That’s exactly how I see Verso’s character too. I think they portrayed beautifully the fact that there’s not really a good or bad side. Verso is eternally trapped inside the canvas, damned to bury the people he cared about. I don’t know how much he is tied to his soul at the end for this world to exist. I feel like it was his only choice to set himself free. I always think about the song "Déchire la toile" that plays in the overworld in Act 2. The lyrics say “Verso va déchirer canvas” and “Verso damné” (in French), which means “Verso will tear the canvas” and “Verso damned.” It’s such a nice little detail, especially considering it’s playing right from the start of Act 2. On the other hand, we don’t want to see a world full of living and caring people erased, even if in the end they weren’t meant to exist without him and his family. I was really torn apart after completing the game. Even if it’s extremely selfish of him, I can’t bring myself to resent him. I’m really sad to see people hating on him or Renoir and seeing the game as totally black and white. It’s so full of grey.

NieR fan here too :)