 Players take control of Nier — a middle @-@ aged man in Nier and Nier Gestalt and a teenaged boy in Nier Replicant — though the character can be renamed by the player . The player directly controls Nier through a third @-@ person perspective to interact with people , objects , and enemies throughout the game . The player can also turn the camera around the characters , which allows for a 360 ° view of the surroundings . The three @-@ dimensional world is divided into areas separated by loading screens , and the player can move freely throughout these areas by walking , running , jumping , and climbing ladders . In specific rooms and buildings , the camera swings to the side and Nier is restricted to moving as in a two @-@ dimensional platforming environment , while during certain battles the camera pulls up to simulate a top @-@ down shoot ' em up or other video game genres . 
