Unboxing [US]: NieR (PS3)

Recently arrived in the post, the now out of print cult hit spin-off to the Drakengard series is now in my collection.

Nier is an action role playing game developed by Cavia (known for making many anime/visual novel games including Fate/unlimited codes and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex as well as the original Drakengard game for PS2) and published by Square Enix (who we all know for Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest). The game was released in 2010 and actually has two versions. The version that started off in Japan on the Xbox 360 and was localised in English is known as Nier Gestalt. When the game was then released on the PlayStation 3 in Japan, it was instead named Nier Replicant which allowed the player to control a younger main protagonist. The English PS3 version doesn't have the Replicant features as it uses the Gestalt version.

Nier's relevance to the Drakengard series is due to the fact that the game follows the events of the strange fifth ending of the first Drakengard game (which for spoiler reasons I won't say). Though as far as I know knowledge of the previous story isn't needed for the game.

When the game was released the feedback was rather mixed. Many critics didn't like the game while the hardcore RPG fans stuck to it and realised the potential it had, thus making it a cult hit amongst the gaming community with many stating the story, characters and music were the highlights of the game. The gameplay itself is also pretty unique as it changes from time to time, and don't forget the fishing! As for me, I have yet to delve straight into the story but I've convinced myself to pick it up to give it a shot.

Format: PlayStation 3 (also available on Xbox 360)

Version: USA

Exclusive: No

Local Players: 1

Resolution: NTSC 480p, 720p [This is based on the video output, resolution in-game may be different]

HDD Space: 7111KB (Save)

Trophies: Yes

Nier is now no longer in print over here in the UK while there are some copies left of the North American version. The game is also not available to download on the PlayStation Network so the only way to play it is to hunt down a copy of the game.