Originally posted 6/18/2017. Re-blogging in celebration of one of my all-time favorite games–Nier Replicant Ver.1.22474487139 which will be released 4/23/2021.
I highly recommend playing the game before reading this post. I will not elaborate on the storyline in detail. My intention is to share my summary of the game which may differ from yours.
Those who followed this blog from the beginning probably knew that I was anticipating Nier Automata (2017) ever since its announcement. In fact, I was very hungry to play another game like Nier (2010) and was hoping Drakengard III (2013) would be just as good. To my disappointment, I didn’t enjoy it as much mainly because of the frustrating gaming mechanics (I didn’t enjoy flying the dragon). And yet I stuck with it because of the storyline and its humorous dialogue. I have not reached the ultimate, final boss yet which I heard was difficult.
I had to stop the game because I couldn’t understand Zero’s (the protagonist) cruel intention to kill all her sisters. The character was hard for me to relate. I was definitely playing a killer. But after I watched Yoko Taro’s interview Philosophy of Violence, I learned to appreciate his approach to storytelling and the concept behind it. I realized Zero’s behavior is natural, but primitive. Instinctively we want to remove whatever is in our path. Defeating our obstacles gives us a sense of control and removes all of our competition. However, if we killed everyone in our way, we would end up dying alone and the aftermath would be Nier Automata.
I came to conclusion because I had to grasp my head around this killing frenzy around Yoko Taro’s games, so I categorize the three games that I played into the following:
- Drakengard III- killing to be the only one
- Nier Gestalt- killing is justified as long as you think it is right
- Nier Automata- killing loneliness
*One important thing to note, this is just my notes for the time being. I really would like to complete the Drakengard series *
Onward to the main topic,so when I started Nier Automata, I already knew it was about killing. The game started off strong, which reminded me of Xenoblade Chronicles’ introduction where the characters are thrown into battle against the machines. Once I arrived at a safe place (a city reclaimed by Mother Nature), I sensed that I was entering a world where a great civilization (mankind in general) once stood, but mysteriously drove itself to extinction.
All we have left are machines and androids fighting one another. In some ways, the game has a particular viewpoint about existence, which is hard not to notice if you do the side quests. It clearly pointed out that all lifeforms don’t want to fight all the time– they just want to co-exist. What meaning is there to killing? Why?
The real motive behind all the killing is more than just impaired thinking–it’s loneliness. In the end, no one stands. But the tragedy is not the cycle of destruction, it’s actually the inability to view the world harmoniously, which is probably why 2B and 9S wear blindfolds. They exist to take orders without comprehending their actions.
I won’t go any further into details about the game’s concept because I am beginning to develop my own theory, which is probably not what the game intended. I do just want to mention my overall experience with the game is good, but it is not one of my favorites. I like the first installment more partly due to nostalgia. Even though I did not enjoy the game as much, the game made me want to play Ikaruga, which has been sitting in my backlog of games to play.
Lastly, my final thought in regards to Nier Automata, I’m starting to understand that it’s difficult to introduce big ideas and incorporate gameplay due to unforeseen limitations (e.g, technical, budget, translation, etc.). So I really do appreciate it when game developers attempt to give meaning to their creations.
Well, that is it for now. Thanks for reading guys. Until next time, take care!
P.S.
Think I will play Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon next to clear my backlog before I jump into a new game. My backlog began to grow back in 2010-2011 when I started playing co-op/multiplayer games. It is time to seriously tackle the single-player games list!
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It’s nice to see you writing again! 🙂 You raise some interesting points, and I’m even more curious to play the game now. I have a huuuge list of games i want to get through too but its progressing so slowly.. You should totally share your theories sometime though, it’s always interesting to see how others interpret games compared to your own thoughts.
Thank you for your encouragement! 🙂 Yes, I like to read other people’s interpretation as well. It is the fun part 🙂
Yeah, Nier: Automata really is a phenomenal dissection of violence, but moreover existentialism. It could be arguably viewed that 2B and 9S follow their orders solely because it gives them a reason to exist and for their lives to mean something, in this case, to Yorha. Though I prefer Nier: Replicant Ver.1.22474487139 for Taro’s tackling of morality and one trying to justify the violence they commit, Automata is still superb in Taro’s handling of violence through an existential lens.
I’ll also admit that Drakengard 3 is probably my second favorite Taro game between it and the original Drakengard. Yes, it’s very unpolished but the gameplay isn’t too bad once you get into it and the narrative, though slow, does build to a shocking climax that makes you recontextualize Zero’s actions and the previous endings. Plus, though Taro has gone on record saying none of the endings of D3 are cannon to the original Drakengard, it does serve well as a prequel connecting some of the little details that appear in the first game.
Thanks for sharing your input. My favorite is actually Nier Gestalt. The more I think about it, Automata is a good game, but not great.
Yeah, I feel the same way. My issue with Automata is while it’s Yoko Taro’s best game gameplay wise, it’s not nearly as original as his previous works especially since it’s a pseudo-sequel to the original Nier. His two games in the Drakengard series are amazing because they are completely different tonally and atmospherically, even if the gameplay in both isn’t refined.
I should also add that if you haven’t played the original Drakengard, you absolutely should. It’s Taro at his most gritty and raw with gameplay that feels unpolished on purpose in relation to the dark narrative and characters. It’s similar to Neon Genesis Evangelion but if all the moments of humor and hope in the first half of NGE were removed and the hopelessness was dialed up to 11.
Hmm… I think I should 😀 I have the Ps2 version. I started the game a couple years ago but but got distracted with other games. I believe my brother told me he enjoyed as well.
Same. I actually ended up buying a PS2 just to play it. Best decision I made as the PS2 has a lot of classics and cult hits.
Definitely play it through. Not a fun experience, but again, its gameplay feels monotonous and frustrating in purpose with the game’s narrative and themes of madness. And it doesn’t pull any punches. It’s the kind of game that could never be remade or even released today as it delves into some grim topics and the characters themselves are pretty much all devoid of any chance at redemption. It also has one of the most experimental music scores by Nobuyoshi Sano and Takayuki Aihara that’s vicious on the ears.
Drakengard is also interesting in Taro’s body of work given how the Nier series is more philosophical and Drakengard 3 was essentially black comedy.
Hey, I wish your blog would show up on Reader. I just read your review on Rain and left a comment. If you see the Anonymous person. That’s me.
Ah, I see. I have to check how to get my blog to show up on reader. Do you have tips in regards to that Halsdoll?
Try maybe subscribing to my blog in the reader. I checked and for Jetpack, it says those using a free jetpack plan “will have their posts available to their site’s followers in the Reader.”
I did check the Reader, but the latest post from you is on a film: “Days of Heaven: Beautiful, Poetic Filmmaking of Early 20th Century” It doesn’t show your latest post.
Sorry I wish I could help you with tips, but my blog is hosted on WordPress.com.
Gotcha.
Sorry about that Halsdoll. I saw that issue on reader. It seems my website’s current posts aren’t being updated. I’ll see about getting it to update. I’ll let you know