Beneath the Manor | NieR Replicant (2021) Part 5

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Just as the Barren Temple gave Legend of Zelda, the Manor gives Resident Evil. Jogging around a spooky mansion with fixed camera angles, searching for "moon" and "star" keys to unlock certain doors? This game enjoys paying homage to as many genres and iconic games as it can. I was really startled the first time shades showed up in the house, loved the spook. We get closer to some answers here, what with the creepy butler who is clearly a robot (SUS). But who was the book we fought in the manor? I thought it had to be Grimoire Noir, but it wasn't. If there are more books out there than just the two, what does that mean?

The mid-season finale was explosive and emotional. It was touching to see Weiss finally come through and embrace the party as his friends. Kaine is so gentle toward Emil, who clearly reminds her of her younger self. Their dynamic makes her sacrifice feel that much more devastating, even if we know this can't really be the end for her. I'm not gonna lie, the "Shadowlord" and Grimoire Noir are kinda goofy. Is Dark Moog a former iteration of current Moog, just trying to get his sister back? Is it some kind of vicious cycle? I'm content to wait for more answers, but in the meantime, I really want to know how the fuck young Moog survived getting impaled straight through the heart (SUS). The stab through the shoulder, I can accept. But that second one seemed fatal as hell. Video game logic or a relevant detail?

Young Moog is no more! Big Moog has arrived. We are taller and stronger with longer hair and a deeper voice. We can now wield two-handed swords and spears. Weiss remains at our side, the roof of the library has not been repaired, Popola hasn't aged a day (SUS), and Kaine is still petrified against the basement door. Humanity is dwindling, barely holding on to survival. After five years, Moog has found no leads to Yonah or the Shadowlord. The first thing we see after the time skip is someone's murder within the town walls. Altogether a pretty bleak situation, but at least we are badass.

Big revelations in the underground facility beneath the manor. I'm starting to question whether what we understand as "magic" is magic at all. Emil's powers are revealed to be the result of experimentation which took place one thousand years prior (SUS). The reveal of Emil's sister is disturbing. It is unclear exactly how Emil absorbs his sister's abilities and takes on her appearance, but it is an emotionally effective scene. I couldn't help but cry for yet another suffering child in this world full of suffering children. Moog's immediate acceptance of Emil's new form, as well as Kaine's instant recognition when Emil de-petrifies her, were inevitably teary moments for me.

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