[Nier: Automata] The Concept of Humanity and the Descent of 9S

[@seraslain962]

You know that part where A2 killed 2B? Well, the VA for 9S didn't know that 2B would call him Nines in her final moments... That scream is a little more real than it is an act. Enjoy the extra dose of depression. Nier Automata tends to do that.

[@NeroMystyra]

I see you've also seen Kyle McCarley's stream of this game :D Yeah that part was so shocking for him....Route C made for such an amazing stream.

[@Virjunior01]

@@NeroMystyra oh shit. Can I find this on KZbin? Gonna go look.

[@sasakelala3360]

uhh...she called him "Nines" once already in route A, though. It was sth like: 2B: *mumble* nines 9S: what was that? Am i the only one that had that random conversation? It was in the castle.

[@MooseEatsBears]

@@sasakelala3360 yeah, but the original commenter didn't say that she called him nines for the first time.

[@TsujiCross]

@@sasakelala3360 They didn’t mean Kyle didn’t know 2B’s pet nickname for 9S, they meant he didn’t know it would come up in her death scene for the extra twist on the knife.

[@Silvia-jx3ym]

Me: I'm so tired of having existencial crisis 24/7 and depression.Also me: Nier automata? Looks awesome let's give it a try!

[@fishwasherr]

24/4? does it mean you have an existential crisis on occasional days

[@leonardmegliola3050]

@@fishwasherr casual existential despair

[@reinux]

It's like you're trying to fail, huh?

[@CHURCHISAWESUM]

Honestly, I think a game like this may actually help people already dealing with depression. It's normal people I'm kinda worried about..

[@barknock7164]

@@CHURCHISAWESUM Yeah... this game messed me up pretty bad. Had to put it down mid game at a certain part (you know the one). Luckily someone recommended me Persona 5 after that.

[@dio_tr970]

9S Is too pure for this Yoko Taro world ;_;

[@OsnosisBones]

I mean, he honestly had a lot of violent and harsh tendencies ingrained into his personality from the start, and while he couldnt help it since it was literally built into him even 2B, who was built to execute, has a greater grasp of that nature; enough to not act on it and think more rationally than he did early on. Don't get me wrong, you're right that he's inside the list of people that didnt deserve to live in the Taro world, but his purity doesnt fall anywhere close to the likes of Yonah, Emil, Mikhail, or Seere who had no choice or had done no wrong whatsoever yet still suffered endlessly or died painfully.

[@mossyrocks3967]

Agreed. Poor baby got fucked up.

[@sayakavonseckendorff5557]

I like 9S, but I know he's not that [pure] as people think; much less after the Project YoRHa concert about, showing us he was the main responsible of the plot whom lead to the destruction of the YoRHa units. A self-deception, from a mad boy.

[@captjuanco5766]

more like too EMO. If he wants to die and follow 2B he should go himself.

[@camii847]

Exactly!! Omg I'm starting the game an I love 9S! Is so pure! but I'm afraid someone hurt him :'c

[@colinloves]

That moment when...... 9S puts the lifeless hand of 2B, on his face

[@mightytaco123]

The quote “become as gods” always come up in my head when I play this game. When eve ate the fruit she became as god not in terms of power but in the way that he has knowledge of the good and evil. Pascal teaching the children fear, shame, and evil was pretty much him feeding the children a forbidden fruit.

[@TitoMcFadden]

Funny you brought up Christianity because the philosopher that Pascal is named after is famous for "Pascal's Wager" where he uses simple logic and deductive reasoning to determine that worshiping God even if he doesn't exist is wise because you will receive no punishment regardless while heathens face God's wrath. The argument was sound. Except his logic was entirely based in fear. Fear of a vengeful god specifically. That's the flaw in that ideology. In the game, that fear is Pascal's undoing. All of the robot leaders named after philosophers meet similar ironic demises. Their fatal errors were all the same in the end: Misinterpretation of human concepts of emotion.

[@RS-xy1sf]

I beat the game recently and before that scene, Adam and Eve are actually talking about that part of the bible. They're reading it and Eve asks why he must eat fruit.

[@christiantaylor1495]

​@@TitoMcFaddenA2 sacrificed herself to pay for the corruption of 9S, as Jesus sacrificed himself to pay or the corruption of mankind. Don't forget 9S got corrupted by the machines in the tower. 9S is crucified by Adam to make 2B hate him.

[@TheFantomsLair]

I'm so glad someone recognized the theme of the duality of love and hate in this! I don't know how much you know about Sigmund Freud, but the game's themes are really really similar to what he dealt with, especially in his book "Civilization and its Discontents". Basically he thought humans aren't rational beings at their core and aren't superior to other living beings, say animals at all, and despite all attempts to rationalize the meaning of life and find a common goal, we can never get rid of our instinct (desires), they have a huge effect on us. According to him our life is controlled by 2 basic instincts, basically love and hate (I'm not sure about the exact English translations so bear with me :P). Hate instinct is aggression that's required for survival (to reproduce and avoid being killed, keep in mind this was a lot harder to do in prehistoric times) and love instinct is our desire to love and also be loved, be accepted by others. We basically cannot be happy alone. I think it's easy to see the 2 can often conflict with each other. Aggression is present in humans at default, but the failure to satisfy the desire to love and be loved leads to even more aggression, if we don't feel accepted and happy, it leads to bitter hate, which will end in violence either against someone else, or one's self (suicide). We may be able to suppress this to a certain point, trying to find rational meanings in life, but this aggression still remains stored in us subconsciously and there's only so much anyone can take before snapping. I think the game's really similar to this theme, just think about how many characters abandon their quest of fighting for humans - their gods essentially - to seek revenge for the loved ones taken from them, 9S, A2 and so many others. It's a nice touch when 2B calls this "human custom of exacting revenge" insane after defeating the golden robot seeking revenge, and yet going nuts all the same when 9S is being tortured by Adam. You could also think of the colossus in the flooded city who became uncontrollable, attacking everything, crying for something like a mother, someone to be accepted by. Operator 21O is also a good example, and could also be a middle finger to the existentialist philosophers of old (Kierkegaard and Heidegger comes to my mind but there may be more similar ones), cause she essentially lives the way they thought was right, a fully rational existence all committed to a higher cause. And look what happened, she went crazy after realizing just how much she needed something similar to a family. There are also characters who commit suicide, turning this violence against themselves, like the wise machines fed up with the endless struggle with no happiness and you could say, 2B herself. When she actually has a choice, when she can choose death after the fall of the bunker cause she won't just be rebooted anymore, she refuses to keep killing 9S. She sends him away when they get into an unwinnable situation, and while 2B doesn't give up, she knows she took a fight to end all her fights. I think this could be a conscious decision, she can't suppress her feeling for the higher cause anymore and decides to save 9S from both the enemies and herself. She just wanted her loved one to become a good person :/ Also I love how she gives purpose to A2 as well, to continue her struggle and take care of 9S, whatever the cost. This theme of how humans are controlled by their feelings, which are also affected by the events around them could also have something to do with the title Automata. We are automata, since while we have free will, our choices and ability to make choices (mental state) are affected by the circumstances and this duality of love and hate very hard. To me it looked like androids and machines are the same as humans in that regard. Oh wow sorry for the wall of text but I thought you'd be interested in Freud based on this video and well, as you see I got a little excited :P

[@TheFantomsLair]

LeighXP Yeah it's nice to have a chance to have a proper talk about this game, I still can't believe how good it is, it really shows the potential strength of video games as a medium of art too. And honestly being able to talk about this kind of stuff is always fun, l don't get the chance very often even though I study similar stuff at college. Oh well this is how it is :P

[@GoldRaven-oe4by]

Poor 2b ;-; Kinda depressing the game couldn't end with 2b and 9s being together forever but at the same time i see the concept of the game

[@---iy3im]

this was nice to read thanks for posting this😄

[@dannyboi7877]

Yeah so you clearly don't know ANYTHING about Kierkegaard OR existentialism. Your description is not even close. Hell it's closer to their opposites.

[@Elricsedric]

I don't the way she killed him ment much tbh just on how she feels

[@Zanyotaku]

I've watched dozens of these sort of analysis videos since beating the game, and this one isn't even as long as most of them but it gave me CHILLS. Excellent analysis, 9S is my favorite character, he's so interesting and I think you really hit the nail on the head as to why.

[@captjuanco5766]

emo ass kid

[@dannyboi7877]

@@captjuanco5766 I wish I could downvote you into non-existence

[@captjuanco5766]

@@dannyboi7877 why because you're also an emo ass kid to who screams at and blames everyone? hahaha

[@dannyboi7877]

@@captjuanco5766 I pity you

[@alexl4133]

This is great! Thank you for making it! 9S is by far my favourite character in the game because he’s so complex. I see a lot of hate for him online for being “whiny” and that just isn’t the case. He’s being criticised for feeling and grieving 2B. He’s processing very complex feelings love hate and all that’s in between. Does 9S have flaws? Of course! And his denial of the machine’s humanity exemplifies this. This video explores them wonderfully. In short, this game is super sad but I’m so glad I played it!

[@GoldRaven-oe4by]

Im on the same boat and while 9s likes 2b and 2b likes 9s its super depressing she has to kill him over and over again but the game is still great

[@southendbusker7534]

I wish I could have felt what you did. I felt nothing for any of them

[@matthewlugo2417]

I feel the same when i hear people call shinji a whiny brat and asuka a bitch, people who think that have never watched and thought about eva

[@myusername3689]

@@southendbusker7534 That’s fine, a big part of subjectives and feelings is that there’s no right or wrong.

[@CollieKit]

I find 2B (2E) and 9S’s relationship so beautiful in such a raw way. The correlation between hate and love is fascinating. Intense passion is something that is tied to those two emotions. The passion of hatred and the passion of love. It makes you wonder is there really a difference? All of these factors make their love story one of my all time favourite relationships in a video game or even a movie. Side note: Yoko Taro wrote a script continuing from ending E where 2B and 9S are reunited

[@GoldRaven-oe4by]

Wait what where

[@Buddy-Love]

@wait wot ahahahahahah... 'wait what where' and wait wot replied... 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@isr4el187]

I found it easier just to read the transcript from all the concert stories but holy shit listening to 9s dying live made me tingle. theark.wiki/w/NieR_Music_Concert:_The_Memories_of_Puppets

[@wariothemilkman]

@@isr4el187 reading that prologue made me feel kind of better after some of the stuff in route 3

[@Muscovy7]

Bruh, fuck you. It’s canon that 9S dies?

[@dannyboi7877]

9S is the true protagonist of this game. Too many thirsty neckbears get distracted by 2B's billion dollar booty, but 9s is the center of this entire tragedy.

[@galactigod]

I agree but you gotta admit it's a nice booty.

[@ribriddler8114]

@@galactigod don't succumb brother

[@alanmendoza2485]

I thought A2 was the really protagonist.

[@galactigod]

@@alanmendoza2485 she had an arc of her own so in a way she was.

[@zanib.279]

Nah, 2B is still the central character. You experience the game with her the first time and her death is what drives the other two (9S and A2) in Route C.

[@LyffPhoenix]

Automata became one of the "games of my life" at the moment I finished it. I consider games like this (or games in general) as art, so that's a really important "title" for me. Ending E (and A LOT of other things) was the greatest experience I've ever had with any kind of media. And, as you said, it goes deeper into our very own essence, in a bittersweet way, and that is another amazing experience. Because of that I've started to watch many reviews and got a HUGE amount of diferent perspectives. Many thoughts that I share but, fortunately, many new ones. I don't want to make a text wall here, and my english is kindda rusty too, so I'm going to what's more important to me at this moment: Thank you... So much! Of all the reviews, all the diferent thoughts about this personal masterpiece, yours is absolutely my favorite one. We see many themes, characters and personalities in the same way, and yet you showed me new ones. Tiny but amazing details like 2B's hesitation in finishing Eve and the possible reasons for that. Those kind of things means so much! They're all possibilities, sure, and some questions doesn't need an answer (paraphrasing Pod) anyway, but those endless possibilities simply amazes me. And you, with your work in this video, made the game of my life even more meaningful. Yep, it doensn't share that Top 1 anymore, even with the other ones being very close. Nier: Automata is just something more. Something that would be hard to explain even in my native language. None of my friends played the game yet, I don't know if some of them will even play it and/or will we be able to have deep conversations about it, unfortunately. But even so, that doesn't bother me, because you really made my day and gave me an unexplainable happiness with all this exceptional work you made. (And even made me laugh sometimes!) Sorry about the long coment, that still is almost nothing comparing to all the things I have in mind, but I just needed to tell you this. I hope that I could show to you how much I loved your work here and how you, like the game, made a very positive difference in my life. So... Thank you, again.

[@LyffPhoenix]

I'm really happy to know that! And, well, it was just sincerity. I'm grateful that people like you exist.

[@PerryStevPT]

This comment coulf have been written by me, word by word. Since I finished the game I've been watching many many reviews, and this one is one of my favourites. I'm trying to make some of my friends playing this game, and my brother too, but no success so far. The only place where I can talk about how I feel about this game and how this game affected me is here on KZbin. Sorry for being SO late, just now realized this is a two year comment..

[@Virjunior01]

@@PerryStevPT sadly, you can't force people into these things. This analysis, like so many others, are already dust.

[@PerryStevPT]

@@Virjunior01 I don't have many friend that are gamers, and those who are only play CSGO. I'm now completing all the side quests, and just now I finished the "amnesia" side quest. I didn't expect to tear up at a side quest, but here we are.

[@colinloves]

Im the same as Steven too. The most frustrating part of this game, is tying to convince others to play it. It can be sold so easy, on the games so many aspects and how it interacts with the user. But saying anything like that, is major spoilers. I believe, one of the main points of this game, is the users experience and how it will subvert their expectations of games.

[@Naxthural]

I also love one detail about YoRHa that I got mad I did not realize at first. The Battle androids, a soldier told nothing but the mission and nothing in addition, wear blindfolds. They See No Evil. The Operators who give these orders from high up speak the orders, and are not to be frivolous - Wearing mouth veils. They Speak No Evil. The Commander, despite having the highest clearance was never told of both the problems at the beginning of Route C, much of what is said behind her back in Routes A and B, and even the very truth behind the project SHE is 'running'. She does not wear anything to cover her ears, but she Hears No Evil. YoRHa Speaks no Evil, Hears no Evil and Sees no Evil.

[@YoRHaUnit2Babe]

this is insanely true. before 2B who we all know and love is killed off, she takes off that blindfold.

[@PlayStationVision123]

9S is the brains of this game! What a lovable but tragic character.

[@Olan09]

I felt for 9S, particularly as the story progressed. I felt flattened after (spoiler) 2B died. Dear Lord, I'd travelled with her, fought with her, suddenly, she's not there. There was a numbness, even an emptiness. Knowing her true identity (another Spoiler) made me feel sadder.

[@heerotomoe]

FRICK, this was so good. You don't even understand how much life this gives me. I've poured over this game and obsessed over it for months after beating it, and like. You bring out a bunch of things I've never even thought of?? Thanks. I will now drop this into the cup of tears I drink every evening. 🙏🏼

[@Real_TonyYT]

Just for clarification, with your ending statement about 9S's purpose, doesn't that make him the most human out of everyone in the game? didn't he truly have free will by the end of the game? I might be mistaking this but it really does seem like 9S's "descent" humanized him (adding on the fact that death was a real thing to him at that point)

[@crimson-foxtwitch2581]

I’d say that 9S’s “descent” is more about what he lost and how it drove him on a downward spiral, rather than him becoming more and more like humans. There is plenty of reason to argue for 9S being the most “human” character in the entire cast.

[@unknownzero67]

The most human is A2. Just to keep the comment short, in a brief moment player spends with her, she makes her own decisions (e.g. Pascal), bonds with her pod and many other thing indicating that she "understands".

[@KLawrence-mn7gh]

@@unknownzero67 She's not following orders. Same can be said about 9S and 2B. Specially 9S who has very deep and dark reflexions about life during some side-quests like the animal breeder in the forest, the "wise machine" dialoge, and the golden machines fight ending.

[@christiantaylor1495]

A2 is the most human in the game. She is the only one who sacrifices herself to save somebody else, which is SPOILER what you - a human, the player - also do at the end credits.

[@christiantaylor1495]

​​​@@KLawrence-mn7ghbut only A2 sacrifices herself and deletes her memories to save another android selflessly, SPOILER the same way you delete your memories to selflessly help another human player. A2 is The Living Humanity. The Word of Humanity in flesh. She's also the last YorHA android made entirely from human AI, because she doesn't have a blackbox, which are made from the alien machines.

[@bluebetto]

I think 9S wants to kill 2B, not because he hates her, but because he cares so much about her When she is dying, she smiles, and finally says "Nines". And that's because she doesn't want to kill 9S anymore. And to do that, she need to end the war, or die. With her death, she would never need to kill 9S again, and kill him was her heaviest burden.

[@Valor06]

Every analysis and review I read and watch about this video game the more I realize just how much it centers around 9S. Of all the character growth to occur, his is the most substantial. But at the same time, that makes the other characters such as 2B, A2, Adam and Eve, etc. just as important as his growth and ultimately his suffering would not have been possible if not for them. I always wondered why the alternate cover art for the game was of 2B holding a lifeless 9S... I think I now realize it is because it shows the regretful liar cradling the tragic hero...

[@hollowman7168]

and now im depressed again, thx

[@GoldRaven-oe4by]

Same

[@allspagonia3711]

....Hello

[@reinux]

One of the nice things about having a strong, philosophically coherent foundation for a story is that symbolism just falls out of it naturally, whether by effort or by accident.

[@ven6461]

i honestly dont think ive seen anyone explain and elaborate on these topics as amazingly as you have. most of the videos i see or written explanations people have made on 9s's character and how he's involved with the main themes of the game either restate what the game already handed to us or essentially say "uwu 9s did nothing wrong save him" (where if you read the yorha stage play youd know that he created project yorha and put intel on the moon for the sole purpose of dooming his future self). i applaud you for showing and explaining connections between the characters and for actually explaining it in an understandable fashion. its nice to know that there are people out there who truly understand the game and are willing to share it with others !!

[@Oliver-ob8pc]

Technically it's not 9S in the stageplay, I think it's 'Number 9' or something like that- They're different units who share the same basic basic personality data of a designation 9.

[@KLawrence-mn7gh]

No. 9 ≠ 9S. As well as A2 ≠ 2B

[@MCCiabattaGrande]

I think from all those movie I‘ve watched, games I played and books I read, I‘ve never before wished so badly for the main cast, 2B, 9S and A2 to be happy

[@lstahl6196]

This is honestly the best analysis on automata I've yet to see, covers everything there is very neatly. Great work

[@NeroMystyra]

Check out Clemps' analysis too. It's really good and there's even lots of humor in it.

[@jesterjaded73]

"Revenge is a fool's errand." - Grimoire Weiss

[@UltimateHalG]

I love 9S so much. I always feel so bad for him because his cheerful and carefree personality is like his defense mechanism against acknowledging the truth about the world around him, because if he searches for the truth, 2B will have to kill him. I think, in a way, his dismissal of machines as having free will and desire is proof that HE has free will and desire. He's actively choosing to ignore the truth out of desire to live (not be killed). That's just my theory, though.

[@memethief14]

I just noticed how much 9S' first line tells everything about 2B's true nature : "Better make sure he's actually dead next time, that was dangerous ma'am !"

[@Godzilla_Star_Eater]

Brilliant observation

[@MrDman60644]

Ive been going through a bunch of these neir automata analysis videos and I think it shows alot about the game that they all recognize it as trying to say something different. Its very artistic in that regard. It means something different to everybody.

[@lmaoluuna]

i've played this game for about 600 hours and oh my god. every. time. you. restart. it's like playing anew. like you know all of the details, you know what's the pattern, but it always with diffrent angle of perspective. you think you know all, you think that you're doing the right thing, but.. is it right? is it how it's suppoused to be? is it how it planned to be? you'll never know an answer to that because game literally forces you to technicaly speaking dig yourself. in depression and self doubt. like you know that das shi good when your psychologist starts to question himself when you discuss this game. yoko taro is a genious. who would have thought that the game with oversexualised human replicas can be THAT deep.

[@Godzilla_Star_Eater]

Yes

[@deathbyzergling]

I thought it would have been "Want to LOVE 2B." Feelings. Real ones.

[@TheJoshissaxy]

I played this about a year ago and streamed it for my buddy who had played it already because he wanted to see my sincerest reactions to everything. Turns out that i have the same glaring flaws as 9S. Because i supported him right till the last fight and it was... a wake up call to say the least

[@colinloves]

lol - I like your friend :) Their reasons, is why I Im surfing youtube for such videos hehehe.

[@Arlo5.13]

That Adam line about "you want to **** 2b" gets even more interesting when you consider that, like you said, fighting and killing gives pleasure to Android's. With that in mind, wouldn't killing 2b elicit the same response for 9s as sex brings to our minds?

[@metal_fusion]

Gherman: The doll is at your disposal..even should she pleased you

[@kadosho02]

Recently did the deep dive, and experienced Ending E. The journey, twists, turns, and comprehension are next level. Even with the connections to past games in it's universe. Automata feels final. But 9S path, progression, and unfolding. That hit deep, but the descent there is no return. Excellent coverage of the subject, and 9S's journey

[@alexeonbel4304]

To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering. -Friedrich Nietzsche I think that quote summarizes completely what the game is trying to convey when we see these characters. What makes our protagonists unique from a sea of androids and machines is that they all suffer but they keep on trying to grasp for purpose in their existence. The machines only ever know how to suffer, but then you have pascals village where they learn to adapt and survive, which hence forth gives their life meaning. 2B and 9S go through so much pain in their respective stories but they also take comfort that they have each other. A2 likewise is also given purpose and meaning when she is tasked with taking care and watching over 9s. None of them have any higher goals than that. YorHa's Gods are dead (humanity) and the machine's gods are dead (the aliens). They are only left to themselves and their devices. This may propogate love, hate, peace, or strife. But it keeps the wheel turning. Existence and life itself may be meaningless, or may not have some higher intrinsic motive. But that isn't the right way to look at it, and that shouldn't mean to despair. Perhaps that should mean that humanity and our sense of self should be held in the highest respect, no matter what form that may take.

[@GoldRaven-oe4by]

I feel bad for 9s and 2b for being told to kill him even though she likes him ;-;

[@hopebringer2348]

now that nier is somewhat popular again, im here to boost this video

[@armjnoarlerto4637]

crazy how this game made me understand how was it possible for me to have fallen in love with the girl I hated the most

[@Godzilla_Star_Eater]

Want to tell an anonymous stranger your story? I'm here for the juicy details

[@armjnoarlerto4637]

@@Godzilla_Star_Eater it's really a long story

[@sofielee4122]

You bring up a lot of excellent points, including things i had never thought of, such as how 2b hesitates before killing Adam. However, I disagree with your analysis of 9s' desire to kill 2b. i disagree because i don't feel that him killing the 2E clones in the tower is indicative of his desire to kill 2b herself, as in the person he knows and loves. at that point his mind has focused down to a singular objective, killing a2, and he knows they are just there to fuck with him. I also don't think that him stabbing 2b repeatedly in the second tower is indicative of anything, as i don't think he is even aware that it is 2b which he is stabbing. He is for sure experiencing auditory hallucinations in route C, so its not too much of a stretch to say that he's also experiencing visual ones. (if you're curious what auditory hallucinations I'm talking about, go to the amusement park as 9s, and as a2. if you go as 9s the amusement park theme will be playing in the background, but as a2 it will not. i think this is deliberate, but maybe I'm reading too much into it.) My opinion is that the word to fill in the blank in route B is love, not fuck or kill. The whole game, he seems to be trying to make friends with 2b, or at least trying to make her open up to him a bit. I don't think its sexual in nature, if he wants that he can apparently just go kill a bunch of machines for the same effect. I really think that , at the end of the day, what he wanted was a companion, someone to confide in at the end of the day, someone who he didn't have to hide anything from. But, that's just my opinion, feel free to comment if you disagree. at any rate, thank you for making this video, it was great to see someone else's perspective on things!

[@reinux]

Also likely that they just needed some kind of "love scene," and it happened to make sense. Still though, the idea of love and hate being the opposite sides of the same coin is pretty universal.

[@markkocsicska2590]

The most absurd thing is that the machines think humanity had their shit figured out, thus they try ti imitate humans. While we, the players know exactly that it is not the case.

[@dennisbergkamp17]

I know I'm super late to the party, I just finished this game recently, thank you very much for this video, nothing could have prepared me for the mental and emotional toll this game had on me, it's been a few days, and it still haunts me.

[@PerryStevPT]

If you think you're late... I finished the game about a month ago. P.S. If you received a notification of this comment and haven't been thinking about this game recently, sorry to bring the existencial crisis again.

[@dennisbergkamp17]

Never too late man ! I’m currently playing more despair inducing games.

[@jacklomas4218]

Despite what he does you can't help but feel really sorry for 9s. Hell he lost everything while you can't agree with his descent into madness you can at least understand it. There's nothing more dangerous than someone with nothing left to lose. The lore, soundtrack, story and like this video says the duality between love and hate. Truly one of the best games I've ever played. Hell I completed this last September and it's something that stays with you loooong after. Honestly I think it's something that will always stick with me.

[@colinloves]

Same. 40 year gamer here. And I state,this is the best game Ive ever played. There was quite a few times, this game reminded me of the Golden age of computer games. (I do think that was the creators intent)

[@jacklomas4218]

@@colinloves just a brilliant game isn't it. The original niers definitely worth playing as well. Yeah it's pretty clunky and does have some sections which aren't great but once again it's a really good story though.

[@colinloves]

Only game that I fell in love with. like really 'in love'

[@kostya419]

Thank you, professor. I share your thoughts. Though I also hope for concert ending to be canon and for our beloved androids to experience a better side of being human.

[@Ivy-jq6di]

The NieR concert was directed by Yoko Taro, so yes it is canon since he believes that all his endings are canon :)

[@felio1120]

I've loved Nier automata for a couple years now, and I thought I got most of the themes and stuff from it, but my god does this video shed some light on a lot of stuff i never noticed! I'm currently doing a sort of essay on Nier Automata for my college and this has given me way more insight for 9S' character development and it's incredibly interesting! 10/10 great video

[@anagabyrm1]

This video deserves way more views. Just finished the game recently and this is one of the best video analysis I've watched. Thank you!

[@rizamboi2776]

to think that side kick of our advertise main heroine is actually the major chara in this wonky insane and unhinge world

[@edgyfiish5586]

I had never realized the **** could mean kill until this video, and it makes a lot of sense looking back at the game. If there's one thing about NieR:Automata I love it's the many different ways to look at it. Great video too! :)

[@crimson-foxtwitch2581]

I mean, Jackass’s quest implies it could be both at the same time.

[@elka2389]

What a great video. Made me tear up for seeing new analogies and interpretations within the game

[@yes-uo8so]

It's really depressing that the Androids don't even know that they're fighting for a cause that was wiped off entirely years before. My thoughts about the characters: Yoko Taro loves messing with 9S. 9S witnessed the death of someone he loves, almost got his memories taken, and get forced to fight 2B clones. 2B loves 9S, if she doesn't love him, she could easily resign from the mission and get her memories of 9S deleted. She endured the pain of having to kill 9S over and over again. In the final message of 2B, it seemed like she wanted to finally confess to 9S about her feelings, but she hesitated, knowing it would only burden 9S after her death. She wanted 9S to avoid reckless acts and stay the same, in the end, 9S still became insane after being forced to fight his significant other's clones and almost getting his memories of her wiped. The rage was fueled further when A2 revealed 2B's true purpose, in which he trashes and proceeds to be fueled by rage against A2. This game gave me depression and it's been 4 years. I haven't gotten over it and I want a sequel that would make me feel better after Ending E.

[@literally_leo]

The idea of failure being the goal for the machines never really made sense to me until I saw this video. We ONLY learn from mistakes. Now I get it.

[@brockfiola9775]

Great video! Nier is such a beautiful game

[@shadowboxingmatt]

its sad that more ppl wont play this game thinking its same old same old when its anything but i beat the game completely 2days after it came out, hell i even preordered the black box edition because its a yoko taro game so i knew it would be great but i didnt think it would surpass the original in every aspect, even now i still think about the game and the game makes me think about humanity, the pointless fighting, ect. no game i have ever played has ever effected me in such a way especially after ending E. i was both laughing surprised and crying at the same time and as for the choice you know exactly what i did 😊 10/10 my game of the year a true masterpiece

[@CaptainCJ97]

When I got this game I didnt think it would be this deep but I love it and great vid

[@quack-oq3ey]

''You're thinking about how much you want to **** 2B, aren't you?'' me an intellectual: kill? love? fu**? of course not the first maybe the other 2 are fine -//u//-

[@katana8495]

I've watched this vid at least four times and I love it

[@Lunaryse]

The way you explain the philosophy and characters of this game is absolutely brilliant. A video incredibly well executed. You've earned a sub. :)

[@daichi331]

A bit late to the party, but thanks for your video, it condensate the philosophical part of the game in a small portion of time, and its really making it understandable. Would love to see your journey through the game. Thanks for this awesome video !

[@Ivy-jq6di]

This was an incredible review. NieR: Automata may seem not seem like much more than a monochrome, fan-pandering game, but in the end it had become so much more and reflected upon so many realities humanity undergoes again and again and even more so in modern times. Thank you so much for such a thought-provoking review on this life changing and thought-provoking game. Also, I love 9S too and I tried so hard not to fall into that analytical phase over his character but of course that failed in the end. LOL

[@procyon.]

I'm crying now, thank you

[@alexht.9382]

For some reason I thought 9s wanted to destroy 2B because he loved her and he didn't have a chance to do anything about it.

[@Randompancakes12345]

Played the game for the first time recently, this video bought up some very interesting points that I didn’t notice, thank you!

[@richardavelino7383]

So glad I wasn't the only one thinking that straddling 2B and 9S was a bit... off

[@Voeris1]

Brilliant analysis btw, very detailed (a few of which are details which I missed..). Much appreciated. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@MOAON_AABE]

I genuinely appreciate the amount of thought you put into this. Nice to find a fellow intellect and philosopher. Outstanding view points keep up the good work.

[@MegaR3DD3VIL]

The most beautiful game I've ever played

[@LoganHallard]

Great video. Very good job. You pointed out several bookends I hadn't noticed yet. Thanks

[@Jam-og1km]

What I find most interesting is that these androids and machines only become truly human when they start to live in the moment and persue only what they care about. Despite his endless ambition Adam is not human at all, as he tries to analyse humanity with logic. While Eve is only fueled by love for his brother, and so is much more human.

[@jonolas1626]

This is one of the best youtube videos ever

[@dighad3824]

props to both Kyle McCarley and Natsuki Hanae for their performance

[@notasweatlord]

I've watched a million Automata interpretation videos and it's still not enough for my brain to understand this game fully

[@solanoguz]

Great video, a smart deconstrution of the game and its themes.

[@MattFrost224]

"Karl Marx". "Failure was the goal". Perfect.

[@thewitness4134]

i dont know why i clicked on this while crying but im crying a lot harder now

[@CyEGwAzI6]

Thank you for making this video!

[@eduardogiraldez5471]

Being android is suffering.

[@jphamzz]

Thank you thank you for this video. I've been at a loss of what it all meant.

[@lilrockstar8170]

The fact that ending D (9S's ending) is called "Childhood's End" broke my heart. He had to grow up too fast.

[@Xenowave]

3:43 *THIS COMMENT HAS SPOILERS FOR NIER GESTALT/REPLICANT!!!!* This statement parallels really will with father/brother Nier from Gestalt/Replicant in Shadowlord's castle.. I think about that moment of hesitation before he kills the shadowlord, and the fact that Nier, Grimoire Weiss, Emil, and especially Kainé don't take a step back to stop and try and make things right after Devola & Popola tell them the truth. It's a subtle yet effective variation for 9S, and I really like how it was explored in both stories.

[@dombuchanan1986]

Great video I’ve got tears in my eyes even with my black hart

[@maxinellie8498]

I hope the ark managed to land in a world where they can live in peace...

[@kuroyuki6254]

I feel like if there was a single human alive they would have saved androids, just by being there

[@bungkai580]

The extra materials and resources found on the ark website makes it really hard for me to accept that the four letter word is kill. Especially when 9S refers to his thoughts as filthy and refers to it as a 'humanlike emotion' and always wants to be by 2B's side. While the lines and words are blurred, it's more likely the word is either fuck or rape

[@direktexe8436]

The shmup section at the beginning is a reference to the first stage in musha aleste

[@MrXemrox]

9:00 And also the younger generation don't listen to the wise elders, and yet they mentioned live experiences, but don't consider the elders', and continuing that cycle.

[@RhizometricReality]

Good strong voice with this human

[@Dante_Tim]

Towards the end of the video, I already stopped listening to your words, and plunged into this music and the meaning of what you said before ... 11:55 Into this philosophical melancholy Excellent analysis of a Excellent game. P.S. I subscribed to the channel when I watched your DMC3 and Dark Souls videos. And I was pleasantly surprised that you appreciated Nier A at its true worth. These are literally 3 of my favorite games. ) You are a smart girl. I can advise you to go through and analyze the previous games of Yoko Taro, Miyazaki, Kojima: "Nier Replicant" (+Drakengard 1 & 3) (Sekiro) "Death Stranding" And you have playtrough "Silent Hill 2", (+1, 3, 4). If not yet

[@dedass6992]

Adam explain why humanity will die soon. Curiosity

[@snake1250]

god damn! this is deep and i just played 2Bs part only for the upskirt peaks. shame on me

[@LithFox]

I also find it great that the translated versions also work with **** in other languages

[@mr28086]

Just shows how much we have left to learn about ourselves. What we can and can't do what defines us as human and inhumane and even though we no our mistakes why can't we end the spiral without it ending in a reprocusion that we made.

[@jakqatif]

This "game" has everything in it !!! my all time favorite game/story Love it so much

[@crome2021]

protect this broken boy

[@Scyclo]

it became a philosophy class because yoko taro thats why xD

[@ChimeraLotietheBunny]

gotta love these!!!!

[@walkinggal_147]

This video way amazing! I love your take on this game. You shined light on places I forgot existed! If you have anymore thoughts on Nier: Automata I would love to see them!

[@GMdelsXT9]

10:56 - huh. Never would i though that a s*xual term is used philosophically. Buuut... here we are.

[@Inf3rnaI]

While yes failure is the most prominent theme of humanity, and we're doomed to repeat it. We still have hope that the people will learn and grow. But humans aren't just limited to one emotion love, hatred, joy, sadness. All of these are many faces of humanity, it can't be looked at from just one side. 9s is a perfect example of this he loves and hates. I feel as though he might blame himself a little, he could've saved her if he was quicker, or he should've died with her are thoughts that I would assume he thinks. And he's never really had to deal with a loss that we know of, so when the girl whose been by his side even if she was killing him dies it breaks him. Even when he's died before she'd always be there with him and now that she's gone for good he can even comprehend it and it leads him to insanity. After ending E it gives me hope now that yorha is gone maybe 2b and 9s can hopefully be happy even though I know that's not how Yoko Taro writes things. Thanks nines and tubes you've put me through so much pain and suffering, but my memories with you two where like they where made out of pure light.

[@knight-_-meh]

9s a crazy stalker simp who if he went near my sister i would break both their arms. no other character has made me feel as uncomfortable then 9s

[@Marinesoldier54]

Great breakdown

[@CHURCHISAWESUM]

I knew I couldn't be the only one who thought the way she choked 9S was.. overt. My first thought was "Thank God, they finally banged." Yeah I'm fucked up I know.

[@goldenproductions7831]

Damn i just found about this game never l know this wow great job

[@metzfit8733]

I love NieR:Automata.