blade is a truly amazing game. I would say it is much better than NieR:Automata. I have been familiar with Mr. Kim’s work since the days of Magna Carta: Tears of Blood. Your illustrations are of very high quality. [It] came out before Drakengard, the first game [where I was a 'director']. So, even though I am older, to me in this industry you are senior ['a teacher'].

In Japan, you [Hyung-tae] are known to gamers as a legendary developer! When Blade & Soul came out, I remember being amazed by its 3D graphics. I believe you directed the game’s art. Not only the illustrations, but also the 3D models were very well made. I was surprised by the quality of Korean games when I saw them”.

Yoko Taro explained why Stellar Blade is better than NieR Automata: next-gen graphics; stunning character design; the creator does not particularly like close-ups of merchants in games, but here it looks so good that he does not mind.

Hyung-tae and Taro — wearing the famous “headpiece”.

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