Support NeoGAF

[Antiwhippy]

Route C question:

Spoiler

Can someone explain why Devola and Popola were to blame for humanity's extinction? I kind of loss the thread when the text was like "they weren't directly responsible,
but it was still their fault" I'll head to the spoiler thread when I finish up D and E but this part was super unclear to me

Nier 1 spoilers.

Spoiler

Another popola and devola failed to prevent the original nier from interupting the gestalt project, thus dooming humans. THIS popola and devola unit weren't the ones who lost to nier thus dooming humanity, but the androids resented them either way because they were the same model.

 

[Ruff]

Route C question:

Spoiler

Can someone explain why Devola and Popola were to blame for humanity's extinction? I kind of loss the thread when the text was like "they weren't directly responsible,
but it was still their fault" I'll head to the spoiler thread when I finish up D and E but this part was super unclear to me

Did you play Nier 1 or care about having that explained to you in any way?

 

[sloppyjoe_gamer]

Still waiting for SE to fix their broken game when they pushed out the broken patch that garbled up all the menu txt.....unreal that there's still no new patch or even an acknowledgement that theyre aware of the issue.

 

[RedlineRonin]

Nier 1 spoilers.

Spoiler

Another popola and devola failed to prevent the original nier from interupting the gestalt project, thus dooming humans. THIS popola and devola unit weren't the ones who lost to nier thus dooming humanity, but the androids resented them either way because they were the same model.

So at the risk of making another dumb statement....

Spoiler

When you say the original nier interrupted the gestalt project, idk what a "nier"
is. Is that just the androids? Like 2b and 9s? No need to answer if that's something that will be explained by the end of route E

Did you play Nier 1 or care about having that explained to you in any way?

I don't. Got more clarity above, but still not clear on that one part in the tags....

 

[gngf123]

Route C question:

Spoiler

Can someone explain why Devola and Popola were to blame for humanity's extinction? I kind of loss the thread when the text was like "they weren't directly responsible,
but it was still their fault" I'll head to the spoiler thread when I finish up D and E but this part was super unclear to me

Spoiler

They were instructed to oversee Project Gestalt(A project to try and keep humanity alive) to ensure it was a success. It wasn't.

So at the risk of making another dumb statement....

Spoiler

When you say the original nier interrupted the gestalt project, idk what a "nier"
is. Is that just the androids?

Nier is the main character in the original Nier game. Popola and Devola are from that game too.

 

[paperspace]

⁣

 

[Antiwhippy]

So at the risk of making another dumb statement....

Spoiler

When you say the original nier interrupted the gestalt project, idk what a "nier"
is. Is that just the androids? Like 2b and 9s? No need to answer if that's something that will be explained by the end of route E

Spoiler

Literally the main character of the first nier.

 

[RedlineRonin]

Spoiler

Literally the main character of the first nier.

Haha, right.....

I have so much reading to do once I'm done with E.

I just got to

Spoiler

The big tower in the crater

in C, so I'm assuming i'm getting close to the end of C.

And then I understand that D and E are very short. Might even finish tonight maybe.

 

[Ruff]

So at the risk of making another dumb statement....

Spoiler

When you say the original nier interrupted the gestalt project, idk what a "nier"
is. Is that just the androids? Like 2b and 9s? No need to answer if that's something that will be explained by the end of route E

I don't. Got more clarity above, but still not clear on that one part in the tags....

To put it very simply

Spoiler

The Gestalt Program was a effort to seperate the Body and Soul(Called a Gestalt) to outlast a deadly plague called White Chlorination Syndrome which turns people into pillars of salt in the early 2000s

Nier was a man who became the first successful subject of this program and was able to survive the separation process, the whole human race proceeds to "Gestaltify"
themselves using his idk..genome? as a template for the whole thing

While Gestalts were stored away until the plague passes, Devola and Popola Android models were tasked with using their Genome data to regularly create Replicant bodies, (which are soulless husk bodies based on the individual that undertook the separation) that can live their lives autonomously until the plagued is outlived and their Gestalts can re-merge with them.
They are also tasked with making sure the re-merging goes smoothly when the time comes using some special books with Gestalts bound to them (long story)

1000 Years or so later, Replicants start to develop free will and gain a soul of their own, Nier, a replicant of the original Nier goes on a journey to find his daugher who is kidnapped by a Gestalt called Shadowlord (Gestalts are basically monsters known as shades in this time, neither the Gestalt project or that fact the general population are replicants and hence fake humans is not public knowledge anymore due to the passage of time. They are usually hostile due to relapsing)

Nier Replicant with the help of Devola and Popola eventually encounters the Shadowlord and kills him. We find out that Shadowlord is a Gestalt (Soul) and the original nier and learn that Replicants can not survive without the Gestalt existing. Shadowlord Nier being the "Perfect Gestalt" and Backbone of the entire project also means his death causes every other Gestalt to fail (Relapse), dooming all replicants to eventually succumb to the black scrawl (when Replicant DNA starts to break down due to their Gestalt dying or decaying) and die and ensuring a merge will never be possible. This ends the human race within another 1000 years once the last replicant/gestalt die of whatever cause

The reason Dev and Popo are hated sorta is complicated. The only way to start the merge was to combine these two "Grimoire" Books (Magical books with Gestalts fused into them) Nier Replicant found Grimoire Weiss in some temple, but unfortunately gave him amnesia with the beating he gave it while freeing it from some seal he was in so he forgot his purpose. Shadowlord had Grimoire Noir. Dev and Popo sends Nier R all around to gather some seals (keys to unlocking the grimoires power and allow it to merge, but Nier thinks it's to obtain more power and become stronger through unlocking more Grimoire magic). While doing this, Nier R gets all the stronger from experience and leveling up etc. Eventually, it is time to push Nier R to meet with shadowlord (Nier R thinks they are just helping him get his daughter back and kill Shadowlord, he is unaware of the Grimoires and Seals true purpose) and get the 2 books to combine, but Weiss having still lost his memory refuses to combine with Noir and makes the Merging of Gestalts impossible for now. Then the twins realize "shit, the books aren't gonna combine and Nier R totally has a vendetta with Shadowlord Nier because of the whole daughter thing and may actually kill him. dooming everything!". So the Twins fight Nier R and lose. This is just before Nier R kills Shadowlord.

I could be wrong on a few bits but that is how I understand the general plot, Obviously I'm missing all of the side characters like Emil and Kaine and a lot of substory. I'd recommend playing it eventually!

 

[RedlineRonin]

To put it very simply

Spoiler

The Gestalt Program was a effort to seperate the Body and Soul(Called a Gestalt) to outlast a deadly plague called White Chlorination Syndrome which turns people into pillars of salt in the early 2000s

Nier was a man who became the first successful subject of this program and was able to survive the separation process, the whole human race proceeds to "Gestaltify"
themselves using his idk..genome? as a template for the whole thing

While Gestalts were stored away until the plague passes, Devola and Popola Android models were tasked with using their Genome data to regularly create Replicant bodies, (which are soulless husk bodies based on the individual that undertook the separation) that can live their lives autonomously until the plagued is outlived and their Gestalts can re-merge with them.
They are also tasked with making sure the re-merging goes smoothly when the time comes using some special books with Gestalts bound to them (long story)

1000 Years or so later, Replicants start to develop free will and gain a soul of their own, Nier, a replicant of the original Nier goes on a journey to find his daugher who is kidnapped by a Gestalt called Shadowlord (Gestalts are basically monsters known as shades in this time, neither the Gestalt project or that fact the general population are replicants and hence fake humans is not public knowledge anymore due to the passage of time. They are usually hostile due to relapsing)

Nier Replicant with the help of Devola and Popola eventually encounters the Shadowlord and kills him. We find out that Shadowlord is a Gestalt (Soul) and the original nier and that Replicants can not survive without the Gestalt existing. Shadowlord Nier being the "Perfect Gestalt" and Backbone of the entire project also means his death causes every other Gestalt to fail (Relapse), dooming all replicants to eventually succumb to the black scrawl (when Replicant DNA starts to break down due to their Gestalt dying or decaying) and die and ensuring a merge will never be possible. This ends the human race within another 1000 years once the last replicant/gestalt die of whatever cause

The reason Dev and Popo are hated is because while they are programmed to ensure mankinds survival, they also helped Replicant Nier become powerful enough to kill shadowlord, they both die when they try to stop you from killing Shadowlord during a boss fight when they realize "shit, we've fucked up".

I could be wrong on a few bits but that is how I understand the general plot

Wow.

That's helpful context. I might have to try and play the first game at some point. I understand that it's pretty rough mechanically, but if the plot is that good, it might be worth seeing.

Also, if the music is of the same quality as Automata's, that would be another big plus

 

[Ruff]

I edited a bit about the twins that might make more sense. Their motivation was pretty confusing to me too now that I think about it. If i'm off about that, someone let me know XD

 

[Charlouie Jonesman]

Still waiting for SE to fix their broken game when they pushed out the broken patch that garbled up all the menu txt.....unreal that there's still no new patch or even an acknowledgement that theyre aware of the issue.

If it was just the garbled text, fine, it sucks, but whatever, but the framerate is worse ever since the patch among other stuff. I did want to replay the game, even though my impression of the game was admittedly a bit lukewarm after Route C (Imo Route A is overall the strongest part of the game.) but as long as the game remains in this state and Square support pretends there isn't an issue, I'm not gonna bother.

 

[Akainu]

Why is it that when i throw caution to the wind i die less? lol

 

[tiebreaker]

Just finished route 1

Spoiler

Got a notification from Square Enix PR.... Has it always been there? Amazing

 

[Ghazi]

Just finished route 1

Spoiler

Got a notification from Square Enix PR.... Has it always been there? Amazing

Yes.

 

[Merchandise]

Just popped the game in and the menu text is all fucked.

Literally literally unplayable.

Soooo do I throw it out? Demand a refund?

 

[RoryDropkick]

I have a Spanish presentation, exam and homework to work on this weekend. I'm sorry 2B, but I can't work on Route C this weekend

 

[LotusHD]

Just popped the game in and the menu text is all fucked.

Literally literally unplayable.

Soooo do I throw it out? Demand a refund?

Uh, I guess try and get a refund, unless it's possible to get rid of the latest patch. I believe that is what is causing the text to be all messed up.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Ay guys, did they mention late game enemy scaling with the upcoming DLC?

anyone?

 

[LotusHD]

anyone?

I don't believe so.

 

[Pilgrimzero]

Just started playing this.

Suddenly all these side quests pop up and no fast travel Feels overwhelming.

 

[Antiwhippy]

Don't do them until fast travel unlocks, which is relatively early on.

 

[jett]

Just started playing this.

Suddenly all these side quests pop up and no fast travel Feels overwhelming.

You'll get fast travel after a few story missions. Just wait.

 

[gngf123]

Just started playing this.

Suddenly all these side quests pop up and no fast travel Feels overwhelming.

Mainline for a bit. You'll get fast travel soon.

 

[GraveRobberX]

So I finished Ending A finally, clicking in 24 hours at level 45 lol

My goodness at this game!

Have to admit one thing this games OST is out of this world

I'm emotional from time to time, hell im human after all, but when I hit Flooded City, City Ruins (Rays of Light) played, GAF I stopped playing
For the next 15 minutes just closes my eyes and just listened to the melancholy hymn, and every time 1:26 swoon kicked in, it went straight to my soul

I sat fished for like 2 hours, fuck killing things and progressing, I just wanted to fish and bask in the glorious song being played

I've been weakened to my core by some FFXIV tracks, Darksiders II with Jesper Kyd, and others, but HOLYFUCKING SHIT, if there is a Heaven I want this song playing forever in the afterlife, my fucking word

So fucking good
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BzGy5rlrBzc


Started 9S and have already reached a certain Village, Im guessing I'm going towards ending B and it's moving fucking quick now that I know where everything is!

 

[paperspace]

⁣

 

[RedlineRonin]

Well, just finished up C

I was really starting to lose track of what was going on at the end. I think I get the gist tho.

Spoiler

does it matter in the last fight who I pick? I picked A2. Should I replay that part and pick 9S?

I'm assuming D and E are somewhat obvious based on the initial direction they give you in the text after C ends.

Looking forward to seeing the conclusion.

 

[LotusHD]

So I finished Ending A finally, clicking in 24 hours at level 45 lol

My goodness at this game!

Have to admit one thing this games OST is out of this world

I'm emotional from time to time, hell im human after all, but when I hit Flooded City, City Ruins (Rays of Light) played, GAF I stopped playing
For the next 15 minutes just closes my eyes and just listened to the melancholy hymn, and every time 1:26 swoon kicked in, it went straight to my soul

I sat fished for like 2 hours, fuck killing things and progressing, I just wanted to fish and bask in the glorious song being played

I've been weakened to my core by some FFXIV tracks, Darksiders II with Jesper Kyd, and others, but HOLYFUCKING SHIT, if there is a Heaven I want this song playing forever in the afterlife, my fucking word

So fucking good
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BzGy5rlrBzc


Started 9S and have already reached a certain Village, Im guessing I'm going towards ending B and it's moving fucking quick now that I know where everything is!

Damn Lv 45 already, was I around that level when I beat Route A lol

Well, just finished up C

I was really starting to lose track of what was going on at the end. I think I get the gist tho.

Spoiler

does it matter in the last fight who I pick? I picked A2. Should I replay that part and pick 9S?

I'm assuming D and E are somewhat obvious based on the initial direction they give you in the text after C ends.

Looking forward to seeing the conclusion.

Spoiler

Use Chapter Select to pick the other person, yes. Ending D and E will progress naturally. Don't give up!

 

[Merchandise]

Deleted the game and downloaded again without the patch and it's fine.

Then I died on the first boss 30 minutes in and it's making me restart from the beginning of the game? Nah, not feeling this already. The fuck?

 

[LotusHD]

Deleted the game and downloaded again without the patch and it's fine.

Then I died on the first boss 30 minutes in and it's making me restart from the beginning of the game? Nah, not feeling this already. The fuck?

Lmao, it told you it doesn't Auto-Save from the beginning, but yea, that's a thing. The demo was the same, though they made it more difficult for some weird reason.

Play on Normal/Easy if you aren't already to quickly get through this (demo) section, you'll know when you're done with it, and then you can save normally.

 

[Antiwhippy]

Deleted the game and downloaded again without the patch and it's fine.

Then I died on the first boss 30 minutes in and it's making me restart from the beginning of the game? Nah, not feeling this already. The fuck?

The first part is pretty unforgiving, but don't worry, the rest of the game is pretty forgiving with saves and checkpoints. It's just that you have to unlock saving first.

 

[Merchandise]

Put it on easy just to auto pilot through the boss, finally got to the save point in the bunker.

Now, since the game seems to be fine, should I go ahead and download the 1.04 patch? Or just wait until the next one is released?

(Thanks all)

 

[Remembrance]

The soundtrack thread reminded me: did the Simone boss fight remind anyone else heavily of the Sybil boss fight from Transistor?

Both are early-game bosses where you fight a

Spoiler

screaming, monstrous diva character on a theatrical stage as she spews minion enemies in every direction

. Both fights are also highly musical, with unique themes (here's the one from Transistor): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGMWL8cOeAU

 

[LotusHD]

Put it on easy just to auto pilot through the boss, finally got to the save point in the bunker.

Now, since the game seems to be fine, should I go ahead and download the 1.04 patch? Or just wait until the next one is released?

(Thanks all)

Err, I wouldn't risk it if the game is fine as it is now.

 

[Charlouie Jonesman]

Good news, Square support has finally changed their stance from "We're not aware of any issues, have a nice day." to this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/nier/comments/6445ng/psa_useu_104_appears_to_have_the_broken_english/

Dear Customer,

Thank you for contacting the Square Enix Support Centre.

We are contacting you regarding your open case for NieR: Automata.

We are now aware of an issue affecting the English Text in NieR: Automata since patch 1.05 (they mean 1.04 I hope). This issue has been passed onto the developers in Japan and is being investigated closely. We will be in touch with you once we have found a solution to this issue.

We thank you for your patience and apologise for any delay or inconvenience caused. If you have any other questions or problems please don't hesitate to get back in touch with us.

Kind regards,

The Square Enix Support Centre team

So that's good.

(It's not just the english texts though.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0iq8T1otvA (1:42)

 

[Gbraga]

We need some "what I played / what I expected / what I got" pictures for this game.

 

[LotusHD]

We need some "what I played / what I expected / what I got" pictures for this game.

They're in the spoiler thread somewhere.

 

[Antiwhippy]

I think this is all you need for the "what I expected" part.

 

[Leona Lewis]

This game doesn't get enough credit for its UI design.

The MGS3 aesthetic in the menus is just super consistent, and the hacking bits, plug-in chip management, weapon stories/item icons, and even the map (as infuriatingly useless as it can be lol) are uniformly so striking in their austere beauty.

Playing through Persona 5 right now, whose (also amazing) UI aesthetic couldn't be any more different. Great couple of months for menu, font, and icon porn.

 

[LotusHD]

This game doesn't get enough credit for its UI design.

The MGS3 aesthetic in the menus is just super consistent, and the hacking bits, plug-in chip management, weapon stories/item icons, and even the map (as infuriatingly useless as it can be lol) are uniformly so striking in their austere beauty.

Playing through Persona 5 right now, whose (also amazing) UI aesthetic couldn't be any more different. Great couple of months for menu, font, and icon porn.

Going from Gravity Rush 2 to Nier to Persona 5 has been great in the UI aesthetics department lol

 

[OniBaka]

We need some "what I played / what I expected / what I got" pictures for this game.

It could spoil the game.

 

[ExitPlanetDust]

Route C...

Does it matter

Spoiler

which order I pick and play as 9S or A2?

Oh and the one shot kills in the

Spoiler

environmental processor things while unlocking the tower playing as 9S can fuck off.

Even on normal.

Whoa, while searching for the name of those things, I stumbled onto the real-life

Spoiler

National Institute of Environmental Research (N.I.E.R.). This can't be a coincidence.

Oh and I think I missed the wire for good. Lol. Do those side quests, people.

 

[LotusHD]

Route C...

Does it matter

Spoiler

which order I pick and play as 9S or A2?

Oh and the one shot kills in the

Spoiler

environmental processor things while unlocking the tower playing as 9S can fuck off.

Even on normal.

Whoa, while searching for the name of those things, I stumbled onto the real-life

Spoiler

National Institute of Environmental Research (N.I.E.R.). This can't be a coincidence.

Oh and I think I missed the wire for good. Lol. Do those side quests, people.

Spoiler

I highly recommend sticking with A2 until they force you to play as 9S.

 

[Subway Diet]

Finished ending E last night.

The game had been bouncing back and forth between a 7 out of 10 or 11 out of 10 throughout. But in the end, with all said and done, it landed more towards the 7 end of the scale. Personal score, of course. I mean, there's no argument that it's really good and exceptionally clever at points.

Haha. I honestly feel pretty bad for not "getting it"
Not sure if it was due to missing some crucial fact or I'm just too dumb to pick up what it's putting down, but a lot of the story fell flat. It just started to feel like unyielding melodrama that grew numbing over time.

Maybe if I listen to some enthusiastic spoilercasts, I'll get a newfound appreciation for what the story was doing.

Speaking of "spoliercasts": Have there been any good ones yet? I'm waiting for the Austin Walker and Patrick Klepek episode they've been teasing. But any others would be appreciated.

 

[OniBaka]

Haha. I honestly feel pretty bad for not "getting it"
Not sure if it was due to missing some crucial fact or I'm just too dumb to pick up what it's putting down, but a lot of the story fell flat. It just started to feel like unyielding melodrama that grew numbing over time.

I recommend reading the spoiler thread.

 

[Antiwhippy]

Finished ending E last night.

The game had been bouncing back and forth between a 7 out of 10 or 11 out of 10 throughout. But in the end, with all said and done, it landed more towards the 7 end of the scale. Personal score, of course. I mean, there's no argument that it's really good and exceptionally clever at points.

Haha. I honestly feel pretty bad for not "getting it"
Not sure if it was due to missing some crucial fact or I'm just too dumb to pick up what it's putting down, but a lot of the story fell flat. It just started to feel like unyielding melodrama that grew numbing over time.

Maybe if I listen to some enthusiastic spoilercasts, I'll get a newfound appreciation for what the story was doing.

Speaking of "spoliercasts": Have there been any good ones yet? I'm waiting for the Austin Walker and Patrick Klepek episode they've been teasing. But any others would be appreciated.

Latest S.Link FM is pretty good.

Waypoint is doing a spoilercast for it pretty soon.

 

[Ken]

the venn diagram probably doesn't have much overlap but JP version of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (mobile gacha game) is getting a Nier: Automata collab

 

[Dreams-Visions]

I don't believe so.

;_;

 

[Subway Diet]

Another awful thing to admit: I didn't like the music that much. For shame!

I mean, of course it was exceptionally produced, seemed to fit the game perfectly and the various tones that it could fade between was very well done.
It's just not the sort of thing I get my kicks out of. And hearing the vocals loop on a track once was enough. Got really irritating after a while. Haha. Couldn't get out of Pascal's village quick enough!

Alright.
Said my thing. Will just leave it there.

Latest S.Link FM is pretty good.

Waypoint is doing a spoilercast for it pretty soon.

Thanks. I'll give it a listen.

I recommend reading the spoiler thread.

And I'll give that a look over as well.

 

[Golnei]

This game doesn't get enough credit for its UI design.

The MGS3 aesthetic in the menus is just super consistent, and the hacking bits, plug-in chip management, weapon stories/item icons, and even the map (as infuriatingly useless as it can be lol) are uniformly so striking in their austere beauty.

Playing through Persona 5 right now, whose (also amazing) UI aesthetic couldn't be any more different. Great couple of months for menu, font, and icon porn.

The stylish, minimal look does have more than a few similarities to MGS3 - and MGS2/Zone of the Enders by extension. The way in which the UI elements are integrated into the narrative and larger art direction is also really well done, from the very VR Missions-ish look of the hacking minigame seamlessly carrying on its design elements and colour palette

Spoiler

(along with literally merging with the menu in Ending D)

to the varied screen distortions - even if it was a little overused, the

Spoiler

glitched wraparound HP bar

was such a cool effect.

the venn diagram probably doesn't have much overlap but JP version of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (mobile gacha game) is getting a Nier: Automata collab

21O and not 6O? How shameful. At least the 2B/Ariana Grande teamup is canon now.