3. Nier & Yonah - Nier
It is likely that this is the one video game relationship in this article that quite a few of you dear readers may not have heard of. Nier (2010) is an action-RPG that was published and released by Square Enix in the weeks following the release of another little Square Enix title named Final Fantasy XIII. FF XIII's release caused a firestorm reaction from both the media and the fans that lasted for months after its release, and unfortunately, Nier was one of the casualties of this. Which is a shame, really, because it is the opinion of this author that Nier is a far superior game to Final Fantasy XIII. Nier, which easily has one of the best stories out of any game from the seventh generation of consoles, is centered around a father-daughter relationship set in a dark, mysterious version of a future Earth. Yonah, who is the middle-aged Nier's only daughter, is stricken with a mysterious plague, and Nier sets out to find a cure for her.Whle he is constantly being attacked by dark beings known as "shades", other characters, including a magical, talking book, join him in his search. Nier's journey to find this cure slowly unravels the mysteries of the world, including what the shades really are, and why the world seemed to devolve in such a dramatic fashion. When Yonah disappears half way through the game, the game's intensity level increases significantly, and the multiple twists at the end bring a new level of poignancy and surprise to the father-daughter dynamic that permeates throughout the game. Father/daughter relationships are rarely explored with any depth in video games. The dynamic between the pair in Nier is very touching, but what really makes this game memorable is how the epic story seems to unfold directly as a result of Nier's determination to save his daughter. What Nier accomplishes in his journey single-handedly alters the fate of the world, and the significance of these world-changing events directly parallel and reflect the bond these two characters share. I would get into more detail about this, but Nier is definitely a game that cannot be spoiled. I highly recommend that anyone who owns a PS3 or 360, enjoys action RPGs, and is fond of strong, emotional narratives, to check this underrated gem of a game out. If the game connects with you, the story of Nier and Yonah is one that you will never forget.