Nier Reincarnation
Nier Reincarnation is a 2021 role-playing video game developed by Applibot and published by Square Enix for Android and iOS. Set in a realm called The Cage, the player takes on the role of a girl guided by a ghost-like being. Gameplay. "Nier Reincarnation" is a role-playing video game set in a realm called The Cage. The player navigates different areas of the Cage in the company of ghost-like companions, entering statues called Scarecrows and reliving memories which play out as storybook-like narratives. The gameplay is split into three types. The first is  the current protagonist exploring different areas of the Cage with their companion. During this exploration, they come across Scarecrows which grant and upgrade weapons used to fight enemies within unlocked memories. In these memories, dubbed Weapon Stories, players experience the memories of those related to a weapon from a side-scrolling painting-like perspective, entering battles to correct errors in the memories. Battles play out in real-time inside the memories with a party of three characters against enemies, with special attacks utilized by tapping icons on-screen when they have charged. Battles can be performed manually or completed through  an auto-battle function. While the storyline characters are present in-game from the outset, other character variations and weapons are obtained through a gacha mechanic. Storyline quests, when completed, unlock optional harder versions of their battles. Synopsis. "Nier Reincarnation" is set in the same universe as "Nier" and its sequel "", taking place at an unspecified time within an infinite area of towers dubbed the Cage. Initially, players take on the role of an amnesiac and voiceless young girl guided through the Cage by the ghost-like Mama, encountering a beast called the Dark Monster at various points, where it  appears both hostile and playful. During her final journey, the girl experiences the Dark Monster's story, growing progressively weaker. The Dark Monster is one of a race within the Cage that feeds on human dreams and yearns to become human. The Dark Monster consumed a girl's dreams and ends up switching forms with her; the Dark Monster encountered until now was the young girl. Confronted with the truth, the Dark Monster wishes to Mama for the girl to become human again. The story jumps back four months, revealing the Dark Monster, named Levania, meeting the crying young girl , Fio. Accompanied by a being similar to Mama called the Carrier, Levania purifies memories within the Cage and at the end of each mission consumes some of Fio's dreams, which she actively encourages. Despite his initial coldness, Levania grows to care for Fio. During their final mission together, Levania is tricked by the Carrier into absorbing Fio's dreams, observing her tragic life and lonely death, causing their bodies to switch. The Carrier is then defeated by Levania who is then found by Mama. With his memories restored, Levania finds Fio, and despite Fio not wanting to return to  her human form he succeeds in reversing the transformation. Development. "Nier Reincarnation" is being developed by Applibot and publisher Square Enix. Series creator Yoko Taro acted as creative director, with Square Enix's Yosuke Saito acting as co-producer. Applibot's Daichi Matsukawa acted as co-producer and co-director. The main characters were designed by Akihiko Yoshida, while background and concept artwork was designed by "Automata" artist Kazuma Koda. The team's aim was to make an ambitious title with 3D graphics comparable to a cross-platform title. During production, it used the code name "Dark". Its gameplay was  designed to have the appearance of watching the gameplay of "Automata" playing out automatically. Due to Matsukawa finding smartphone controls difficult to use, the interface was simplified by making battles turn-based. The shooting sections, directly inspired by the hacking mechanic of "Automata", were included at Matsukawa's insistence. The muted color pallette was chosen as it fitted the overall aesthetic of "Nier". While the game is within the same universe as the other "Nier" titles, Yoko wanted to separate the game from the others so it could be enjoyed by newcomers. In contrast to the other "Nier" titles, Yoko  did not take a principal role in creating the story. Instead a team of around four other writers, with Yoko's role being to take their ideas and create a coherent plot out of them. The team was led by Takashi Ohara, who also acted as lead writer under Yoko's direction. The side story sections, which used a side-scrolling storybook style, were based on "kamishibai". Mama's companion role in the story was compared by Yoko to the Grimoires in "Nier" and the Pods in "Automata". The multiple protagonists and story structure were based on the progression of  Puzzle & Dragons. He also stated that the game would have a definitive ending, though its gameplay could be repeated and extended. Music. The music was handled by Keiichi Okabe, lead composer for the other "Nier" titles. Okabe's contribution was around twenty songs, all original and not incorporating music from earlier "Nier" titles. On Yoko's request, each song covered a variety of styles while maintaining the established atmosphere of the "Nier" universe. The musical style was influenced by the game's "nostalgic" atmosphere, gaining an atmosphere compared to fairy tales. Rather than having strong melodies, the music was designed  to be "smooth". A soundtrack album was released on April 21, 2021 and contains 18 tracks, 13 of which were composed by Okabe and 5 by fellow MONACA composer Shotaro Seo. Release. The game was first announced in March 2020 alongside a remaster of the original "Nier". A closed beta test ran from July to August of that year. Pre-registration opened in September. While originally planned for a 2020 release, Square Enix delayed its Japanese debut into the first half of 2021. Following the beta period, full voice acting for the story sections was still an unknown, but fan  feedback persuaded the team to include full voice acting despite the technical difficulties. The game released in Japan on February 21, 2021. The release was celebrated with a limited time collaboration with "Automata". Later collaborations appeared with the "Nier Replicant" remaster and "Drakengard 3". A Western release was announced alongside its pre-registration date. Localization was ongoing in February 2021, with the aim being to both translate and voice the game in English, and fix bugs in the Japanese version so it could be released in its best condition. The localization was finished in early May, going through final adjustments . A beta test for the English version ran from May 26 to June 1. It was released in English on July 28. When pre-registration opened, it exceeded 300,000 applications.