Review: Nier (PS3/360)

Nier is an action RPG developed by Cavia and published by Square Enix. It was honestly one of the best gaming experiences that I've had with a "modern RPG" in a long time. Many of the role playing games released nowadays seem repetitive and short to me, so this was really a pleasant surprise. The combat system, though not intuitive, is very enjoyable and easy to use once you learn it. The same can also be said for the magic system, which allows you to have up to four spells equipped at one time, one to each of the shoulder buttons. It's a very simplistic system, but it can be said that the limitations imposed upon you add to the strategy you have to employ in battle.

The world in which the game takes place is almost 'sandbox' in nature, as in addition to being able to roam freely, many quests are able to be completed at any time during the main story, at your leisure. These quests are plentiful and rewarding, with most giving you huge cash rewards that you can then use to upgrade your armor and weapons. The land itself is fairly expansive, paying tribute to games like Legend of Zelda, where you travel from place to place through connected plains and fields. However, it is not so expansive that it takes more than a few minutes to get from place to place, which in my mind makes it the perfect blend between expansive and manageable.

Graphically it's not the prettiest game in the world. The textures throughout the game are pretty bland for the most part, and the character designs for all the random villagers and people are heartbreakingly boring. This is especially obvious when compared to the uniqueness of the main characters. Nier, who shares his name with the game, is an incredibly hideous man. While this would ordinarily not be much of a recommendation, he is a nice change from the 'pretty boys' usually populating Japanese RPGs. His sidekicks, Kaine and Emille, are also refreshingly unique, both in design and personality.

The music throughout the game is also very well done, both haunting and relaxing at the same time. I found it to be just amazing, and it's one of the few soundtracks that I made it a point to go out and buy afterwards. The voice acting is also top notch, and the only thing that stops this score from being absolutely perfect is that the sound effects are rather repetitive and bland.

As far as stories are concerned, it's one of the best I have seen in a long time, and it blew the pants off of Final Fantasy 13 in my opinion. It starts out as a simple 'father seeks daughter' story, but by the end, all the twists and turns change it into a much more epic and resonating tale of revenge and betrayal.

Overall, this was one of the most enjoyable RPGs that I've played in a long time. It kept my interest throughout the hours I played it, and it actually turned out to be a bit of a challenge as well. Too many times I have sat back after playing a game that was entirely too easy, and been left feeling empty, as if I had wasted the time I put into it. I did not feel that way at all after Nier; it was just challenging enough to make me feel as if I had accomplished something by the end, and even make me want run through it another time. I highly recommend this game to anyone who is looking for an RPG of moderate length, who wants something different and fresh from what has come before it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Submitted By: Tom Ferko (Employee)