If you’re like me, there were two things about Automata that drew you in: its story and its gameplay. Nier Replicant succeeds in both areas, but it feels like the team didn’t get the chance to fully explore what they could do with this world before moving on to their next project. While you might be disappointed if you’re looking for more story from this particular universe, I still recommend giving it a try if you enjoyed Nier or just want something different from your RPGs.
If the original Nier was a bold experiment in marrying unconventional gameplay with Yoko Taro’s unmistakable storytelling, then Nier Replicant is an unapologetic refinement of that idea. It’s a bolder and better take on the game that inspired the popularity of Nier and its characters, but the overall experience loses some of the same magic that made it so great.
If the original Nier was a bold experiment in marrying unconventional gameplay with Yoko Taro’s unmistakable storytelling, then Nier Replicant is an unapologetic refinement of that idea. It’s a bolder and better take on the game that inspired the popularity of Nier and its characters, but the overall experience loses some of the same magic that made it so great.
Nier: Automata tells an unusual story set in a post-apocalyptic future where human civilization has been overrun by machines. You play as 2B, one of many “androids” tasked with salvaging humanity from extinction by fighting against powerful machines called “Gestalts”—robots who have gone rogue and turned against their creators. The story takes place after a war between humans and robots has concluded; however, there are still many Gestalts left over from this conflict—and they aren't alone anymore...
All in all, Nier Replicant feels like a more ‘complete’ version of the game than we got back in 2010, but there’s no question that fans of the original will be disappointed by its lack of new content and missed opportunities.
In the end, Nier Replicant is a more “complete” version of the original game. It has the same story and gameplay, but improves on some things like combat and character progression. But it also feels like it's missing out on some new content that could have made this an even more satisfying experience for fans of the title.
While Nier Replicant is still very much a sequel to Automata, it also functions as a prequel to Gestalt.
If the "Replicant" in the title of Nier Replicant makes you think of a machine that looks like a human and can mimic its behavior, you're on the right track. While it might be tempting to assume that this means Nier Replicant is a sequel to Deunan Knute's android adventure, I'm here to tell you that it takes place before both Automata and Gestalt (and thus Before Crisis).
Gestalt is set thousands of years before its two successors, which means that if we put them in chronological order like so:
Gestalt -> Automata -> Nier Replicant->Before Crisis
Conclusion
Nier Replicant is a strange beast. It’s got everything you could want from a game like this: an engaging story, well-written characters that grow as the game progresses and a unique style of gameplay that takes some getting used to—but it also has its fair share of problems. If you were hoping for more than just remastered graphics, then there may not be much here for you; but if you just want another chance at experiencing the original Nier with some minor improvements over time then this should make your wish come true.