While I think the gameplay and story are both really great, I think the atmosphere and tone of Nier is really what delivers it as a pretty unforgettable game. The confidence in providing desolate environments void of any soul or hope, and the writing that is so devastating it makes you mad, can only ever be appreciated. There are so many moments, specifically in Route A, that hit me like a ton of bricks. None of these moments are really crazy either. Like following that guy with the white flag through the hauntingly familiar desert city ruins, or stumbling upon the amusement park for the first time, it makes me understand why NieR: Automata's mostly simple story had such an impact on so many.