Decided to finally try Automata on a whim with no expectations outside of combat, I had zero clue and got caught off guard
I know I'm one of many who finished Automata and wants to pour their thoughts. I'm not sure how welcome these posts are but I'll try. I've got no friends who are crazy into gaming so there's nobody I can share this experience with. So you can fire some questions at me if you want. Yes, I love 2B's slow walking animation and developed a crippling high heel fetish. Full transparency on this one.
On a serious note, I had this game on my radar for a long time, I come primarily from the DMC style hack&slash camp. But I usually only buy and play a few games each year cause im rather busy with other hobbies so thats enough for me. Thats why it took me so long to pick it up. So I joined in for the combat, but stayed for the plot and the endings. And its probably a common sentiment in these parts, nothing original from me, but its genuine. I might look like the Buzz Lightyear clone meme but whatever. That Ending E was one of the most mindblowing and unique gaming experiences I've ever had, I'll remember that forever. It actually made my eyes a bit watery, which is crazy cause only few select pieces of media ever came close. I kept a straight face during all of the sad Route C events, 2Bs death, Pascal's tragedy, Endings C&D. Don't get me wrong, it was emotional and dramatic but I just kept chugging along. But in the moment when the help arrived in the credits fight, the music changed and all those ships started firing - who I learned were all players who gave up their save files - my eyes legit got a bit watery and I couldn't see a damn thing on the screen for a second but I think you were invincible anyway. They helped me get the true hopeful ending. And I believe I actually found the initial helper who was offered to me on Steam, I haven't tried to contact them yet but im fairly certain its the same person. They have Automata in their games list.
The only game ending in recent memory that came close to affecting me a bit was Final Fantasy XVI which I played 2y ago I think, I resonated with the main character a lot. Surprise, also picked it up due to some DMC combat similarities. Since we're talking about DMC, I also want to mention the music. I love these lyrics that sound like a known language, but are a made-up one. DMC3 has some songs with an angelic choir that sounds like it had some german words at least to me, but its all made up. In Nier I hear some similarities to french, I think especially in the amusement park? Sounds french but I know its not. Amazing OST that elevated the entire experience.
And one final shoutout to the pods. The true undisputed MVPs of the game. Its crazy, at first you think they are just your little generic damage chippers, not related to the plot. But as the story progresses especially in the second half, they became part of the gang, part of the main squad. And they became the heroes of the true ending who defied strictly programmed orders if I understood it right?
Basically to summarize it in a meme. Before I started to play I had a meathead mindset, looked like the guy who was ran 37 times through a masculinity filter, equipped with a big ass sword and guns trying to slaughter some machines. By the time the final credits rolled, I became the white cat with watery eyes, barely holding up a thumbs up. If someone has the motivation, y'all can actually make the meme, would be cool haha.
To anyone who read my entire LOTR trilogy knock off, big thank you and good luck in your daily endeavors. We're in this together. First time ever I felt the need to reach out to a community after finishing a game.