Nier (2010) Review

Rating:
EU Release Date:	April 23, 2010 (for Xbox 360)
Total play time:	34:58:29 (Normal Mode)

I loved this game. From the very first line of dialogue, this game was working its way into my favourites. And the longer I played, the more I loved it.

The tutorial level begins in 2049, in the ruins of a big city. You are introduced to your character (referred to by the game manual as “The Father”), struggling to protect his young, ill daughter Yonah from shadowy monsters. After a seemingly endless wave of monsters and a whistle-stop tour of all the magic available in the game, something happens and you find yourself 1300 years in the future.

Initial Thoughts: Tomb Raider Underworld (2008)

It took me a little while to get used to the controls on this game, but after the recent Tomb Raider reboot, it’s quite nice to return to the old, familiar,  puzzle-solving variety of Tomb Raider. I started playing on Xbox first, but also have the Wii version of the game, so I will be making a comparison between the two platforms.
My only doubt is that they seem to be handling the plot with a handy crowbar – unless, of course, I’ve forgotten something important from one of the older games. Lara seems very happy with shooting people, which happened more sparingly in previous instalments and I’m not sure what’s going on with her mother. We shall see in time.

Initial Thoughts: Curtain Call – Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (2014)

Being a huge fan of the music of Final Fantasy, I loved the first Theatrhythm game so much, but this one is so much better. Compared to Theatrhythm’s 40 or so tracks, the 200+ included in Curtain Call feel unending and with extra songs still being released as DLC, it’s going to take me much longer to get through them all.

Initial Thoughts: NieR (2010)

I think I’m going to like this game. It reminds me a lot of FFXII and older Tomb Raider games – on map battles and lots of puzzles to solve. And, like most Square Enix games, the soundtrack is brilliant.
In fact, I was being won over before I’d started playing; the very first line dialogue in the game is shouted at you by an angry-sounding young woman and liberally sprinkled with profanity.
The tutorial level is set in 2049 and lets you experience the kind of manic, seemingly endless battles that you will encounter throughout the game. You are the father and you are fighting the monsters to protect your young daughter. But something happens and, for some reason (I haven’t worked it out yet), the next time we see them is 1300 years in the future. The mystery deepens… and I’m looking forward to solving it!