For a game that slowly and brutally deconstructs the standard JRPG fare, there are a few moments that will make you smile in earnest.
- In the beginning of the game, Devola gives a warm greeting to Nier in the morning and kindly asks him to be safe while he runs errands. It's also very heartwarming to see Devola peacefully playing her lute and singing "Song Of The Ancients" at the fountain with the village children and a dog nearby having fun together. Popola even shows her concerns for Nier's safety and was glad that he was okay after a battle with some Shades.
- Nier's reaction to Emil's new form. It's basically a floating skeleton in a garb with a metal staff. And it looks pretty unnerving, if not terrifying. Yet as Emil covers his eyes to sob, Nier walks over and lets the poor kid cry into him.Nier: Welcome back, Emil. You've been through a lot.
- When Popola informs them that the villagers are scared of Emil's appearance and don't want to let him or Kainé into town, Nier is pisssssed. True, it also shows how much pain Nier still has in his heart, and what senseless violence he's holding back, but he's not OK with his friends being shunned.
- One sidequest has Nier and Weiss investigating a missing dog for an old man dying of sickness. During their banter, Weiss starts wondering about his own mortality. Nier tells him that he is made of paper and can't die of age, which reassures Weiss. They then find the dog, dead with a herb in his mouth. The dog has been fetching that herb every day for his master to treat himself. The old man passes away before they come back, and Nier and Weiss posit that he is with his dog in the hereafter now.
- Reading about Kainé and her grandma. The old lady doesn't care what Kainé is; she's her granddaughter, and she loves her.
- The "Fisherman's Gambit" questline, with an old man who trains you how to fish, despite ridiculous requests and bonkers methods he teaches you. The fact is he was a dreaded mercenary before he retired who, thanks to you, is enjoying what remained of his life after living along for so long until he passes away peacefully, according to a villager.
- The "Thieves in Training" sidequest involves a few merchants in Nier's Village discussing how thieves were breaking in and stealing food. Eventually it becomes clear it was children doing so, leading Nier to confront them. The kids fess up and reveal their father forced them to do so, leading to Nier to confront him in the tavern. When it becomes clear that the father is a drunken idiot who forced them to do it for him, Nier tells the shopkeeper who made the request, who decides to work with the other merchants in town to help the kids. If you talk to the father in the tavern after, it turns out the merchants basically helped the kids get away from him. A rare moment sure, but it shows the town can work together.
- In a way, Ending B. The original Nier (the Shadowlord) and Yonah reunite in the afterlife.Yonah (original): Thanks for always being there for me. Oh, here! I brought your half.
'''Nier (original)''': Yonah... - Doubling as a Tear Jerker, Ending D. Nier sacrifices his own existence to save Kainé, in an act of pure, selfless love. Even Tyrann, who up until that point had been nothing but a remorseless psychotic thug, tells Nier that he's giving up his life probably for the same reason Nier is, implying that despite his truly awful nature, he had grown attached to Kainé in his own way and so was willing to make the same sacrifice.
- When the King of Façade and his men face off against the massive boar Shade to let Nier and company press on, he's visibly shaking with fear. And then one of his soldiers, who were shown to have nothing but contempt for the boy king when Nier first visited Façade, tell him, "Do not despair, my liege. We are with you."
- Thanks to the remaster, ENDING E. Oh, sure, the last image and the terminals parting words are an extremely unsettling omen for those familiar with Drakengard, but to see Nier back in existence, in Kainé's arms, and Emil with them... Tears of Joy fuel.
- Remember how, to save Kainé, you had to sacrifice Nier's existence, and watch as the menu interface's contents, everything you found, discovered, lived, were erased one by one? After you manage to bring back Nier, the completely blank menu interface appears, and starts filling back. One by one, everything you sacrificed to save Kainé comes back into existence.
- Weiss also briefly returns from non-existence to give Kainé a helping hand to bring their beloved friend back to life.
- In-universe, Kainé and Emil even admit that though Kainé and Nier will eventually die to the Black Scrawl, and the human race will come to an end, thanks to Ending E, they are able to spend rest of their lives together.
Kainé: Our journey may have been meaningless.Emil: Our past may have been a mistake.Kainé: But... we're not going back.Emil: Even if this world... comes to an end.Kainé: Because this... this is the world with the people we cherish.- Kainé's love for Nier makes a massive Lunar Tear, larger than the surrounding mountains, grow from the Forest of Myth and bloom, representing that Kainé's deepest wish, to remember and reunite with Nier, has come true. Although it also served as a massive Jump Scare to fans of Drakengard, Word of God fortunately confirmed the giant Lunar Tear isn't related to the Watchers.
- And from Kainé 's point of view, she finally gets to confront her own inner demons and express her love of Nier without the threat of Tyrann corrupting her. Through recalling her memories of Nier and Weiss (who we get to see for one last time), she finally gets to overcome her past guilt regarding her grandmother Kali and unleash bloody vengeance on the haunting memory of Hook, her killer - through using Dark Hand as Rapid-Fire Fisticuffs.
- A Parting Greeting, the audio message unlocked after obtaining Ending E in the remaster. It's just Nier (both pre and post timeskip), Yonah, Weiss, Kainé, Emil (and Tyrann) thanking the player for playing. Well, 0 .Nier: Alright, is everybody here?Weiss: Present and accounted for.Emil: You betcha!Kainé: Sure.Nier: Alright, then. Ahem. Dear players! The game is over and we have a special message for you.All Four: Thank you for pla-Yonah: *coughs*Kainé: Ugh, fuck's sake...Adult!Nier: Uh, Yonah! Why aren't you in bed?!Yonah: Oh, hey! It's my BIG big brother! I'm so sorry. I just didn't wanna miss this.Popola: Try and take it easy on her, okay?Devola: Yeah, you wouldn't turn down a request from your adorable little sister, would ya?Nier: Popola! Devola! You're here too?Tyrann: Kyahaha! Looks like you're having yourself a grand ol' time, Sunshine!Nier: Okay, who was THAT?!Kainé: *sigh* Shut up, Tyrann. You'll just make things complicated.Weiss: We haven't all the time in the world, hmmm? Let us finish what we came here to do.Emil: So, it's really gonna be over, huh? Does that make anyone else feel sad?Nier: We have to say goodbye eventually, but hey! I'm sure we'll meet again.Emil: You really think so?Kainé: I'm gettin' hungry over here, wanna hurry this up?Adult!Nier: Alright, once again, from the top.Nier: Dear players! The game is over and we have a special message for you.Both Niers: Ready? One, two...Everyone: THANK YOU FOR PLAYING!
The correct name was entered.
All save files will be restored.
All save files will be restored.
