 The concept that would become Nier was first proposed following the release of Drakengard 2 and the reveal of seventh generation consoles . The original concept was for a third entry in the Drakengard series . It was intended to be for PlayStation 3 due to the lessening importance of the PlayStation 2 , which Drakengard 2 had been made for . However , as the project evolved , the original ideas were reworked and the game eventually became a spin @-@ off from the main series . Despite this , the game 's director Taro Yoko continues to think of it as the third Drakengard game . Including concept planning , the total development time lasted three years , with two years spent actually developing the game . It was initially a small @-@ scale project , but during planning it grew into a full @-@ fledged role @-@ playing game . Development was handled by Cavia with help from Square Enix , who had previously provided development support for the Drakengard games . Square Enix had minimal input on Yoko 's vision for the game 's atmosphere and story , allowing him high creative control . 
