Nier Creators Reunite for Mysterious New Project — Could a Third Mainline Game Be Coming?

In a move that’s got longtime fans buzzing, the original creative dream team behind the Nier franchise is officially back together for a brand-new project. Yep — Nier series producer Yosuke Saito, legendary director Yoko Taro, sound maestro Keiichi Okabe, and Nier: Automata co-designer Takahisa Taura are teaming up once again.

While details are still under wraps, the timing — right as the franchise hits its 15th anniversary — has naturally sparked wild speculation about a potential Nier 3.

Let’s rewind a bit. The Nier series kicked off in 2010 with the cult classic Nier, but it wasn’t until Nier: Automata dropped in 2017 that the series really exploded in popularity. With its emotional storytelling, philosophical depth, and silky-smooth combat, Automata cemented Nier as one of gaming’s most unique and beloved franchises. Square Enix followed up with Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139... in 2021 — a remastered, reimagined version of the original game — and the mobile spin-off Nier Re[in]carnation, which sadly shut down last year (rumor about its comeback too).

Now, as part of the 15th anniversary festivities, Square Enix hosted a special livestream that — let’s be honest — left fans feeling a bit... meh. No big game reveals, no juicy trailers. Instead, fans got a website with a new online novel titled Undecided Option, updated Nier: Orchestra concert dates, merch drops, and a delightful 20-minute music performance. Nice? Sure. But for those hoping for a game announcement, it felt like a missed opportunity.

But here’s where things get interesting. In a recent Famitsu interview (via Genki), Saito confirmed he’s working on a new game with Taro, Okabe, and Taura. While he didn’t say the word “Nier,” fans aren’t buying the coincidence. This exact lineup is the magic behind Nier: Automata, and their reunion screams something big.

There are some hurdles, though. Square Enix owns the Nier and Drakengard IPs, so any new mainline entry would need the publisher’s green light. Plus, with PlatinumGames (the devs behind Automata) seemingly busy elsewhere, there's the question of who’s developing this mystery title.

One possibility? Takahisa Taura’s brand-new studio, Eel Game Studio. Yep, the guy just launched his own company, and it could be the new home for this project. That said, the studio is still in its infancy, so if this is where the game is being built, we're probably looking at a multi-year wait before we get to play it.

So, is Nier 3 on the horizon? Nothing’s official yet, but with this powerhouse creative team reuniting, it definitely feels like something big is brewing. Stay tuned — because whatever they’re cooking up, it’s probably going to blow our minds.