So like... on one hand, I'm eyerolling at yet another game with less than practical attire for the female combatant (who is also a damn teenager just why), because come on now, do we have to do this? They don't even wear stilettos. It's worse than that - they are actually grafted into their heels that's just how their feet are designed dear god why
On the other hand, it fits very neatly in Japan's long history of narratives and art depicting child soldiers in post-apocalyptic world. Bonus points if said child soldiers are cute. I'm sure I have a 20 page essay somewhere in my college thumb drives talking about the importance of making these characters "cute" in these situations throughout post-WWII art in Japan, because reasons.
On the other hand, I'm just thrilled I get to be a hot, goth badass who fucking does flips and shits to use her weapons and demolishes wave after wave of enemies without breaking so much as a sweat. Like damn #lifegoals
NieR: Automata is definitely a lot of layers to dissect and I get sad when people look at it and dismiss it as Fanservice: The Game. Which yes, I totally understand that being frustrating (it frustrates me, too), but it addresses some pretty heavy topics. Not perfectly in some sections, but it still does it. That said, hack-n-slash games are one of my go-to types of games when I want to relax. I grew up playing Dynasty Warriors and Devil May Cry after a stressful day at school and there's something cathartic about... murdering hundreds of things and looking cool while doing it. I personally loved the mechanics in NieR: Automata, but I also have a handful of friends who aren't as into that kind of game play as I am and were super frustrated. Especially the opening part, because there's no save point until after you beat the boss of that area, so if you die... you just need to start over. Which makes sense in context of the game, but still sucks :\
I hope you find some joy from it! I'm curious to hear about your thoughts on it as you progress :D
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On the other hand, it fits very neatly in Japan's long history of narratives and art depicting child soldiers in post-apocalyptic world. Bonus points if said child soldiers are cute. I'm sure I have a 20 page essay somewhere in my college thumb drives talking about the importance of making these characters "cute" in these situations throughout post-WWII art in Japan, because reasons.
On the other hand, I'm just thrilled I get to be a hot, goth badass who fucking does flips and shits to use her weapons and demolishes wave after wave of enemies without breaking so much as a sweat. Like damn #lifegoals
NieR: Automata is definitely a lot of layers to dissect and I get sad when people look at it and dismiss it as Fanservice: The Game. Which yes, I totally understand that being frustrating (it frustrates me, too), but it addresses some pretty heavy topics. Not perfectly in some sections, but it still does it. That said, hack-n-slash games are one of my go-to types of games when I want to relax. I grew up playing Dynasty Warriors and Devil May Cry after a stressful day at school and there's something cathartic about... murdering hundreds of things and looking cool while doing it. I personally loved the mechanics in NieR: Automata, but I also have a handful of friends who aren't as into that kind of game play as I am and were super frustrated. Especially the opening part, because there's no save point until after you beat the boss of that area, so if you die... you just need to start over. Which makes sense in context of the game, but still sucks :\
I hope you find some joy from it! I'm curious to hear about your thoughts on it as you progress :D