Wow dude, this game is not what I expected. I had like no idea about the Dark Souls-esque network shit. Not that I'm complaining, but is literally everybody copying Dark Souls these days? LOL. Anywho, game seems really badass so far. I'm enjoying the hell out of it.
The opening is suitably action packed and epic as Platinum titles go, but not quite as good as original Nier's, at least on a narrative level. In terms of sheer atmosphere and emotional feels Nier had this game beat in it's first 10 seconds. I'll give it time to build it's world though. I expect nothing short of greatness in the end.