NieR: The Title, The Man, The Idea
I was discussing with a friend the different affective keys used for character themes (Emil = E minor) when we realized that every main character has a theme… except for Nier. Strange considering that even the Shadowlord, original Nier’s soul has a theme. Practically, Nier acts as the driving medium for the player to experience the world and characters while having a clear goal. None of the characters ever refer to him as “Nier” though as you give him any name you wish, a common mechanic that allows players to assume a role in the world while retaining their identity. In ending D you also choose to erase “Nier’s” existence by deleting all your save files and no characters remember you. With no name, memory, or theme it can be argued that the character “Nier” doesn’t actually exist, and if so who is he and why is the game called that? In fact why is “Nier” in NieR: Automata if he’s not in it? (besides shameless marketing reasons)
I recalled the post I made expanding on Jackass’s analysis of the machine network, and how it implied that original Nier’s consciousness had been the prime factor in forming N2. N2 created the machine network and YoRHa; soulless androids made for destruction to further evolutionary consciousness and despite being soulless they end up developing emotions and personalities (and even souls?), a common theme in both games. But if N2 made YoRHa then who is controlling 2B?
You are, but technically according to in-game lore its N2 and the greater consciousness of the machine network, which is made from Nier’s data, who was a soulless android until his soul spontaneously formed. So what is Nier’s soul exactly? His soul is the player.
Let’s talk about meta-mechanics for a second
Practically, games let you assume the role of a character and you input your own name to identify the save file. The bi-product of this is that you project into the character, where the in-game identity is your role while player choices and actions are tied to your personal identity (this is why its common to say “I beat the fire temple” rather than “Link beat the fire temple”).
In Nier though this meta-mechanic of character projection is part of the lore as the evolution of the soul in soulless androids is actually the player! Which means that You are the soul of the character you control!
Which means that You are literally Nier!
Which means that You/Nier/N2 control 2B! (hence NieR: Automata)
Which means that Nier is not a character but actually a concept!
The concept of player identity = the soul which animates the avatar of the game world!
The implications
Game worlds are more “real” as the player fits into the narrative on a meta level. If 9S is able to move between androids and machines his body keeps changing but his souls stays the same, is a soul just a collection of memories? He even admits over 2B’s grave “I don’t know what it means to mourn or have a soul”. Can souls “evolve” as consciousness did in humans, is consciousness the same as a soul? Do sub-creatures have souls? Are our own lives just a game to some alien angels in another galaxy or are we those very beings? I’m aware this isn’t the only game to have a meta narrative and I’m sure there’s more implications than what I can write here but its fascinating all the same.
(do the watchers play vidya too?)
In this world it’s kill,
or freakin’ be killed
ya feel me stripe man?
(Lv stands for Love? Pffft, yeah uh sure, whatever you wanna tell yourself to sleep at night)
