The release of the remasteredNieR: Replicanthas fans of theNieRfranchise excited to return to a familiar world firstestablished way back in 2010. The game sets up much of what comes chronologically later in the timeline ofNieR: Automata. For the most part, though, the game is a separate story with separate characters.
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It’s natural to want to compareNieR: ReplicantandNieR: Automata.They are both visually similar and take place in the same universe. However, the two games are more different than they are alike in many ways, especially when it comes to the setting and general atmosphere of each entry.
5Replicant is a Prequel to Automata
Replicantserves as the prequel toAutomata.However, because former originally released in 2010, it might be more accurate to callAutomataa sequel. The two games take place in the same universe, but the events occur thousands of years apart. During this gap in lore, lots of important events that influence the story ofNieR: Automatatakes place; for example, the extinction of humanity and the events that led toAutomata’sintroduction.
Where the two gamesareconnected, though, arein minor-role charactersand settings that return to the sequel. Devola and Popola come back inAutomata, and the player can visit Kaine’s house. Emil even comes back, though his appearance iswildlydifferent.
4In Replicant, Only One Character Is Controllable
NieR: Automatabecame popular, in part, for its triple-protagonist narrative arcs. At different points in the story, the player controls 2B, 9S, and A2. They can sometimes revisit old areas with their new abilities, to show their part of the somewhat disjointed story. However, inNieR: Replicant, only one character can be controlled through normal gameplay,the unnamed main character.
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Fans of theNieRseries have since dubbedReplicant’s main character Nier, but this protagonist has no canonical name. This doesn’t prove to be a hindrance to the game, though. The story is told in a more linear fashion perfect for a single-character adventure. Players can only control one character normally; however, getting four of the game’s different endings will unlock the ability to play as Kainé.
3Automata’s Machines Are Central To The Story
NieR: Automatacenters on the rise of machines and the extinction of humanity that occurred before the game even starts. However, whileNieR: Replicantdoes feature robots and mechs of different types, they aren’t nearly as much ofa central narrative pointas the machines inAutomata.Instead,Replicantfocuses on the end of the world and the last remnants of humanity surviving through it.
There are fewer machines compared to the sequel, but the game’s more natural open-world feel and not-yet-destroyed vistas make it more conducive to an organic aesthetic. The story ofNieR: Automatawas hard to follow for many gamers, and forced them to look up important lore details elsewhere.NieR: Replicantis equally complex, though. Cling to every word characters say, and look for context clues for subtle lore hints.
2Replicant’s Fantasy Vibe, Versus Automata’s Sci-Fi One
The main aesthetic inspiration for the setting, inhabitants, and general vibe ofNieR: Automatacame mostly from the science fiction genre. However, whileNieR: Replicantcertainly features many sci-fi elements, the game’s artistic style and gameplay focus throughout draws moreinspiration from fantasy. The game does not take placeafterthe end of the world, as many post-apocalyptic sci-fi stories do. Instead, it takes placeduringthe end of humanity.
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This is a bit of a change for players who are used to the mechanical and futuristic appearance ofNieR: Automata.However, the visual style still works perfectly for the story. Instead of playing as androids long after the end of Humanity, gamers actually play as a human. Additionally, every settlement and open area players come across looks vibrant and alive, even if all that is left of Humanity is barely a whisper.
1Automata’s Narrative Structure And Gameplay Feels Fresher
NieR: Replicantis abit of an older game. Some of its gameplay mechanics, like combat and questing, leave something to be desired. On the other hand,NieR: Automatareceived praise for the depth of its combat systems, and the ability to play as three different characters over the campaign. Meanwhile,Replicantis ultimately a pretty-looking game from 2010.
That’s not to say it’s a bad game. Still, gamers looking for something modern and fresh should probably shy away from this remaster. It can be frustrating howReplicantgets off to aslow start. It’s also filled to the brim with fetch quests, escort quests, and other remnants of2010 gaming industry trends. In just about every way, except graphically,NieR: Automatais a superior game. However,NieR: Replicantis definitely worth checking out for fans of thefranchise, and for those who have spent a lot of time inNieR: Automatawaiting for more.
