To the detriment of 23 different strangers in Closing Fantasy 14’s first Nier: Automata raid, I spent almost every week of 2019 in a 2B-fueled, boss-rushing rampage. I used to be on a mission to take my beloved catgirl—who roamed the MMO as an unlucky Yorha knockoff—and costume her in genuine Nier garb. The RNG was not sort. The duty made me depressing, operating the identical handful of fights by way of a fog of fatigue-induced errors till luck blessed me with a classy new 2B outfit. Lastly, hallelujah, turn into as gods, and many others., I may strut my stuff as Automata’s most well-known android.
Until bribed or coerced, I refuse to return into that raid ever once more.
Dedicating numerous hours to appear to be 2B is a type of shameful obsessions I ought to in all probability really feel some disgrace in sharing, however I do not. Again then I used to be hardly alone in my FF14 cosplay conquest, and the additional we transfer from Automata’s 2017 launch, the extra I notice there is a ton of y’all desirous to see—or be—2B in all the things. And I do imply all the things. I’ve discovered myself down an Automata dress-up rabbit gap, compelling me to strive quantifying simply what number of video games have some playable model of dressed-to-kill Yorha No.2 Kind B.
The Science
Establishing some floor guidelines: I am counting 2B appearances in official and non-official capacities. Fixing for the Sq. Enix-approved variable is a far simpler endeavor than looking down each 2B mod in existence, however I will ship a last sum of Complete 2Bs based mostly on a couple of standards. Does the mod change some kind of player-controlled unit? Are you able to put on 2B’s iconic black and white costume? Is there a vaguely related tribute to her white hair or eye cowl?
In different phrases, my try to seek out each recreation with a playable 2B relies on the extremely scientific strategy of vibes. Video games solely that includes her castmates, like 9S or A2, do not rely. Video games with a number of variations, like Skyrim, rely every time. I am additionally together with belongings you may play—defunct video games or mods that exist by way of video proof solely. Maybe “may play” undermines “can play,” however she’s already a Fall Guys bean. I am not all for bringing cause into this.
2B is Agent 47
Maybe my endeavor to show each character I management right into a 2B clone proves some better level that Nier: Automata strives to make on love and lust. Or possibly this stems from my underlying frustrations with enjoying the identical mediocre-looking man in each recreation. Perhaps it is not one of the above—I simply assume the costume is cute. Regardless, certainly one of my favourite threads on this all-encompassing search led to a Hitman 2 Nexus Mods add that turns Agent 47 into 2B.
One other mod does the identical factor for Hitman 3. Reactions to each appear torn between demanding extra and calling it “cursed.” When one commenter requested creator unalteredepic if there’s any recreation with modding help left that hasn’t gotten the 2B therapy, they responded, “if there’s, make sure that there will not be.” Weirdly ominous, however I dig it.
2B belongs right here
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For these retaining a tally, the checklist is at 4 video games with a playable(ish) 2B. Whereas making my observations, I spotted there is a recurring theme among the many extra in style mods, a style we’ll name “video games that really feel like they need to have 2B however haven’t got 2B.” The unofficial assembly of beloved Sq. Enix hero with different beloved Sq. Enix heroes, like this mod from monkeygigabuster that replaces Dissidia Closing Fantasy NT’s Ultimecia with 2B. File that one underneath Free Good Thought.
Certain, 2B’s inclusion in most Sq. RPGs makes zero sense, however dropping fan-favorite character skins into unrelated worlds solely for aesthetics is a treasured RPG staple. I do not want the lore on why; turning Aqua from Kingdom Hearts 3 into 2B is simply neat. There’s additionally a Closing Fantasy XV mod on Steam swapping Noctis for her.
Extra importantly, I can forgo all of Tifa’s different outfit choices on this Closing Fantasy 7 Remake mod and provides her one thing higher. FF7R stands out as a type of the place the fanbase overlap with Automata is a circle; scads of different Nier-related tweaks are in every single place. We’re counting video games, although, and that brings us to eight.
From Spider-Man to Guitar Hero
Whereas some fan creations appear becoming, most rapidly loop again to spectacular and ridiculous. They reply why with “as a result of I can,” and video games like Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered are a little bit higher for it. You might be Peter Parker, or shoot webs out of your wrists as 2B as an alternative. The selection appears apparent.
In video games the place avatars maintain little canonical relevance, much less outlined personalities serving extra as participant inserts, 2B is in excessive demand. She makes her musical debut in a Guitar Hero World Tour mod, lives life as a viking in Valheim, and joins the limitless potentialities of Garry’s Mod. Some deliver welcome modifications to boring character fashions, however different journeys into the feedback evoke a mushy oh no. That is 12 video games names to this point; I am assured three-fourths of these embody a remark part too attractive to learn in public.
Anyway, persevering with with the theme of gaming no-nos, 2B has flagrantly been added to in loads of video games with “no mods allowed” insurance policies, like Lifeless by Daylight and Genshin Affect. Automata fanatics appear at peace with risking their accounts for Yorha-related sins. The identical goes for slotting her into varied iterations of Hyrule, with modders keen to alter The Legend of Zelda’s Hyperlink into their favourite android no matter looming Nintendo ire.
There is a layer of element to creations just like the Breath of the Wild 2B mod from Woman Lunanova that is strikingly considerate. It is targeted on presenting 2B as a plausible addition to the world, and I discovered related appeal in a retro Ocarina of Time costume.
Someplace between realizing 2B’s modded into at the least six Resident Evils and each rattling combating recreation, the daunting scope of quantifying her affect turned clear. Whether or not because of emotional ties compelling modders to take 2B in every single place or simply an obsession with the oversexualized, 2B’s attraction has turn into too huge to actually measure.
However ending prematurely is not honest to her admirers or the hours I’ve spent attempting to exchange Elden Ring’s Malenia. In one other ridiculous determine, here is an inventory of 59 extra video games making 2B (form of) playable:
The Sq. Enix-approved
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With the laborious half accomplished, it is time to rely the remaining 2B appearances which can be formally cleared. There’s the apparent Sinoalice, Nier Reincarnation, and Nier Replicant mentions; something that is not Automata counts. Babylon’s Fall—god relaxation its soul—had a 2B-infused crossover, too.
Sq. Enix is not shy in regards to the android’s skill to attract a crowd. She’s popped up in others from the writer, like Courageous Exvius, Star Ocean: Anamnesis, Lord of Vermilion, Valkyrie Anatomia, Servant of Thrones, and Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent. A few of these are lengthy gone, like Spelunker World, a recreation I did not know existed till simply now.
Different crossovers in PUBG, New State Cell, Final Cloudia, Gravity Rush 2, Shadowverse, Soul Calibur 6, Monster Hunter Frontier Z, and Phantasy Star On-line 2 ship 2B in various levels of high quality, however nobody’s right here to guage. With each look, even half-assed, her status grows. That stated, no matter is going on on this Punishing Grey Raven trailer guidelines. Weight of the World deserves its personal exhaustive listicle.
Fixing for (2)B
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In the end I’ve saddled myself with an not possible activity. There are 2B mods tucked away in Discords, Patreons, and questionable Google Drive uploads. She’s in video games I’ve by no means heard of with single-digit Steam critiques, and mislabeled as A2 or Kainé in god is aware of what number of extra.
Primarily based on my scientific expedition, you possibly can play as 2B in at the least 96 video games—give or take rather a lot. A few of these appearances are nightmare gasoline, however others are becoming, considerate tributes to a personality clearly endeared to tens of millions. 2B is simply as a lot a cultural phenomenon as Nier in its entirety—and I am by no means going to make it by way of Resident Evil 2 as Claire once more. That is simply Leon and his absolutely-canon-friend, YoRHa No.2 Kind B.
