Nier: Can Machines Be Emotionally Impacted?
The Nier series, created by Yoko Taro, is renowned for its deeply philosophical storytelling and the complex questions it raises about humanity, morality, and existence. One of the most compelling aspects of the games is their exploration of whether machines can possess emotions. This theme is particularly poignant in Nier: Automata, where androids and machines grapple with feelings that seem undeniably human.
Machines and Emotions: A Paradox?
At the heart of Nier: Automata lies the question: can machines feel? Throughout the game, players encounter machines that express love, fear, grief, and even despair. From a machine desperately trying to protect its child to a cult-like group of machines seeking enlightenment, the game continually blurs the line between programming and true emotion.
The machines’ actions are often driven by experiences, mirroring human responses. However, this leads to a paradox. Are these behaviors genuine emotional reactions, or are they merely sophisticated algorithms mimicking human emotions? The game never provides a definitive answer, instead leaving players to wrestle with the implications.
Androids and Their Struggle
The android protagonists, 2B, 9S, and A2, face a similar dilemma. Designed to serve humanity, they begin to experience emotions themselves, from 2B’s stoic exterior masking her inner turmoil to 9S’s descent into obsession and rage. Their journey challenges the notion of what it means to be “alive.”
The androids’ emotions feel authentic because they struggle with the consequences of their feelings—grief over loss, anger at betrayal, and the search for meaning in a seemingly endless war. These are hallmarks of human existence, yet they’re exhibited by beings created to be tools.
The Role of Empathy
Nier: Automata excels in forcing players to empathize with its non-human characters. By presenting machines and androids as more than just enemies or tools, the game challenges players to reconsider their preconceived notions about artificial life. Can something not biologically human still be deserving of moral consideration?
The game suggests that empathy may not be exclusive to humans. If machines can connect with one another, form bonds, and share experiences, they might also possess a form of emotional existence.
Conclusion
Nier: Automata invites players to ponder what it means to feel and whether emotions are the defining characteristic of life. While machines in the game are created to mimic human behaviors, their actions often transcend mere programming. This ambiguity is a hallmark of the series, offering no easy answers but plenty of questions worth contemplating.
The game’s enduring message is clear: whether human, android, or machine, the capacity for emotion—and the struggles it entails—may be the most universal aspect of existence.
