I'd say no.

The surface-level story isn't particularly good. It's a lot of nonsense that apparently relies on the convoluted backstories of the original Nier and Drakengard to try to piece together with something even approaching coherence, and is still left with a shotgun's blast full of plot holes.

What some critics seemed to really like are the philosophical elements the game explorers, but I found nothing in there deeper or meaningful than anything I was exposed to in a freshman philosophy class in college. However, I'm a pragmatist and I'm pretty nonplussed by ruminations on existence and the meaning of life in general though, so take that into account FWIW.

The only thing that was particularly notable about the game for me was the final ending (ending E), which doesn't even really have all that much to do with the game's plot (thought it does tie into the philosophy), but is a very powerful and memorable moment that is wholly unique to it being a video game, which is rare. I could see there being some people whose opinion of the game is carried by the strength of that moment alone.

No. The story is super lame. If you're not enjoying it by now, don't expect to be blown away by playthrough C. It's different, but it's not the second coming of Christ like a lot of people talk about. Play it because you're enjoying the gameplay, if not, you're just wasting your time.

And if you keep playing, keep your expectations very low and expect tough enemies, playthrough C is pretty hard.

You did your due diligence and tried (and completed) the game. If you are really interested in the story, just watch a supercut on the YT. I understand those folks who have a great attachment to the game, and what it did; but forcing yourself to continue doing something that you don't enjoy might lead to you just harboring resentment towards the game and those aforementioned fans that did enjoy it more.

I don't like the way Platinum's games play (but I *really* wish that I did), so try as I might, I could not get past the gameplay of Nier to ever enjoy any of the other aspects of the game. Different strokes and all that.

I had the exact same experience. I found the game incredibly boring the first time I attempted to play it, but I could see glimpses of a unique voice and style.

I stopped playing after about 5 hours on my first try. The combat is dull, and I hated that the game didn't autosave.

The second time, I set it to easy mode, turned on all the auto-combat chips. I found this to be so much more streamlined, and I got to enjoy the story instead of dealing with the other crap.
And the story is most certainly worth it. Total playtime: 25 hrs.

I would say yes if only to see the game's final ending. It is by far one of the coolest things I've ever seen in video games and it's really cool storytelling that can only be done with a video game. If you're curious please don't look it up on YouTube or something. I just don't see how that thing can really hit you if you just watch it.

God fucking damn this game... I was very intrigued by the story after game of the year and finally went to play this... 4 hours in and I just can't keep going. Coming here and hearing you have to do this shit again. No way. There is no story that good. I can't believe how much I hate this game and it seems to hate me.

• By far the worst lookign game I have played on PS4
• Still the performance is atrocious
• I switched to easy mode after 2 hours because I didn't wat to do the combat (the autocombat is actually a neat feature)
• Bugs, bugs, bugs. I've have to google for several minutes to find ways to continue and the answer is "it's bugged load a save and try again"

This is just me venting, but holy hell this game is bad. People make fun of walking simulators, but they can actually deliver a story without making you want to tear your face off. Man, I'm so bummed out.

Edit: I have to say the music is really cool, definitely the best part.

@zaccheus: I mean, if it makes you feel any better, I felt the exact same way through pretty much the entire first playthrough and then intermittently through B and C. I managed to push through and it ended up being one of my favourite games from last year. I don't even think the plot itself is amazing, certainly not something that hasn't been done before, but it's more the way they convey it and how they tie everything together thematically at the end. It also helps that I'm a sucker for the stuff they do at the end of the game, always hits me super emotionally. I think Jeff put it best in his GotY write-up.

The final moments of the game not only made all the tedium I felt in the early hours feel minor by comparison, it also managed to make that very feeling of tedium necessary.

@ichthy: I can understand that, I feel very much like that about Spec Ops: The Line.