By now, Yoko Taro is a name most associated with NieR: Automata. The game came out last year to very positive reception, settling at an 88 on Metacritic. With a game that big, many fans are wondering if a sequel would come out. Gamereactor caught up with Director Taro at PAX East and asked him the likelihood of a sequel:

Yoko Taro: "If Square-Enix gives me money I will create anything... so I think let Square-Enix know and I think if Square-Enix wants it I'll do it."

Gamereactor also asked about the decision to have NieR: Automata's design be centered on playing through the story multiple times:

Yoko Taro: "When thinking that we wanted players to play a long time with our game, play many times, we were limited to the number of levels we could create cost-wise and budget-wise and so we devised this multiple playthroughs [design], so that we can create an environment where you want to play multiple times but limit the amount of places we had to create. So it actually was based on monetary issues."

Via comicbook.com

Yoko Taro: "It would have probably been completely different [with a bigger budget]. When we first talked about constructing the game I think it would have been something that is really different than what Nier: Automata ended up being."

NieR: Automata takes place on an Earth that has been ravaged by machines created by aliens. An organization called YoRHa that is stationed on the moon, sends a female android called 2B and a "scanner" called 9S to assist her on a mission to destroy the machines. There is much more to the story, but to give away any more would be a disservice to those picking up the game for the first time. Automata's story is moving, tragic, and even at times unsettling.

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Square-Enix might want to consider giving Taro the funds needed to create a sequel. NieR Automata's gameplay is a fascinating combination of a platformer, shooter, and beat em' up. Perhaps more importantly, Automata delivered a deep narrative that encouraged multiple playthroughs. Indeed, the first playthrough really only serves as the beginning to a much deeper lore.

Via vg24/7

Of course, many might feel Automata's story is best left without a sequel. Some stories dealing with philosophical themes are best left as a standalone. But, it is likely that Taro would be able to replicate a story experience as rewarding. Plus, many would welcome returning to the gritty open world setting of Automata.