Creator of the Series
Yoko Taro is a renowned Japanese video game director, writer, and designer known for his unique storytelling and unconventional approach to game development. He gained prominence with his work on the "Drakengard" and "NieR" series, where he left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. In "Drakengard," Taro captivated players with his dark and morally complex narratives, blending elements of fantasy, mythology, and psychological horror. His willingness to explore taboo themes and challenge traditional storytelling conventions earned him both praise and controversy. With the "NieR" series, Taro continued to push the boundaries of storytelling in video games. He delved deeper into existential themes, weaving intricate plots that questioned the nature of humanity, consciousness, and existence. Taro's ability to create emotionally resonant experiences, coupled with his knack for crafting memorable characters, garnered a dedicated fanbase worldwide. Beyond his storytelling prowess, Taro's games are characterized by their unorthodox gameplay mechanics and experimental design choices. He often subverts player expectations, incorporating unconventional features that enhance the narrative experience. He wears a mask, because he doesn't like to be photographed. More about him here and here.
Connection
The "Drakengard" and "NieR" series share a deep connection, weaving together through their narrative and thematic elements. Developed by Yoko Taro, these games exist in a shared universe, with "NieR" serving as a spiritual successor to "Drakengard." Both series explore themes of existentialism, morality, and the consequences of human actions, while also featuring references, characters, and events that directly tie back to each other. This interconnectedness creates a rich and immersive storytelling experience for players, inviting them to delve into the intertwined lore of these captivating game worlds.
Drakengard Universe
The Drakengard Universe is the oldest of the three main universes and was identical to real life until the year 856 when the Great Disaster caused a split in the timeline between the Drakengard and Nier universes. The Drakengard universe focuses more of magic rather than technology and is widely considered to be the most dangerous of the three universes as it contains a number of dangerous monsters, tyrannical factions, and incurable diseases. The Drakengard Universe is under constant threat from the Gods who want to destroy it and is held back due to the Goddess of the Seal which keep the world in balance. 8 characters have made it to the afterlife/The Library, however half of those became twisted monsters.
Nier Universe
Nier is the second oldest of the three main universes and remains identical to real life until the year 2004 in which during Branch E of Drakengard caused Caim and Angelus as well as the Queen-beast dropped into modern-day Tokyo. Because of this event the otherworldly particles, known as Maso, cause a disease called White Chlorination Syndrom begins to ravage the human population. This is the only universe that has lifeforms beyond earth. This universe has less magic and monsters present in its universe and is generally agreed to be weaker than the Drakengard Universe. This universe has no sentient organic life as humanity went extinct in this universe and all that is left are Androids and Machine Lifeforms
