Summary
From deep characters to fantastical designs, Square Enixalways has something to offer, and theNieRfranchise is no exception. Spanning a multitude of games that take inspiration from it, independent game developer ACE took up the mantle to do just that. Beginning development in 2020,AIKODEtells the story of Aiko, a Kyao (or humanoid artificial creation), who inherited the memories of her deceased creator of the same name.
In the name of humanity’s salvation, the world is ruled by an organization called, “The Order”, which oversees multiple sectors made up of natural and technological advancement. Guided by an entity known as “The Puppet”, players control Aiko in afully explorable video game worldwithout limitations - that is, if The Order allows it.
AIKODE is “NieR” Completion
With all the progress that has been made since 2020, ACE has kept viewers updated on what’s to come in the future. Moreover, there are already plans for asequel toAIKODE, and potentially an entire saga. For fans of theNieRfranchise, this should come as a pleasant surprise given how much popularity Yoko Taro’s works have garnered over the years, with multiple spin-offs and an anime series based offNieR Automata.AIKODEfills that void with its similar themes of existentialism, and a mysterious relationship that Aiko had with her childhood friend, Saya. But according to The Puppet, despite her past, Saya is the one responsible for her predicament. The “us vs them” rhetoric is widely explored in theNieRuniverse, which makes it so intriguing, and a similar vibe forAIKODEis expected.
Aiko’s Childhood Friend (or Enemy)
Given how much of a mysteryAIKODEis, there are only a few characters that have been introduced into the narrative. Saya is one of them. One of the “worlds” Aiko is available to explore inAIKODEis Saya’s mind, implying that she plays a part in the surreal world thatAIKODEtakes place in. Some players theorize that at one point, Saya betrayed Aiko to obtain a higher power that only a Kyao can achieve. Joshua, the leader of The Order (also referred to as “The Savior”) was witness to the collapse of modern society that took place in Aiko and Saya’s childhood, dedicating himself to a greater cause. Though he may also be considered an enemy, at least by The Puppet’s terms. The Puppet has the ability to manipulate her surroundings and even disconnect The Order’s systems at times, enabling Aiko to do whatever she pleases. Her character bears a striking resemblance to Accord fromDrakengard3.
NieR-style Gameplay is Present in AIKODE
NieR’s hack-and-slash gameplay is well-known, andAIKODEutilizes a similarbattle system. Throughout the game, players can acquire a multitude of different weapons, ranging from firearms, swords, and bayonets. In bothNieRandNieR Automata, the player is able to obtain and craft numerous weapons to use against a variety of enemies. This means that the player must consider the enemy type they’re fighting, and correlate the proper weapon to use against them. SinceAIKODEallows the player to switch between characters, they all each have their own unique fighting style, with Aiko’s being the most versatile.
With AIKODE’s Freedom Comes (no) Responsibility
Aside from acompelling video game story,AIKODEwill also feature slice-of-life elements. Players will be able to decorate their own living spaces in a style similar toThe Simsfranchise, interact with civilians, get part-time jobs, and even romance different NPCs. The ability to use vehicles is another planned feature. Yet there remains another mystery: numbers. In every teaser and trailer sinceAIKODE’s announcement, there’s been a distinct number that appears, “1911”. As of November 14th, 2023, ACE confirmed that it implies a very important date. If the first two and last two numbers are swapped, it instead says “11/19”, meaning “November 19th”.
IfAIKODEindeed correlates to events in the real world, it wouldn’t be the first time a video game has done as such. During the development of thefirstNieRgame, Yoko Taro stated that the narrative was based off of the events of 9/11; as when two sides are told the other are “the bad guys” without any ability to communicate, conflict is inevitable. So long as one believes they’re in the right, people are capable of committing cruelty. Whether ACE is hinting at a release date or planning to be inspired by real-world events from the teased date is unclear, but as shown byNieR, the latter can be an interesting approach. So far,AIKODEdoes not have a scheduled release date, but it is planned to be released on Xbox, Playstation 5, and PC.
Nier: Reincarnation
WHERE TO PLAY
Nier: Reincarnation is a mobile spinoff of the Nier franchise that was released in 2021 by developer Applibot and publisher Square Enix. The game takes place in the wider Nier universe and features many role-playing elements and mechanics. The game features sidescrolling sections, segments known as Weapon Stories, and more.
