There and Back Again: A NieR series retrospective
Happy 15th Anniversary to NieR! We take a look back at the history of this remarkable series.
There are few series quite like NieR.
Since 2010, these incredible games have presented gamers with wonderful worlds, full of talking grimoires, existential androids and amazing music. There's nothing quite like it, so to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of this, we thought we'd take a brief moment to look back at the origins of the NieR series - and how far it’s come.
2010 - NIER
NIER first launched around the world way back in 2010.
Directed by YOKO TARO, (it’s actually a spin-off from his earlier Drakengard series), the game put you in control of the titular Nier. Along with a growing list of allies, including a foul-mouthed warrior and a talking book, he searches for a cure to the Black Scrawl - terminal illness that threatens his closest relative, Yonah.
Interestingly, two versions were released in Japan. Xbox 360 owners could play NieR Gestalt, which featured an older NieR, with Yonah as his daughter. PlayStation 3 users got NieR RepliCant, where the main character was younger, and Yonah his sister.
In the West, NieR Gestalt was the only release (and just called NIER). While it wasn’t a bestseller, it quickly gained a following thanks to its soulful story, emotive soundtrack, and unapologetic refusal to be even remotely predictable.
For example, rather than sticking to a traditional action RPG format, the game regularly switches gameplay styles, moving seamlessly from 3D exploration and combat to 2D sections and back again. You’ll step from up close melee combat to an intense ‘bullet hell’ scenario, inspired by classic top down shooters, and more.
In essence, it combined elements from lots of different games and gameplay styles in a way that felt completely new and unique - an approach that would be refined further in 2017’s Nier:Automata.
2017 - NieR:Automata
NieR fans had a bit of a wait for the next entry in the series, but in 2017 NieR:Automata launched for PS4 and PC.
Director YOKO TARO and Producer Yosuke Saito returned, working with action experts Platinum Games, to create an unforgettable game that won acclaim from critics and gamers alike.
In NieR:Automata, humanity has been driven from the Earth by mechanical beings from another world. In response, the humans created android warriors to reclaim their planet from the invaders, and the war has raged since.
You take the role of a number of these androids, including soldier 2B, and hacker-scout 9S, as they embark on a mission that will challenge their assumptions about the world, the war, and their very existence.
As with its predecessor, NieR:Automata is a willfully unconventional game - both narratively and in terms of gameplay. The gameplay is constantly shifting, with 2D shooter sections, intense hacking minigames, and incredibly punchy and rewarding combat.
The game definitely struck a chord, picking up numerous awards, including Best Narrative and Best Score at The Game Awards, as well as many others. It was, in other words, a hit!
Following the successful release of the game, an Xbox One version, NieR:Automata BECOME AS GODS Edition, was released in 2018. It included the DLC, a few exclusive items, as well as visual enhancements for Xbox One X.
In 2019, NieR:Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition released for PS4 and PC. It combined the game and its DLC into a single package, giving new players on those platforms a convenient way to get the full experience.
Finally, the game released on Nintendo Switch in 2022, with NieR:Automata: The End of YoRHa Edition, which featured the game and its DLC, including costumes, accessories and more.
2021 - NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...
The original NieR returned with NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...
This new version of the game adds numerous refinements to the original - think revived visuals, faster, smoother combat, full voice acting, a re-arranged and re-recorded soundtrack and more.
Most excitingly, perhaps, it was also the first opportunity for players in the West to experience this version of the game. As mentioned, in its native Japan, two editions of the original NIER 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 version original released in the US and Europe), the main character was older and Yonah was his daughter.
The updated NieR Replicant ver.1.2247448713 finally lets everyone experience the brother and sister route of the game - all with enhanced gameplay, graphics and features.
2021 - NieR Re[in]carnation
2021 also saw the Western release of NieR Reincarnation. This mobile title brought together an all-star team including creative director YOKO TARO, composer Keiichi Okabe from MONACA and producer Yosuke Saito, and featured beautiful visuals, fun action command gameplay and an original tale.
The game service ended in 2023, following the conclusion of the game's story.
The legacy of NieR
The NieR universe has really taken on a life of its own - it’s inspired books, concerts, merchandise and more!
The music of NieR
We can’t talk about NieR without calling attention to the incredible work of composer Keiichi Okabe and his team at MONACA.
The NieR series has some of the most beautiful, evocative game music ever written. These award-winning soundtracks are beautiful, exciting, emotional, unique… basically they’re very, very good.
So good, in fact, that they’ve even inspired multiple albums and even concerts, such as the NieR:Piano Concert - Journeys 12025 - an official recital concert celebrating the series' 15th anniversary.
If you want to immerse yourselves in the sounds of the series right now, a selection of soundtracks is available digitally on streaming services, including Spotify, and physically via the Square Enix Store.
NieR merchandise
Following the release of NieR:Automata, many fans wanted merchandise - and they got their wish. From books to BRING ARTS figures of 2B, 9S, and A2, to machine lifeform coin banks, there’s lots of cool stuff available. You can check it out on the Square Enix Store:
Guest appearances in other games
In the last few years, the world and characters of NieR:Automata have leaped from the game into other titles - such as 2B’s guest appearance in Namco Bandai’s SOULCALIBUR VI, costumes for Sony’s _Gravity Rush 2, DLC for SHIFT UP's Stellar Blade and more beyond!
And, of course, FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers featured the raid series YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse. Inspired by the NieR series, and guest-developed by Producer Yosuke Saito and Director YOKO TARO, it pits 24 players against machine lifeforms in new dungeons. It’s a really great series in its own right, but for NieR fans, it felt particularly special.
As you can see, it’s been an amazing 15 year journey for the NieR series, and the celebrations are set to continue on Square Enix social, so be sure to follow: