10 questions about NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... answered

Excited about the upcoming release of NieR:Automata’s predecessor? Here’s everything you need to know about this updated classic.
By Duncan Heaney

We’re now less than a month away from the launch of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...!

Whether you’ve been a fan of NieR since the 2010 original, learned to love the series with 2017’s NieR:Automata, or are about to step into this world for the very first time, you’ll find a lot to enjoy with this new release.

And also to ponder, laugh and gasp at... it is a NieR game after all.

Ahead of the game’s release on April 23, we thought we’d try to answer as many questions about the game as possible.

NieR Replicant art

1. What is NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...?

Yep, we’re starting with the big one.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... is an updated version of the acclaimed 2010 action-RPG and predecessor of NieR:Automata.

It’s being developed by Toylogic, in collaboration with series Creative Director YOKO TARO and producer Yosuke Saito, and adds numerous refinements to the game. Think revived visuals, faster, smoother combat, full voice acting, a re-arranged and re-recorded soundtrack and more.

NieR Replicant screenshot

2. What is NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... about?

The game follows the trials of a hero called…. whatever you choose to call him, a young man who lives in a remote village. This protagonist spends his time doting on his sickly sister, Yonah, who has been laid low by a deadly illness known as the Black Scrawl.

When the young man discovers a mysterious (and arrogant) talking book called Grimoire Weiss, he and the prickly tome set off on a quest to uncover the ‘Sealed Verses’ - the only thing that could potentially save Yonah’s life.

We’ll leave the synopsis there, but if you’ve played NieR:Automata, or are familiar with the wildly creative mind of YOKO TARO, you’ll know to expect the story to take you in numerous unexpected and thought-provoking directions.

NieR Replicant screenshot

3. What’s the history of NieR Replicant?

The original NieR has an interesting history. The game was technically a spin-off of the Drakengard series, but no knowledge of that RPG series was required to understand and appreciate the world and story presented.

The game released in Japan, Europe and the US in April 2010 for the PS3 and Xbox 360, although the nature of the releases differed between East and West.

In its native Japan, two editions of the game were released: NieR Replicant (the version that ver.1.22474487139... updates) and NieR Gestalt. Although the games shared much of the same content, and followed the same basic narrative, there were differences between them, most notably the protagonist himself.

In NieR Replicant, players took the role of a brother on a quest to save his sister Yonah from a horrifying disease that infected her. In NieR Gestalt, the main character was older and Yonah was his daughter.

NIER Xbox screenshot

In the US and Europe, only NieR Gestalt was released as the game titled NIER, and while it was only a modest success sales-wise, it found an audience that continue to enthuse about its virtues, such as a fascinating world, thought-provoking story, genre-bending gameplay and emotive soundtrack.

All that makes NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... a very exciting prospect for fans in the West - this is the first time many of them will be able to experience this version of the game!

NieR Replicant screenshot

4. How is NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... connected to NieR:Automata?

There are numerous narrative and thematic links between NieR Replicant and its sequel. We won’t reveal them here though - we’d much rather you discover them for yourselves.

That said, both games are designed to work as standalone experiences - just as you didn’t need a degree in NieR-ology to understand NieR:Automata, you won’t need any existing knowledge to enjoy and understand NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...

But if you have played NieR:Automata, you may find yourself stroking your chin knowingly more than once as you pick apart the threads of its prequel.

NieR Replicant Kaine

5. Who are the main characters of NieR Replicant?

One of the reasons the original game was so beloved by those who played it was thanks to its memorable characters. In NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., this one of a kind cast has been drawn more sharply than ever, with improved visuals and full voice acting that has been re-recorded.

Protagonist

NieR Replicant protagonist

The lead character of the game will go by whatever name you give him. Despite his young age, he’s a skilled warrior who cares deeply for his sister Yonah. This love and dedication to his sibling leads him to be reckless at times.


Yonah

NieR Replicant Yonah

Yonah is a popular and likeable young girl who loves her brother as much as he loves her. Sadly, Yonah has long struggled with ill-health, and suffers from the Black Scrawl - a horrifying disease with no known cure.


Kainé

NieR Replicant Kaine

Kainé is a fierce warrior with a brash personality, and a gift for… let’s say ‘colorful’ language. The left half of her body is possessed by a Shade - dangerous entities that thrive in darkness, and she tries to expose as much skin to sunlight as possible to prevent further possession.


Grimoire Weiss

NieR Replicant Grimoire Weiss

You’ve probably read some difficult books in your time, but this one takes the cake. Grimoire Weiss is a sentient tome with encyclopedic knowledge of the world, an inconvenient case of amnesia, and a particularly prickly personality. Although he can be condescending and smug, he does have a silly side too, which makes him more tolerable.


Emil

NieR Replicant Emil

Poor Emil is a gentle boy with a mysterious power that turns everyone he sees into stone. He craves the day when he’ll be able to see the world with his own eyes, and without petrifying everyone around him. Despite his dangerous abilities, and some social awkwardness, he forms a friendship with the protagonist.


Devola and Popola

NieR Replicant Popola and Devola

Devola and Popola are twin sisters who live in the same village as the protagonist and Yonah.

Popola works as the head librarian, and helps our hero by giving him work and advice. She’s polite, calm and somewhat reserved. Her sister, Devola, is more outgoing. Creative and musical, she loves to sing near the fountain in the village.

NieR Replicant screenshot

6. Who’s the English voice cast for the game?

The original release of NIER had an amazing voice cast, with some of the biggest names working in the industry. Excitingly, they’re all reprising their roles for NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…!

They’re joined by the incredible Ray Chase and Zach Aguilar, who play the role of the adult and young protagonist respectively.

NieR voice cast trailer

Here’s the full list:

  • Protagonist (adult): Ray Chase
  • Protagonist (young): Zach Aguilar
  • Grimoire Weiss: Liam O’Brien
  • Kainé: Laura Bailey
  • Emil: Julie Ann Taylor
  • Devola and Popola: Eden Riegel

7. How does combat work in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...?

The combat system of NieR Replicant has been refined, with snappier controls, more mobility and a faster pace.

As the protagonist, you’ll battle Shades with a variety of weapons, using swift sword strikes, carefully-timed counters and evasive dodges to take down hordes of foes.

You’ll be supported by Grimoire Weiss, who gives you access to numerous magical spells, such as Dark Blast, which peppers enemies with bullets from afar, Dark Lance, which fires powerful projectiles at your opponents and Dark Hand, which lets you bludgeon enemies with… well, a dark hand.

It’s a simple to control system that gives you loads of options on how to approach battles. And rest assured - there are tons of enemies that will test your mastery and reflexes.

You can see the battle system in action in this gameplay video:

NieR Replicant Barren Temple

8. Are there multiple endings in NieR Replicant like in NieR:Automata?

Yes.

…what, you expect us to say more?

  1. When is NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... out and for which platforms?

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... releases April 23, 2021 for PS4, Xbox One and Steam. The game is available to preorder now.

Preorder the PS4 version, and you’ll get a mini-soundtrack, exclusive dynamic theme and Avatar set.

Get the Xbox One version before launch for a mini-soundtrack.

Finally, pre-purchase on Steam to receive a mini-soundtrack and a collection of exclusive HD wallpapers.

NieR Replicant combat

10. Can I play NieR Replicant on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S?

Yes you can. The PS4 and Xbox One versions of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… are playable with the newest consoles in the same family.


Any other questions?

That about covers everything you could want to know - other than giving up lots of spoilers of course!

Still, if you do have more questions about the game ahead of its launch on April 23, make sure you follow the team on social media:

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