As someone who was not entirely impressed with Nier Automata, this remake/remaster/version-up of the predecessor is a pleasant surprise. I really didn't get the craze behind Automata's story and lore, but this is doing that for me.
One thing that grabbed me from the start is that Its story is almost instantly engaging. It has very easy to understand set-up: your younger sister is sick, and you go on an adventure to find the cure. Of course, it reveals a lot more later on, but it has a rather simple and straightforward concept that is easy to be immediately immersed. It also has a lot of side quests that expand the lore quite a bit, some with really fascinating stories, reminding me of some of Yakuza series' sub stories. Of course, it also has tons of fetch quests, but they are mostly ignorable.
It also has a combat system that is actually not floaty and shallow. While its tutorial system could improve, the actual combat allows and encourages you to freely swap weapons in the second act, while magic is nicely integrated with the fast-paced action. The parry system can be a handy tool when you get used to it, and the dodges work as you would expect as well. Charge attacks are key here, giving more options and weight to the whole combat. The camera could use work, but it's not too terrible either.
What impressed me the most, however, is the world structure, even though it's pretty small, even as a 2010 game, is full of clever homages to older classics (such as Zelda and Resident Evil). Yes, the actual level design is pretty dull, but the way story telling is done (an entire "dungeon" that's just visual novel?) and how the world is incorporated in it is the game's defining strength.
I will have much easier time going back for other endings than its successor, for sure.
One thing that grabbed me from the start is that Its story is almost instantly engaging. It has very easy to understand set-up: your younger sister is sick, and you go on an adventure to find the cure. Of course, it reveals a lot more later on, but it has a rather simple and straightforward concept that is easy to be immediately immersed. It also has a lot of side quests that expand the lore quite a bit, some with really fascinating stories, reminding me of some of Yakuza series' sub stories. Of course, it also has tons of fetch quests, but they are mostly ignorable.
It also has a combat system that is actually not floaty and shallow. While its tutorial system could improve, the actual combat allows and encourages you to freely swap weapons in the second act, while magic is nicely integrated with the fast-paced action. The parry system can be a handy tool when you get used to it, and the dodges work as you would expect as well. Charge attacks are key here, giving more options and weight to the whole combat. The camera could use work, but it's not too terrible either.
What impressed me the most, however, is the world structure, even though it's pretty small, even as a 2010 game, is full of clever homages to older classics (such as Zelda and Resident Evil). Yes, the actual level design is pretty dull, but the way story telling is done (an entire "dungeon" that's just visual novel?) and how the world is incorporated in it is the game's defining strength.
I will have much easier time going back for other endings than its successor, for sure.