Nier

[Danbo Jambo]

Holy shit I'm loving this game. 15 hours in and it has utterly absorbed me with atmospheric and immersive aesthetics, brilliantly rich lead personalities, extremely fun & fast gameplay, and a really grounded, family driven story.

So far a 9/10 for me, and I'd held off buying it for years because of all the negativity it recieved on release.

One of those games which certainly has a certain "magic" to it. Can folk please let me know if there are any more games out there like this I may have missed?

 

[Saelune]

Theres a Nier 2 coming.

 

[Danbo Jambo]

Theres a Nier 2 coming.

Yeah, will be looking forward to that

Hope that they keep it story-driven JRPG-y, and not turn it into another game butchered/ruined by this backwards trend of making everything open world.

 

[Saelune]

Theres a Nier 2 coming.

Yeah, will be looking forward to that

Hope that they keep it story-driven JRPG-y, and not turn it into another game butchered/ruined by this backwards trend of making everything open world.

I couldnt say. I havent actually even played the first Nier. I want to, but I dont know which one to even get cause there is 2 of them...I dont know if there is any difference beside the appearance of the main character though.

 

[Danbo Jambo]

Theres a Nier 2 coming.

Yeah, will be looking forward to that

Hope that they keep it story-driven JRPG-y, and not turn it into another game butchered/ruined by this backwards trend of making everything open world.

I couldnt say. I havent actually even played the first Nier. I want to, but I dont know which one to even get cause there is 2 of them...I dont know if there is any difference beside the appearance of the main character though.

I'm playing the one with the old buff dude as the lead, and he fits the role great, plus there feels like a real connection to the start and rest of the story (so far).

Haven't played the other version, but I can't recomend playing this game enough. Take the plunge either way mate

 

[MrRaggaedeman]

Played Nier shortly after it's western release and loved it to bits. While it has some glaring flaws(hah, get it?), especially in the gameplay department, I really enjoyed the story and characters.
Besides that, the game has a bunch of neat gameplay twists every once in a while that kept the somewhat boring and repetetive fighting mechanics a little more interesting.
But beware if you're going for a complete story playthrough, you're going to grind a lot. And I mean A LOT.

Really looking forward to the sequel. Here's hoping for the same athmosphere mixed with some Platinum A-game combat goodness.

As for other similar games. You could always check out Drakengard 3. Very similar in worldbuilding and overall tone, albeit slightly more...(for the lack of a better word) lewd.

 

[meiam]

While I loved the music and story, I though the gameplay was so boring I'm pretty sure once Nier 2 is coming out I'll just watch let's play (same for drakengard 3, I loved 1 and 2, but couldn't even finish 3).

It's incredibly repetitive, really easy and shallow, it became basic button smashing for me really quickly. The game has tons of different magic, but there pretty much all the same, none of which is different enough to warrant using it over he first one you get. Same for the weapon, there's just so little difference between them. The side quest are incredibly simple too, so much so that one of them is rumored to exist just to drive home how pointless most side quest are.

If you're looking for more there's drakengard 1, 2, 3 that might do it for you, there by the same team so you get the same kind of very dark story. As for the difference between JP and NA version, there's actually surprisingly little, you just replace a case of father & daughter by brother and sister (Oni-chan!!).

 

[Blitsie]

Nice man! Just a heads up once you're finished go for a second and third playthrough. The game is unorthodox in that it only reveals the whole story from its 'new game+' onward (with each new ending adding a missing piece of the puzzle).

And hide all sharp objects and bring a lot of tissues while you can. I'm not saying anything further.

 

[ChupathingyX]

I havent actually even played the first Nier. I want to, but I dont know which one to even get cause there is 2 of them...I dont know if there is any difference beside the appearance of the main character though.

NieR RepiCant, the one with the younger 'BroNier', is only available in Japanese so if you don't understand Japanese your only viable option is NieR Gestalt (simply called NieR in English), which features 'PapaNier'. While there are some noticeable differences in some character relationships and minor plot points they're basically the same overall story and experience from what I've gathered.

 

[Saelune]

I havent actually even played the first Nier. I want to, but I dont know which one to even get cause there is 2 of them...I dont know if there is any difference beside the appearance of the main character though.

NieR RepiCant, the one with the younger 'BroNier', is only available in Japanese so if you don't understand Japanese your only viable option is NieR Gestalt (simply called NieR in English), which features 'PapaNier'. While there are some noticeable differences in some character relationships and minor plot points they're basically the same overall story and experience from what I've gathered.

What I looked up said the platform made the difference, but that both are available in English. 360 for Man Nier, and PS3 for Shonen Nier. And since I dont have a working 360 available, Id have to get the PS3 one anyways. I just want to know if there is any difference aside from character model, like levels or story or something.

 

[ChupathingyX]

What I looked up said the platform made the difference, but that both are available in English. 360 for Man Nier, and PS3 for Shonen Nier. And since I dont have a working 360 available, Id have to get the PS3 one anyways. I just want to know if there is any difference aside from character model, like levels or story or something.

What source mentions an English version? As far as I know the only English version of RepliCant is a poorly done fan 'translation' (they basically just took the English version and swapped some words around) for hacked PS3s. As for differences, gameplay (combat, levels etc.) are exactly the same as far as I'm aware. The primary differences involve Nier's relation to Yonah (PapaNier is her father, BroNier is her sister), some differences in how they develop, and a couple of other plot points. Also, both versions are considered 'canon', though BroNier appears in Japanese marketing and artwork more often.

 

[Saelune]

What I looked up said the platform made the difference, but that both are available in English. 360 for Man Nier, and PS3 for Shonen Nier. And since I dont have a working 360 available, Id have to get the PS3 one anyways. I just want to know if there is any difference aside from character model, like levels or story or something.

What source mentions an English version? As far as I know the only English version of RepliCant is a poorly done fan 'translation' (they basically just took the English version and swapped some words around) for hacked PS3s. As for differences, gameplay (combat, levels etc.) are exactly the same as far as I'm aware. The primary differences involve Nier's relation to Yonah (PapaNier is her father, BroNier is her sister), some differences in how they develop, and a couple of other plot points. Also, both versions are considered 'canon', though BroNier appears in Japanese marketing and artwork more often.

The marketing of this game is stupid.

 

[Fox12]

Holy shit I'm loving this game. 15 hours in and it has utterly absorbed me with atmospheric and immersive aesthetics, brilliantly rich lead personalities, extremely fun & fast gameplay, and a really grounded, family driven story.

So far a 9/10 for me, and I'd held off buying it for years because of all the negativity it recieved on release.

One of those games which certainly has a certain "magic" to it. Can folk please let me know if there are any more games out there like this I may have missed?

1) Valkyrie Profile. If you can find the old PS2 games, they definitely have the same aesthetic to it. The game play is quite different if memory serves, but the story and art direction scream Nier. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that is was partially inspired by it.

2) Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. These games also had a huge impact on Dark Soul's. While they were small games when they came out, they've had a huge impact on the industry. The game play and story in both a superb. If you love Nier, you'll love these games. And they both got an HD re-release on PS3. The Last Guardian will be coming out soon two!

3) Anything else by Taro. Try Drakengard 1 or 3. The first ones pretty hard to get a hold of, and the game play is pretty janky, but the story is worth it. I would argue it's even better then Nier. It's absolutely bonkers. One of the weirdest games ever made. It also the prequel to Nier.

 

[Danbo Jambo]

Played Nier shortly after it's western release and loved it to bits. While it has some glaring flaws(hah, get it?), especially in the gameplay department, I really enjoyed the story and characters.
Besides that, the game has a bunch of neat gameplay twists every once in a while that kept the somewhat boring and repetetive fighting mechanics a little more interesting.
But beware if you're going for a complete story playthrough, you're going to grind a lot. And I mean A LOT.

Really looking forward to the sequel. Here's hoping for the same athmosphere mixed with some Platinum A-game combat goodness.

As for other similar games. You could always check out Drakengard 3. Very similar in worldbuilding and overall tone, albeit slightly more...(for the lack of a better word) lewd.

Good summary. I've long since given up being a completionist. What used to feel satisfying has just evolved into a bore-fest in the past 10 years or so IMO.

But that hasn't affected my enjoyment of the game at all. I finished the first part of it with a good 3 or 4 side-quests unfinished, and that'll just give me something to do when I return to it.

Drakengard 3 looks great! I've only a 360 & PS4 though, so will it play on a PS4? Also, is it worth checking out 1 & 2?

While I loved the music and story, I though the gameplay was so boring I'm pretty sure once Nier 2 is coming out I'll just watch let's play (same for drakengard 3, I loved 1 and 2, but couldn't even finish 3).

It's incredibly repetitive, really easy and shallow, it became basic button smashing for me really quickly. The game has tons of different magic, but there pretty much all the same, none of which is different enough to warrant using it over he first one you get. Same for the weapon, there's just so little difference between them. The side quest are incredibly simple too, so much so that one of them is rumored to exist just to drive home how pointless most side quest are.

If you're looking for more there's drakengard 1, 2, 3 that might do it for you, there by the same team so you get the same kind of very dark story. As for the difference between JP and NA version, there's actually surprisingly little, you just replace a case of father & daughter by brother and sister (Oni-chan!!).

You see I can see why the gameplay would be deemed as "shallow" by some, but I really like the arcadey, simplistic setup & excecution of it personally.

The fact that only a few of the magics are useful doesn't really bother me either, I just like Dark Lancing everything, and think the slow-down function blends the action nicely.

How do the 3 Drakengard games compare to it in your opinion?

1) Valkyrie Profile. If you can find the old PS2 games, they definitely have the same aesthetic to it. The game play is quite different if memory serves, but the story and art direction scream Nier. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that is was partially inspired by it.

2) Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. These games also had a huge impact on Dark Soul's. While they were small games when they came out, they've had a huge impact on the industry. The game play and story in both a superb. If you love Nier, you'll love these games. And they both got an HD re-release on PS3. The Last Guardian will be coming out soon two!

3) Anything else by Taro. Try Drakengard 1 or 3. The first ones pretty hard to get a hold of, and the game play is pretty janky, but the story is worth it. I would argue it's even better then Nier. It's absolutely bonkers. One of the weirdest games ever made. It also the prequel to Nier.

Cheers mate. I've got Valkyrie Profile 2 and can definitely see the similarities in it, but I just couldn't get on with it sadly.

I've still never played ICO or SOTC, how I don't know, so they are definitely going on the list with some of the Drakengard games.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

While I loved the music and story, I though the gameplay was so boring I'm pretty sure once Nier 2 is coming out I'll just watch let's play (same for drakengard 3, I loved 1 and 2, but couldn't even finish 3).

Platinum is doing the combat so hopefully Nier 2 will actually be fun to play this time around.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

I regret not finishing that game when I could play it. It is good, much better than it appears to be. I got it for only a fiver too! But being a console peasant for now means I am restricted in how I can return to this game. It has the same sort of value as Alpha Protocol; an underfunded gem with such potential but obvious sacrifices taken. There is a sequel?? Dayuum! Do I need to play through the first to appreciate this one? Or is it not out yet?

 

[ChupathingyX]

. There is a sequel?? Dayuum! Do I need to play through the first to appreciate this one? Or is it not out yet?

The sequel will feature some characters from the first and some references but the developers said you don't need to play it to enjoy it. It releases 23 February in Japan but a western release date hasn't been announced.

 

[meiam]

You see I can see why the gameplay would be deemed as "shallow" by some, but I really like the arcadey, simplistic setup & excecution of it personally.

The fact that only a few of the magics are useful doesn't really bother me either, I just like Dark Lancing everything, and think the slow-down function blends the action nicely.

How do the 3 Drakengard games compare to it in your opinion?

Drakengard 1-2 were more like dynasty warrior, except you could jump on a dragon in most map and burn down your foe from above. If you never played DW, it was just your character versus 1000 canon fooder, there were a bunch of weapon and each played differently, with a different move set and magic associated with it, you could also switch to alternate character for short amount of time and there were some mission where you would shoot enemy out of the sky. The gameplay wasn't stellar, but there were a certain amount of depth and once you'd get bored of a certain weapon you could switch to have a pretty different experience.

Drakengard 3 gameplay is pretty much like tier gameplay, it's super linear and repetitive.

I did hear that platinum was handling the gameplay portion of nier 2, but platinum is a bit hit or miss for me, I mostly dislike how much of a focus most of there game end up having on timing dodge to do pretty much everything.

 

[DeadProxy]

Nier is amazing. I beat it once years ago, but didn't get all the endings until a few months ago, and you are so not done until you see all the endings.

The music is amazing all the way through, the story is so good at making you feel things, and those boss finishers pack some oomph. Hell, even a good portion of the side quests are well written and worth experiencing even though most don't reward you with anything but money.

To address what someone said, there is a grind in this game, but ONLY when it comes to upgrading your weapons, and once you get your weapon of choice to level 2 or 3, you really don't need to worry.

Just play through it all the way, see all 4 endings, and come back and tell us how you feel.


Forest of Myth is the best thing ever...such a swerve.