Square Enix Might Be Plotting the Next Nier Game

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This year, the captivating Nier series subtly celebrated its 15th anniversary, leaving fans speculating as Square Enix has yet to reveal any plans for a new installment. However, there’s an increasing feeling that something significant is brewing in the background.

Back in 2010, I was introduced to the world of Nier, but it wasn’t until the release of Nier Automata in 2017 that this series truly captured global attention. Ever since then, I’ve been revisiting familiar grounds through Nier Replicant and exploring spin-off stories in Nier Reincarnation. Unfortunately, my journey with Nier Reincarnation came to an end in 2024.

With this significant achievement reached, it’s not a matter of if something novel will emerge, but rather when. The recent two-hour broadcast by the publisher seemed to focus on past accomplishments rather than future developments.

To mark the anniversary, Square Enix unveiled a special website and presented a digital novel called “Undecided Option.” Additionally, they announced the dates for upcoming Nier: Orchestra concerts and concluded the broadcast with a heartfelt 20-minute musical homage to the iconic soundtrack of the series.

Although the emotional jubilation was palpable, many spectators departed with an uneasy feeling, given the whispers of a forthcoming venture. This enthusiasm is largely fueled by several verified clues.

Yosuke Saito, the series producer, has disclosed that the primary creative group responsible for Nier: Automata – which includes director Yoko Taro, composer Keiichi Okabe, and designer Takahisa Taura – are now working together on a fresh, as-yet-unrevealed project.

During an interview with Famitsu, when asked about the current status of the project, Saito responded, “The situation remains unchanged.” Although he didn’t explicitly state it, the connection to the NieR franchise is clear.

Taura’s position is quite intriguing, given that he departed from PlatinumGames and established Eel Game Studio. Despite the change in direction, his continued association with this project suggests that Square Enix might be backing a game related to Nier under this fresh brand name.

Given that Square retains the rights to both Drakengard and Nier, it seems plausible that Eel Game Studio could potentially work on a new Nier game, though no official announcements have been made yet. If such a project were underway, it would likely be in its early stages of development, as Eel Game Studio is still gathering its team, meaning a release might be some time away.

Keeping this thought in mind, it’s typical for this series to unveil its secrets through a brief preview. Fans of the franchise are accustomed to the gradual, enigmatic buildups, the scattered clues hidden within novels and plays, and the intricate storytelling that unfolds before any official trailer is shown.

Initially, the 15th anniversary celebration may have appeared rather subdued, but upon closer inspection, there are signs of significant activity brewing. The creative team behind it is reuniting, Square Enix is paying attention, and the future of Nier (though not explicitly stated) might be in development already. All we can do now is stay tuned for their next move.

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2025-05-02 10:42