Nier is a game that did a lot to open my eyes to the potential the medium has for artful and powerful storytelling, so here's a way too long exploration of why that is the case.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
3:15 - Part 1: What even happens in NieR anyway?
15:55 - The "real shit"
20:20 - The end isn't the end
27:41 - Replicating NieR Replicant
29:44 - Reclaiming what was lost
32:37 - One final adventure, for old time's sake
36:18 - Part 2: So what do you make of any of that?
38:16 - Themes & motifs
47:44 - Rollin' out with the squad
1:00:11 - The murdering :)
1:05:10 - The worst of all possible worlds
1:09:34 - Closing thoughts
1:11:19 - Credits
1:12:31 - Outro
Sources:
https://firesanctuary.com/blog/2020/12/29/a-couple-interesting-facts-about-nier-revealed-on-saitos-christmas-special/
https://www.thegamer.com/nier-replicant-emil-gay/
https://nier.fandom.com/wiki/Kain%C3%A9
https://www.siliconera.com/nier-drakengard-creator-says-nier-inspired-9-11/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/03/19/taro-yoko-on-nier-automata-and-his-disappointment-that-video-games-have-yet-to-conquer-the-world/?sh=362fb43934ec
https://www.reddit.com/r/nier/comments/llz1ip/i_animated_the_nier_replicant_cover_art/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD6xCLlF5dY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9DoG95qlPM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R0fBJA5XbQ
https://youtu.be/TOHygFEg5ks
Song List:
Grandma - Nier Replicant v1.22
Snow in Summer - Nier Replicant v1.22
Song of the Ancients - Devola - Nier Replicant v1.22
This Dream - Nier Replicant v1.22
The Lost Forest - Nier Replicant v1.22
Shadowlord's Castle - Memory - Nier Replicant v1.22
Shadowlord (Phase 1) - Nier Replicant v1.22
The Prestigious Mask - Nier Replicant v1.22
Yonah (pluck version) - Nier Replicant v1.22
The Ultimate Weapon - Nier Replicant v1.22
Kainé - Nier Gestalt/Replicant
Analogous Memories - Nier Replicant v1.22
Fleeting Words - Nier Replicant v1.22
The Wretched Automatons - Nier Replicant v1.22
Repose - Nier Replicant v1.22
Temple of Drifting Sands - Nier Replicant v1.22
Hills of Radiant Winds - Nier Replicant v1.22
Emil - Nier Gestalt/Replicant
Kainé - Nier Gestalt/Replicant
Kainé - Escape - Nier Replicant v1.22
Yonah (pluck version) - Nier Replicant v1.22
Shadowlord (Phase 1) - Nier Replicant v1.22
Shadowlord (Music Box) - Nier Replicant v1.22
The Lost Forest - Nier Gestalt/Replicant
Shadowlord's Castle - Memory - Nier Replicant v1.22
Kainé - Escape - Nier Replicant v1.22
Ashes of Dreams (English version) -Nier Replicant v1.22
Cross a Fear - Castlevania: Rondo of Blood