Ending C, D & E | NieR Automata | Marz Plays

We make our way through endings C, D and finally to ending E which adds so much charm to the final moments! This ones a long episode guys and I still have so much to interpret!
Thank you guys for all your continual support
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Zen Valley ⇾ Josh Kirsch

[@Marzz]

We've come to another games end and man was this story complex! I know i'm still missing bits and pieces of it. Everyday I think of another meaning I may have missed. I'd love to hear everyone's interpretations of this game and it's story!

[@phikid7789]

Red dead please😍😍🤩

[@LuisAngelGamer]

Marz Watch Clemps videos about it and prepare yourself for some...mindfuckery

[@jalcome4201]

I can only recommend Wisecracks video about Nier + their collab vid with Extra Credit!

[@mohdarham3837]

Why aren’t u playing red dead redemption

[@jcast834]

Thanks so much for posting this! I’m really sick today and i wanted something to watch that was good. I found this and it helped a lot. Thanks!

[@combobreaker9618]

Just to let you know. The ppl who helped you in the credits deleted their save files to be able to help you. So your data will eventually help someone, somewhere.

[@jalcome4201]

COMBO BREAKER 96 So cool to see her helping without question

[@celeschan90]

Oh yeah, that was something I was going to mention to her. Though I feel like she realized that when she got to write the message. I just wasn't sure.

[@colinloves]

In all fairness, she didnt invest much into the game. Her loss is minimal. Put 150 hours in, completing basically everything, all weapons maxed out etc....Then that choice is alot harder

[@JoJo1236]

@@colinloves but I did it either way, it was hard tho....

[@colinloves]

Seeing all your stuff getting deleted was a weird feeling. heheh. But we did get rewarded with a new title screen

[@colinloves]

Did you know, when pod 042 says "when we six were connected...." He was talking about YOU. :O You got, 2B, 9S, A2, pod 042 and pod 153.......You are that sixth person.

[@sickandafraid]

I love the fourth wall breaks in this game.

[@seveneyes77]

Damn I didn't even noticed that, nice.

[@ALGammash]

I thought it was about the pods themselves. There are 3 pods for each characters making them 6 total

[@yasir7656]

@@ALGammash There aren't. A2 uses 2B's pod. Older models like her didn't come with pods.

[@ALGammash]

@@yasir7656 yes she uses 2B pods. 2B had 3 pods. the one she had from the start: Pod A (machine gun) and the others she collects later in the game: pod B (laser) and pod C (missiles). later these 3 pods join A2. the same applies to 9S regarding the number of pods. if you take notice during pod 042 and pod 153 conversations, each pod is mentioned 3 times on the right and left sides of the screen with a different designation (A, B and C). also in ending E, if you count the number of pods flying around it will be 6. 3 for 9S and 3 for 2B/A2.

[@diabolofraise59]

Imagine my emotion when, out of nowhere, a Scandinavian added me on steam and thanked me for sacrificing my saves

[@Scrazelope]

omg

[@nesoukkefka1741]

That's so cool.

[@paulashwin247]

I tried finding Nintendave83 to thank him, several social medias with the same name, they weren't him, all replied said they'd never played the game. Wherever you are Nintendave83 of Nier, I thank thee

[@Redshief1]

I did the same with an old woman (who is a streamer) that played Journey with me.

[@pamnthi]

@@paulashwin247I think it uses the name they chose and not gamertag

[@alishahrose2076]

So let's break down all the stakeholders of this world: 1) HUMANS: No need to explain because they cannot be explained, that's the point. Here, they are all extinct due to events of past games in the series (While Chlorination and the failure of Project Gestalt). The game is a commentary on the nature of human beings (which you also noticed when the red girls turned on each other). 2) ANDROIDS: Throughout the game, we thought that they were slowly evolving and gaining consciousness but then we saw that they are perpetually trapped, in this never-ending cycle of life and death. They try to show that it's them doing stuff, but in the end, it's all just code. Meaningless [C]ode. 3) MACHINES: They are left in this mess. With no guidance and no future. With no understanding and no will. They just repeat over and over again, copying humans, trying to evolve. But as Adam finds out, they cannot evolve. They may try to copy everything what humans do but there's this fundamental difference: They cannot evolve and that's why they are trapped in this cycle too with Androids. The CORE (both machines and androids) is incapable of it. They tried everything like forming societies, waging wars, enforcing dictatorship, they even tried to imitate the failure of humans, but humans can overcome their failures by analyzing, adapting and finally by evolving, which the machines cannot. There's nothing for them in this world, that's why they made the ark to go somewhere else. 4) PODS: They are the most interesting of all. They are what we have closest to a human being in this game. After thousands of years, living in this world WITHOUT restarting (unlike androids) they were finally able to evolve. They developed consciousness and will, which is evident by Pod 042's refusal to delete the Android data in the end. It is hinted several times in the game when being the tactical support unit, they were able to give meaningful and human-like suggestions like thanking others, defusing tense matters, actually thinking (secretly) about the state of androids etc. They are the successors of humans. 5) PLAYER: You. Me. Us. We all who experienced this masterpiece of game design and narrative. It is so rare that players are actually acknowledged in the game, but Ending E took it to whole other level when I heard "Pod 042 to Player". I never thought this kind of fourth wall breaking would occur. The save data deletion is the most daring thing ever, and the game kept reminding us how pointless it is to do, but if we cannot do it, can we actually EVOLVE? We would be like machines, imitating our own failures. And it was NECESSARY that the PODS talked to us in the end, not androids or machines, because pods are the only capable beings left in that cursed world to have the ability to interact with us and to convey the risks involved in such a daring task. NieR:Automata is what this industry need in order to EVOLVE. Otherwise we are perpetually trapped in this era of vast meaningless open-worlds, chaotic shooters, copying other games especially Battle Royale titles (like machines). We need more Yoko Taro in this world. And finally, thank you Marz, for playing. I was so glad when most people voted for you to play this game in the start. And I am filled with joy that you actually stayed, till the end, to complete this game. Thank you

[@pletter64]

Deny the need for change and you become trapped. This is self evident but often forgotten or ignored. And in order for the world to change you must be the change you wish to see in the world. That is all.

[@WW-vi9ws]

@kshamwhizzle Amnesia was a really good sidequest but Gathering Keepsakes is the best one. 9S paying respect to 2B almost made me cry. Most sidequests aren't even bad I just don't understand why people complain about it. Amnesia foreshadows 2E,the quest where you have to save that robot's sis in the desert foreshadows their death. These types of sidequests are very unique and if you don't pay attention you will dislike them.

[@JaseAmoxin]

What you said in that second last paragraph is absolutely mind blowing because I just watched this really good interview (kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnWZqXaCoatomrs) with Yoko Taro from 2014 (so before Automata was released) that basically confirms what you said, especially starting at around the 6:30 timemark.

[@meganvincent5381]

Mood

[@Bthakilla4rilla]

supernova of cringe like this dark souls fanfiction

[@LexioLTG]

Okay, here are some interesting points about the game's *subtext*, meaning this is not talking abour the game's lore, but the message: This game deals with three ways of understanding philosophy: Existencialism, Nihilism, and Absurdism (Endings C, D and E) Existencialism means that one's believes tells them that there is a meaning for life, the universe, humanity's will, etc. Most religions are existencialists. There are some scientists that are also existencialists. There are many forms of this. Life after death. The origin of life. humanity's purpose. All forms have the same thing in common: There is some form of order in the universe, and there *is* a purpose to everything. Be it god, be it something else. YoHRa's androids believe that humanity is alive, and so, they have a purpose. 2B has a purpose, too. A horrible one, at that, that is to kill 9S. Then there's nihilism. Explained by Nietzche, nihil means "nothing", and thus, nihilism is the form of philosophy that believe there is no purpose to anything. Everything is chaotic, came up by chance, or simply irrelevant. Most forms of science believe this, too. Genetics tells us that we grow random mutations and some of them don't make sense, but still survive. The universe is full of things that don't make sense. The machines know that their creators are dead, and so have found themselves in a paradox: without an enemy, they do not have any purpose. And so, they have created it. They fight for nothing. There is a famous quote by Nietzche that says "God is dead, and we have killed him", meaning that God was created by humanity himself in order to believe that they have a purpose when there is none. We have "killed" him, by deciding that it's an obsolet concept. In Nier:Automata, Humanity is God. And thus, Humanity's dead. 9S finds out this, and also that 2B is 2E, so he has lost any form of existencialism that could have been within him. He is completely a metaphor for nihilism and what Taro thinks of it. Just like 2B is a metaphor for existencialism. In fact, a trailer showcased 2B with the word "faith", which is also a sword that 9S can encounter, which is completely useless. Haha. Most bosses in this game were famous philosphers. Simone de Beauvoir was a feminist and philosophist married to Jean Paul. She fought against what society thought women should "properly" be. Jean Paul was an asshole in real life. Pascal was a scientist and philosopher who said "If you don't know whether to believe in god or not, believe in God, because if you don't believe and are wrong, you'll find eternal damnation. But if you believe in god and are wrong, nothing bad will happen to you". Yoko taro believed this way of thinking was fulled by a fear of the consequences of the unknown, hence why the Pascal's children died because of fear. Yoko Taro thinks this is what the real life Pascal was preaching. We also have Marx and Engels, both believed humanity's evolution was fulled by social clashes between upper classes and proletarian classes. They are represented as industrial brute force, just like the proletarian. "The industry's arm". Adam also believes this. Conflict is what moves humanity. The constant fight between creativity and logic, between existencialism and nihilism, between life and death. Adam and Eve are metaphors for the two sides of the brain. One is thoughtfull, logical, philosophical. And the other one is instinctive, irrational, illogical. They serve as a LITERAL brain for the machine's network, each one holding one half of it. There are lots of other references. Grün, Hegel, Emanuel, all are famous thinkers. You can look up their believes. All of them mirror their real life experiences. And finally, ending E is absurdism, which is a different side of nihilism that reads: "Humanity's search for meaning and purpose will always end in failure, because there is none. However, this is not a reason to feel empty, or fall into pesimism. This means, in fact, that humanity can decide into it's own purpose, rather than have one being forced into itself." ... I should not say how this echoes with the pods words at the end. Right? There are also many instances of this throughout the game. They constantly tell us that, if god existed, then he/she is incredibly evil for forcing us undesired purposes. 2B is the best example I can think of. Also, the absurdist philosopher Albert Camus stated that individuals should embrace the absurd condition of human existence while also defiantly continuing to explore and search for meaning. So yeah, I think Yoko Taro is completely an absurdist. xD

[@LexioLTG]

Some other interesting trivia: Yoko Taro started his career on theater, and I think it's rather obvious how he references Shakespeare in this game. 2B's name comes from the famous monologue in hamlet "To be or not to be", where the protagonist struggles between the decision to keep on living or killing himself. 2B deals with the same decision and decides to die leaving behind his sword and memories. Her opening lines: "Everything that lives is designed to end. We live in a neverending spiral of life and death" are also direct references to hamlet. In fact, if she trully believes this, then she consideres herself not alive, since she cannot die. This adds to the undertones. 9S comes from the Soneto N.9, in which there is a man that is afraid of dying without leaving a bride to cry his death. It talks about what we leave behind when we die, and how the world could be our widow. 9S constantly sacrifices himself for 2B, and he sees her as his widow. 9S's story always deals with his own life, how other perceive his life, and how there is a need to have a purpose. Finally, A2 comes from the phrase "Aye too, Brutus, my son?" said by Caesar in Shakespeare's interpretation of his death, when Brutus, his made up son, kills him. This could reference A2 killing 2B, or 9S wanting to kill her. I'm not entirely sure. Also, in theater it is said that conflict is the core of drama, which is the core of the play. Adam's beliefs about conflict mirror what a director would think of a play. Conflict is what moves every character's motivation.

[@runekjrsgaard8159]

Great comment! I learned alot reading through it. Very insightful!

[@bamath87]

Lots of good points in here, and I'm glad you've done as much digging into modern/post-modern philosophy as you clearly have (I wish more people would!), but we need to talk about your definition of existentialism and how it's reflected in the game. Existentialism was summed up by Jean-Paul Sarte as "existence before essence." To unpack that summary, you have to first understand what he means by "essence." The essence of a thing is the property or properties that are required for that thing to be itself. Let's start with a concrete example: what are the essential properties of a knife? Short blade, handle....and that's about it. You can change the blade's material, or decorate the handle, but without those two essential properties, it's just not a knife. Now, here's the question that philosophers have wrestled with for millennia: what are the essential properties of a human being? Religion will tell you that a human needs a soul to be a human, and that's where we get into the other side of essence: purpose. Just as a knife that cannot cut is not really a knife, religion would tell you that your purpose has the same source as your essential soul: God(s). This is the core of "essentialism," which states that human essence, your soul and your purpose, comes from the divine and was, therefore, created before you were even born. Before you existed. Any religion that claims we were created by a higher power (aka virtually all religions) operates through an essentialist philosophy. YoRha is essentialist, as are the machine lifeforms up until the evolution of N2. Their essences are real, objective, and the product of someone else's imagination. Sarte's existentialism was a response to essentialism. In a world where "God is dead," who would define human essence? Sarte believed that we were all responsible for defining our own essence, and that could only happen over the course of an authentically lived life. You must exist, truly exist, before you can know what makes you, you. Ergo, "existence before essence." If I had to boil this game down to a single theme, that would be it. At this point, you can branch off into a lot of other philosophies. The nihilist, seeing that we have no inherent essence/purpose, will be consumed with despair and declare that any meaning is an illusion. 9S becomes a nihilist after realizing YoRha's true purpose, although I disagree that Ending D is nihilistic. Regardless of whether 9S goes with the ark, he sees the value in what the machines are doing. Even Nietzsche conceived of nihilism as a phase that we all must go through on our way to discovering a better, more authentic course for our lives. Ending D (and certainly C) may not have 9S develop a new concept of essence, but it shows he hasn't given up on the concept. If nihilism is the pessimistic response to existentialism, then absurdism is the optimistic route. Your summary of absurdism is solid, but I don't think any of the main characters really get to that point until Ending E - and even then, it's the Pods that are talking. Pascal, who realized the pointlessness of continued warfare, apparently only did so at the direction of N2 (one of their network "deficiencies"). N2, representing the collective will of the machine lifeforms, could be said to have an absurdist philosophy, although there might be a better term. I've used the term "authentic" a few times. N2 realizes, after ages of trying to emulate human evolution, that trying to live life according to another's template is not authentic, and therefore not fulfilling. You should really look up the concept of "bad faith," which Sarte and Simone de Beauvoir both drew on. You'll see a TON of parallels with Nier: Automata. In fact, just watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3m3XqubipZ_e80 TL;DR: Nier: Automata is all about existentialism and the nihilism or absurdism that can follow, but I wouldn't say that you can boil the endings down to "this is the existential ending, this is the nihilistic ending," etc. The struggle for authentic meaning continues after all of the main endings, but 9S (whom I think is the Player's representative throughout the game) has indisputably made progress toward that end.

[@LexioLTG]

@@bamath87 I mostlty agree with everything! In fact, when I talked about Ending E I certainly meant the pods. and the thing is, the Pods represent the player, completely. If you look up how Ending E was made you'll find that it was not planned, but decided almost at the end of development. Nier Automata was conceived during a period of time in Yoko Taro's life where he did consider suicide, but the love and respect he found at Platinum made him happy again. Ending E is the answer to his own question, "why keep on living?". It was based on a cocacola commercial campaign, too! It is an absurdist ending because I believe Yoko Taro was a nihilist up until this point. I also agree that 9S's ending is not completely nihilistic, but he does die painfully and without a real meaning. Is the "dream sequence" afterwards what transforms it into something existencialistic, and you could argue that it was on his head. The ending with the words "Oh, 2B, so that's where you were" defienetly imply the existence of a soul inside an android. The other one is a little bit more scientific, since the ark is capable of existing without having an essence, or purpose. They do not know if the ark will arrive at any destination, don't they? They accept that. Absurdism again.

[@realdomdom]

Words.

[@randomdude980]

Fun Fact: The name "Nines" that he got from "someone but can't remember who it was" was likely from 2B herself. 2B and 9S were already working together for a long time prior to this game. She doesn't want to call him "Nines" in this play-through because of her feelings towards him. She wants to shut down these feelings (she has to kill him over and over again) but fails.

[@Smaug555]

That just makes me want to go back and experience their past time together smh

[@StrelitziaSC]

@@Smaug555 read Memory Cage and Memory Thorn if you still haven't.

[@Smaug555]

パンジー Just did and now all I feel is pain

[@RedX_Slay]

@@Smaug555 I feel you dude, I felt the same way ;-;

[@pamplemoussemk2]

@@Smaug555 yeah same as you too. Replaying the first chapters until 2B and 9S woke up in the bunker made me understand then all the behavior and reactions of 2B when 9S talked to her. Especially when she struggles herself in the hallway and tighten her fist while 9S speaks to her like nothing happens before. She and we know that in some way, she just killed 9S again, one more time...

[@Muzzle1300]

I’m just an emotional wreck right now, no matter how many times I replay the game or watch someone play it I can’t stop crying. I’ll likely sound like a pretentious crybaby but this game has changed my entire outlook on life, I’ve suffered most of my life from depression feeling I’m trapped and almost taking my own life, after years of getting help I still had a nihilistic attitude and I felt alone, and all the medicine they prescribe me left me emotionally numb or dead inside. But after playing automata it feels like a hole inside of me has been filled within me, and hasn’t left me even a year of after completing the game, a warm feeling of hope and happiness for the first time in my life! Because for the first time in my life I felt I wasn’t alone and out there are people out there anyone who actually cares about me and my suffering, and is willing to sacrifice something for me a total stranger with no thanks or reward. After that I felt like I had to become a better person something those random people can be proud of even if it’s a very minuscule chance of meeting them, I think anyone who did ending E should be able to think their sacrifice (even if to them it was silly) May of impacted someone out there. Even if it’s meaningless it’s something I thought I have to do because it wasn’t a silly thing to me! It always breaks my heart because of much he reminded me of myself and his insane state only reminded me further of my struggles, especially when he yells “shut up” first time hearing him say that and last one getting scratchy was so brutally realistic and reminded me when I was close to taking my life and yelling at my family who only wanted to help me, it gave me a stomach ache and him dying on the floor broke me; I remember mumbling “you bastard leave him alone!” As I continuously cried! What’s worse is I can’t listen to “Weight of the world” otherwise I actually start crying on the spot, especially the Japanese version which is just incredibly sad. This is my all time favorite game, in all my 20 years of gaming this is the one that I can say inspired me the most.

[@colinloves]

Strange, at the end of the game, I finally understood, suicide. I always thought it was a weak escape. Now I understand the depth of it. Make me think of suicide. Game kinda made me feel suicidal. As for the crying. Im sure I could of averted a county's drought, if I collected all my tears from this game. Cant help but get emotionally entangled, whenever I see, hear, or think about this game. BEST GAME EVER MADE !!! (and Ive been playing games since the early 80's)

[@food223]

honestly relate to you tbh, its a very emotionally powerful game

[@TheNobodyNamedDubyaBee]

Nier: Automata's existentialism (with all said and done) can be *deadly,* under the right conditions. The feels are all fun and games until someone decides to "become as gods" for real.

[@junekiri9340]

Mr. Muzzle Thank you for sharing your story; for helping me.

[@lordofassassins11]

This makes me feel good to see. Thanks for sharing your story. I gave up endings A-Z to help a stranger and I'd gladly do it again

[@vlonewolfv]

This ending was one of the most profound finales of a game I have ever had the pleasure of playing. Both endings being filled with such despair. The feeling that neither choice led to a satisfying ending. And then the POD’s literally fighting the makers of the game so they could get just a chance at a happy ending for their androids. And then because they networked, everyone else helping the fight showing you are not ever alone. There will always be people there willing to help. It’s just truly brilliant.

[@SealedReality]

16:42 Devola and Popola were characters in the original NieR (you'll know what Replicants are if you play it). That data is narrating two separate stories, one about Dev and Pop from the past and one about Dev and Pop from the present. They carried the blame for what the old ones did, because they're of the same model.

[@innsomatic]

@Anime World It's not a good one. Super Best Friends did it, and the gameplay is ...Rough. ++ The story IS great though --and heart wrenching at times. It's a hard Lets Play because it involves replaying the same exact game so much with minor changes each play-through.

[@90Rush]

Adding to that, their theme song played twice, once in the battle, and once in the library. The library is in fact Popola's office.

[@kato093]

@@innsomatic its a decent game. It has mediocre gameplay but amazing story. 2 best friends are a bunch of idiots shitting on games for views

[@Jugdjay]

I didn't play the original NieR, but I know there were two games: NieR: Gestalt and NieR: Replicant. If I'm not mistaken, both are pretty much the same except the character you play as. NieR: Replicant is getting a remaster so that could be a good opportunity to play the game for players who found out about NieR with Automata :)

[@GyrosGeier]

There will be a NieR RepliCant release for PC/PS4, so... soon? :)

[@hide8735]

"Square Enix CO., LTD" gives me PTSD

[@darkwyve]

Damned corporations... ;)

[@shirori2004]

Not that one but marketing....

[@davi.medrade]

Just a couple of days ago I was watching a Thai adaptation of a very silly gay-themed romantic comedy first released in Japan called Cherry Magic. The copyright notice of the Thai adaptation says “© Yuu Toyota/Square Enix, GMMTV”. Yuu Toyota is the author of the original manga, and GMMTV is the TV production arm of Thai media conglomerate GMM Grammy. Square Enix is the publisher of the original manga, and when I saw them in the credits I thought for a second that this company had something to do with NieR: Automata, but for some reason my brain short-circuited and I thought that NieR: Automata belonged to Capcom and I was just mixing things up. I still don't know why I thought Capcom had anything to do with this.

[@SynfulShadows]

Not gonna lie, the [E]nding made me tear up D:

[@AzureFlameGod1986]

Synful Shadows Same here my friend. I don’t think a game has ever gotten me so emotionally attached. Even with ending C I tear up knowing A2 dies and finally reunites with her friends. I don’t want her to go. So I definitely choose ending E overall. Oh the feels I get when struggling to save everyone. ;_;

[@Taikaru]

I played through it myself, and have watched 4 other Let's Plays. Every single time made me cry!

[@MakeTrapsGreatAgain]

Made men cry

[@southendbusker7534]

@@AzureFlameGod1986 play to the moon

[@maskedvalerian1095]

When you realize other people deleted their saves to help a stranger, that always gets me. Also, deleting is the only true option.

[@alphacommander3203]

The Japanese know how to make a game into something you don’t just play, but think about and truly experience. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of trash games from Japan just like any other country, but most of the games I have played that have made me stop and truly think have Japanese writers and directors.

[@jigglephysics4641]

Japanese were always like that, whether in anime, in their novels or movies, they almost always make you think about your life and how are you shitting it or making it worthwhile, for example Kimi no na wa

[@KeePhengVue]

It’s not just Japan.... it’s Yoko Taro!!!! Heard his ideas were rejected lots of time by square enix... lol

[@jonathanramirez3109]

@@KeePhengVue I honestly can’t believe Square Enix gave them the opportunity to make this game but Im so grateful, this might be the most life changing video game I’ve ever played

[@AlexiosLair]

This is the beauty of unique cultures.

[@randomperson093]

I still have nightmares of dying in dark souls series

[@silencio00]

Massive and long Spoilers ahead. This is my interpretations If you want to know. I could be wrong tho and anybody feel free to correct or add info. The following info is related to Drakkengard series also developed by the same writer: A monster appeared in Earth like modern times. The monster was killed but its corpse started a lethal virus for humans. Since there was no cure, humanity developed Project Gelstant or something like that. The found a way to separate the soul from the body. They also created artificial bodies and androids. These artificial bodies were not ready to receive human souls, so humanity created models Devola and Popola to rally and prepare those artificial bodies. Humanity was wiped but only their bodies, their souls were like roaming around. These bodies were called Replicants. Original Nier game starts: Thousands of years passed, and those artificial bodies developed their own conscience (this is something that we see a lot in Nier games, machines and pods develop their conscience.) These new androids live their lives guided by Devola and Popola modles (this is confirmed in the Devola and Popola story you see after 9S enters the tower). Nier (the protagonist of the original game) had a daughter (in the International version) that was kidnaped by some dark spirits. Nier quest to save his daughter take him to me other characters that joins him, including Emil (yeah, the big skeleton head). At the end of the game, Nier defeat a Devola and Popola models and the king of these dark spirits. It is then revealed that these dark spirits are the human souls trying to claim the artificial bodies that they created to survive, but since these artificial bodies developed their own conscience they were not able to take possession of them so these souls starting to go berserk. At the very end, Nier is responsible to stopping the human souls to survive and humanity perish. As per the story of Devola and Popola, all those models were cursed by the androids who got upset about the fact that their creators, the human, perish because of the failure of the Devola and Popola models defeated by Nier. So the Devola and Popola that appear in Nier Automata are the last ones and they still carry the curse of guilty because of the models defeated by Nier. Another thousand years passed and as per Emil (who is an ancient experimental weapon created by humans) is the only survivor from the original game. Then the aliens arrived, and army of machines were sent to invade the Earth. But there were no humans, only android living and nihilistic and depressed live because their god, humanity was dead. This is when the analogy to Nietzsche and his “God is dead” quote begins and what humans should do now that their creator is dead. This is when a group of androids created Project Yorha and using the core of machines, they developed Yorha units, far more powerful than normal androids. The plan was like what Nietzsche proposes in Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Androids found a reason for their existence by faking the exodus of humanity to the moon, so the androids will have the will to live and fight for a cause. But things are not that easy and the curios nature of S models like 9S was a problem. Scanner models always find the truth and Execution models were developed to kill Scanner models when the find out the truth. That is the story of 2B(E) and 9S and this is way 2B said: why always ends like this, because 9S always find the truth and 2B has the order to kill him when this happens. The problem is that 2B starts to have feelings for 9S, triggering her angry and bitterness. A2 is part of early Attack models but they were left for dead by Command, this is why A2 is angry against the command and suggest to 2B and 9S they were betrayed. Nier Automata begins: In summary, machines killed the aliens for whatever reason, this caused many machines to get disconnected from the network so Pascal and the Kingdom Machine and the crazy religious machines appeared. They represent different aspects of what would happen with humanity if we confirm that there is no god. Pascal represents what Nietzsche propose, to develop or own purpose of existence for our own god. But the religious machines represent the bad side because everybody would start coming with their conclusion and would started feeling their own god, therefore the always said: we must be gods! We must be gods! Meanwhile, the machine network started feeling the new god so it started to like experiment with stuff and based on humans and androids, it developed Adam and Eve (the first human machines) and from that, machines wanted to going forward with their evolution and that is why they want know to reach humans in the moon to become the new gods by assimilating the humans. The problem is that there are no humans at all. Adam and Eve started also developing their own conscience (like everything in these games, which is, again, an analogy of philosophical aspects) and this is why Adam disconnects from the network when facing 2B so he could know what is means and feel to be actually dead. Eve goes in a rampage after losing Adam because they developed feelings obviously because of the conscience. This provoked that machines went into berserker and the logical virus appears. I am not sure what the logical virus is but is it implied that it’s like influence of evil gods from Drakkengard games but could also be related to the fact that they are all artificial intelligence and actual code virus is affecting them or the same virus that killed humanity now affecting other creatures but probably only creatures with conscience like humans, androids and machines. Anyway, the logical virus affected machines and androids too but not sure if this allow machines to take control on androids or note. Anyway, machines started to infect androids and take control of them, we see this in the beginning of route C. 2B is infected and dies. 9S and A2 not because there are disconnected of the android’s network. 9S goes in rampage mode to try to kill every machine and A2 just chilling. Then the tower appears and 9S enters with the help of the last 2 Devola and Popola trying to reedem themselves for the sins of the Devola and Popola models defeated by Nier. At the end, the machine girl is defeated by using some reverse psychological thing and 9S and A2 died fighting. It is revealed that the tower is an arc with the conscience of pretty much everybody created to leave Earth in hope to find a new home and a new life. Pods developed consciences and rebuild 2B, 9S and A2 with the help of the Pods network. The end. Any question? Basically this game is a pure psycological and philosophical jorney in to discovering what would we do when we confirm that GOD IS DEAD and every character and faction represents different aspects and answers for that question.

[@Morbisus]

I maybe late to the party because I just finished the game (endings ABCDE) and I'm still confused af. Thank you for the detailed explanation and I really need to play the previous games.

[@digletttexano678]

Thank you I read it all, yes this game is very philosophical

[@Alyska]

2 and a half hours :O Can't wait to see your reaction to the endings!

[@r-omegaprime689]

I'd love to see you two on the same game in the future.

[@Taikaru]

I can't get enough of watching different folks' reactions to this game! Have watched about 4 Let's Plays of it now including you, Marz and Kyle McCarley (9S' voice actor.)

[@MogekoMagica]

Lmao i just finished watching you play bloodborne

[@Triasdunn]

Marz: "Dont watch it in one sitting." Viewers: "you underestimate our powers"

[@TheAdarryl]

"What's the point of having all of this if you cant help other people?" I think i cried a little hearing that there. I never even thought of it that way when i played it. Thank you.

[@AKSBSU]

+Marz 2B didn't die by chance. She sacrificed herself to protect 9S at the beginning of Route C. She tricks 9S into surrendering control of his flight unit to her so she could send him away from the battlefield and disengaged her stealth functions to draw enemies onto her. Even as she was enduring a horrifying and agonizing death, her only concern was to beg A2 to protect 9S. This is what she was doing while it cut away to 9S running towards the bridge. "Take care of 9S" you heard in ending D was what 2B was begging of A2 while 9S was running towards the bridge. She hated the cycle of executions and was trying to end the war to stop the cycle. She continued them because it was the only way she could be close to 9S. 9S also knew much more than he let on in the game. He quickly figured out she had a secret identity even after his memory has been erased. This is why A2 says to him "But you knew that...right 9S?" at the end when she mentions her real name "2E." He actually thought unbeknownst to 2B that she was not very good at hiding things from him and could be read like a book easily. He used denial of who she really was because he also wanted to stay close to 2B. You can see this is true even from in-game lore on their personal weapons, the "Virtuous" and "Oath" weapons. HEAVY SPOILERS: I'd now recommend reading the novellas "Memory Cage" and "Memory Thorn." Memory Cage: mintychu.dreamwidth.org/340.html Memory Thorn: docs.google.com/document/d/148fzzBcSJA_loQc9KkReOImbDXNisEJ98mowLvnHkCE/edit You should also look up the complete lore contained on the fully upgraded personal weapons of 2B and 9S. The passages of 2B's weapons refer to 9S and vise versa. They have a history together you'll want to know more about. A2's background is very tragic and actually surprisingly similar to what 9S endures within the game. Some of that was available at the Resistance Camp terminal and I'm sure is also online given your save has been erased. The English dub voice actors also performed some additional material of lore outside the game: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3eTqmNuaNKAfqM They did a fantastic job. All these sources and more give you a lot more insight to things. You'll view many of the things you saw early in the game very differently after you learn the whole story. For example, you initially assume 2B is just an ice queen the way she acts detached and scolds 9S to follow regulations. In reality, although being rigid and mission focused may be an aspect of her personality, much of what you witness in-game was a defense mechanism she's using to try to keep distant from 9S because it's too painful to get attached again and again only to lose everything they had together. She tells him not to look into "unsolvable problems" and whatnot to try to protect him from learning too much, not just because she's a stickler for regulations. Calling him "Nines" also initially seemed like comic relief and teasing, but it was actually an accidental slip-up because it's her pet name for him that she is very accustomed to calling him. They've been very close in the past, but she had to start over every time she is ordered to execute him and erase his memory.

[@shnn_twt]

Great comment. Thanks for including the links!

[@SilentG07]

At the end of ending D; if you chose the "I'll stay" option instead of choosing "I'll go with you" option in 9S' final moments you'll get a short cutscene with 9S. He'll briefly regain consciousnes, look up at the sky where the moon server is and say: *Ah... So that's where you were... 2B.* Then he loses all motor functions and dies. It kinda sad really.

[@ProzacStylings]

5 years later - The "so that's where you were" scene with 9S is likely due to A2 stabbing him with 2B's sword, which has her memories. It's stuck in him when that scene happens, and he isn't really looking at a server or anything while the dialog takes place.

[@empresemorte]

The best ending for a game

[@kato093]

The best ending is the "real ending" where the pods bring 2B,9S and A2 back to life with all the scavenged android parts and the data they saved.

[@samv9425]

If you noticed during ending E while you're "fighting" the credits - when you accept help, each individual turret surrounding you is someone's save file. It took you a dozen+ other people's save files to beat the credits! If that doesn't have meaning or impact idk what will lol

[@Labu2312]

they just get deleted from you but the safe files will continue to help other people letting other to get the final ending of the game. also if they got totally deleted they will be no save files left to help because im almost sure that at least s person gets hit from3-5 times on the final part

[@firmak2]

@@Labu2312 "also if they got totally deleted they will be no save files left to help!" i dont think it works like that. I think your save will be added to what is there but they dont get deleted. It doesnt work logistically

[@joserodriguez-fm3jn]

jeez you used like 20 saves to beat the ending e xd also, when you get help the song stars having a chorus, and it's singed by the developers of the game, so even them are encouraging you to beat the game, it's just beautiful

[@rahman530]

How this game is not as popular as it deserves is beyond me. This game is just way ahead of its time, its beauty is beyond words, there is literally nothing else like it

[@gtmafiaa]

this game is a masterpiece i loved this game....games like these are why we love video games so much thanks nier for the experience🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@LaplaceBacklogs]

"Everything that lives is designed to end. We are perpetually trapped... in a never-ending spiral of life and death. Is this a curse? Or some kind of punishment? I often think about the god who blessed us with this cryptic puzzle... and wonder if we'll ever have the chance to kill him." The very first quote you hear in the game. The first two lines, self-explanatory. Never-ending spiral of life and death. Referring to the countless of times 2B killed Nines only to have another "spawn." When it came to suicide attacks, 9S is programmed to salvage 2B's data first, and then DIE with the data he carries. The last line. "I often think about the god who blessed us with this cryptic puzzle... and wonder if we'll ever have the chance to kill him." Well, you did it! You've literally killed "god." The god who "blessed" you with the "cryptic puzzle" of the "never-ending spiral of life and death." Through Ending E, pods 042 and 153 (which, by the way, you get 153 by literally adding 1 to all the numbers in 042) fought against the credits that is "god." The creator of the world. The game. I know no one will look at this, but I've taken a big interest in Yoko Taro's other games. I first played Nier:Automata last year, somewhere in March, having taken interest in it from a long-time KZbinr I've been watching throughout the years. But after that, I stopped. After completing all 5 main endings, I just stopped there, content with what I've experienced after deleting all my save data. Skip to this year now, and at September (I think?) I started playing Automata again. I felt that I never really did this game justice just by completing the 5 main endings, so, I decided to complete literally everything. 100% literally everything. And that's exactly what I did. "November 17, 2018 (11/17/2018)," I earned the Platinum trophy proudly. Fishing was a pain in the ass to 100%. The materials needed to farm to upgrade all the weapons and the Pods were a pain in the ass to get. But you know what? Even if it all was pointless, I appreciated this game so much, I wanted a reason to keep playing it. And now that I completed everything, now, I am content. Now I can put my controller down, satisfied with experiencing everything that I could possibly see in this beautiful masterpiece of a game that's so underappreciated by so many people. That's Automata, but who said I was done? I put my controller down, yes, but. Automata's just the TIP of the iceberg. Over the past few weeks, I immersed myself even more into the world of Nier and Drakengard. So far, I've finished watching walkthroughs of Drakengard and Nier (Both Replicant and Gestalt. Although, I prefer Gestalt more to be honest) and I have to say, without putting out any spoilers out there, this world is SERIOUSLY FUCKED UP. No seriously. The timeline goes like this: Drakengard 3 Drakengard NieR (Gestalt/Replicant) NieR:Automata And don't forget the novellas that follow before and after each game! I'll leave that to you people to figure that out. It shouldn't be that hard if you have the desire to pursue more about Yoko Taro's games. (Drakengard 2 is not canonical as it wasn't directed by Yoko Taro.) If you play NieR, you will understand a WHOLE lot more about things in Automata. Why is humanity extinct? Why are there no more humans in the world? Popola and Devola? What happened to them?? And the most important question: what happened to EMIL? Who's KAINE??? For those of you who played through Emil's Determination. Well, all of those questions will be answered when you play NieR. Either game is fine, because they're literally both the same. The only difference is the main character you play as in each game. In Gestalt, you play as the father of a certain character. In Replicant, you play as the brother of said character. Now DRAKENGARD. . . Ohhhhhhhhh boy. I won't be getting into spoilers, but this game is famous for what it is. As a standalone game, it completely SUCKS ASS. And I mean that for the gameplay. As a story? It's fine, but not exactly the BEST. But I still sucked up my blood-red tears for the sake of knowing more. I wanted to know how exactly did the events of Drakengard (and NieR) lead up to Automata. Drakengard has 5 endings, A, B, C, D, and E. Ending E leads up to the events of NieR, which ALSO has 5 endings, 4 of which are in-game and the 5th is actually a novella. Again, NieR has endings A, B, C, D, and E, with ending D leading up to the events of Automata. As for Drakengard 3, I have yet to see a walkthrough of it as I type this. Reason being, that there's so much novella content over NieR and Drakengard that I plan to read prior to the game. Also, I do not possess a PS3 to play NieR nor Drakengard 3, so that's why. And I sure as hell am not getting a PS2 for Drakengard 1 or 2. Anyways, this was typed up for the sake of anyone who would like to get into Yoko Taro's games. For the sake of someone who wants to know just how exactly did the events of the previous games lead to Automata. Well, there you go. But don't take it from me, explore for yourself. Only 4 (assuming Gestalt and Replicant are 1 game since they're LITERALLY the same) games followed by multiple novellas that give background to the games are what you can expect when diving into this clusterfuck of a franchise. It's a lot to take in, but I promise you, you'll have a lot more appreciation for the game. If you think the FATE series or the NASUVERSE is a complex franchise to get into, you're in a whole other ballgame when you get into Yoko Taro's fucked up mind. Come join us. Come join this journey and see for yourself just what happens. Final words Thank you very much for reading this far from someone's pointless ramblings. I just can't express how much I love this franchise as a whole. It's all very interesting, how Yoko Taro does it. How he makes these games is that he plans out what happens in the END, then works his way from there by planning out the events that lead to it. An unorthodox manner of going about game development, but hey, if that was not a thing, this masterpiece of a franchise wouldn't have been born. Anyways, there's a WHOLE lot more that I'd like to talk about, but I'll just leave it at that. If you'd like to know which walkthroughs I've seen, just reply. Keep in mind that they include commentary. With Drakengard 1's commentary giving a lot of helpful context since he's already played through it. NieR's commentary was blind, just like me when I first watched it as well, as if the both of us were in the same room playing the game for the first time. Thank you again for reading this far, and I hope you have a wonderful day wherever you are.

[@scottyxscxrs5483]

Based lore post

[@prinstyrio0]

Yoko Taro's game's are fascinating and I echo with a lot of what you wrote, I never dipped into them until the FF14 collab and since I lack the means to play through say Drakengard games or previous Nier, I watched movies of them. Overall the story themes and settings are so interesting to explore, it's a weird feeling I get seeing them and their concepts which few fictional or fantasy settings and stories do, it breaks a lot of typical molds. The emotions you get in them don't feel forced, at the same time they do. They're like a constructed drama play that explores concepts and sort of absurd and almost alien situations of very philosophical subjects that you don't see much day or has been done and repeated. I came into his games mainly for those stuff, I've had a big interest in writing a fictional world myself and there's been some stuff that's inspired me that was similar to Yoko Taro's stuff in someway or picking pieces from them that were, so seeing his games opened up a whole wide world of inspiration. There's so many bizarre ideas and concepts that got me hooked that's led me to how I'd want to present my world. It makes me really intrigued to see what game he'd do next (hoping he truly continues and don't get chained as any popular producers do to milk products) and what ideas he brings from previous games, new concepts and how it fits into the other games. As someone who came in late to all of them I just hope to experience them at their time.

[@ArkanonSenpai]

Ending E still makes me cry everytime I watch it.

[@zackfair6203]

Especially when the choir kicks in

[@AldenDoble]

I seem to be the only person who made it through this game without getting emoitional or upset... am I a monster? ☹

[@Etherwinter]

Woo, 2 and a half hours of Nier. Alright, long post ahead. If you want to find out about Popola and Devola's sins, you gotta play the first Nier. They have a cruel fate: they can't even REMEMBER why they feel this constant guilt. They only know that they're guilty of something, and have to atone for it. Also when you switched to A2 after 9S gets blown up? You missed Devola's and Popola's bodies near the entrance. The library A2 ends up in is also a reference to the original Nier. You know how most media surrounding robots and androids ask the questions "Can robots be human? Can they have feelings and emotions?" Nier Automata goes a bit beyond that; "Now that you are human, what does it MEAN to be human? Why are you here?" The answer to "can robots be human?" is answered long before the game starts. 2B and the rest are already as human as it gets. But as they've evolved into human-like entities, now they have to ponder their existence. For what purpose are the here? Their god (humans) are literally dead, as are the aliens who controlled the machines, so for what purpose do they exist? Why are they fighting this war for entities that are no longer here? 2B and 9S are trapped in an endless cycle of death and rebirth--much like life in general. What is it all for? And then at the end of the game, it poses a final question: "Can you, player of this game, be human?" Can you give up your progress, your achievements in the game, just so you can aid another player, someone you may know. Someone you may not know. Someone you could hate or love. Someone else who's struggling. Will you sacrifice something to aid them? I LOVE the ending to this game. It brings tears to my eyes when the Pods take over and defy the system in order to save them. The game WANTS to end on the note that all of them die. So much so that the credits are coming down and threatening to stop the Pods. You are LITERALLY FIGHTING THE ENDING OF THE GAME TO ACHIEVE THE ENDING YOU WANT FOR THE CHARACTERS. I also gave up my data without reluctance. This game always deserves a second playthrough from scratch. Thank you for playing.

[@vismundcygnus2800]

The tragedy of the Twins resonates with me more than any other part of this story. Even more than the main characters. Even more than Pascal. By the end of their novel, on my first playthrough, I was largely numb. I had reached my emotional capacity. I recognized the sadness of 9S fighting a roomful of 2Bs, I knew the climax of the game was tremendously important, but I couldn't feel any of it just then. I was reeling from that experience for weeks. No other game has ever affected me like this one.

[@nimazsheik5152]

One of the most underrated moments of this ending is how the music swells up whenever you answer those questions and choose to go on... I teared up, not going to lie.

[@Shad0wmoses]

that was the cutest ending. yoko taro is a sweet man for this lol.

[@KyleS.1987]

The most beautiful and creative ending to any game I've played. Great job, Marz!

[@GyrosGeier]

Oh wow, you missed Devola and Popola lying in the entrance to the tower.

[@noisecrime]

Yeah, feels like she is really trying to rush to finish this what with all the other games she's playing - shame really. Its one thing to look up information on stuff you miss in game, its another to deliberately avoid stuff just to finish the game, at least in game like this where the story elements are so strong, but not given to you linearly.

[@falkarios2944]

I dropped my jaw, she literally just rushed through the tower entrance without even looking for them. Most people are like "where are the twins, what happened to them?", but Marz ain't got time for that.

[@jalcome4201]

I wasn’t rushing in my game and missed them too. It happens, there is no greater meaning behind it.

[@Raycroissant]

You guys got a 2h30m video with 10 entire fucking minutes of afterthought commentary and you think she was rushing to end it? fuck off lol

[@GyrosGeier]

@@Raycroissant We're not asking for ending Y. :)

[@KebradesBois]

The ending was one of the most moving moment in gaming history...

[@randomdude980]

Thank you so much for not cutting out (parts of) ending E!

[@GambitX37]

This game's end credits sequence is just incredible. I love the idea of sacrificing something (all your save data) to help someone you might not even like or who might be unappreciative of your efforts. And you feel compelled to do it because you experienced it yourself with other people's save data helping you with the big musical chorus of everyone singing together and everything. It's just genius. I 100%'d this game (saying no to the question of giving up my save data the first time), and then came back and replayed the ending JUST to give up my data to help someone else. I would never do that usually (I'm the type of person who still has all my PS1 and PS2 game saves, lol.) This game isn't perfect, IMO, but I've never experienced a better end credits sequence than this in any videogame, ever.

[@jonathanramirez3109]

Man I’m so conflicted right now, I said no for the same reason and was also thinking of going back to it once I 100% the game but would it loose it’s meaning? It’s definitely silly to think about this after all it’s just a game but I think the question goes so deep

[@ex-creaturecoby4643]

@@jonathanramirez3109 I figured it would be an injustice to the game for me to sacrifice all of my save data without going as deep as I possibly could into the game. I had/still have to see everything that the game has to offer before deleting my data. I guess for Marz and some others that it’s different since they aren’t really giving much and never had intentions of fully completing the game. If I was on that path I would have deleted my data without hesitation.

[@jonathanramirez3109]

@@ex-creaturecoby4643 100% I think both points are valid. I said no and went to bed but woke up and decided to repeat the sequence and give up my data cuz that’s what felt right to me and like I’d already done 99% of side quests and I think like only a few weapons were left, which sucked cuz I was so close to getting the 100% but I felt that it just gave more meaning to my “sacrifice”. Maybe one day I’ll replay the game and do get the 100%

[@nehh_aksat]

Hellow? This game isn't perfect? What the fuck?

[@tysonhoffman7443]

Thanks for sharing your journey with this game. I doubt I will ever play it myself, so getting to experience it through your eyes was a valuable thing for me, seeing your highs and lows, seeing your engagement with the themes, and your growth was well worth it. Keep it up and take care!

[@cremeofclubs]

I'm still turning this game over in my head 2 years after playing it. One of the greatest games ever made and my Son and I often talk about our love for this game. I really enjoyed watching your journey Marz, thank you.

[@6cwgtlightstar375]

It's a joy to see how far you have come as a streamer and twitch/youtube persona, hard work does pay off...This play through has kept some of us going during tough times...Just remember your data will never be lost and prepare yourself for NieR Replicant in 2021.

[@solaire2271]

That end credits hack is legendary. I got fairly close to the end on my own but I accepted help because I was curious. When I beat it and realized that someone helping meant they gave up everything to give me a hand, I realized I had a responsibility to do the same no questions asked. So down went 56 hours of work, but I don't regret it a single bit. Hope I helped someone like Anthony[USA] helped me. Thanks Anthony, hope someone smiles when they see the name Solaire like I did when I saw yours.

[@KoroeD_]

Just beat this game a week ago... Beautiful game, characters, world, MUSIC. Hope there will be Nier Automata 2. Thanks for emotions, I feel like I walkthrough it again.

[@NaNi-hm3we]

Quite funny you hope that, since Nier Automata already is the second Nier game.

[@KoroeD_]

I know that, but Nier 1 was not from Platinum Games & had no same support from Square Enix as Automata. It was a strange game with many problems. And biggest - there is no 2B ;) @@NaNi-hm3we

[@NaNi-hm3we]

I understand. I share your hopes for another sequel/prequel. @@KoroeD_ :)

[@jinji_xo]

There wont be, Automata was the sequel to Replicant. NieR: ReiNcarnation is the sequel to Automata now

[@ProudAchilles]

Ending E, and the aftermath choice you are left with is what finally cemented this game for me as my no. 1 favorite. Such a wild, inventive, emotional, and thought provoking ride. I'm glad you played this all the way through, Marz!

[@xox1012]

Finally you did it!!! I wouldn't discover this game if it wasn't for you although I finished it first:) i wanted to see how you reacted to the endings cuz I don't have any friends to talk and share about the experience in this wonderful game, atleast I get to see yours:) thanks for the extra feels you made for us! P.S. really love every song in this game!

[@W0lfSh1eld]

33:38 "You miss a lot of things" literally a second later misses Pepola and Devola xD

[@jloxk8087]

I know right? That detail wrecked me like some of the major cinematics couldn't even do.

[@KudasaKinru]

I realize this is over three years old at this point, but I loved your playthrough of this game. The emotions were real, your reactions were so expressive, and that's what I love from a creator with games like Nier: Automata. Also, much as hacking may not have been your favorite thing, you became rather competent with it in the end. Kudos!

[@Borderlines]

This game never fails to strike a chord with me. And I love that you gave your realization, feelings and overall perspective of the lore. Just hearing you discuss the game at the end gave me goosebumps

[@Felice_Enellen]

The way you approached, played, and emotionally reacted to this game resonated with my own playthrough so much that I was able to enjoy the game again, even though playing it over myself wouldn't bring back that emotional rollercoaster of feelings. I was able to re-experience it all, just like the first time, with you as my proxy. You more than earned my bell notification click. You're a good egg, Marz. I like you. I humbly request that the universe populate itself with more people like you.

[@vismundcygnus2800]

I love this game. It is the best game I've ever played, and by a huge margin. Feels like it's playing you as much as you're playing it. Thank you for playing on camera and sharing your reactions with the world. It's been a great series. If you come to any new conclusions or insights after a few days of reflection, I'd love to see a follow up video detailing them. If you feel like making one. Not asking for it, just saying there is an audience.

[@Dracogame]

2:13:45 that smile. Having people helping u was so wholesome. I was so moved when that happened and a chorus joined the singer in the background music.

[@michaelsather5]

Wow, you didn't even hesitate to delete your save to help others. This is my first time seeing you play, but after seeing that, I can't help subbing. I'm very impressed with your determination for honorable, selfless decisions. Keep up the good work! I'll be watching from now on (I'm especially interested in witnessing your thoughts on Red Dead 2 once you finish).

[@jjr8108]

I haven’t played this game in so long but it’s been a joy binge watching your entire play through today. This game is complete perfection. Thank you for the entertainment, Marz. ✌️

[@celeschan90]

@Marz You asked for some things to look up. 1. The obvious one is the information on the computer in the resistance camp while playing as A2 that you skipped to look at later. It'll explain A2's background and her previous encounter with those two red girls. 2. A side quest called "Amnesia". Aside from playing this very creepy music during its conclusion that I won't forget, it was one of the things that foreshadowed the plot twist you found out about near the end. A certain android's real name. 3. A side quest called "The Wandering Couple". 4. This one is less impactful now, but the "Lost Girl" sidequest (if you didn't do it, which I'm not sure) made the tragedy at Pascal's village all the more sad, when you see the dead machine's with the colorful bowties... :(

[@kinakomono]

Older videos, but I watched them now and I really love how you throughout your gameplays always review what happened in each episode at the beginning and end, makes me understand story a little better!

[@LakerZombie]

Fantastic play thru of NiER Automata. I'd personally like to say "Thank You" for sticking to it even through the tedious moments. I think your interpretation of the game is pretty spot on especially the part at the end with sacrifice you gave. It means a lot to some of us when a game like this is more than just click bait for viewers and the game actually means something to the KZbinr.

[@enzofrg2590]

Thank you so much for this let's play! Seeing the end of this masterpiece again was almost as incredible as when I first experienced it. This game is beautiful, I feel like it makes us realize or think about things that may seem hard, tragic, but by showing us that the world and our lives are beautiful. I love it when I understand what this game wants to explain and I love it when this game understands what I'm thinking about, and what I feel. It may be a bit abstract, I admit I probably missed a few things while playing it. NieR:Automata has so much to say and offer to us.

[@enzofrg2590]

now i need to laugh a bit...you know, evacuate

[@meg_anciant]

I've already finished this game, but I think it's quite interesting for me to see other people's reaction, and I saw yours. I love how your reacted to this game and its end. I can't help it, but each time I'm seeing this end, I cry. This game is truly beautiful and a piece of Art

[@PhatAthlete]

I’m playing this game on my family’s old ps4 and my brother lost access to his old email for his psn account. After 50 hours of gameplay I wasn’t able to finish the bullet hell in ending E. Thanks for posting so I can get some resolution

[@justjdnl]

So much to wrap your head around. It definitely left a uniquely profound impression on me. The meaning of life (and sacrifice) basically. A journey inwards. Never experienced anything like this in a game before, honestly. These final 2.5 hours were intruiging, challenging and exciting to finish. I"m speechless. Just wooah... Thank you for that as well Marz :)

[@VERGOTALOCA]

Finally! After 4 months I get to see you finish this game. It is worth the two and half hours. I just wish all your videos were this long.

[@AmonArietis]

I see Christmas came early already 😂 Was supposed to go to sleep and I see this...! 😱 Need to fight my urge to watch this and save it for tomorrow morning. But I'm saying it in advance - Thank you for experiencing this wonderful game with us. Means a lot, and I got to know you through it! A very genuine soul ☺️ cheering for you always!

[@abdullahfaisal1653]

I’ve seen a lot of KZbinrs and i have to say that I really like your personality and how you play. Keep up the good work and I’m looking forward for your next videos

[@SagnolTheGangster]

Amazing. After all those years i didnt know i could select a chapter and then explore some new endings, thank u marz

[@imtonysopro]

I don't think A2 actually saved 9S in ending C, she tried though, she did what 2B asked up until the very end and that's whats important. Ending E also implies stuff in between went down differently from what we saw. This is reinforced with the manga and novels which are similar but also kinda ending C2 and D2 and the anime is shaping up to now be E2. I know this is way late for this vid but my thoughts.

[@Kzoiks]

This was such an amazing playthrough to watch... from hating hacking to surviving the bullethell like a pro in the very end, you held out for so long there that was insane. Also I wasn't planning on watching the entire playthrough from Pt.1 to the end in one binge session but that's what happened. This game is just so hard to stop watching and your reactions & thoughts on what was happening was great. It's now literally 5 AM and I'll have to sleep for at least 15 hours to catch up. I rarely leave comments on YT but this is the exception. Thank you!

[@mikemunoz7773]

Even after all these years since this game was released it still gets alot of people emotional at certain parts. Its a true masterpiece.

[@Suzakuux]

This game is incredible. Yoko Taro is a genius, he puts so much in his games to really think about and have deep meanings.. the end song, Weight of the World, has great significance in multiple ways. For 2B, and while playing through the credits sequence. And the pod said you may not receive thanks for your efforts.. but thank you for choosing to sacrifice all the time spent in the game to save someone else. 👍 That is another thing that makes this game so special and unique.

[@atamme2010]

2:21:56 I guess we found someone special ... someone VERY SPECIAL. Those who played the first "Nier" will relate.

[@largesmallworld]

It's September 2021 & I have watched many playthroughs of this game & yours is now my favourite. Your reactions & thoughts have been the best. You mentioned a few times struggling with a few aspects at the beginning but seriously you did very well. But you soldiered on & got better. A NieR:Perfect playthrough.

[@crashsoul02]

It was very fun to watch you struggling in the titles section. In a good way :) Thanks for playing!

[@hamburguer2]

Thank you Marz! Keep sharing your videogame experiences with us!! Portugal Imagine if every comment section video had motivation comments like Nier Automata x)

[@SynfulShadows]

Yes!! Congrats on finishing!

[@shanedixon5845]

For those who didn't play the original NieR: Replicants = human bodies with no soul Gestalt = human soul with no body In the near future, a massive organism called 'The Giant' appears in Tokyo and turns to dust. But the dust was a substance called 'Meso.' Meso causes a deadly disease, called the White something (I forgot oops) so humanity came up with a plan: use Meso to separate the human soul from the body, wait for humanity to die out, and then return to newly created clone bodies. This was known as Project Gestalt. The project went wrong when the hollow clone bodies began to develop consciousness, and killed the Gestalts. But, when a Gestalt dies, its corresponding replicant will begin to die as well. With the Gestalts destroyed, the remaining replicants died out. Leaving androids alone with no humanity left to defend.

[@jalcome4201]

HOLY SHIT MARZ DID SO GOOD AT THE END CREDIT SHOOTING, IM SO PROUD

[@ShinkuDragon]

i'm glad you loved the story. and the game had several hidden gems in sidequests that expanded the lore and such. it's overall such a magnificent game.

[@matthewlugo2417]

On behalf of myself and the comment section congrats on not only completing the game but also doing the right thing, this game let you be the hero

[@leonkennedy7831]

A True masterpiece

[@harou22]

Nier: Automata, Bloodborn and Witcher 3 have been probably the best gaming experiences I've had in my life. I really wish you would do a Witcher 3 playthrough.

[@KadGamer]

If you played the original Nier, you'll appreciate this game even more. Emil, Devola, and Popola are in it. I'm pretty sure you'll love Kaine. One of my favorite characters of all time.

[@damianstarks8974]

I watched in one sitting. That’s why I like long videos.

[@venator9536]

what made it more confusing for you about the lore with the machines and the red girls is that you forgot to read the entry that the red girls gave you once you defeated the waves of enemies with 9S. the cut scene dont share the revelation, just Nines reaction to it. regardless, youre right. i think everyone who played it, me including, were in dire need of a youtube explantion video after the game haha. that being said, im glad you liked the game and like the pods said, Thank you for playing!

[@ultama7]

GG Marz!! I love your commentary! Thank you for playing this wonderful game, It's been a wonderful adventure!

[@lizardkingbalthazar3812]

awesome to see how good you've gotten over all the lets plays!

[@MrMangoh]

This game made me so sad but I will always appreciate the people who create masterpieces like this

[@iziizii]

I'm 2 years late and found you from some related searches but I just came to say that I'm definitely going to subscribe after seeing you sacrifice your saved data, gear, inc etc.. I made the same choice and love how this game makes you think . Can't wait to see what type of content you have 2 years to now! ❤️🖤

[@Mr.VonStoogle]

I dont think the save deletion options showed up when i did this. I like my troll message more, telling people im better than them after the first 2 sections of it were so supportive.

[@colinloves]

Would love to see a nice long video of Matz talking about this game. Now just the story, by how it changed the players perspective and such like deepness.

[@aperson9847]

reason #849305 why this game amazes me: it's jam packed with crazy combat, plot twists, and epic bosses, yet the devola and popola story--a bunch of text flashing on the screen--is one of my very favorite parts.

[@LordPunch7]

Congratulations on completing NieR: Automata! This game shows us that being alive is not about being human, being an android, or being a machine. To be alive is to think. To be alive is to feel. Whether it is pleasure or pain, love or hate, together or alone, it is the mere reality that we experience these that make us alive and worthwhile.

[@elementFortune]

I really love the fact everytime I see this.. The chor starts when all people of the World help you in the last battle 🌏 Is just a masterpiece this game! Love you NieR x3

[@aidandunn1328]

Thank you so much for playing this game. Its one of my favorites. And I cant speak for the rest of us. But i loved how long the episode was. So thanks again. ...kingdom hearts next...maybe...please...I'll explode from joy.

[@Sanakan.safeguard]

travel of time here ,5 years later. Came from the future to tell you that Nier Automata is still one of the best videogames in our world. Glory To Mankind.

[@alanh6874]

Ponder for one second the fact that many of us DID watch this in one sitting (some, er... more than once! o_0). There are Hollywood movies that can't hold our attention for two and a half hours, Marz. Yes, we love you and your gaming videos... Even years after you've originally posted them. Hope you and yours are staying safe and healthy in our new Covid world these days. Keep up the good work - we need to keep seeing more of you.

[@KhallStream]

Gets top secret document, does not read it. Marz gaming profile in a nutshell. 😂

[@DLegato]

Absolutely loved watching this whole video. Thanks so much for playing through this game.

[@TiakLiak]

Hey nice let's play ;) ! There is a lot of details you can have with the side quests and the musics when people help you during the shmup the music is sing by chorus representing people helping you. There is even philosophical meaning with Simone (de Beauvoir a french writer and feminist) and Jean-Paul (Sartre french philosph)

[@baaskat6499]

Every time I read devola and popolas story I end up crying. It’s too tragic. The whole game is fucking sad, not a single character who isn’t going through it. Which just goes on to further the irony of their need to be human, wether it’s the androids or the machines. It’s real, grimy, depraved, and human. And that’s why I love it!

[@MrMindmare]

Finished this game back in may 2017, after more than 500+ Hours spend. Getting all the trophies and sidequests.. Never wanted it to finish... IT still lingers.. I´ll never forget.. My GOTY of 2017

[@netflixmembresia445]

"i will save it in my list of things to analize later" made laugh xd

[@boorno1406]

Marz: "I hope you're not watching this in one sitting." Me: "Should have said that two and a half hours ago..."

[@elenya7801]

Marz, thanks for sharing your gameplay, I really enjoyed it. This is one of the best video games ever made, I've been obsessed with it since I played it last year.

[@cosmicprison9819]

"Mystery is a convenient disguise for absurdity." 😁

[@RafikiafReKo]

That decision of sacrificing your save-file earned a sub. Because we are not so different, you and I