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In the cutthroat industry of video game development, a studio can often find itself staring into the abyss of bankruptcy. We have seen a plethora of these studios vanish, leaving behind dreams and broken hearts. But amidst the tough and constantly changing industry, there are tales of redemption that snatch the creators back from the brink of financial oblivion.

These aren’t just success stories, but sagas of sleepless nights and hitting that perfect note that resonates with millions. So grab a seat and make yourself comfortable because we present to you ten video games that literally saved their own creators from shutting down. Let’s jump right into it.

1. Nier: Automata Nier: Automata became a massive hit | Image Credits: PlatinumGames

Starting with Nier: Automata, which is an action RPG that was developed by PlatinumGames and was released back in 2017. PlatinumGames had hit a rough patch back in the mid-...

Square Enix Manga & Books revealed a slate of new title announcements at their Anime Expo 2025 panel. The new titles announced include: The Prince's Keeper Story by Oto Nagatsuki Art by Himako Neko April 2026 Synopsis: Miranda is a reclusive apprentice witch who runs a shop selling magical potions and enchanted trinkets in a quiet corner of the capital city. One day, she receives an invitation to a tea party at none other than the royal palace itself. There, she meets the third prince, only he's been cursed and turned into a cat! Ordered to serve as Prince Heinrich’s “keeper,” Miranda suddenly finds herself the caretaker of a royal feline! What happens when a handsome prince becomes a witch's pet? A Cat is a Cat in Any Life by Ema Tooyama May 2026 Synopsis: A fateful encounter kicks off adventure for a cat reborn in a world with no cats! Tragedy strikes a kitty in our world,...

Video games are a rather fascinating piece of media, largely thanks to their interactivity. This level of interaction is simply absent in alternative forms of media, and is what makes games unique. Naturally, this extends into game mechanics as well, many of which can be rather obtuse and often, remarkably ingenious too.

Unfortunately, many of these additions have proven to be one-trick ponies, much to the disappointment of many. These genius game mechanics never made their return to other titles, which would have otherwise resulted in a massively revamped experience.

Game mechanics we wish developers would add to modern games

You can find a list of the most popular video game mechanics that have either been lost to time or locked behind some asinine copyright wall that prevents them from being carried over to modern titles:

1) Using your own music jukebox Lost Planet 3 lets you play your own tunes | Image...

Yoko Taro, the mastermind behind games like Nier and Drakengard, has always walked a different path from most developers. His rebellious attitude and refusal to follow the gaming industry norms have earned him quite a reputation. Almost all of Taro’s titles are unconventional, which is why they feel fresh too.

Apart from being a full-time enigmatic individual, Yoko Taro is also an active X user. That’s why you will frequently find him interacting with fans and doing Q&a sessions to ease their curiosity. In a recent Q&a session, the Japanese game director strangely said that the world has fewer weird people now. Well, it’s definitely a quirky remark.

Yoko Taro believes the gaming industry lacks some weirdos

While the gaming industry provides marketable elements in their Aaa titles, Taro has found the recipe for success in his weirdness. The definition of weirdness for him is...

Ever since its launch on April 24, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has garnered praise for its beautifully written story, artistic visuals, and for reviving the turn-based JRPGs (Japanese Role-Playing Games). With its reaction-based mechanics, the action in the game feels rhythmic.

With Expedition 33, Sandfall Interactive has successfully revived the turn-based system. And surprisingly, it works perfectly fine. According to the developers, Sandfall Interactive, the game would take at least 30 hours to finish.

However, if you’ve already pulled off all-nighters and wrapped up the game, you may need another title for your next adventure. Here are five games you must play if you enjoyed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

1. NieR: Automata

The first up in our list is 2017’s NieR: Automata, which is directed by Yoko Taro. The game is a masterclass in existential storytelling wrapped in a ruined Earth where androids fight a war that’s already lost. Just like Expedition...

To mark the 15th anniversary of the NieR series, Square Enix recently published a special interview with Producer Yosuke Saito and Creative Director Yoko Taro on April 28, 2025, reflecting on their journey with the beloved franchise.

During the conversation, when asked about the source of inspiration for the series, Yoko Taro revealed that Neon Genesis Evangelion has been a major influence not only on NieR:Automata but on nearly everything he has created.

“Definitely Evangelion. But then, everything I make is influenced by Evangelion.”

This is not the first time Yoko Taro has openly credited Evangelion as a major source of inspiration.

In a 2024 interview with IGN Japan, Taro admitted that NieR:Automata‘s story was so heavily inspired by Evangelion that he considers it pretty much just a retelling of the anime.

“The work I was most inspired by is Neon Genesis Evangelion. I thank you for praising NieR:Automata’s story,...

The anime and gaming industries have a long and deeply intertwined history. Since the dawn of the video game industry, many popular anime and manga franchises have jumped to arcade machines, home computers, and consoles, allowing fans to step into the shoes of their favorite characters and play out their favorite stories. In the same vein, many video game franchises have received anime adaptations.

However, many of these adaptations have failed to do their source material justice, leaving fans of the franchise feeling let down. Thankfully, some video game anime adaptations have bucked this trend, capturing what made the original games work and seamlessly adapting them to the anime medium. One such anime is Nier: Automata Ver1.1a because it does a fantastic job of bringing the game's ideas to the screen.

Related Crunchyroll Releases Its Official Winter 2025 Anime Season Lineup

Crunchyroll is ringing in the new year with a myriad of highly-anticipated anime series,...

If there’s anything that Nier: Automata creator Yoko Taro is known for, it’s for the raunchiness of his works. All of Yoko’s games have varying degrees of sexual content in their dialogue and imagery, most famously in the revealing outfits of Nier: Automata, and Yoko has even played into that by saying he likes depicting women in skimpy outfits and asking fans to send him erotic fanart of his characters.

Yoko Taro has made a name for himself as an unabashedly raunchy creator, and the Nier: Automata anime, Nier: Automata Ver1.1a almost took that to a whole new level. It’s one thing that the animation was used to up the game’s fanservice with more shots of the women’s butts and breasts, but according to Yoko Taro, Nier: Automata Ver1.1a was going to have far more explicitly sexual content before the series producer stepped in and had it cut.

Yoko Taro is one of the famed directors in the gaming industry. From Drakengard to Voice of Cards, Taro has written compelling screenplays for notable games. Moreover, he has also been actively involved in game design.

His recent project is the animated adaptation of the Nier: Automata game series. The series looks more than promising with its excellent visuals and storytelling. Despite its pros, the series isn’t spared from its fair share of troubles.

2-b in the animated series | Credit: A-1 Pictures

In an interview, Taro opened up about an intimate scene being turned down in the series. To be honest, fans weren’t really happy about this. Most viewers and gamers took to the Internet to express their rage and disappointment.

Moreover, this highlights a major problem in the anime industry. Despite the directors having their IP studios and corporations put a spoke in the artist’s wheel.

Released back in April, Stellar Blade was a massive success. Not only did the title receive a positive reception from fans and critics alike, but it also did quite well financially, shipping over a million copies. The title was such a big hit that developer Shift Up ended up raising $320 million during its initial public offering on the South Korean Market!

Stellar Blade will be released for PCs sometime in 2025. (Image via Shift Up)

Back in June 2024, Shift Up revealed that it was considering bringing Stellar Blade to PC. However, it’s finally confirmed we’ll soon be able to experience Eve’s post-apocalyptic adventure on PCs! With the game’s PC debut, we’ll obviously see the addition of various exciting mods introducing various characters, skins, and whatnot. But one that definitely must make it into the game is none other than Cj from GTA: San Andreas.

It’s...

The official YouTube channel for the four-piece Japanese rock band Nanashi no Taro (translated to "Nameless Taro") is now streaming a music video for their latest digital single song "Fuuka" ("Weathering"), which is now featured as the opening theme for the ongoing second season of the KamiErabi God.app TV anime. "We are honored to be able to contribute through our music to the work of all of the amazing creators involved," the band said in a comment about the song on Universal Music's official website . "The song depicts the way to envy death and dance together in an elegant musical tone that makes one imagine an opulent ball. Just as there are different truths and happiness, this song can be interpreted in various ways by as many people as there are who listen to it, so please enjoy it along with the anime." Nanashi no Taro "Fuuka" Music...

When you talk about Japanese gaming companies, one name that comes to your mind instantly is Square Enix. This long-hailed video game publishing company has surfaced legendary titles like Final Fantasy, NieR, Dragon Quest, and many more.

Square Enix is one of the most popular Japanese gaming companies in the world. | Credit: Square Enix.

Besides gaming, this huge company is in the business of merchandise, arcade facilities, and manga publications under its Gangan Comic brand. So, there’s no doubt that this company is one of the most loved ones among the fans. However, a recent blunder caused by this company might turn the table over its head.

Square Enix Legal Team Shuts Down Yoko Taro Fan Archive Square Enix shuts down Accord’s Library. | Credit: Square Enix.

There are many dedicated people who devote their lives to their favorite games. The same goes for the creator of Accord’s Library.

KamiErabi God.app has returned with a second season, continuing the battles and uneasy alliances of season 1. To kick off the new season, creditless opening and ending sequences have been released. Check out the opening, set to "Fuka" by Anonymous Taro: KamiErabi God.app Season 2 Creditless Opening And the ending, set to "Shiawase no Susume" by rock band Leevelles: KamiErabi God.app Season 2 Creditless Ending Related: Rock Band Leevelles Releases KamiErabi God.app Season 2 Ending Song Lyric Video Based on an original concept by Yoko Taro, Hiroyuki Seshita directs KamiErabi God.app at animation studio Unend. Jin provides the series coordination and scripts, Atsushi Ohkubo provides the character designs, and Monaca provides the music. Crunchyroll streamed the first season as it aired and is currently streaming the second season , describing the series as such: The ultimate battle royale for divinity has begun. High schoolers must use their unique powers to compete against each other for the coveted title “God.

Four-piece Japanese rock band Leevelles released their sixth major digital single "Koufuku no Susume" ("Encouragement of Happiness") on October 3, also posting the song's lyric video on their official YouTube channel . The rock tune is now featured as the ending theme for the ongoing second season of the KamiErabi God.app TV anime. The video uses plenty of footage from the anime story, which links to the lyrics of the song. Leevelles "Koufuku no Susume" Lyric Video Leevelles was formed by Kosuke Ogawa (vocal/guitar), Jun Kawasaki (guitar), Masaaki Miyachi (bass) and Kohei Takagi (drums) in 2019. They made their major debut from Universal Music/Virgin Music in August 2023. "Koufuku no Susume" is their second anime theme song work, following their third digital single song, "Ashita wa Ashita no Kaze ga Fuku" ("Tomorrow is another day"), which was used as the ending theme for the winter 2024 TV anime 'Tis Time for "Torture,...

The Yoko Taro-created anime series KamiErabi God.app revealed that it’ll be pressing start on its second season on October 2. Alongside the announcement, a brand new trailer was released teasing the continuing original story, a new key visual was unveiled, the opening and ending theme songs and a new cast member. KamiErabi God.app Season 2 Trailer and Visual Joining the second season of KamiErabi God.app is Misaki Kuno, known for voicing Hawk in The Seven Deadly Sins , as Eko Sasaki, a classmate of Lall who is joining her on her mission to uncover the truth. Both the opening theme song, “Fuka” by Anonymous Taro, and the ending theme song, “Shiawase no Susume” by Leevelles, were announced and previewed in the above trailer. Related: KamiErabi God.app Season 2 Reveals New Key Art and Teaser Trailer Based on an original concept by Yoko Taro, Hiroyuki Seshita directs KamiErabi God.app at animation studio Unend.

A new operation commences! The English dub of NieR:Automata Ver1.1a 's second cour officially comes to Crunchyroll with episodes releasing weekly from Friday, August 2 . The anime's cast, who reprise their roles from the video game, for the English dub includes: 2B voiced by Kira Buckland 9S voiced by Kyle McCarley A2 voiced by Cherami Leigh Commander voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessey Pascal voiced by Alexis Tipton Adam voiced by Greg Chun Eve voiced by Ray Chase Lily voiced by Erica Mendez Related: Tower of God Season 2 English Dub Reveals Cast & Crew, Release Date Based on the action RPG directed by Yoko Taro, developed by PlatinumGames, and distributed by Square Enix, the  NieR:Automata Ver1.1a  TV anime is directed by Ryouji Masuyama and features animation production by A-1 Pictures. Crunchyroll currently streams  NieR:Automata Ver1.1a , and describes the story of the series as follows: The distant future, 5012. The sudden aerial invasion of Earth by...

Stellar Blade is undoubtedly one of the biggest releases of 2024, dazzling players with its aesthetics and gameplay. However, the one thing players have yet to be able to get a consensus on, even two months after the game’s release, is its cliffhanger of an ending.

Given the devout following developer Shift Up has cultivated with the game, it’s only a matter of time before the damn holding back the demand for a sequel breaks away wholly.

Stellar Blade Fans Want to Avoid the Heartbreak of Not Receiving a Sequel Right from the game’s release, fans have begun demanding a sequel to Stellar Blade – Image Credit: Shift Up.

Even though the game had a rocky start, facing one controversy after another, none could stop it and Shift Up from getting a well-deserved victory. It’s wholesome, too, how even the humble developers couldn’t anticipate the overwhelmingly positive...

Ever wanted to steal 2B's look? We can't get you the whole outfit, but fashion brand Mayla is stepping up with a newly designed pair of pumps inspired by her iconic outfit. The collab celebrates the return of NieR: Automata Ver1.1a , the anime adaptation of Yoko Taro's beloved game. Related: NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Anime Teases 2024 Return with New Visual The pumps incorporate the design and feel of 2B's dress in velvet, frills and ribbons. The silhouette of the shoes themselves, with their sharp toes, bring to mind 2B's own high-heeled boots. Related: NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Anime Reveals New Visual and Video Pre-orders are open on the Mayla shop until July 28 , with shoes priced at 31,350 yen per pair. NieR:Automata Ver1.1a returns this summer. Crunchyroll will continue to stream the series , describing it thus: The distant future, 5012. The sudden aerial invasion of Earth by <Aliens> and their creations...

KamiErabi God.app , an ongoing original TV anime, is returning to Japanese broadcast with a second season as part of Fuji TV's “+Ultra” programming block in October 2024, and now the series has revealed a new piece of key art (below) and a new teaser trailer recapping key events from Season 1. Season 1 will rebroadcast on Fuji TV beginning on July 3, 2024, and it is also currently streaming on Crunchyroll. Based on an original concept by Yoko Taro, Hiroyuki Seshita directs KamiErabi God.app at animation studio Unend. Jin provides the series coordination and scripts, Atsushi Ohkubo provides the character designs, and Monaca provides the music. KamiErab God.app Season 2 key art Related: KamiErabi God.app Anime Returns For Season Two in October 2024 Crunchyroll describes KamiErabi God.app : The ultimate battle royale for divinity has begun. High schoolers must use their unique powers to compete against each other for the coveted title “God.” But as...

Crunchyroll has announced its anime release lineup for summer 2024, with plenty for fans of both new and existing series to enjoy. Among those shows headlining the upcoming season, Ja Wangnan's journey to conquer the Tower continues in Tower of God Season 2, while the animated adaptation of NieR: Automata is likewise making its return.

Per a press release, Crunchyroll's anime lineup this summer consists of over 40 new, returning and continuing series for fans worldwide. Leading the charge is the upcoming new season of Tower of God, set for July 7. The popular South Korean webtoon by S.I.U. (Lee Jong Hui) made its anime debut in 2020, helping to pave the way for the likes of Solo Leveling. Meanwhile, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a, the animated adaptation of the critically acclaimed action game by Yoko Taro, is also returning for its second cour on July 5. These highly-anticipated titles will be joined by promising newcomers, such as Monogatari...

After a flurry of controversy, the Shift Up title, Stellar Blade, stood firm and won every player’s heart. However, that didn’t stop fans from comparing the game with another title from PlatinumGames, Nier Automata, for the uncanny similarities between these two.

Some fans even marked the former one as a clone of the latter. However, the 2018 masterpiece still outshines the Shift Up title despite having strange resemblances and also female protagonists. And there is one aspect of Nier that Stellar Blade cannot rip off or imitate.

Nier Automata Has a Wine Collection, Now on Sale

You can buy Nier Automata-themed wine right now.

We have seen crazy video game collaborations with other companies. The craziness reached a whole new level when Square Enix paired up with Japanese retailer Onkyo to bring limited edition Nier Automata-themed wines.

These wines are said to be aged in a barrel while the Ver.

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a , the ongoing TV anime based on the genre-bending 2017 action / RPG developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix, has published a new key visual (below) and a new trailer featuring the new opening theme for the series, “Black Box”, which is performed by LiSA. The second cour of the series will broadcast in Japan beginning in July 2024, and the first cour is currently streaming on Crunchyroll. Ryouji Masuyama directs NieR:Automata Ver1.1a at animation studio A-1 Pictures. Yoko Taro (director of NieR:Automata ) and Ryouji Masuyama also provide the series composition, while Jun Nakai provides the character designs and serves as the chief animation director. Nakai also illustrated the new visual below, which features an ominous glimpse of Red Girl, the main antagonist of the game. NieR:Automata Ver1.1a visual Related: NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Anime Reveals New Visual and Video Crunchyroll describes NieR:Automata Ver1.1a : The distant future, 5012. The sudden...

You’d be forgiven for thinking that someone remastered NieR Automata under a new name given the premise of Stellar Blade. A legion of sexy female robots make a desperate assault on the unknowable aliens that are infesting Earth, and they’re picked off one by one until a single unit remains, who will be our best, last hope for making Earth safe again for the humans living off-world. In fairness, Yoko Tarô himself has given the thumbs up to Shift Up’s efforts in multiple interviews, and Nier series composer Okabe Keiichi’s studio handled around half of the (admittedly excellent and atmospheric) soundtrack. It just would’ve been nice if Stellar Blade had enough of its own identity to make those comparisons worthwhile.

NieR Automata isn’t one of those games that Aaa publishers have latched onto and sucked all the creative juice out of, so a brazen...

Stellar Blade was a triumph for both Sony and Shift Up. The South Korean game developers were able to successfully deliver a new video game in an industry that is oversaturated with online multiplayer games and managed to inspire others.

The vast majority of the players are most likely male, given the incredible and daring character design of the main female protagonist, Eve, but there are still female gamers who have also dipped their toes in this genre of gaming, and a different character makes it better for them.

Stellar Blade Did Not Forget the Female Player Base Shift Up also gave the female player base something to look at in Stellar Blade.

The video game has gained the attention of the gaming community for its futuristic setting, ambitious lore, and, of course, daring character design. Director Hyung-Tae Kim revealed it was intentional for the main heroine to sport a...

Stellar Blade, the PlayStation 5 exclusive title from South Korea-based game developer Shift Up, has been a hit and received praise from both fans and critics upon release as well. The game was a best-seller in the UK in the launch week and recorded one of the highest Metacritic user scores ever for a PS5 game.

The game sold nearly a million copies in the first 24 hours of its release and is enjoying great success. It seems like Stellar Blade was only the beginning. Another title in the vein of Shift Up’s game is also coming in the future, and it has seemingly managed to secure players’ approval.

Stellar Blade’s Spiritual Successor Has Impressed Fans

Another sci-fi game like Stellar Blade is on fans’ watchlist.

Project Dt is another high-speed sci-fi title from China-based developer Digital Sky and will be the first Aaa game from the developer. The game...

Stellar Blade and its main character, Eve, have received a steady stream of praise from the game’s newfound fans since its release a week ago. Despite the controversy surrounding censorship and post-launch content edits, the game continues to appeal to people with all it offers.

Part of Stellar Blade’s appeal comes from the lines of outfits that you can grab for Eve. Many of the game’s fans are already looking forward to the crossover outfits that ShiftUp is going to bring to the game. However, it seems that Stellar Blade already includes one such highly anticipated outfit, referencing the cult-classic anime Kill La Kill.

Stellar Blade’s One Outfit May Be a Reference to Kill La Kill Stellar Blade is a game ripe for collaborations and crossovers.

Since the game’s highly successful launch, many people have taken to social media to speculate on the game’s future crossovers.

Stellar Blade is a title that has been one of the most anticipated titles this year, and despite initially receiving flak from critics and the gaming fraternity for its art style, it was still appreciated for its core elements.

However, after the game’s reveal, many gamers dismissed the title, calling it a Nier Automata clone, and the comparisons haven’t ended even after the game’s release. While in hindsight, the hack-and-slash element and the female protagonist are the two common elements, they are fundamentally different titles.

The Similarities between Stellar Blade and Nier Automata Stellar Blade and Automata have a lot of things in common.

When one loads up the game, the first impression that it receives is based on its graphics. While both games look fantastic, Nier Automata came out in 2016, loosely eight years before Stellar Blade. Hence, the difference in graphical fidelity is noticeable between the two titles.

Stellar Blade is the latest PlayStation 5 exclusive and it was a passion project from South Korean game developers at Shift Up. Director Hyung-Tae Kim had a clear vision for the company’s first major console game and wanted an epic title to accompany it.

The original title was quite simpler but what the director came up with has a deep mythology behind it. An ambitious video game deserves an equally ambitious title and it also sounds a lot better compared to Project Eve.

Director Hyung-Tae Kim On How Project Eve Evolved Into Stellar Blade Director Hyung-Tae Kim wanted a more ambitious title and came up with Stellar Blade.

Sometimes having a cool title can help attract the attention of the gaming industry, the South Korean director explained the origins of the title and he meant it very literally. It is a major step up in the right direction from a...

Stellar Blade is currently one of the most anticipated PlayStation 5 games of 2014. This game would be launching later this month, and it would definitely be akin to a celebration for its fans. The game has gained a lot of popularity over the last few months; some are looking forward to its combat, while others are interested in the world that the developers have crafted in this title.

But one thing that everyone loves about this game is its protagonist, Eve. There’s been a lot of buzz around how Eve looks in Stellar Blade. Many have opposed it, and many have supported it. But it looks like none of the video game regulatory organizations have found anything worth cutting from this game.

The Stellar Blade would be released without any cuts all over the world A still from Stellar Blade

When this game was released in 2019, it was called Project Eve.

An upcoming video game is heavily inspired by several sources, including a modern classic action Square Enix Jrpg. Conversely, its other biggest influences include anime -- namely, one of the most iconic and subversive mecha series of all time: Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Stellar Blade is a long-awaited game that's finally set to release on the Sony PlayStation 5. Wearing its anime inspirations on its sleeves, the sword-wielding protagonist and other elements bear more than a passing resemblance to NieR: Automata. Per a staff interview via IGN, the story likewise heavily draws from several retro anime, most notably Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Related Evangelion Creator Helms New Space Battleship Yamato Anime Project Space Battleship Yamato's massive 50th-anniversary project will be led by Hideaki Anno, best known as the creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Square Enix's Newest Game Is Inspired by Evangelion

Developed by South Korean studio Shift Up, Stellar Blade is the creative brainchild of Hyung-Tae Kim.

Stellar Blade is almost out, and the world has been captivated by the futuristic setting, ambitious atmosphere, and bold character designs. Eve is the main protagonist and fans are already obsessed with her look but there is one character that rivals her beauty.

Directors Hyung-Tae Kim and Yoko Taro sat down and had a wholesome discussion about video games and how they pushed the best out of each other in their craft.

The Shopkeeper in Stellar Blade Is Stealing Eve’s Thunder

The shopkeeper’s cuteness rivals the beauty and elegance of the main star in Stellar Blade.

The South Korean director was visited by Yoko Taro, the director of Nier: Automata, and had a lovely conversation about how the Asian community is doing wonders for the gaming industry. Taro agrees with fans about how cute and attractive the characters are, the shopkeeper in particular.

Shops in RPGs often have...

Stellar Blade, one of the few exclusive games on PlayStation 5 this year, is actively promoting itself in the best way possible. Shift Up Corporation is developing this game, and many fans are eagerly anticipating its arrival next week. Sony and this new IP have just announced a collaboration with popular South Korean singer Bibi to promote it.

This is not the only way that the studio is doing a spectacular job to pre-sale the game. The marketing team is also working on a bunch of collaborations to find an organic way to generate publicity.

Stellar Blade Is Really Doing a Great Job Promoting Itself Stellar Blade will be released on April 26 on PS5.

After Sony confirmed that it would not release any Aaa budget games, fans were disappointed, but after two pretty great revelations, players already have almost three great exclusive games.

Sony has launched Rise of the Ronin and Helldivers 2 to astounding reviews,...

Stellar Blade is only a few days away from launch and director Hyung-Tae Kim is sharing more and more details across various interviews. The director expressed his high praise for fellow developers that inspired his latest project, and how NieR: Automata inspired his latest project.

It is wholesome to see creatives praise the works of their colleagues and share how it impacted the way they develop games. The South Korean director credited the success of PlatinumGames’ Nier: Automata with the fruition of his new original story.

Nier: Automata Heavily Inspired the Stellar Blade Director

Director Hyung-Tae Kim loved Nier: Automata and the game greatly influenced Stellar Blade.

Directors Yoko Taro and Hyung-Tae Kim sat down and chatted about each other’s video games. Triple-a console games are not that popular in South Korea which spewed a lot of doubt with Shift Up’s ambitious project but the developers did not falter from negativity.

The popular PlayStation 5 exclusive action game Stellar Blade is mere days away from launch. From the time it was announced to this moment, the game has amassed a large number of fans. A community has formed around this title that is pretty hyped about getting their hands on this action game. One of the most talked-about aspects of this title still remains its protagonist, Eve.

She is unique in a number of ways. For one, she is the first female protagonist in a number of years who actually looks above average. For many gamers, this seems to be a strong reason to just go for this title. For others, the gameplay became the prime reason for being hyped for it. But one massive personality has his own reason for loving this upcoming game.

Yoko Taro cannot get over how good Eve looks in the Stellar Blade

A still from Stellar...

Yoko Taro's acclaimed and immensely popular video game “NieR Automata” is reimagined by A-1 Pictures and Ryouji Masuyama into the anime “NieR:Automata Ver1.1a”. As is the case with most Yoko Taro projects, however, this was never going to be a simple adaptation. Combining several layers of the extensive lore of the game series, the production not only adapts the narrative of the game but also a stage play, making the anime just one piece of a larger multimedia project.

on Crunchyroll

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Humanity has been invaded by a strange alien species that spread war through machine life forms. Sensing that they are on the verge of defeat, what is left of the human race flies to a base on the moon and leaves the fighting to androids that they have created. Our protagonists are two of the YoRHa class of androids...

Video games have gotten miles better than they used to be back in the 80s or 90s. Of course, this makes sense, given the fact that games have only gotten more narrative-heavy over the years. The upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive Stellar Blade falls into the same category: a narrative-heavy action game. It appears the game’s director put a lot of effort into making this game a well-written masterpiece.

While Stellar Blade has yet to launch, it is already surrounded by controversy about its protagonist’s design. People don’t care for its combat; they don’t care about its visuals, but they care a lot about how this character looks. Other than that, some people have also decided to compare it to one of the best-written games in recent history; the director says they are not very alike.

Stellar Blade director says his game is pretty different from Nier A...

Yoko Taro’s Drakengard and Nier series have become a cult classic since their debuts, with the video games being praised for their storytelling, character development, and sense of tragedy. Although the original Nier game was met with mixed reviews, it has become a proper cult classic and this resulted in a highly successful remaster, as well as a sequel, Nier: Automata. Last year, a somewhat different and expanded version of the sequel, Nier: Automata Ver1.1a, was released in anime format, with the first 12 episodes airing in 2023 and a second cour planned for 2024. Ahead of the premiere, the series released a new teaser visual, as well as a new promo video.

The first cour of episodes premiered in January 2023 but ended much later that year due to serious delays, mostly related to the Covid-19 surge in China at the time. In fact, the final four episodes were batch-released on July...

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a , a TV anime based on the smash-hit 2017 action / RPG developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix, has revealed a new visual (below) and a new promotional video. The second cour of the series will broadcast in 2024, and the first cour is currently streaming on Crunchyroll. Ryouji Masuyama directs NieR:Automata Ver1.1a at animation studio A-1 Pictures. Yoko Taro (director of NieR:Automata ) and Ryouji Masuyama also provide the series composition, while Jun Nakai provides the character designs and serves as the chief animation director. Nakai also illustrated the new visual below. NieR:Automata ver1.1a second cour key visual Related: NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Anime Teasers 2024 Return with New Visual Crunchyroll describes NieR:Automata Ver1.1a : The distant future, 5012. The sudden aerial invasion of Earth by <Aliens> and their creations <Machine Lifeforms> led mankind to the brink of extinction. The surviving number of humans who took refuge on the moon to organize a counterattack using <android> soldiers to recapture Earth.

PlayStation’s upcoming PS5 title, Stellar Blade, has made quite a stir in the gaming community even before its release, largely stemming from its explicit character design. The game’s developers did not shy away from granting the protagonist with “ample” features, and gamers all across the board have fallen in love with her.

The latest stir involving the game was the skin-tight Nsfw outfit you’ve probably already seen. People were already mesmerized at how graphic the suit was, but you’re going to be even more shocked when you find out the outfit’s catch.

Stellar Blade’s Fan Service-y Outfits Come With a Caveat

Stellar Blade doesn’t give down bad players a free pass

Stellar Blade has captured the internet’s attention, but not for its gameplay. The game is very upfront about its visual appeal, with a protagonist who dons skin-tight clothing and has garnered...

KamiErabi God.app , an original TV anime about young people participating in a deadly game, is returning to Japanese airwaves in October of 2024 for a second and final season. Now a new key visual (below) and a new teaser trailer have been revealed for the series. The first season of KamiErabi God.app is currently streaming on Crunchyroll. Based on original planning by Yoko Taro ( Nier series), KamiErabi God.app is directed by Hiroyuki Seshita ( Ajin ) at animation studio Unend and features series composition and scripts from Jin ( Mekakucity Actors ) and character designs by Atsushi Ohkubo. KamiErabi God.app Season 2 teaser visual Related: KamiErabi God.app Anime Continues with 2024 Game Re:start Crunchyroll describes KamiErabi God.app : The ultimate battle royale for divinity has begun. High schoolers must use their unique powers to compete against each other for the coveted title “God.” But as each brawl becomes more vicious than the last, alliances are formed and betrayals take place.

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a , a TV anime based on the smash-hit 2017 action / RPG developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix, has revealed a new visual (below) and announced that its second cour will broadcast in 2024. The exact release date for the series has not yet been revealed. Ryouji Masuyama directs NieR:Automata Ver1.1a at animation studio A-1 Pictures. Yoko Taro (director of NieR:Automata ) and Ryouji Masuyama also provide series composition, while Jun Nakai provides the character designs and serves as the chief animation director. Nakai also illustrated the new visual below. NieR:Automata Ver1.1a visual Related: NieR:Automata Ver1.1a TV Anime Confirms Second Cour in Production Crunchyroll describes NieR:Automata Ver1.1a : The distant future, 5012. The sudden aerial invasion of Earth by <Aliens> and their creations <Machine Lifeforms> led mankind to the brink of extinction. The surviving number of humans who took refuge on the moon to organize a counterattack using <android> soldiers to recapture Earth. However, the...

Since Metallic Rouge was announced at Fuji TV Anime Lineup Presentation 2023, it was clear that the new anime series from the prestigious Bones studio would be an emotive way to commemorate the first 25 years of the company made by ex-key members of Sunrise Studio (now Bandai Namco Filmworks). Most anime enthusiasts know Bones for series like My Hero Academia , Fullmetal Alchemist (both adaptations), Bungo Stray Dogs , Mob Psycho 100 and movies like Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop and Josee, the Tiger and the Fish . But true fans of the studio’s vast filmography know that their original works had an important impact on the anime industry since their beginning. So, why is Metallic Rouge so perfect to celebrate Bones’ first 25 years? Impressive Original Stories As a futuristic mystery thriller, the strongest element of the story is how Toshizo Nemoto ( Log Horizon ) and Yutaka Izubuchi ( Space Battleship Yamato 2199 ) tell the story of...

If you've been playing the NieR Re[in]carnation mobile game, it'll be time to start wrapping things up in the not-so-distant future. Square Enix announced plans to end service after the launch of the final story chapter. The final installment of The People and the World is set to launch on March 28, 2024, and players will have a chance to enjoy it and the rest of the game until service ends on April 29, 2024 at 10:00pm Pacific Time. NieR Re[in]carnation first launched in Japan on February 18, 2021, followed by a global launch on July 28, 2021. The devs plan to keep adding content and characters, as well as hosting events and campaigns, until the end of service. You can check out the full roadmap at the official website . Related: NieR Re[in]carnation Game Prepares for Drakengard 3 Collaboration For more of Yoko Taro's NieR series, Crunchyroll streams the NieR:Automata Ver1.1a anime, describing...

KamiErabi God.app takes a brutal spin on the overused trope of reincarnation-inducing truck in isekai anime, breaking the expectations of the genre. The purpose of Goro witnessing the cat incident is yet to be explained, with possibilities including a test or a way to mock the trope. The series stands out by focusing on Goro's relationships and the moral dilemma of killing people he already knew, making it more than just an isekai anime. Watch now on Crunchyroll.

Warning: Spoilers for KamiErabi God.app episode #2The creators of Crunchyroll's new deathgame anime KamiErabi God.app must have known what parallels they were drawing to isekai when the protagonist Goro witnessed a truck about to hit a cat. However, KamiErabi God.app gives the overused isekai plot line a brutal twist by having Goro just watch as the entire brutal scene unfolds before his eyes.

While isekai recycles numerous tropes to a comical extent,...

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | October 20, 2023: Mbc Anime – a strategic initiative by Mbc Group and Tokyopop dedicated to the licensing, promotion, and production of anime content in the region – announces investments in two original anime productions scheduled to debut in Japan and worldwide this month. They are “Kami.App” (カミエラビ) and “Protocol: Rain” (僕らの雨いろプロトコル).

The shows, which are from Fuji TV and TV Asahi, will stream exclusively on Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic-streaming platform by Mbc Group. In order to cater to current and future anime enthusiasts in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), Mbc Anime is also now part of the production committees of both Japanese broadcasters.

Streaming this week as a simulcast on Shahid, “Kami.App” is a battle-royale twisted action story where high school student Goro is pitted against rivals in a bid to become the ultimate kami, wielding the power to manipulate the...

The Fall 2023 anime season is almost starting, and here are 10 of the most anticipated series that fans can't wait for. Summer 2023 has been a notably big season for anime; Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead has quickly become a breakout hit, and in addition to the return of old favorites like Jujutsu Kaisen and Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, the One Piece anime finally adapted Gear 5th to much fanfare and success. Overall, there have been plenty of great anime to watch over the summer, and it continues 2023’s trend of being a big year for anime, overall.

Fall 2023 is likely to be just as big of a season of anime, and here are 10 of the most anticipated anime that will be airing. While only some anime listed here have had their premiere dates given out, with the Fall 2023 season starting soon, their premiere dates should be given out in the upcoming weeks.

Content Warning: the following article contains discussions of suicide.

Anime fans have a wide range of sci-fi series to choose from, both mainstream and underrated gems. Kiznaiver, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a, and Serial Experiments Lain are unique and compelling sci-fi anime worth watching. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Carole & Tuesday are timeless classics, while Trigun Stampede and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners captivate both new and old fans.

From award winners to rebooted classics, anime fans have been spoiled for choice with science fiction anime. Beloved by the community, sci-fi themes tend to blend well with anime as a medium, making many series that fall under this genre instantly successful.

Amid the ample amount of anime series currently available to stream, there are plenty of sci-fi anime shows that are worth binging during summer 2023, whether they be popular mainstream picks or underrated gems that deserve more recognition.

Kiznaiver

Originally airing in 2016 and produced by Studio Trigger,...

Season 1 of NieR:Automata Ver1.1a has finally come to an end. After such a long hiatus, A-1 Pictures streamed the last four episodes (9-12) onto Crunchyroll this past Sunday. Boy, did they deliver one amazing season. Fans of the NieR franchise are talking all about it on Twitter and Reddit, theorizing for the next season.

Season 1 ended how endings A and B of the game ended. There was even a teaser for the second season, just like the teaser in the game, to keep playing it a third time around for its continued story. Now we're curious to see how different the second season will be compared to the rest of the game.

We've already seen some massive changes between the game and anime throughout the show. This is what NieR creator Yoko Taro wanted. He wanted the anime to differentiate from the game and have its own story. He and...

After a lengthy hiatus, NieR: Automata Ver 1.1a has finally announced an official return date. NieR: Automata was one of the most anticipated anime of the winter 2023 season, with old and new fans alike excited to see how the popular video game would be translated into animation, and original game creator Yoko Taro writing for the anime was an especially big draw. Unfortunately, NieR: Automata ended up being one of several anime to have their productions impacted by Covid, other notable examples being Ayakashi Triangle and the Black Clover movie, and after episode #8, the anime went on an indefinite hiatus with no return in sight.

NieR: Automata Ver 1.1a wasn’t able to make it through the winter 2023 season, but fortunately, its return date has finally been announced. According to Anime News Network, NieR: Automata Ver 1.1a will return on Sunday, July 23, during which time all four remaining episodes will be marathoned one after another.

A slew of awesome guests has just been announced for the upcoming Anime Expo 2023. The annual convention is the largest of its kind in North America and attracts big names for its panels every year. This year is no exception, with huge voice actors, manga artists, and other major industry names set to attend.

In a press release, Anime Expo revealed a long list of guests attending the event. One of the most notable guests is Masakazu Morita, the voice actor of Ichigo in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, which will be returning for a Part 2 on July 8th. Other voice actors attending the convention include many seiyuus from the game Obey Me! Nightbringer. Major manga creators will also be at the convention, including the mangaka of Soul Eater and Fire Force 'sAtsushi Ohkubo as well as the author of Bungo Stray Dogs Kafka Asagiri. The convention also includes video game creators like Kazutaka Kodaka,...