In 2017, we saw the release of blockbuster titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Horizon Zero Dawn. Because of this, Nier: Automata flew under my radar. Nevertheless, this past spring was the perfect time for me to finally traverse Automata’s desolate and beautiful open world. If someone had told me three years ago that Platinum Games’ thought-provoking action/RPG would play a large role in influencing my decision to pursue a master’s degree in game design, I wouldn't have believed them. And yet, here I am – back in school, and discovering all the ways Automata continues to influence my creative process.
Last week, we finally got a release date and new trailer for the upgraded version of the original Nier. Nier Replicant ver. 1.22474487139 (yes, that’s its real name), is a remaster of the first game – except it’s based on a version that never released in North America. The events of Replicant connect to the sequel's bleak-yet-thoughtful story, so if you haven’t played Nier: Automata already, here’s why now is the perfect time to give it a chance.
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