To the detriment of 23 different strangers in Closing Fantasy 14’s first Nier: Automata raid, I spent practically 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 via 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 kind of shameful obsessions I ought to most likely 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 understand there is a ton of y’all desperate to see—or be—2B in the whole lot. And I do imply the whole lot. 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 Sort 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 searching down each 2B mod in existence, however I will ship a closing sum of Whole 2Bs primarily based on just a few 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 search out each sport with a playable 2B is predicated on the extremely scientific means of vibes. Video games solely that includes her castmates, like 9S or A2, do not depend. Video games with a number of variations, like Skyrim, depend every time. I am additionally together with belongings you may play—defunct video games or mods that exist via video proof solely. Maybe “may play” undermines “can play,” however she’s already a Fall Guys bean. I am not enthusiastic about bringing motive into this.
2B is Agent 47
Maybe my endeavor to show each character I management right into a 2B clone proves some larger level that Nier: Automata strives to make on love and lust. Or perhaps this stems from my underlying frustrations with enjoying the identical mediocre-looking man in each sport. Perhaps it is not one of the above—I simply assume the costume is cute. Regardless, one among 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 sport with modding assist left that hasn’t gotten the 2B therapy, they responded, “if there may be, be sure that there will not be.” Weirdly ominous, however I dig it.
2B belongs right here
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For these protecting a tally, the record is at 4 video games with a playable(ish) 2B. Whereas making my observations, I noticed 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 do not have 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 kind of the place the fanbase overlap with Automata is a circle; scads of different Nier-related tweaks are in all places. 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 bit higher for it. You will 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 prospects of Garry’s Mod. Some carry welcome adjustments to boring character fashions, however different journeys into the feedback evoke a mushy oh no. That is 12 video games names to date; I am assured three-fourths of these embody a remark part too sexy 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 Useless 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 numerous iterations of Hyrule, with modders keen to vary 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 Girl Lunanova that is strikingly considerate. It is centered 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 no less than six Resident Evils and each rattling combating sport, the daunting scope of quantifying her affect grew to become clear. Whether or not due to emotional ties compelling modders to take 2B in all places or simply an obsession with the oversexualized, 2B’s attraction has turn into too huge to really measure.
However ending prematurely is not honest to her admirers or the hours I’ve spent making an attempt to exchange Elden Ring’s Malenia. In one other ridiculous determine, here is a listing of 59 extra video games making 2B (type of) playable:
The Sq. Enix-approved
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With the onerous half completed, it is time to depend the remaining 2B appearances which might be formally cleared. There’s the plain 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 means 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 sport I did not know existed till simply now.
Different crossovers in PUBG, New State Cellular, 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 evaluate. With each look, even half-assed, her status grows. That mentioned, 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 inconceivable 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 evaluations, and mislabeled as A2 or Kainé in god is aware of what number of extra.
Based mostly on my scientific expedition, you’ll be able to play as 2B in no less than 96 video games—give or take rather a lot. A few of these appearances are nightmare gas, 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 via Resident Evil 2 as Claire once more. That is simply Leon and his absolutely-canon-friend, YoRHa No.2 Sort B.