MegabrainX Nier: Automata Review

Nier Automata was a game that invoked the "Man.."(expressing awe, wonder, and melancholy) feeling. I can say that this game has resonated with me on a personal level. First, its music drew me in. The instruments and the vocals (not real words) set an atmosphere in which the world at one point had humans, but humanity is no longer in it. Next was the gameplay. I experienced this game through Steam Remote play, which added extra lag to my inputs, but that lag did not detract from the tight controls that this game natively provided. These tight controls were crucial for navigating the mixed gameplay of action-rpg/bullet-hel this game generates. It was an amazing merging of genres that I can say Square Enix executed perfectly, and see how it may have been used as a template for FF7 remake. I admit the characters (specially 2B) are designed to attract the lechery of players with their design. I can't defend that. However, I can state that the development of the characters goes far beyond their physical appearance. The game is an exercise on what it means to be human, and how that definition generates separation between groups. Without Spoilers, the story was an epic journey that you should try to experience unspoiled. And if you have been spoiled, the gameplay itself should be enough to at least experience it yourself. (Spoilers below) Spoilers: I was really impressed by the third play through. It was able to cash all the emotional investment of the first two runs to make for the greatest openings in a game I have played so far. I am truly glad I was able to experience this third run without any prior knowledge of it. Also, the final sequence of training to get the "good ending" of the game is full of anger, but transition to determination, finalizes in resolve and a feeling of great achievement. Having players from over the world come and help you along with encouraging statements has been the most hype I have been for a game ending since Undertale, truly invoking the "Man..." feeling that I seek from games.