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Listen "EP 18 | Nier Automata: Mastery in Misdirection (with Zack Parkerson)"
Episode Synopsis
Marina sits down with Zack Parkerson to talk Nier once again, but this time, we’re trading in Replicant for Automata.
We talk about Nier Automata’s masterful narrative design, how it misdirects the player until the very end, our favourite side quests, and why we love this game so much.
Grab some headphones, make a coffee, and let’s talk about one of the greatest games ever made.
* * * * * * *
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introductions & What We’re Currently Playing
(09:51) Story Summary
(10:37) Is This “Depression, The Game?”
(14:08) A Deeply Human Game
(15:59) The Philosophy Debate
(17:08) Nier Automata’s Narrative Design
(19:39) Nier Reincarnation & Drakengard 3
(20:56) Mastery in Misdirection
(30:37) Favourite Builds
(35:07) The Music
(40:03) Should You Play Automata or Replicant first?
(46:18) Favourite Side Quests
(52:11) Final Thoughts & Wrap Up
* * * * * * *
SOCIALS:
Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkers
Zack’s socials: https://twitter.com/GOcastZack
The Gaming Outsider: https://thegamingoutsider.com/
Marina’s socials: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan
We talk about Nier Automata’s masterful narrative design, how it misdirects the player until the very end, our favourite side quests, and why we love this game so much.
Grab some headphones, make a coffee, and let’s talk about one of the greatest games ever made.
* * * * * * *
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introductions & What We’re Currently Playing
(09:51) Story Summary
(10:37) Is This “Depression, The Game?”
(14:08) A Deeply Human Game
(15:59) The Philosophy Debate
(17:08) Nier Automata’s Narrative Design
(19:39) Nier Reincarnation & Drakengard 3
(20:56) Mastery in Misdirection
(30:37) Favourite Builds
(35:07) The Music
(40:03) Should You Play Automata or Replicant first?
(46:18) Favourite Side Quests
(52:11) Final Thoughts & Wrap Up
* * * * * * *
SOCIALS:
Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkers
Zack’s socials: https://twitter.com/GOcastZack
The Gaming Outsider: https://thegamingoutsider.com/
Marina’s socials: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan
More episodes of the podcast Quest Markers
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13/12/2025
EP 35 | How do indie horror games get made?
23/10/2025
EP 34 | How do indie studios get funded?
27/09/2025
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