The NieR Game You've NEVER Played

[@TheMightyPika]

I unironically love first Drakengard. It's in my top five.

[@HolyBoredom]

Also worth noting that Inuart gained some strength from becoming a red eye (or vessel of the watchers) like those in the empire, but his sacrifice during his pact with the black dragon was his ability to sing. Later when you fight him and he's screaming Furiae over and over( and then by syllable) its his attempt to sing. But he and his ability are too far gone. Thus it is a world without song.

[@1cegrim]

@@HolyBoredom this is one of the coolest pact prices because you can immediately see how it affects the pact holder. Him yelling Furiae's name during his fight is an A+ character moment

[@HolyBoredom]

@@1cegrim Absolutely. I have strong hopes for a full remake, especially with the narrative devices they've built along the way. Expanding the story as depicted in some of the side content, but still keeping much to our imagination. Also making many of the short falls make narrative sense story wise. (As you said this was just a brand new jam for all involved)

[@1cegrim]

@HolyBoredom I know I was very harsh at then end of the video (I was sort of getting fired up for effect), but i actually wouldn't be too opposed to a full remake. I still think it'd be a massive undertaking though. The gameplay would need to be reworked from the ground up (getting the ace combat team and new clover team could work), and the story would need to be repaced to be easier for audiences to follow. (And please please give more characterization to Caim) Ultimately though, I'm not sure DoD1 could make it in the current game environment

[@HolyBoredom]

@ Well my hope Nier Replicant was an indication of what they could do by revisiting. That game just needed a remaster but they remade all the visuals and updated the combat. The Drakengard series could be fertile ground to explore more of the Cathedral city, Accord, and the Kingdom of Night. (But also lean very heavily into the connection between the 2 worlds. Also Taro loves money.

[@HolyBoredom]

@ so DOD1 as is wouldn’t fly. But if it’s another loop and make it the farthest point in that timeline…(cuz the world is dead dead) but in “this” world the Lunar Tear mutates from a wayward wish and creates the black flower (and the loop starts again)

[@jayistoro]

Damn, Im surprised at how we covered the same game so differently! Really great video and i love your sense of humor, too perfect for a game like this lmao

[@1cegrim]

@jayistoro Hey, thanks for stopping by! I'm glad you found it entertaining!

[@HolyBoredom]

And lastly (i promise) ending E was never called a "joke" by Taro and the devs, but described as an "unconventional and experimental scenario" for those willing to suffer through the games absurdity. Taro: the process behind ending E was driven by creative spontaneity and a desire to do something unexpected. It wasn't supposed to be taken as a serious, true ending, but as an imaginative curveball for those willing to stick it out. It wasn't until Nier that Taro himself took the ending seriously. Also for those that care (just typing to myself at this point) Drakengard came out first and Nier was a direct sequel, THEN drakengard 3 came out as a prequel/continuation. So Automata TECHNICALLY is a direct (production wise) sequel to DOD 3. (then ending E of Nier Replicant, and then Nier ReIncarnation, and finally the anime, with all the supplemental additions peppered througout). Ok DONE

[@1cegrim]

@HolyBoredom i appreciate all of your insight in the comments! You know a ton about this series which is super cool. It's wild that every game is technically a weird sequel to the previously released game, but also fit into the larger timeline at different points (og repliCant and v1.22 being different loops) I think it's really funny that the queen beast was originally based on a idol that was big at the time.

[@HolyBoredom]

@@1cegrim Its become a very odd passion of mine (i am also a writer so I love this type of timey wimey nonsense) Have you played the other games in the series?

[@1cegrim]

@HolyBoredom I've played every game in the series and read almost every short story and manga, bummer accords library died so now I can't read story side

[@Lillymu961]

The craziest thing of all is that this game was just well received enough to get a sequel and a much more popular spin-off series. I haven't played this game, but I do know from just watching a lot of content about it that after a point, it was purposely designed to make the player feel as if they're going insane because, from Taro's perspective, killing thousands of enemies within a game and having that game commend you for it felt insane to him. In that, this game was wildly effective because it seems that everyone who has played it, whether they loved it or hated it, went a little crazy during the process. Taro's general philosophy on making games is to make the player feel something...even if what a player feels is supremely awful by the end. If nothing else, his games are unforgettable. They just have a tendency to stick with you even when the experience wasn't that great. I probably won't ever play Drakengard 1 myself simply because I value what's left of my sanity, but it's fun to watch the wildly varying perspectives on it. And the one question no is able to figure out is how Yoko Taro was ever allowed in the driver's seat again after this monstrosity. I'm glad for it though. Without this game, we wouldn't have genuine masterpieces like NieR:Automata or NieR Replicant. Those games definitely aren't perfect either, but it took Drakengard 1 being the worst to get the best of what Taro and the other writers shaping these games could do. I'm glad it exists...regardless of how obviously out there it is. This type of game wouldn't get made today, and that in and of itself may be why many love it. It's pure, dark insanity with no major filters and gameplay that hates you. How this evolved into NieR will never not be fascinating to me.😂😂😂 Great video! God bless you!

[@1cegrim]

@Lillymu961 thanks for watching! I'll give the game this: it is one of the most effective "art games" I've ever played lol

[@nwbrockodile6365]

each ending got so much more insane, I never could've prepped myself for the giant baby ending

[@1cegrim]

No one ever expects the giant baby and pregnant naked lady ending

[@iamdoom9810]

So basically, the best way to use the dragon riding on ground missions is to never use it at all?

[@1cegrim]

@iamdoom9810 whaaaat nooooo... they programmed all that cool dragon combat that gets you no exp so the game would be cool and awesome!! (Ignore the red armored knights, they can't hurt you if you don't ride the dragon)

[@markoholic_]

What are you talking about this game is literal perfection XD The journey to 100% completion for this game was both insanely terrifying and (maybe) rewarding. I love it

[@1cegrim]

Not sure if I'd call what you have to do to get all those weapons rewarding, but looking at a list of how many weapons you had to unlock and what you had to do to unlock them was scary as hell

[@hikkiko9050]

You deserve an award for going through the most grueling human experience of playing through Drakengard's ending E but also for providing a great video for my favorite franchise

[@1cegrim]

@@hikkiko9050 Just doing my duty 🫡

[@UmmWalad]

Drakengard is already unanimously panned for its game play but i really can't believe you didnt find anything redeeming about the story, inconsistencies and arioch aside. I can't think of another game with such fucked up, twisted endings. Most yoko taro games have the details in the supplemental materials. Also the soundtrack is amazingly creative and suitable for the chaos of the game ( don't think that we didnt notice you playing seere's prayer). Finally growing wings literally plays in the game's opening trailer.

[@1cegrim]

@UmmWalad while the game has some of the most dismal endings out of any game I've played, they don't particularly say a lot on their own besides "look how dark and fucked up the world is!" That's my biggest overarching critique: the game is mostly edge without a lot more to say about that edge. Additionally, I was trying to review the game's writing as-is, without relying on the supplemental content to clarify any confusion (I wanted to review the game purely on its own merits) The soundstrack, while grating, is very suitable for the tone and subject the game puts forward. That said, there's a reason I used the DoD3 remix of Seere's prayer over the original version. I also thought the attract mode cinematic used a different track than growing wings, unless my version of the game is different for some reason. As an art piece, the game is very fascinating and has a very consistent theme and presentation. As a game I'd... I'd rather boot up DoD2

[@UmmWalad]

@1cegrim the game is basically a dark fantasy with no happy ending and i disagree that it doesnt have alot more to say about its edge. If you criticize it for not revealing everything clearly within the game then every other game in the franchise fails the same metric

[@1cegrim]

@UmmWalad both Nier games and DoD3 include in-game documents that either explicitly state or heavly allude to unspoken plot details, giving more context to what is happening behind the scenes. Additionally, they have the benefit of being sequels, allowing their story to build off of previous entries in the franchise. While this doesn't inherently make those games "good," it does make their subtleties more accessible. My biggest criticisms of both Nier games actually come from their plots hinging on information that was either not in the game or written later. Replicant's central conflict is predicated on two characters restricting CRUCIAL information from the main cast, which could easily prevent most of the second half of the game. This is easily explained away with supplemental content, but I don't think that excuses the game's storytelling. Route D of automata centers entirely around a character that 90% of first time players know nothing about, yet has more lore and history than almost every central cast member. Tying crucial character motivation and background to a stage play that never made it overseas, and has only recently been adapted to localized media, is frustrating and hinders the game's narrative. I believe a central part of enjoying media and media series is being ready and willing to engage in discussion and critique of a piece of media's strengths and weaknesses. Nothing is perfect, and it's important to acknowledge those shortcomings, especially in the media we love the most. As much as I respect every entry in the Drakenier franchise, I don't think DoD has many praiseworthy elements, and it deserves as much critique as any other piece of media

[@UmmWalad]

@1cegrim i dont have a problem with criticizing a game. As i said first dod is known for its atrocious and tortous game play and ill never defend any aspect of it. However my point was originally about the story only. And as per your comment it seems that you agree that yoko taro games often leave much to be desired in terms of background info and even motivations of in game characters. But if your complaint is that dod is too dark and hopeless when that was yoko taros intent then that's where you truly lose me

[@1cegrim]

@@UmmWalad I don't actually think DoD1 is too dark. I think darkness in media can make for very compelling storytelling. Berserk is probably the strongest example of this (that story is fucking depressing). Where I run into issues with Drakengard, is that a lot of the darkness doesn't get enough exploration. Like, we don't really go into the fact that the empire is slaughtering villages and committing genocide against the elves, it just happens as set dressing(I think a side story establishes elf blood is super effective against red eyes?). One of the main characters is a nonce and travels with a child who becomes very fond of them. We don't really ever get into that. Furiae and Arioch largely don't have any character to speak of. Again, I have no issue with dark subject matter, I just want it be explored instead of just used for shock

[@HolyBoredom]

The red warriors (and yes I have fought hundreds of thousands of them at this point) are best handled with a short blade, 3 hit combo, to get them into a knockdown. at a combo counter 10-40 you get green orbs, 50 you get an orange attack orb, 100 a bigger heal, and at 150 you get your critical hit orb. The full knockdown of your short combo makes every enemy hit count. SOOOO once you get the critical orb, all the enemies (especially the big red tanky ones) are just yours for the killing. Magic should only be used as a get out of jail free card if no red enemies are around you. Certain weapons do 2 or 3x damage depending on the attack type. Most spears and pole arms do 3x for the dash attack, the short swords have the most finisher opportunities (and using the one at the very end of the combo is going to be the largest with the most biggest AOE and damage. The best weapon functionally is your starting weapon, so getting that to level 4 asap is best, leave in your inventory, fill up your deck with weak weapons and just grind through the first stages castle level. Turn off brain and watch yourself and Caim lose all sense of self. (i love this series lol)

[@1cegrim]

@HolyBoredom holy... did you figure this out yourself just by playing, or is there info on the combo/orb strats in the manual??

[@HolyBoredom]

@@1cegrim Pushups, sit ups, and pLENTy of juice. The orbs and strats i figured out myself. And i just started noticing the dps was changing for the weapons depending on the move set. Again I am deeeeeply broken.

[@1cegrim]

@HolyBoredom nah bro that's impressive commitment. Somebody has to be Drakengard's strongest warrior and you're certainly a strong contender for that spot

[@Lucy2Juicy]

40:48 Song for when im fighting the boss in my house called "Unbalanced Washing Machine"

[@pykeembers1575]

I'm gonna be honest, Drakengard is an honourable mention for top 10 games for me. I know how crazy that sounds, but I swear I don't mean that it is a great game. It just means that it left a mark on me and i never forgot this game. This was my first foray into games where the ending of something doesn't have to be a happy ending. It was my first foray into your heroes aren't really heroes. It was my first foray into the depraved being around every corner. I have never forgotten this game and i played it within months of it coming out. Still, the gameplay is ass and fuck the queen beast fight. I had to use the pause method. Good video

[@1cegrim]

I will concede this game is hard to get out of your head once you learn about it. I honestly think the "game" part of it being so terrible does even more to keep it cemented in your head. It's probably one of the most unintentionally "art" games I've ever played

[@Oakusify]

KZbin actually recommended me some good lesser known content. Let's go. Wicked video, enjoyed it end to end. Hope to see more like this!

[@1cegrim]

@@Oakusify thanks, I'll try my best to deliver!

[@maruseu]

i love drakengard and there will never be something as based as its soundtrack awesome video though

[@1cegrim]

@maruseu If you don't mind me asking, what do you find compelling about the OST?

[@maruseu]

@@1cegrim It boils down to being really experimental but still fitting drakengard's vibe perfectly. The ost was made by taking excerpts from classical pieces (recorded live btw) then heavily editing them to sound chaotic and weird, it doesn't sound weird by accident it was competently made like the flying stages have flying feeling music and ground stages have kinda this war vibe so when you get used to the style not only is pretty good there also isn't anything quite like it. Also tsukiru the jp version of the branch b ending is awesome it kinda just feels like its more acting than singing but still hits the notes it is very good. Idk in truth one day I woke up with a drakengard bgm stuck in my head and then I heard again and thought it was good actually.

[@1cegrim]

@maruseu i agree that from a purely artistic angle, the music does fit into the whole "madness of war" theme. I guess I'm just not super partial to having an unpleasant game experience be paired with an unpleasant experience... even if that's kinda the point

[@tlozfreak888]

Wew, you actually did the ending E boss fight? That's commitment.

[@1cegrim]

@tlozfreak888 if I'm gonna review a game, I gotta go all the way!

[@luscinius_]

I could be wrong OR misremembering this, but I think there was an interview that Yoko said about Caim and Angelus wasn't meant to be viewed as romantic and was rather shock many people saw it that way? Again, this was something I heard long ago and could be wrong / misremembering it, since information about drakengard is pretty limited now due to accord's library (a place that had all information for both drakengard and nier in one place, so they don't get lost) got shut down. so it's really hard to get information without having to actively go into the community to find sources from users who back those things up. Either way, nice video, while I can't agree or disagree since I haven't had the chance to sit down and play the game myself (i've only played drakengard 3) it was still a fun video to watch.

[@1cegrim]

Thanks for watching! If I remember correctly, I think the romantic relationship was pushed more heavily in the DoD 1.3 novellas. Immensely tragic to lose Accord's library, but at least the members of the Discord tend to have a lot of info on hand!

[@nightlydata2181]

@@1cegrim I've heard Yoko stated he never intended for the romantic element between Caim & Angelus to exist but the co-writer he worked wit on this game shoved it in themselves. The entire relationship was supposed to stay antagonistic all the way through but the co-writer(who may have been a romance writer before) did their own thing

[@1cegrim]

@nightlydata2181 Sawato Natori was their main writer, It might have been her decision

[@HolyBoredom]

I actually loved every second of Drakengard lol. im on my umpteenth replay lol

[@1cegrim]

@@HolyBoredom You have a considerably higher tolerance for stuff like DoD than I do lol

[@HolyBoredom]

@ oh I’m nuts. I fully can turn off parts of my brain and level up each of the swords fully in one sitting. I’m broken.

[@1cegrim]

@@HolyBoredom man, I can commit to a grind if I need to, but that is next level

[@HolyBoredom]

@ Is it a head injury? Is it mental illness? I don’t know. But I do know that it’s a #traumaresponse

[@1cegrim]

@@HolyBoredom LMAO

[@aidanuzuki3449]

Finally someone agrees with me! The internet just embellishes this game for some reason, but it's really just not good. Like someone hit submit on a rough draft.

[@1cegrim]

@aidanuzuki3449 i think a lot of people have a ton nostalgia for this game; played it when they were younger. I get having a lot of love for things from your past, but it's important to look at them objectively too... cause this one really wasn't it

[@HalfLight333]

I unironically love the story of Drakengard and love 1 and 3 in general. I never got the play the games but the characters and story have stuck with me in a way only a few pieces of media have. (When I transitioned I took my middle name, Mikhail, from a character in DOD3!) I would say that I’d love to see a remake of this game. Taro has a lot more experience and age beneath his belt, and given that his more recent games have had pretty hopeful endings I’d like to see what changes he might make. And with Platinum games doing a solid job on the NieR remake and Automata maybe it would be a less grating experience (and maybe I’d actually get to play it this time lol).

[@1cegrim]

@@HalfLight333 i think a DoD1 remake with the platinum team on ground combat and some ace combat veterans on the sky combat could potentially be an actually really cool project I'd also be interested to see if they make any story changes

[@Swam0811]

The ending for branch d in Drakengard 3 is rage inducing. It’s just as bad as ending e in Drakengard 1.

[@1cegrim]

@Swam0811 oh my god yeah, it's so hard for no reason. That final note...

[@aaron8342]

pleaaase tell me the song name in the dogfight section starting from 44:22 pleaseplease

[@1cegrim]

@aaron8342 it's called "Breakthrough" from Drakengard 2's ost.

[@aaron8342]

@@1cegrim thank youuu

[@1cegrim]

@aaron8342 I got you 👍

[@KarinKoenig7]

Drakengard music is goated within the context of the game, it also stands out among all the other jrpg games of the times and later. It creates a super uneasy and oppressive atmosphere that really fits this specific game and the themes it's going for. Obviously it can be a hard listen, but the ost was my reason for even bothering to play the game. When I first heard one of its tracks years ago it really left an impression on me as up until that point I had never heard of anything like it on any other game. 10 years after that encounter I ended up playing the game. And hearing the rest of its music I gotta say, I wish I could hear it again for the first time while experiencing the game. I don't have a very nostalgic relationship with the game because I played it in my 20s, but I had played 2 during my formative years but can't quite compare the two. They're only similar in title. Drakengard 2 ost is also great too though, no doubt, but very different.

[@1cegrim]

@KarinKoenig7 DoD1's soundtrack is fascinating because not only does it understand the assignment, it fully commits to trying its hardest to convey the horrors of war and the madness the follows unending violence. It's repatitative and grating and makes you feel like you're starting to lose your sense sanity and self. From a purely artistic standpoint, it delivers exactly what you need from a game like Drakengard It's also one of the few RPGs that makes me lunge for the remote to mute it after being in a ground stage for more than 3 minutes lol

[@KarinKoenig7]

@@1cegrim I guess I am into the experimental style it's going for. I personally do find myself listening to specific tracks for enjoyment lmao. It's definitely top 3 of my favorite ost ever.

[@1cegrim]

@KarinKoenig7 that's fair, it's certainly the most unique ost I've ever found in a game

[@raiden_fumo]

Also Growing Wings is such a beautiful song.

[@KarinKoenig7]

@@raiden_fumo Yeah, both versions are awesome.

[@nidgithm]

damn your channel is underrated, thought youd have a way higher view & sub count with this quality. great vid as someone whos never seen much of drakengard, its interesting to compare it to what we have now. both in gameplay and story, while a lot is different, there are still some similarities, and its cool to see. also imo cheating in a singeplayer game when youre not having fun (or simply just feel like it) is totally fair

[@1cegrim]

@nidgithm Thanks I really appreciate it! It's always wild to go from the newest entry in a franchise to the very first, especially when the changes between the two are so drastically different

[@somesubstitute4242]

Honestly, fun video. Good explanation for the start of the insanity that is the whole overarching draken-nier lore. Bravo

[@1cegrim]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@Cinderpelt09]

Please tell me you're doing sequel videos on the other Drakengard games!! I feel like all three are different varieties of batshit insane lol but my personal vote for craziest is Draken2 just for the ending- I loved your deep dive into Drakengard 1, super excited to see your thoughts on NieR Reincarnation! Try not to die with all that footage,,,

[@1cegrim]

@Cinderpelt09 the plan is to eventually cover every Drakenier games, but right now I need a break after taking all that psychic damage

[@Cinderpelt09]

@@1cegrim a well deserved break for sure!! Have a good rest king

[@nwbrockodile6365]

over an hour!! I am truly pleased

[@SwaggyC101]

Thank you oh great one for this new piece of content 🙏🙏😭😭

[@VaunDoomYT]

Drakengard isn’t the best game….but at the same time it’s the best game. My goat.

[@1cegrim]

@@VaunDoomYT I understand that feeling. There are games I love that are trash, but I can't help but love them

[@vanillekarnickel]

about a week ago I was devastated about the fact that Caim and Angelus get shot down in ending E, leading to all the events following Nier. When I tell you it made me mad that I haven't played this game when it got released and I believed I should totally have done that, now after watching this video I am happy that I didn't. This absolute garbage of a game with a murder hobo protagonist and not one single relatable character is not worth playing it. Once you know the story, you can play Nier and be happy that everything that follows is way better than this. The only fact that is good about this game, is, that in almost every ending all of the cast dies. Angelus still didn't deserve to die or be sealed (OR TURNED INTO A BOOK AFTER SHE GOT SHOT FROM THE SKY). She's best girl. That being said, I need therapy to get over Drakengard.

[@1cegrim]

@vanillekarnickel you understand my pain! The real secret reason I made this video is so that less people have to play Drakengard. Less suffering in the world, and more people that can enjoy the rest of the series without subjecting themselves to agony

[@caimdrakengard423]

Your Weapons will level after the levelbar is full. If you kill 800 enemies in one level your weapon will be max

[@1cegrim]

Weird, the game doesn't give that impression in the slightest. I swear I've had moments where I'll max out a weapon's evolution stage and take out a few more enemies, and the next level it's XP will still be at 1

[@LyraFay12]

I remember watching NieR lore video and remembering thinking it was nuts. But I didn't realised how the gameplay for the first game sucked.

[@1cegrim]

It's really a bummer how bad DoD1 is as a game experience At least it laid the groundwork for some really weird and cool stuff to follow!

[@BiriBiri925]

I've actually played it, as far back as 15 years ago. And it's not Nier, it's Drag On Dragoon. And it's the best part of the franchise. Because Replicant is too gentle. Automata is too secondary to his older work. DoD3 is too problematic and not done exactly the way Yoko wanted (but still cool). And DoD2 doesn't exist. So DoD1 is a concentration of Yoko's work, if the term “videogame arthouse” exists at all, this is it. A game that has no analogues and they are unlikely to appear, because there is no one in the world crazy enough to allocate a lot of money for something like this. Yoko tried to get fired from this project several times even back in the day. And it ended up not being allowed to develop DoD2, even though DoD1 was a very successful game in Japan. Development consisted of conflict and he constantly pushed for ideas that would make the player uncomfortable. Even if it was the color of the sky. Yes, he purposely made the sky that color. He was told “let's make a normal blue sky”, he always said no.

[@1cegrim]

A game can be artistic, it can be bold, it can take risks, and it can push the envelope. That doesn't mean it is good just because it does that. Drakengard is strongest as an art piece: the distillation of chaos and unpleasantness in a virtual game world. It makes the player uncomfortable through tone, atmosphere, soundtrack, and gameplay. It excels in pushing the idea that the player shouldn't be comfortable playing the type of game it is. It's also a dogshit video game. The emphasis being on the term "game". Subversive design choices and an edgy narrative doesn't automatically push away the flaws the game has, especially if those hinder it as a playable piece of software. Also, I'm actually of the opinion that both Nier games are masterpieces in their own right, and from what I've read did a great job of conveying the specific vision Yoko wanted with each game (even if SQEX did kinda force automata to be a nier game). DoD3, despite it's technical limitations and letdowns, is a fascinating return to the world of midgard and tells a very compelling and surprisingly feminist narrative. Oh yeah, and DoD2 is actually a pretty good game too. It plays pretty decently, the soundtrack is solid, and the narrative attempts to tell a very interesting continuation to a game that was never intended to have a direct sequel. It also does a great job at characterizing Caim in a way that is clearly understood by the audience and true to his depiction in the first game. Is it a flawless game? Fuck no, but it's a pretty solid ps2 hack and slash

[@WandererNamedGuy]

I’ll spread my wings and fly high, this game is an underrated existential gem. Haven’t ever really liked the 5th ending’s spinoff Nier series. Just wanted more drakengrad games, though when I found out the connection (which holy f that’s some reaching they did but a master class act) I became more receptive to them. Honestly one of the best fever dreams playing video games I’ve ever had.

[@1cegrim]

The connection between those two series is one of the wildest things I've ever seen for sure

[@NakedRadish]

Hah, jokes on you I played this game. And Drakengard 3. The bells return... The fucking bells... Ha ha ha... ha...

[@1cegrim]

@NakedRadish just wait until you see final fantasy 14's Nier raid... so many bells... bells bells bells

[@NakedRadish]

@@1cegrim Oh I did. They were actually the reason I started playing 14 cause I heard there was Nier content over there. I got to the last boss of the last raid and saw the portal in the sky, then I heard the 1st bell, then I saw the boss... My friends in VC were really confused why I went "Oh hell no..." XD Still my favorite piece of content in the game.

[@1cegrim]

@NakedRadish funny story, ff14 is the reason I started playing the drakenier games. I finished Shadowbringers and saw the Nier crossover and thought "I should probably play that automata game shouldn't I..." And then Replicant v1.22 dropped near to tier 3 of the raids, so I thought "it'd probably be smart to play that first" and then I learned about drakengard right before the remake dropped and well... Needless to say, I've become intimately acquainted with Yoko Taro's works lol

[@NakedRadish]

@@1cegrim so you had the complete opposite of my travel XD still now we're brothers in bell PTSD kekw

[@TheAdarkerglow]

Aha! IT seems a title is incorrect again. For you see, I have, in fact, played Drakenguard.

[@1cegrim]

@TheAdarkerglow oh no, I've been found out! After playing Drakengard for the Playstation 2 I have managed to mistakenly refer to it as part of its sister series, NieR for the Playstation 3!!

[@myriverrose]

Can't believe I spent an hour listening to someone miss the point entirely

[@1cegrim]

must've been a pretty compelling missing of the point if you stuck around for the full hour

[@malcolmbacalso8492]

popped up on my front page. good stuff bud

[@1cegrim]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@Wraithranger]

LEEEETTTTSSSSS GOOOOOO!!!!!! NEEEEEWWW VIDEEEOOO

[@1cegrim]

WE'RE SO BACK!!

[@sadmiqoxiv]

One of the best ps games of its time.

[@1cegrim]

@sadmiqoxiv I'll concede that it set up the framework for very strong series of games to follow it

[@andrewtarasenko2976]

Play second one. It's a head above in almost everything

[@1cegrim]

@andrewtarasenko2976 I actually have played the second one; it's actually a real game lmao One of these days I'll cover it, but I need a break from Drakengard right now

[@h_works2965]

Drakengard is the definition of inexperience meeting overambition. It definitely wants to be a subversive game that wants to deconstruct RPG archetypes and question video game violence in order to raise questions about war and conflict. You can certainly see the start of what Yoko Taro would go on to do well in NieR. But it all just kind of falls apart here. The team’s inexperience and lack of time betrays any interesting ideas or ambition in the work. Not just in terms of gameplay, but in story too. It’s bold yes, but it’s characters don’t have much going on outside of being subversive on a basic level, and it doesn’t go far enough with its themes as it has no real answer to the nature of conflict beyond ‘some people are just assholes’. Given his youth and inexperience at the time, I get the sense that he was still in a bit of an ‘edgelord’ phase and had something to prove. There’s a degree of shock value here that I feel his later works have gradually phased out. Taro still goes all in on darker themes (especially in the side novels and mangas that continue to feel a tad gratuitous). But the NieR games (and Drakengard 3 to an extent) feel a lot less cynical. There’s a humanity amidst the misery that the first Drakengard lacks. And I think that came with time. Ultimately I think what vision and ideas were here have simply been done better since. And not just by Taro. As a meta-commentary on video game violence, that deconstructs the archetypal action game hero and breaks format to screw with the player, No More Heroes does basically everything Drakengard in a more nuanced way with better execution. And Taro himself had better answers to te nature of conflict in NieR, where instead of just making all his characters dicks, he digs deeper into othering, miscommunication and selfish love. And has found better ways to create tighter gameplay that can harmonise with the narrative and play with the medium in ways that feel intentional rather than accidental. Drakengard is certainly an interesting history lesson. It’s inherently remarkable. But it’s almost impossible to reccomend even to the most fanatical Drakenier-heads.

[@1cegrim]

@h_works2965 this is some fire analysis! It's interesting to see what 7-ish years did in terms of both the questions Yoko was asking, and the answers he was pondering to those questions. Nier feels almost nothing like DoD in pretty much every way, yet still retains things that are crucial to what make his games his. Also a lot of the short stories and novellas are like... needlessly dark. Like almost uncharacteristically so. Although it probably doesn't help that their main author Jun Eishima is a little bit too aligned with Leonard's interests

[@yeahbuthow2005]

What do you think about Silent Hill 2?

[@1cegrim]

@yeahbuthow2005 i haven't had a chance to play the silent hill games, would you recommend them (and should I play the remakes?)

[@meow-s6l5p]

thats drakengard you hobo

[@1cegrim]

@@meow-s6l5p yeah, obviously lol

[@oriongold395]

Why does this video have such a such amount of dislikes?

[@1cegrim]

@oriongold395 there's a very specific subset of the DrakeNier community that ONLY likes Drakengard 1, and kind of resent the rest of the franchise. By using the specific pairing of title and thumbnail I have, they probably assume I have no idea what I'm talking about and just clicked on the video to dislike it. I assumed this would happen lol

[@rukyo36]

Still watching the Video. Nice work! On minute 33-ish you talk about the Elf Arios. How she want to protect children by eating them. That is in fact, somewhat true. Saw something similar from another Creator who looked at the shortstory "Bao" from Disney. There he sad, that if your child is acting up, getting in danger or distance themselfs from there parents (ya know, building there own Family, normal getting older stuff) that a mother could just wish there child is back in there womb. Then the Mother knows that he is safe. I think Arios means this by "eating children". Thanks for reading and sorry for my bad english. Greetings from Germany here ^-^/

[@tsunderelict]

oh? hey. didnt see you there. oh, a little One our + video about drakengard? oh, i think i will

[@1cegrim]

@@tsunderelict 😎

[@tsunderelict]

@@1cegrim hey, mad respect for you completing the final boss! Personally, I love this game but yes it is a grating and rather uncomfortable experience to play- especially in the modern era. I'm glad it is still being recognized for what it is. I still blast the sound track far too often, I love the chop and screwed classical music so much!

[@1cegrim]

@tsunderelict I really want to be able to like DoD1 more, but I'm glad it exists regardless cause of all the other stuff it paved the way for! Nier is great of course, but I'm actually just as much a fan of DoD2 and 3 as I am of Nier. Honestly, a drakengard remake that plays like modern ace combat and automata would be pretty sweet (just please organize the story more like DoD3 lol)

[@tsunderelict]

@@1cegrim I'm glad you added the part about taro NEVER EVER MAKING ANOTHER DRAGONSPHERE game... and then we got the wonderful weird gem that is dod3 lmao. I also enjoyed dod2, mechanically i feel like it tidied up the ideas of the first game and again the ost slappppps. anyways- really looking forward to more content from you, you really nailed this so well!

[@1cegrim]

@tsunderelict thanks, i really appreciate it! The DoD2 video will be made someday, but for now I need a bit of a Drakengard break lol

[@rachelobert3651]

@11:02 🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀 1:19:29

[@1cegrim]

🐁🐉

[@nickkozilek2422]

Completely optional

[@ThePantafernando]

Worst? Drakengard 1 is quite interesting game. Try Drakengard 2, then we can talk

[@1cegrim]

@ThePantafernando I've played DoD2, it's actually a playable video game. The character writing for Nowe and Manah is pretty damn solid, and I think the game does a better job at characterizing Caim than DoD1 does

[@gd995]

As a millennial, the writing in this video is P A I N F U L L Y millennial. Like it's weird you critique marvel and then use their tropes.

[@1cegrim]

What did he mean by this?

[@gd995]

@1cegrim that, right there. Perfect example, thank you.

[@1cegrim]

@gd995 bits aside, what actually did you mean by that? I'm afraid I don't follow

[@AngraMainiiu]

​@@1cegrimYou speak in memes lol Expand your prose a bit by reading something from before the 21st century 😂

[@1cegrim]

@AngraMainiiu I really don't think the average viewer would be interested in listening to an hour long video on a game from 2003 written by David Foster Wallace

[@llsinon360ll8]

this is like when some guy call your girl ugly LIKE ONLY IM ALLOWED TO CALL HER UGLY (nah this game is ass)

[@1cegrim]

@llsinon360ll8 Automata showed up to the function... I'm not sure what else I was supposed to do...

[@oriongold395]

Okay, you really need to put more confidence in your voice because right now, the stuttering and awkwardness is really irritating me.

[@1cegrim]

Damn, harsh lol Was this at the beginning or all throughout the video?

[@kingpin3690]

This video feels very badly researched and seems pretty combative.

[@1cegrim]

@kingpin3690 not sure how I could research the game better than playing through it and every other game in the franchise, as well as reading all the supplemental material associated with each game, as well as interviews related to the game's development, but I suppose you do you lmao

[@nightmaric1990]

You need to work on your script reading and writing. It doesn't come off as natural sounding or confident. You're also relying on unfunny jokes too much.