You know, I find it really funny but also super interesting that the thing that stuck with me the most out of everything from Nier: Automata was the unassuming factory boss (so-shi) where the lights cut out partway through the fight. Despite the entire game basically going as hard as possible for memorable, emotional scenes with incredible scores and somewhat confusing themes to leave as lasting an impression as it can, the one scene I love to bits is just a simple mechanical and visual twist executed extremely well.
The initial introduction of the boss establishes it’s got a totally invincible energy shield, but it’s ok, as both protagonists quickly form a plan to shut down the energy grid this robot’s drawing it’s power from. The music builds slowly with a reprise to “Become as Gods” as 9S works on disabling the power, giving you a brief glance at how this robot fights and what kind of attacks it uses. Right as 9S finishes hacking, the power goes out in the entire factory as the music hits its peak, plunging the entire arena into darkness. Not only is the boss now vulnerable, but its massive glowing red eye is the only indication of its location, alongside the flashes, sparks, and explosions of both of your attacks.
I’m not typically one to be wowed by AAA graphics in games, as I find a cohesive style much more compelling than detailed textures and lighting that took a ton of crunch to make and needs beefy hardware to run. But seeing a game so brazenly embrace a setpiece that relies on the fidelity of its lighting and particle effects was incredible and the best part is it works. The fight is entirely readable just from the sparks of your attacks and the glowing eye in the darkness, even if you don’t opt to use your flashlight. The combination of giving you a few moments to read the boss’ attacks in clear light combined with being far enough into the game to have a handle on dodging just from sound cues is enough to carry the combat of this boss even with the incredibly low visibility.
It stuck with me for the rest of the game, and honestly I was a little dissapointed that there wasn’t much else in the game like it. The final sequence of fighting a boss with 2 characters at once was also great, but cutting the lights was such an elegant gimmick that I’ll probably still be thinking about it years from now
