Stellar Blade game director Hyung-Tae Kim says it is an honor to be called "Korean NieR" in a recent interview. Read on to learn more about his thoughts on this and the game’s influences and inspirations.
Stellar Blade Director on Being Called "Korean NieR"
NieR Series and Yoko Taro Inspired Stellar Blade
GamesRadar+ recently interviewed Stellar Blade's visionary game director, Hyung-Tae Kim, where he discussed how it was a "great honor" to be called "Korean Nier."
While Stellar Blade has been likened to NieR due to shared visual assets and gameplay, Kim emphasized that NieR "isn't a perfect match" to the gameplay experience in Stellar Blade. Nonetheless, he warmly embraces the comparison, expressing gratitude for NieR's role as an inspiration in shaping Stellar Blade's development journey stating "NieR was very important for inspiration when it came to developing our games."
Kim lauded NieR as a "wonderful title" and professed his admiration for its creator, Yoko Taro, expressing, "I'm also a big fan of his script. I'm a big fan of Yoko Taro." He mentioned that while they "pay homage" to the game they've played, players will notice "a few differences" once they get to experience Stellar Blade.
K-pop and Manga Also Inspired Stellar Blade
Stellar Blade draws inspiration not only from NieR but also from two other popular games, Bayonetta and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The game's director revealed that they took the "strong parts" of these titles and incorporated them into Stellar Blade's design.
Interestingly, Stellar Blade finds inspiration not just from video games, but also from diverse pop culture sources, like the manga Alita Battle Angel and the classic sci-fi film Blade Runner. Moreover, Kim revealed that the team heavily drew from Korean media, including K-pop, Korean movies, and K-dramas, to craft their "own attractive character design." Despite this, Kim stressed that his own unique aesthetic, which has evolved over time, remains a pivotal influence in the development of Stellar Blade, and is an important asset in not only shaping Stellar Blade’s overall visuals but also its gameplay.
Stellar Blade Will Have a Large Focus on Customization
In a recent interview with Famitsu, Director Hyung-Tae Kim highlighted the significance of costume customization in Stellar Blade. He mentioned that while costumes may not directly tie into the story, they serve as elements to "bring out the charm of the character." Kim further elaborated by stating that the protagonist, Eve, boasts around "20 to 30 different costumes," while her companions, Adam and Lily, also have "different costumes just like her." These costumes can be discovered throughout the game as players progress.
Stellar Blade Game Length
Director Kim recently spoke to Ruliiweb and revealed that the main story is expected to offer around "25 hours" of playtime, with an additional "30 to 50 hours" for completionists who want to explore all the "collection elements" the game has to offer.
For further insights into the gameplay and story of Stellar Blade, click the link below.
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"Stellar Blade" interview. Influenced by NieR he said, I want to express everything I can by brandishing a sword.'' Kim Hyun Tae's character fights through various costumes and combos and parries
Stellar Blade director says it's a "great honor" for the action RPG to be called "Korean Nier" because he's a big fan of Yoko Taro
