Now I've experienced the story in full, I'll say what I wasn't expecting to say. This is a better story than Nier, or any of the earlier Drakengard titles. Its themes and characters are so well designed that it's just wonderful, and knowing about both Nier and Drakengard gives me so much more enjoyment from the references and Easter Eggs they put in. Do still wish they could use the branching narrative style the first Drakengard used, but that could get infuriating, so I'll not complain too much.
Without spoiling too much, I never thought I'd see a Yoko title with a 'happy' ending, but he's proven me wrong and I thank him for it. Not that it's without its sad parts - Emil's narrative just made me feel hollow inside, and Pascal's arc broke my heart.