Evaluating Nier's Performance in Zone Zero's 1.2 Half Card Pool

The release of Nier in the second half of Zone Zero’s 1.2 card pool has generated significant discussion among players. As a dedicated fan of her Nier’s sisters in the game, here is my assessment of Nier based on the current state of the game.

In terms of character design, Nier does not lack attractive qualities compared to her two sisters. However, what she currently lacks is an engaging story that would allow the game’s community to fully appreciate her.

Zone Zero’s two core strengths at present are its art resources and animation production capabilities. However, these two advantages, which lean more towards promotion rather than development given their focus on the visual experience, have not yet been fully leveraged to their potential.

That said, Nier is still young and has two sisters leading the way, so there is less pressure on her to carry the game. This means the cost of experimentation is relatively lower for her.

Moreover, considering that one of miHoYo’s key initiatives for future pre-research projects heavily emphasizes cinematic presentation, Nier’s role as a testing ground holds necessary and valuable existence.

My assessment is that if Nier is not overly constrained by the anti-Nier bandwagon, she will fare slightly better at launch. After all, she has the inherent quality. The current situation is entirely self-inflicted, and no one else is to blame.

In my view, Zone Zero’s long-term prospects depend on the game’s ability to deliver breakthrough content and viral effects to attract new players and drive paid retention. The current 1.2 version is too bland in terms of content, even when viewed from the perspective of a slow-burn, multi-threaded drama like “Wine of Eternal Life”. There is an urgent need for a small content climax and high point in the next version to stimulate the audience.

Zone Zero’s strengths lie in its technical and artistic capabilities. From internal testing to public testing, the most significant contributors to Zone Zero’s viral success, apart from the combat system, have been the stunning animated cutscenes. When most of the playback numbers that truly attracted online attention during the 1.0 version were these CGs and CG clips?

At the same time, applying limited production capacity to key points, accelerating the advancement of the story, quickly entering the climax, and striving for breakthrough content in the next version are the top priorities for Zone Zero.

In conclusion, while Nier’s performance in the 1.2 card pool has room for improvement, she represents a valuable testing ground for miHoYo’s future initiatives. The key for Zone Zero’s long-term success lies in leveraging its strengths in art and animation to deliver gripping content and viral effects. With the right focus and execution, Nier and Zone Zero have the potential to truly shine.