Ending B

Lore & Background

The events here underscore the futility of conventional medicine against the Scrawl. Players learn that Yonah remains infected, as the Black Scrawl is a symptom of the Gestalt relapse—not a separate curse—and that her condition persists even after the Shadowlord is defeated. This realization forces Nier to confront the limitations of his power and the cruelty of the world’s design. It sets a somber tone for the remainder of the saga, pushing characters toward more extreme sacrifices in future timelines.

Reader's Guide

To unlock Ending B, players must first complete Ending A by defeating the Shadowlord and curing Yonah of her initial infection. However, this victory is temporary. Selecting New Game+ or continuing from the save file initiates the second path. Here, the narrative shifts to reveal the lingering effects of the Black Scrawl. Nier discovers that while the Shadowlord was vanquished, Yonah’s body remains compromised by the curse itself. This playthrough emphasizes the desperation of the situation. Choices made during battles and dialogues may vary slightly due to retained knowledge from the first run. The climax involves confronting the harsh reality that a simple cure is insufficient against the Scrawl’s nature. Ultimately, this path concludes with Yonah passing away despite Nier’s efforts, cementing the tragedy. This loss drives Nier toward the subsequent endings where he seeks more radical solutions. Players should expect emotional weight and expanded lore regarding the Gestalt project. Understanding Ending B is essential for unlocking the final true conclusions of the saga.

Did You Know?

• The character designer for the Drakengard games, Kimihiko Fujisaka, was initially a minor staff member at Cavia before being recommended for the role.
• For Nier's international release, the protagonist was redesigned from a teenager to an adult because publishers felt an older character would appeal more to western players.

Origins and Creative Direction

The franchise began in 1999 as a collaboration between Takamasa Shiba and Takuya Iwasaki under the moniker Project Dragonsphere. Developed by Cavia, the initial concept blended aerial combat elements from Ace Combat with the chaotic crowd control of Dynasty Warriors 2. Director Yoko Taro was instrumental in establishing the series' signature dark atmosphere, though he was initially told no sequel would be produced. This uncertainty led to the creation of multiple endings for the first game, a narrative staple that defined the franchise's structure. When localizing the title for Western audiences, significant censorship occurred regarding sexual taboos, and the original Japanese name, Drag-On Dragoon, was deemed inappropriate and changed to Drakengard. The success of this debut prompted a sequel, but Yoko Taro had limited involvement due to other commitments. Director Akira Yasui took over, leading to creative clashes that resulted in Drakengard 2 adopting a lighter tone and broader color palette as a thematic opposite to its predecessor.

Narrative Structure and Thematic Depth

The series is known for a complex story that plays out across parallel universes linked by one branching timeline. The main setting hops between Midgard, a dark fantasy realm like Northern Europe where humans live alongside mythical creatures, and the post-apocalyptic Earth seen in the Nier spin-offs. These tales usually track small groups of protagonists dealing with catastrophic events. Dark, mature themes drive the experience, often forcing players to make morally gray choices that lead to different conclusions. Even though Drakengard took heat for its gameplay, both series earned praise for deep character work and layered plots. The Nier entries specifically spring from an alternative ending in the original Drakengard, separate from the path taken by Drakengard 2, weaving a web of interconnected yet distinct realities that examine the fallout of war and existence.

Global Reception and Commercial Evolution

For years, both Drakengard and Nier maintained a strong cult following in Japan, supported by robust sales and various adaptations including novels, manga, comics, and stage plays. However, these titles remained largely obscure outside of their home market until the release of Nier: Automata in 2017. This distant sequel, set thousands of years in the future within the same universe, achieved massive worldwide commercial and critical success, sparking a surge of interest from Western audiences. The renewed global attention directly influenced the decision to remaster the original Nier as Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., which launched in 2021 for modern platforms. This updated version garnered substantially better sales and wider recognition than its 2010 predecessor, effectively bridging the gap between the series' niche Japanese origins and its status as an international phenomenon.

Developmental History and Studio Transitions

The franchise's development journey has seen big shifts in staff and studio leadership. The original Drakengard was Cavia's project, but once Nier split off from the main continuity to become a spin-off, it stood as the developer's final title before shutting down and merging into AQ Interactive. After this switch, Yoko Taro left to chase wider opportunities, while Shiba blamed stalled new game attempts under AQ Interactive on an industry trend pushing for lightweight titles over hardcore RPGs. Eventually, the creators regrouped to make Drakengard 3, a prequel built by Access Games instead of Cavia. This change in teams showed how the franchise adapted and evolved, moving from its start with Cavia to new partners while keeping Yoko Taro and Takamasa Shiba's core creative vision alive.