In a recent interview, it was evident that Yoko Taro and Hyung-Tae Kim have a deep respect for each other and their work. Yoko Taro even stated that he believes Stellar Blade is “much better” than Nier: Automata, praising it as an amazing game. This claim might seem surprising given the widespread admiration for Nier: Automata, but Yoko Taro later provided reasons to support his opinion.
Hyung-Tae Kim, in turn, expressed his admiration for Nier: Automata, referring to it as an “inviolable holy grace” and lauding its story and visuals as impossible to imitate. He attributed Shift Up’s decision to focus more on the gameplay aspect of Stellar Blade to the impressive elements of Nier: Automata. Despite the mutual praise exchanged in the interview, it is uncertain whether Stellar Blade will surpass Nier: Automata in reviews.
Yoko Taro is known for frequently downplaying his own work, and the technical aspects of Stellar Blade, such as the graphics and performance, are expected to outshine those of Nier: Automata due to the former being released on more powerful hardware. Yoko Taro’s endorsement of Stellar Blade in the lead-up to its release is valuable. His commendation, coming from a renowned director, is likely to attract more attention to the game.
