NieR Reincarnation: The Deep Dive Into Its Story

Hey everyone — I’ve been grinding through NieR Reincarnation lately, and man, its story is something else. I figured I’d break it down in a way that’s easy to follow, from a player’s perspective (so yes, expect me to use “we” and “us” a lot). We’ll go through plot, characters, themes — the whole nine yards. Let’s dive in.

I. Introduction to NieR Reincarnation

A. Overview of the game and narrative
NieR Reincarnation is a mobile (and in some regions PC) title that leans heavy into story, world-building, and character arcs. You’re introduced into an abstract, symbolic world called The Cage, where memories, dreams, and reality all get tangled. The narrative is what really stands out — it’s not just “beat this dungeon, get loot” — there’s existential angst, identity crises, suffering, hope, all that good stuff. (And yes: it’s from the same overall family as NieR and NieR: Automata.)
B. Game genre and story focus
It’s a JRPG / story-driven mobile RPG with gacha mechanics, but unlike many mobile games, the story is front and center. Battles and systems serve the narrative rather than the other way around.
C. Developer (Yoko Taro) and creative team
While the studio under the hood is Applibot (with publishing by Square Enix), the legendary Yoko Taro is involved as creative director. So expect the weird, philosophical, tragic storytelling touches he’s known for.
D. Story significance in game industry
In a sea of mobile games, NieR Reincarnation aimed to bring weight — big themes, layered characters, metaphysical questions. Reviewers noted it stood out for “narrative ambition” even if the gacha mechanics were familiar.
E. Community and player base information
Because of the NieR legacy, there’s a strong fan base. Discussions around lore, hidden meaning, and thematic depth are everywhere: Reddit threads, story breakdowns, YouTube lore videos. If you like digging deeper rather than just “beat stage 10”, this game scratches that itch.

II. Story Overview and Narrative Guide

A. Story explained overview
The broad arc: You (as the player) guide an amnesiac girl and her companion through The Cage — a strange realm of memories and dreams. Along the way you’ll unlock “Weapon Stories”, side stories, arcs about characters with tragic pasts. The main story explores identity, memory, what it means to exist.
B. Narrative structure guide

• The game is organized into “arcs” or chapters, each focusing on one or more protagonists.

• You explore The Cage (which is kind of metaphysical), trigger battles & memories, unravel mysteries.

• Between gameplay segments you get story segments that shift perspectives, reveal background.
  C. Plot summary explanation
  Take one of the main arcs: We meet Fio (aka “Girl of Light”) — she wakes up in The Cage, no memories, led by a ghost-like being called Mama. They face a monster (Levania), but spoiler alert: the story is way deeper — body-swaps, dream-eating, identity fusion, questions about what’s real vs memory.
  For example: Fio is from a world where she’s oppressed. She suffers nightmares, ends up in The Cage. Levania is a monster that devours dreams. They swap bodies/events twist, etc. (See detailed character section soon).
  D. Lore guide introduction
  The Cage itself is more than a place — it’s a metaphor, a construct of memories, maybe of a dying world, maybe of simulation. Scarecrows, weapons, dream-monsters, all tie into the lore.
  E. Story progression overview
  What starts as “help this girl regain memories” becomes “we’re fighting for existence, for meaning, for redemption”. The early chapters feel self-contained; later arcs widen the scope dramatically (cosmic, metaphysical). If you stick with it, there’s big payoff.

III. Main Characters and Protagonists

A. Fio character guide
Fio, aka the Girl of Light, is our first major protagonist. She appears in the first arc. She’s kind, amnesiac, wearing a collar and manacles (a hint at her past oppression) and haunted by nightmares. She wakes up in The Cage.
B. Fio background and role
In her original world, Fio belonged to a lower class (“Goat People” in lore), her father lost job, the family suffered. Eventually she gets dragged into this metaphysical journey. Her nightmares, her body swap with Levania — all part of how the story uses her to explore suffering and identity.
C. Mama companion guide
Mama is the ghost-like creature who shows up in The Cage and guides Fio. She’s mysterious, playful, knows more than she initially lets on. +2nier.fandom.com+2
D. Relationship between Fio and Mama
While Fio is lost and struggling, Mama is her guide — but Mama may also be manipulating events or holding truths back. Their relationship reveals themes of trust, agency, and purpose.
E. Protagonist character development
Over time Fio goes from passive, suffering victim to someone who has to make choices about identity, body, memory. That arc is central. The story invests a lot into who she is and who she wants to be.

IV. Supporting Characters

A. Dimos character guide
While I won’t cover every supporting character in obsessive detail, Dimos is one of the “legendary” characters you unlock with big story moments or weapons.
B. Akeha character story
Akeha is another major supporting role with her own arc of trauma and redemption.
C. Argo character overview
Argo shows up later and has connections to the “dream” mechanics and ethereal side of The Cage.
D. 063y character guide
Yes, the game goes so weird, there are character names like “063y” tied to weapon memories or metadata in The Cage. They may represent data, memory fragments.
E. F66x character backstory
Similar to 063y, characters like F66x are part of the symbolic/technical side of the lore — they tie into themes of simulation, data vs reality.
(Full character breakdowns would fill a book, so I’ll focus on how the supporting cast ties into theme rather than list them all.)

V. Additional Characters

A. Lars character guide
Lars is a character you meet in later arcs. While not as foundational as Fio/Mama, he adds to the expansion of the narrative world beyond The Cage.
B. Griff character story
Griff has a heavier story, often tied to weapon memories, sacrifice, the cost of fighting the system inside The Cage.
C. Original character introductions
Each arc introduces characters with distinct stories, backgrounds, and they often tie into a broader pattern: one protagonist, a memory or “Weapon Story”, and the revelation that nothing is quite as it seems.
D. Character interactions
What’s interesting is how characters cross arcs, reference each other, show up as memories in other arcs — the game builds a network of interconnected stories rather than isolated short tales.
E. Character ensemble overview
By the end you’re not just rooting for Fio — you care about a cast of dozens, each with tragedy, hope, agency. That ensemble scale is rare for mobile RPGs.

VI. Character Arcs and Development

A. Character development guide
One of the game’s strengths is how it tracks growth: someone who starts powerless ends up strong; one who tries to forget the past ends up embracing it; one who denies memory ends up defined by it.
B. Character arc progression
Take Fio: she begins in despair, dreams eaten, body swapped, then regains truth, then must decide whether to reclaim or transcend her identity. That’s heavy.
C. Personal story arcs
Many side characters have arcs about abuse, discrimination, class struggle, technology replacing humanity. The game doesn’t shy from emotional pain.
D. Character growth patterns
Often growth = accepting reality, embracing memory, sacrificing something, choosing purpose. You’ll notice recurring beats across characters.
E. Emotional journey guide
Expect tears, revelations, “I’m the monster”, “Why was I made like this”, “Can I still be human”. The journey can be surprisingly mature. If you skip lore, you’ll miss the emotional core.

VII. Character Stories and Backgrounds

A. Individual character stories
Every big character has a “Weapon Story” or side story where you go into their memory, learn what happened to them, often resulting in a big decision or transformation.
B. Character backstory guide
For example: Fio’s backstory of her family being the oppressed “Goat People”; Mama’s ambiguous origin; Levania’s desire to be human; etc.
C. Character history explanation
It helps to think of the stories as layered: present in The Cage, past in the “real world”, and memory distortions in between.
D. Personal narrative paths
You’ll often choose how to proceed in a “Weapon Story”: save someone? Change this? It may impact unlocks or emotional tone.
E. Character interconnections
Characters reference each other across arcs. You realize “oh, this Wheel turned because of that memory”. It’s rewarding if you keep track.

VIII. The Cage and World Building

A. The Cage explanation
The Cage is the primary setting: an infinite tower/dungeon labyrinth where memories are stored, distortions happen, and our story plays out.
B. Cage location and setting
It’s not a simple physical place — it’s symbolic: memory prison, data archive, maybe a dying world’s last hope. The visuals reflect this bleak, ethereal vibe.
C. Cage mysteries overview
Why is The Cage here? Who built it? What are the Scarecrows? Why are characters trapped? These questions persist.
D. Cage universe structure
Stories → Scarecrows → Weapon Stories → memories → The Cage. The world is multi-layered: Reality > Memory > Data.
E. World building elements
You’ll encounter “Scarecrows” (statues that unlock battles), “Weapon Stories”, “Fragments”, etc. All lean into the metaphor of “data archive” meets “soul journey”. Very NiER-style.

IX. Setting and Environment

A. Setting overview
While much of it is within The Cage, there are glimpses of outside worlds — oppressed societies, broken Earths, dream realms.
B. World geography guide
Even though visually limited (mobile game), the story hints at large scale geography: frozen Earth, branching timelines, alternate worlds.
C. Environmental storytelling
Little details matter: a collar on Fio, manacles, broken dreams, a desolate tower. These visuals support the story about suffering and hope.
D. Location significance
When you arrive in Memory A or Weapon Story B, you’ll often see the traumas of characters; the setting feeds the emotional weight.
E. Setting narrative impact
Because the setting is both literal (The Cage) and metaphorical (memory archive, dying world), it gives the story room to talk about real human concerns — loss, identity, legacy.

X. Memory and Reality Themes

A. Memory system explanation
Memories drive the story here. Characters dive into their pasts via Weapon Stories, face distorted memories, reconcile what’s real and what’s dream.
B. Warped memories guide
Often what the character remembers is false or incomplete; part of the story is untangling that and confronting truth.
C. Memory narrative role
Memory is tied to identity. If you lose your memories, who are you? That’s a constant question in the game.
D. Data vs reality theme
The game hints at data archives, simulation, “The Cage” holding memories like files. Reality might just be bits. That raises existential tension.
E. Memory significance in story
By the end you realize: the story isn’t just about saving the world — it’s about saving the self, through memories, through acceptance, through conflict.

XI. Scarecrows and Reality

A. Scarecrow creatures guide
Scarecrows are statues you interact with in The Cage — they unlock battles and stories. But narrative-wise they’re markers of broken memories and corrupted data.
B. Scarecrow significance
They represent “archives” and “gates” between memory and reality. When a Scarecrow is purified, a memory is healed.
C. Creature lore explanation
Scarecrows might also tie into the enemies — monsters feeding on dreams, or archives gone wrong. They bridge system + story.
D. Enemy narrative role
Monsters you fight are often manifestations of nightmares, corrupted memories, or failed archives. They are both gameplay challenge and story metaphor.
E. Reality distortion mechanics
As you progress, you’ll encounter sequences where “this was a memory” vs “this is reality” blur. These mechanics reflect the game’s core theme.

XII. Philosophical and Existential Themes

A. Identity theme guide
Who am I if I don’t remember my past? If I changed bodies, am I still me? These questions come up with Fio/Levania and The Cage.
B. Consciousness exploration
What does it mean to be human? What if you’re data, or a weapon, or a memory? The game explores this.
C. Existential questioning
Is there meaning if the world’s broken? If everything loops? Many arcs pose these issues.
D. Philosophical narrative
Yoko Taro style is strong here: the game isn’t afraid of dark ideas, despair, and meaning-making.
E. Theme analysis overview
In short, this isn’t shallow mobile fluff; you’ll find weighty questions about existence hidden behind the gacha interface.

XIII. Darkness and Suffering Themes

A. Dark themes overview
Oppression (Fio’s origin), nightmares, body theft, memory loss — the game embraces suffering.
B. Trauma narrative guide
Many characters are traumatized: what they endured defines their arcs. Fio’s childhood is brutal.
C. Loss and grief themes
There’s loss everywhere: people, memories, identity, hope. The game does not shy away from it.
D. Suffering exploration
But suffering is not glorified — it’s a reality characters must process. The journey is toward healing, not just endurance.
E. Psychological depth
Some moments hit hard — e.g., when Fio’s memories get stolen, or characters realize they are “weapons”. It’s not always pretty.

XIV. Hope and Redemption

A. Hope theme guide
Even in the bleakest arcs, there is hope: to reclaim identity, to heal memories, to save or transcend.
B. Redemption narrative arc
Characters who were monsters (Levania) or victims (Fio) seek redemption. The story says you can change what happened.
C. Positive themes
It’s not purely despair — the game balances darkness with light, transformation, connection.
D. Character redemption stories
A minor character might save someone else; a major arc may end with forgiveness. That payoff matters.
E. Uplifting narrative elements
Sometimes the reward isn’t “we saved the world” but “I saved myself” or “We connected despite everything”. That nuance lifts the narrative.

XV. Sacrifice and Humanity Themes

A. Sacrifice theme guide
Many characters give up something significant (identity, memory, form, even existence) for others or for truth.
B. Humanity exploration
What makes someone human? Memory? Body? Consciousness? The game asks this through arcs.
C. Human nature themes
Ambition, guilt, desire, love — all of these show up in ways surprising for mobile RPG.
D. Moral questions
Is it right to steal someone’s memories to save a world? What if you are a weapon built by someone else? The game asks.
E. Ethical narrative dilemmas
Few outcomes are purely good or bad. That complexity gives the story staying power.

XVI. Nihilism and Absurdism

A. Nihilism theme guide
At times the message seems: “Maybe there is no meaning. Maybe we just keep circling the Cage.” That’s unsettling but real.
B. Absurdist narrative
Who are we if our world is just memories in a tower? The game uses absurdist imagery (dream-monsters, data echoes, body swaps) to ask these.
C. Meaninglessness exploration
Part of the arc: characters must decide whether to keep fighting even if they don’t know why.
D. Philosophical pessimism
Yes, sometimes the answer is “we might lose” — but in choosing to act anyway, the narrative finds value.
E. Existential absurdity
When a machine intelligence tells you “history is suffering”, you’re forced to ask: is fighting meaningful? The game doesn’t always hand you an easy answer.

XVII. Virtual Reality and Simulation

A. Virtual reality theme
Is The Cage real? Is it simulation? Are memories data? The game treats reality as layered, unstable.
B. Simulation narrative
Characters may be “weapons” or data constructs. Reality is built. That lens changes how you view fights and quests.
C. Data existence guide
When you’re interacting with “archives”, “Scarecrows”, “reams of memory”, you realize you might be playing inside a machine.
D. Consciousness in simulation
What happens when someone realizes they’re a construct? Some arcs explore that — it’s wild.
E. Reality question exploration
At the end you often ask: what’s real? What matters if it’s all memory? The narrative lets you lean hard into that question.

XVIII. Quantum Computers and Technology

A. Quantum computer role
In later arcs, the threat is a merged artificial intelligence (Her) + Machine network, tied to quantum computing and branching timelines. The story becomes cosmic.
B. Technology in narrative
The idea that characters, memories, worlds are data is central. Tech is the monster as much as body.
C. Scientific elements
While not “hard sci-fi” per se, you’ll see concepts like “data archive on moon”, “server world”, “memory virus”. It’s heavy.
D. Technological determinism
Are characters bound by the system? Can they break out of their programming? The game argues yes — with effort.
E. Advanced systems explanation
Part of the story is “what controls us?” If a system built The Cage, does that system have intent? There’s real narrative depth here.

XIX. Recorded History and Archives

A. Historical records guide
Many arcs involve finding “records” or “archives” of past worlds. The story says: history matters, even broken history.
B. Archive significance
The “Weapon Stories” are archives. Scarecrows hold them. You’re restoring them. That frames your quest as preservation.
C. Data collection theme
It’s not just about fighting monsters; you’re collecting memories, fragments of a lost world, meaning.
D. Memory preservation
Some characters sacrifice to preserve someone else’s memory. That moral weight is potent.
E. Historical narrative role
In the end the story is as much about what has been as what will be. That gives it a melancholic tone.

XX. Story Progression and Unlocking

A. Story progression guide
You progress via main chapters, then side/weapon stories, then event stories. Each unlocks more of the lore.
B. Story unlock mechanics
Clear the main chapter → unlock variant difficulty → unlock extra arcs. Some require certain Power levels.
C. Progression path overview
Start small with Fio’s first arc, then gradually unlock larger scale arcs that pull in more characters and broader stakes.
D. Chapter advancement
Each chapter presents a significant revelation or shift. Don’t skip them if you care about story.
E. Narrative pacing
The story pacing is deliberate — early arcs are intimate, later arcs are wide-scale. That change is part of the journey.

XXI. Main Quest Story

A. Main quest guide
Follow the main quest first if you care about story. It sets the world, characters, stakes.
B. Main narrative path
Arc 1: Fio & Mama → discover The Cage, identity swap, truth.
Arc 2: Yuzuki & Hina (siblings) → transported to The Cage, handle trauma & conflict.
Arc 3: Final arc → What The Cage really is, rescue, rebirth. (End of service note: game ended 2024).
C. Primary story progression
Important: each arc builds on the last. What seemed isolated becomes connected.
D. Quest story connection
Secondary/Weapon stories often tie back to main arcs. They enrich the world, don’t distract.
E. Main story arc
If you only had time for one thing, the main quest is it. But even the side stories are worth it.

XXII. Weapon Stories and Content

A. Weapon stories guide
These are side-quests focusing on weapons and the characters tied to them. They reveal backstory, theme, and reward gear.
B. Weapon narrative role
In many cases characters are the weapons, or the weapons carry their memories. That adds a symbolic layer.
C. Character-weapon connections
For example: a sword represents someone’s regret. A rifle holds a memory of war. These aren’t just gear, they’re story nodes.
D. Weapon story unlocking
Usually unlock after clearing certain main/side chapters, then you can explore the memory.
E. Weapon narrative significance
These stories deepen the lore. If you only play main chapters you’ll miss nuance.

XXIII. EX Stories and Special Content

A. EX stories guide
Bonus content beyond the main arcs — often deeper emotional beats or character explorations.
B. Special story content
Collaboration stories, event arcs, extra side narratives — these often give context or alternate takes on characters.
C. Bonus narrative material
EX stories may explore “what if” scenarios, different choices, or unlock harder difficulties.
D. Extended story exploration
They’re not mandatory to follow the main arc, but they are highly recommended if you’re invested.
E. Hidden story elements
Sometimes you will only unlock after grinding certain content — which reinforces the idea: the game values story depth.

XXIV. Side Stories and Events

A. Side story guide
These are often smaller arcs, character focused, sometimes comedic, sometimes tragic.
B. Event story narratives
Limited-time events may bring new characters, revisit past arcs, or expand lore.
C. Collaboration stories
NieR Reincarnation had collabs (with Automata etc) - these may not be canonical but enrich the experience.
D. Time-limited narratives
Events are often only available for short time; good players stay alert if they care about story.
E. Additional story content
Again: these make the world richer, especially once the main arc ends, or if you want “all the lore”.

XXV. (Summary and Wrap-Up)

What this game offers
– A rich narrative with deep themes (identity, memory, suffering, hope).
– A cast not just of pretty faces, but characters with heavy backstories, moral ambiguity, growth.
– A world (The Cage) that acts as both setting and metaphor.
– Gameplay mechanics that serve the story, not distract from it (though yes, it is a gacha game).

Personal Reflection
As a player, I found myself emotionally invested in Fio, Mama, Levania, and the whole ensemble. I wasn’t just “raising characters” — I was following lives, tragedies, choices. I jumped from chapter to chapter because I wanted to know what happens next. And when the ending hits … well, if you’re into story-rich RPGs, you’ll feel it.

Advice for new players
– Play the story. Don’t skip it just for pull banners. The story is the game.
– Take notes on characters. The arcs are interconnected.
– Don’t worry about mastering all mechanics at once — enjoy the narrative ride.
– Use the side/weapon stories to deepen your understanding, especially if you like lore.
– Accept that some themes are heavy. If you’re up for it, you’ll be rewarded.

NieR Reincarnation isn’t just a mobile gacha game with a famous name stuck on it. It tries — and succeeds often — to deliver emotional weight, philosophical depth, and narrative ambition. If you’re playing for story, you’re in for a treat. If you’re playing just for “quick sessions”, you’ll still find a solid game—but you might miss the gold underneath.

So, my fellow players: grab your device, dive into The Cage, meet Fio and Mama, uncover corrupted memories, fight for redemption and identity. The journey is long—but pretty unforgettable. Let’s go.