While Automata is more polished, its romance falls squarely under the training/Zhulust umbrella, albeit in a different flavor. 2B is not a cruel woman; she is a soldier forced to kill 9S over and over again.
Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
The Premise
Nier Training: Zhulust attempts to graft a dedicated relationship and romance system onto the bleak, melancholic world of Nier. Centered around the enigmatic Zhulust — a fan-favorite or original character — the mod/fan project promises deeper emotional bonds, branching romantic paths, and training mechanics that influence affinity. For fans craving more interpersonal warmth in Yoko Taro’s universe, the idea is tantalizing.
What Works Well
What Falls Short
Should You Play It?
✅ Yes, if: You’re a die-hard Nier fan who wants a well-written, melancholic romance with an original character, and you don’t mind grinding or minor bugs.
❌ No, if: You expect AAA polish, hate repetitive training mechanics, or want cheerful, unambiguous happy endings.
Final Verdict
A passionate but flawed labor of love. Zhulust Relationships and Romantic Storylines succeeds in capturing the Nier emotional palette, but the execution stumbles on pacing and technical hiccups. For patient fans, it’s a hidden gem; for others, watch a let’s play of the cutscenes instead.
Nier: Sexy Training -v1.0- Zhulust
In the world of Nier, a game developed by PlatinumGames and released in 2010, players are introduced to a unique blend of action, role-playing, and dark fantasy elements. One of the game's most memorable and intriguing aspects is the "Sexy Training" series of side quests, which involve helping a character named Kainé with her... unusual requests.
What is Sexy Training?
Sexy Training is a series of four side quests in Nier that involve Kainé, a complex and often provocative character. Her requests are, shall we say, not exactly conventional. In each quest, Kainé asks the player character (Nier) to help her with a specific "training" exercise, which involves defeating waves of enemies in a specific way.
The quests are as follows:
The Quests
In Sexy Training: v1.0 - Zhulust, Kainé asks Nier to help her with a training exercise in the city of Zhulust. The goal is to defeat a series of enemies that appear in a specific pattern, with Kainé providing... encouragement and guidance throughout.
The quest is notable for its humor, as well as its insight into Kainé's character and her relationships with Nier and the other characters in the game.
Gameplay and Tips
The gameplay in Sexy Training: v1.0 - Zhulust is relatively straightforward. The player must defeat waves of enemies that appear in a specific pattern, using Nier's combat abilities and strategies.
Some tips for completing the quest:
Conclusion
Sexy Training: v1.0 - Zhulust is just one of the many memorable and intriguing aspects of Nier. The quest showcases the game's unique blend of action, role-playing, and dark fantasy elements, as well as its complex and often provocative characters.
If you're a fan of Nier or just looking for a unique and engaging gaming experience, be sure to check out Sexy Training: v1.0 - Zhulust and the other quests in the series.
In the universe, relationships are often defined by intense loyalty, tragic circumstances, and complex emotions that transcend typical romance. While there isn't a standalone game titled "Nier Training Zhulust," these themes are central to the major titles in the series. Key Romantic and Interpersonal Storylines
The series focuses on deep, often painful bonds rather than traditional dating mechanics. NieR: Automata
): Their relationship is the emotional core of the game. It is described as a "love story", but it is defined by a cycle of tragedy. 's seemingly cold exterior hides deep affection for , whom she refers to as a "ray of light". Protagonist NieR Replicant
): This bond develops through shared trauma and mutual protection. In certain "ideal" outcomes, they are shown spending time together as a couple.
The Wandering Couple (Side Quest): A minor but impactful storyline involving two runaway resistance members whose quest explores themes of devotion and the lengths one will go to for a partner.
: Across the games, Emil’s character often centers on his deep, platonic or romantic love for the protagonist, frequently accompanied by self-sacrifice. Understanding Relationship Mechanics
Unlike traditional RPGs with "affinity points," relationships in NieR are revealed through: Nier- Sexy Training -v1.0- -Zhulust-
Chapter Replays & Different Perspectives: You often need to play the story from multiple characters' points of view (Routes A, B, and C) to understand the true depth of their feelings.
Ending Choices: The ultimate status of a relationship is often decided by a final player choice. For example, in NieR Replicant, choices regarding sacrifice directly impact the characters' futures.
Side Quests: Tasks like the Letter to a Lover (1.2.1) or The Pride of a Lover (1.2.4) provide smaller glimpses into the romantic lives of the world's inhabitants. Summary of Major Endings Key Relationship Interaction Ending A Initial Bond Focuses on the primary mission and the core trio's meeting. Ending B Deeper Context
Reveals the internal thoughts and hidden feelings of the secondary protagonist. Ending C/D
Forces a choice between saving a loved one and personal survival. Ending E
A special addition in many titles that offers a chance at a more positive outcome for the main pair.
Mods for games like Nier often aim to enhance the gaming experience, offer new content, or, in some cases, provide an alternative take on character designs or game mechanics. A mod with a title like "Nier- Sexy Training -v1.0- -Zhulust-" suggests it might focus on altering character appearances, possibly making them more revealing or "sexy," and could be aimed at an adult audience.
Instructor: Nier (Gestalt/Replicant)
The lesson begins with a simple question: "What would you sacrifice to save the one you love?" While Automata is more polished, its romance falls
Zhulust is subjected to simulations where the optimal tactical solution results in the death of a romantic interest. The training reveals that in Nier, the universe demands a blood price for happiness.
When Nier first meets Kainé, she is petrified in stone, a testament to her battle with the Shade inside her. He frees her out of desperation, not love. Immediately, she calls him a fool. She spits venom. She is clad in revealing attire not for fan service, but to emphasize her lack of shame for a body society rejected. Nier’s initial "training" is learning to endure her abuse.