The NieR series is like nothing else in gaming. Each title is distinctive, unique, and infused with creator YOKO TARO’s weird and wonderful sensibilities.

When it comes to NieR:Automata and the recently released NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... (which will hereafter just be referred to as Replicant for the same of my poor typing fingers), the games may appear to be completely standalone - each has its own characters, enemies, and stories.

But actually, the NieR games are more closely linked than you might expect…

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SPOILER WARNING! Be aware that this article contains spoilers for the NieR series. Turn away if you don’t want any of the surprises ruined.

… still here? Ok then - on your head be it.

Narrative connections

Emil in a scene from NieR Replicant

It may not be immediately apparent, but NieR Replicant and NieR:Automata both take place in the same world. Their stories may be separated by a few thousand years, but there’s clear narrative connections between the two.

Some will be glaringly obvious to people who have played both games, while others require investigation and thought to uncover. Either way, they demonstrate that while each works as a standalone tale, they’re inextricably tied to one another.

Here are some of the connections you should watch out for:

Emil appears in both games…

In NieR Replicant you’re accompanied on your journey by Emil, a sweet-natured boy who’s afflicted with a condition that turns anyone he looks at into stone. Later on in the story, he undergoes a change into a new form with a very recognizable appearance.

Emil, as he appears in NieR Replicant

Thousands of years later, in NieR:Automata, that familiar face roams the Earth, attached to a trundling sales cart that provides services to the embattled androids of YoRHa.

Emil, as he appears in NieR:Automata

Those who play the original NieR adventure first may be surprised to see the character so reduced, and even more shocked by his apparent loss of memory.

By collecting Lunar Tears - another link, as these flowers are all over NieR Replicant - you may be able to uncover some secrets of the past and find out exactly how this situation came about. Suffice to say, nothing in YOKO TARO’s weird world is exactly what you expect…

…as do Devola and Popola

Character art of Devola and Popola from NieR Replicant

In NieR Replicant, Devola and Popola are important figures in the starting village, providing the protagonist with work and looking after his ailing sister Yonah when he’s away. As it turns out though, there’s a lot more to these twins than meets the eye.

Devola and Popola, as they appear in NieR Replicant

We don’t want to ruin the twists and turns of Replicant’s helter-skelter-like storytelling, so we’ll flash forward thousands of years to the events of NieR:Automata.

Devola and Popola as they appear in NieR Automata

Early in the story, 2B and 9S make contact with the pair at the Resistance camp - but why are the pair so ostracized and how do they relate to their namesakes from the previous game?

That’s something we’ll leave you to find out.

Project Gestalt is directly referenced in NieR:Automata

A screenshot from NieR:Automata

The protagonist of NieR Replicant makes many shocking discoveries over the course of the game, including the existence of Project Gestalt. The truth behind this scientific endeavor has massive implications for both the characters and their world.

NieR:Automata takes place in that same world, so naturally the effects are felt there too. You’ll find reports detailing Project Gestalt hidden around the world, and they’re well worth seeking out. Not only do they provide additional information about the initiative, they shine a light on the links between the two games.

Locations from NieR Replicant can be found in NieR:Automata

NieR:Automata may take place in the same world as NieR Replicant, but it is much changed. A few thousand years and an alien invasion will do that.

Even so, echoes of the past remain in the locations you visit. For instance, while exploring the Tower you’ll find an exact replica of the library that acts as home base for much of NieR Replicant. You’ll even find some information that directly references a character from the game.

The Library as it appears in NieR Replicant

The Library replica in NieR:Automata

Those who fully explore Automata’s wider world (and collect enough Lunar Tears) can also discover Kainé’s ramshackle shack, still standing after all these years! Fans of NieR Replicant may also hear a familiar theme play in this location too.

Kainé’s shack as it appears in NieR Replicant

Kainé’s Shack in NieR:Automata

There are references to places long gone too

Even if a location doesn’t appear in both games, there are times when remnants remain. Case in point: when you explore the desert region in NieR:Automata, you’ll notice that the machines there wear very distinctive tribal costumes.

Concept art from NieR:Automata showing a machine lifeform in tribal garb

Desert machine lifeform as it appears in NieR:Automata

This is a direct link to Facade from NieR Replicant - the residents of this desert city wear very similar garb.

The clothing of Facade from NieR Replicant

A bit of side-questing will also reveal that the desert in Automata is the same location where the Facade once stood. It’s good to see that while sand may have long since swallowed the city, it hasn’t been forgotten completely.

Weapons persist between games…

One of the coolest features about the NieR series is that the weapons themselves have stories. As you upgrade them, you’ll learn more about their past.

For example, Virtuous Dignity is a spear that can be wielded in both games, and its Weapon Story in Automata discusses its previous owners. Upgrade it fully, and you’ll find mention of a “meek young boy who wanted to aid his sickly younger sister”.

Hm… wonder who that could be?

The pipe specifically references the original NIER…

Screenshot from the original NIER on Xbox 360

Another example of this is the Iron Pipe. It’s a weapon used by the player character at the very start of NieR Replicant, and it appears in Automata as well. What’s more, it’s story directly references Yonah.

But newer fans of the series may be confused, because it refers to Yonah as its wielder’s daughter, not sister.

Okay, settle down kids because it’s time for some NieR history.

When the original game released in Japan back in 2010, two versions were available: NieR Replicant and NieR Gestalt.

In NieR Replicant (the version that ver.1.22474487139... is based on), the protagonist is a young man, out to save his sister, Yonah. In NieR Gestalt, the lead character is much older, and Yonah his daughter.

The protagonist and Yonah from the NIER on Xbox 360

In the West, only one version of the game was released as NIER - and it was based on Gestalt. That means people in the US and Europe only experienced the original game’s story as ‘Father NieR’. It’s this specifically that the pipe’s story refers to.

Interestingly, if you switch the text to Japanese, it instead refers to the ‘Brother NieR’ as featured in Replicant.

If that all sounds very twisty-turny… well, that’s NieR isn’t it? You can get the full story in our series retrospective:

• NieR Series retrospective

Other references

It’s not just the narrative that links NieR:Automata and NieR Replicant. There are all kinds of references and extras available that emphasize the connections between them. For example:

You can get NieR:Automata costumes in NieR Replicant

The protagonist from NieR Replicant wearing a 9S outfit from NieR:Automata

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... launched earlier this year alongside the NieR Replicant 4 YoRHa DLC. This free pack adds four costumes and four weapons based on NieR:Automata to the game.

You can dress up Kainé as 2B, or the young protagonist as 9S and enjoy the sight of the beloved androids doing their thing in the world of Replicant. It even brings back their English and Japanese voice actors for extra authenticity!

You can play NieR:Automata’s soundtrack in NieR Replicant

The protagonist and Kainé from NieR Replicant wearing outfits from NieR:Automata

The DLC also gives you the opportunity to switch Replicant’s soundtrack to select acclaimed tracks of Automata. You can only do this after your first playthrough (which is fine because the NieR Replicant’s soundtrack is legendary in its own right), but it’s another fine way to reinforce that despite their differences, NieR Replicant and NieR:Automata are inextricably linked.

You can get NieR Replicant costumes in NieR: Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition

Kainé costume from NieR:Automata

You can play dress-up in NieR:Automata too. The Game of the YoRHa Edition features costumes based on Replicant - 9S gets a Young Protagonist outfit, 2B gets a Kainé outfit and A2 gets an Adult NieR outfit!

You can customize your pod in NieR:Automata to look like Grimoire Weiss

What about a connection that goes the other way? As you’d hope, NieR:Automata features numerous references to the first game. A particularly good example is the Grimoire Weiss cosmetic item, which changes the appearance of your pod to that of NieR Replicant’s pompous tome.

It’s included in the NieR:Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition, which (SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT) - is available now!

• Get NieR:Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition

Both games feature multiple endings

One thing that both NieR Replicant and NieR:Automata have in common is the fact that the end… isn’t the end.

The A- Z of endings from NieR:Automata

The first time you see the credits, you may think the game’s over, but if anything, it’s just getting started. Subsequent replays add to the tale with new events, and peel back reveal more and more layers to the narrative. You’ll get to play as different characters, explore new environments and much more.

Seeing all the different endings and achieving the story’s true conclusion remains the goal across both games, so if you’re new to the series bear that in mind.

• Read the A-Z of NieR: Automata’s endings here

NieR:Automata screenshot

Finally...

Even though the NieR games each feature their own unique stories and characters, they’re much more closely linked than you would expect at first glance.

The links are subtle - each game is designed to be enjoyable in its own right with no prior knowledge required - but they are there. For those who have played both games, uncovering these various connections is a rewarding puzzle that reveals just how intricate and thought-out this series really is.

If you’re yet to experience a NieR game, then now’s a perfect time to jump into the wonderful weirdness and see exactly why they’re so acclaimed. If you need convincing, you should check out our various blogs:

• Things you need to know about NieR Replicant
• Things you DON’T need to know about NieR Replicant
• Tips and tricks for NieR Replicant

Finally, to stay up to date with news and information about the NieR series, make sure you follow it on social media:

• NieR series on Twitter
• NieR series on Facebook
• Square Enix on YouTube

We previously talked about the things you absolutely need to know about NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… but thinking about it, that’s not very NieR is it?

It’d be more in the spirt of this unique series to give you information that you don’t need to know.

With that in mind, here are seven almost completely useless facts about NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…. that will not encourage you to play the game, or enrich your lives in any meaningful way.

In fact, reading them will simply waste some of the limited time you have available on this planet.

You’re welcome.

1. It contains some of the most elaborately… um… ‘creative’ language in videogames

You may think you’ve heard strong language before, but wait until you meet Kainè.

The only thing sharper than this skilled warrior’s swords is her tongue. When she gets riled - and she’s riled pretty easily - she lets fly with some of the flamboyantly foul language you can imagine.

I mean, just listen to this:

Well I never (faints).

2. It just won’t sit still

After a few hours, you generally know what to expect from a game. You’ve built some experience, you have the mechanics down and you can settle in and enjoy the journey.

NieR Replicant says nuts to that. It continually shifts perspectives, styles and even entire genres! You can never quite be sure what’s around the corner. You may suddenly find yourself in a top-down bullet hell shooter, or a side scroller, a dungeon-crawler…

There are quite a few far more dramatic examples that we won’t ruin here, but NieR and its developers exhibit an almost troll-like delight in messing with your expectations.

And as a player, you’ll love every second of it.

3. You can become a fisherman

The protagonist in NieR Replicant is a hero of many skills. Sure, you could run around the world, protecting people from sinister Shades and searching for a cure for your sister’s terminal illness… but why not take a break with a spot of fishing?

It’s possible to while many happy hours away, rod in hand, catching fish after fish - from simple sardines to the majestic blue marlin. It’s fun and relaxing… you’ll start to wonder why you bothered with this whole ‘hero’ thing.

Oh yeah - your dying sister. Oops.

4. You can become a farmer

Not a fan of the sea? Cultivate the land instead.

NieR Replicant let you live out your dreams of becoming a farmer - so long as those dreams involved running a small allotment next to a modest cottage.

You can grow vegetables, fruit, flowers… if you have the seeds, you can grow it.

Ah, the pleasures of a simple country life.

5. You can become a delivery boy

Perhaps a different profession would suit you better. Why not try being a delivery boy?

People all over the world of NieR Replicant will ask you to deliver things - from beautiful bags to mutton for hungry kids.

These aren’t always easy - it’s all too easy to lose concentration and take a short cut off a cliff, dodge-roll to get out of trouble, or just run into a mob of Shades hell-bent on blocking your payday. It only takes one mistake to smash a package.

But wouldn’t you believe it - if you return to the quest giver, they have a backup delivery ready to go.

I don’t know what it says about us that they expected incompetence, but we’re grateful to get another shot.

6. It’ll make you feel pretty sheepish

Sheep are great, right? Warm, wooly and unerringly passive. What kind of black-hearted monster would you have to be murder them en masse?

…guys, I’ve killed so many sheep. So, so many sheep.

Yes, you can get mutton and wool from these walking resource factories, but there’s also something weirdly satisfying about the ease at which they go down. And also the trophy associated with it.

When you think about it, it’s all Grimoire Weiss’s fault really - Dark Blast is a such an effective spell for causing an ovine apocalypse, it’s hard to resist.

I do feel bad though. At least I'm not the only one:

7. Finally, here’s what the numbers in the title mean

Bet you’ve been wondering what ‘ver.1.22474487139…’ in the game’s title means.

Well according to YOKO TARO himself…

“…the big string of numbers on the end of the title was just something I stuck on randomly, so I wouldn’t think too hard about it if I was you.”

Huh. There we go then.

…or is it? You know, with YOKO-san we never can tell.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is out now on PS4, Xbox One and Steam. Go play it if you haven’t already:

• Get NieR Replicant 1.22474487139...

You can also follow the NieR series on social media. You know, if you have nothing better to do.

• NieR series on Twitter
• NieR series on Facebook
• NieR series on Instagram
• Square Enix on YouTube

Every so often, you encounter one of those games that’s genuinely unforgettable. Something original and uniquely engaging, that lives in your head rent free even when you’re not clutching a controller.

That’s what NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is for many people - a special game that’s quirkiness is matched by its sheer ability to engross you with its world, characters, and story.

But if you’ve yet to experience it for yourself, you may be thinking: what’s all the hype about? Why is this game generating such a buzz? How come all my friends can’t stop talking about crying and loving it??

Well, we’re here to inform, so here are seven things you NEED to know about NieR Replicant.

1 It’s a ‘version update’ of the original game

The game is a massively enhanced version of the original NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…, which originally launched in Japan back in 2010. Multiple elements have been updated for a faster, better, and more modern-feeling experience than the original.

So what exactly is the game? Is it a remaster? A remake? A re-release? According to the series creator YOKO TARO, it’s a ‘version update’.

He explains: “In the beginning I only intended for it to be a remaster, you know. With some improved resolutions and that... But once I started saying that I would like to tweak the models a bit, or that I wanted to fix up the backgrounds etc., we were soon looking at a lot of fixes and improvements.

“I mean, Square Enix recently did that remake of FINAL FANTASY VII right? I saw that and I thought it would be terribly inconvenient to be compared to such a massive blockbuster, so that was when I decided to call Replicant ver.1.22... a “version upgrade”.

Unflinchingly honest, as always.

2. It’s the first time people in the West have been able to play NieR Replicant

The original NieR game has an interesting history. Two versions were released in Japan - NieR Replicant, which featured a young protagonist, and NieR Gestalt, which featured a much older one endearingly referred to fans as Papa NieR.

In the West, however, only the Gestalt version was released, under the title NIER. Take a look at our NieR series retrospective to learn more about that.

The important point is that the release of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is the first time that players in the West are able to experience this particular version of the game!

3. It tells an unforgettable tale

The NieR series is known for its emotional storytelling, which deals with themes and concepts not often explored within videogames.

That tradition is alive and well in NieR Replicant, which features a fascinating and wildly unpredictable story and a cast of unforgettable characters.

The central protagonist (you get to name him) lives in a quiet village with his sickly sister Yonah.

When his beloved sibling’s struck down with a terminal disease called the Black Scrawl, he sets off to find a way to help her. Along the way, he creates a band of allies, including the surly floating tome Grimoire Weiss, the shockingly potty-mouthed Kainè, and the gentle boy Emil. Together, they search for the ‘Sealed Verses’ - and a potential cure for Yonah’s illness.

We’ll say no more about the plot - take our advice and go in as blind as possible - but the story and characters come through stronger than ever thanks to full voice acting and re-recorded script by most of the original cast!

4. The combat has been dialed up to the max

The world of NieR Replicant is full of dangers, from giant spiders and hungry wolves, to the ever-present Shades of all sizes that threaten you on your journey. Fortunately, you’re well equipped to take them on.

Combat in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is fast-paced, responsive and wonderfully intense. The developers took a long look at the action in NieR:Automata and worked hard to ensure that the battles in NieR Replicant are just as satisfying as that game.

You’ll take on hordes of enemies with a range of different weapon types, from fast-swinging blades to sublimely-stabby spears. But that’s only scratching the surface - you also have access to powerful magic spells, letting you batter foes with a barrage of bruising fists, down them with dangerous darts, create doppelgangers and much more.

Long story short, it’s an incredibly fun combat system that makes every battle feel fresh and exciting.

5. It’s designed to be enjoyed by all types of players

Of course, not every player is into fast-paced action. Some may be less experienced at action games, or may simply prefer to focus on the story and characters.

Those people are covered in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… with the addition of an auto-battle mode, which takes care of the fighting for you. This can be turned on and off at any time in the options menu, so you can make use of it as and when you like.

Then there are players who relish the challenge of a brutal battle. Rest assured that they’re catered for too, with difficulty modes to suit even the most masochistic of button-mashers.

In other words, whatever type of player you are, you’ll be able to enjoy NieR Replicant in the way that you want.

6. It’s packed with additional content

The original NIER hasn’t just been enhanced for the new game, it’s been added to with a treasure trove of additional content.

For example, there’s an entirely new ‘Mermaid’ episode, which features a brand new scenario involving a wrecked ship and a little girl, and a particularly exciting boss battle (seriously, it’s reeeal good).

That’s not all though - there are also extra dungeons from ’15 Nightmares’ - DLC released for the original game in Japan. These see you take on a series of imaginative and challenging dungeons that will test your mastery of the game… and give you access to new weapons and costumes.

Speaking of costumes, you can download a free ‘4 YoRHa’ costume pack to change the appearance of the characters to those from NieR:Automata, including 9S, 2B and A2. The English and Japanese voice actors from that game also return, and you’ll even be able to swap some of the music out for tracks from Automata too! (although only after completing your first playthrough).

So yeah… there’s a lot of stuff here.

7. The music is better than ever

Keiichi Okabe’s music for the NieR series is legendary and in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… it sounds even better than before.

Not content to simply use the original NIER’s soundtrack, Okabe, along with the talented MONACA team, have completely re-recorded it, rearranging some pieces to create a fuller, richer sound that positively sings on modern systems (pun very much intended). What’s more, the game also includes brand new music that you’ll never have heard before.

Just listen to it:

Those were just some the key things you need to know about NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… - and all we’re going to tell you. This is a game that thrives on doing the unexpected and revels in being completely its own thing - and discovering its eccentric ins and outs is all part of the fun.

Actually, there is just one more thing we should remind you of: it’s out now for PS4, Xbox One and Steam. Also (shameless plug time) you can buy it here:

• Get NieR Replicant 1.22474487139...

To stay up to date with news and information about this game, and the NieR series as a whole, make sure you follow the team on social media.

• NieR series on Twitter
• NieR series on Facebook
• NieR series on Instagram
• Square Enix on YouTube

The world of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... is a dangerous one.

Sinister Shades and cantankerous creatures roam the plains, ever-ready to send our Protagonist into early retirement. If you’re going to embark on a journey into this beautiful, but hostile land, you should make sure you’re armed not just with swords, but knowledge too.

Fortunately, we have some to give you with these 11 tips and tricks for NieR Replicant.

Stay on the move

Shades aren’t going to wait patiently for you to decide what to do in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... - they’ll come at you with unbridled aggression. For that reason, it’s never a good idea to stand in place for too long - particularly if your foe has access to ranged attacks.

Fortunately, your character is incredibly agile, capable of moving at high speeds, dodge-rolling and even getting behind enemies in a flash. Changing position regularly means that it’s harder for enemies to get a bead on you and lets you control the flow of the fight.

Remember that you can use and charge magic while on the move. If you’re building up multiple Dark Lance attacks at once, for example, keep moving at a distance while you do so to avoid having it interrupted by one of your Shade-y nemeses.

Don’t neglect your counter

If the Protagonist blocks an attack at exactly the right time, he’ll retaliate with a powerful counter-attack. The timing can be tricky so watch your opponents’ animation to judge when best to block.

Going for counters is riskier than both blocking ahead of time and evading attacks, but the pay-off is well worth it, particularly with some bosses, as you can deliver some serious damage.

Mix up your skills throughout the game

As you progress through the story of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., Grimoire Weiss will gain access to lots of different magical attacks, from the fast-firing Dark Blast to crushingly effective Dark Hand. These can be leveled up to become even more powerful - and useful.

Bear in mind that each one has their own strengths and weaknesses - there’s no ‘one spell fits all’ solution in the game. Make sure you mix things up as the scenario demands it.

For example, if you’re facing a difficult melee attacker that’s capable of cleaving your health bar in two with a single hit, switch to Dark Lance and Dark Blast, and whittle them down from afar. If you’re facing an enemy that’s blasting you with bullets, use Dark Wall to give yourself some necessary protection. Or, if you’re going toe-to-toe with a foe, give them an up-close pounding with Dark Hand.

So don’t be afraid to mix and match - your setup can mean the difference between dominating the fight or scraping through by the skin of your teeth.

Experiment with different combos

Your combat moves in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... can differ dramatically based on which type of weapon you have equipped - one-handed, two-handed and lances.

Experiment with each type, mixing up light and heavy attack to learn how the combos flow together. Don’t immediately reject one type of weapon because you’re more experienced with another - take the time to understand its ins and outs because it may be more effective.

For example, one-handed weapons are super-fast, letting you get in lots of attacks very quickly - the proverbial ‘death by a thousand cuts’.

In contrast, two-handed weapons can feel slow and unwieldy at first, but by chaining attacks together, and dashing at the right time, they can be massively effective - and intensely satisfying to use.

Lances have great reach, and decent speed, but they’re less capable against for mobs of enemies, as they’re more focused on stabbing than swiping. Their combos can take a bit of practice, but don’t give up because in experienced hands, they can absolutely brutalize the opposition.

Use magic against armored foes

Having trouble with armored enemies? Try using magic - it works really well against these enemies.

Here’s a strategy to try: use Dark Lance to knock them down, then close in to finish them off with physical

Magic works especially well on armored enemies. Try to use “Dark Lance” to knock down enemies, so you can close in and finish them with physical attacks. Since “Dark Blast” doesn’t drain your magic gauge as fast as it refills by itself, you can use it for a very long time to keep you safe from enemy projectiles. Since time also slows down a bit when using it, it can be very helpful against fast moving enemies.

Pick your battles carefully

The world of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... is a dangerous one, and there are many hazards to end an inattentive hero. You’ll sometimes encounter foes roaming the fields that might be too much for you to handle at that point in the game.

For example, early on, you may encounter a giant Shade roaming the plains around your village. These bad boys are big, buff and burly, and depending on your level when you encounter them, capable of taking you down in a single hit.

Remember that not every shade or giant spider needs to be dealt with then and there. Sometimes avoiding a fight is the better option - you’ll usually be able to circle around them, or - if they do engage - use your speed to make some space. You can always come back later when you’ve leveled up.

Mind your language!

When you defeat an enemy, you may collect a ‘word’. These give you buffs for weapons, spells, attack and defense. They’re collected under their own tab in the Grimoire Weiss menu and you should check in periodically to make sure you have the best ones equipped.

You can either set them manually or use an auto-equip function to set the most powerful worlds instead. It’s not necessary to do this after every single battle - what a hassle that would be! - but do check your equipped words every now and then because they can make a massive difference to your character’s effectiveness.

Auto-battle is there to help

If you’re having trouble with a particular boss, or section of the game, or are simply more interested in the fascinating story and evocative world of NieR Replicant than the action, you can set the game to auto-battle.

Available in easy mode, it means the Protagonist will make his own decisions in battle - all you have to do is sit back and watch the mayhem unfold.

It’s there so that everyone can enjoy the game and there’s no penalty for using it - so give it a go!

Always buy maps

You’ll usually be on a mission when you enter a new area, but don’t be too goal-oriented. Make sure you take time for a little personal shopping - particularly for maps.

Maps you an overview of the area and make navigation considerably easier - they’re quite important. Fortunately, local vendors sell maps of their region, so get them - it’ll be some of the best investments you can make.

Hunt the boar early

Want to get around the world faster? Ride a boar!

Early in the game - almost the beginning, in fact - you’ll be able to pick up a side quest from the old man next to the item shop in your home village. He’ll ask you to deal with a troublesome boar that roams the Northern Plains.

Defeat this problematic porcine and collect its tusk. Report your success to the old man, and he’ll reward you with 1000 gold and the tusk, which lets you ride the sleeping boars outside of settlements for speedier (and safer) travel around the world.

Watch out though - the boar can put up a tough fight early on. We recommend waiting until you have access to the Dark Lance spell so you can attack from a safe distance, and use rocks to stay out of reach of its deadly charge attack.

The ending is not the end

This is one that NieR series veterans will know all too well. When you first complete the game and see credits, you’ll hit Ending A. This is not the end of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139....

Playing the game again will add additional scenes and additional context that expand the story even more. We’ll say no more to avoid spoilers, but bear this in mind: the end is merely the beginning.

Ooh cryptic…

We hope that advice helps you get to grips with NieR Replicant ver1.22474487139...’s many mysteries and exciting combat.

The game is available from April 23, 2021 for PS4, Xbox One and Steam:

• Get Nier Replicant 1.22474487139...

For more information and updates about the game, make sure you follow the team on social media:

• NieR series on Twitter
• NieR series on Facebook
• Square Enix on YouTube

Fast, fluid and flashy, the combat system in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is something special.

That’s a testament to the incredible work of Development Director Saki Ito and his team at Toylogic Inc, who - with support and advice from Takahisa Taura of PlatinumGames Inc. - have worked tireless to elevate the action of the beloved 2010 action RPG to a whole new level.

We recently had a chance to speak to Mr. Ito about how he and the team approached the combat system for this new and improved version of the game, and the challenges they faced in updating a classic.

Why change the combat system at all?

The first question fans might have is: why change the combat system at all? The original game already had interesting battles, which blurred genres with a mix of melee and shooter gameplay. Why not leave the game as it was originally built?

The short answer is because NieR:Automata exists. That game saw enormous success, in part thanks to its rewarding combat system. Developed in collaboration with PlatinumGames Inc., it was responsive, skill-based and oh-so-satisfying - and the team wanted to capture that feeling in the updated NieR Replicant.

Ito says: “We wanted to allow players who discovered the NieR series through NieR:Automata to get as much enjoyment out of playing this first game. It was important to let those people enjoy this original setting in the same way they did Automata - with high-quality, fast, and dynamic action in three dimensions.”

That said, NieR Replicant is a distinctly different game to NieR:Automata, and simply replicating the combat-style of 2B and Co. wouldn’t match the game’s style, story or characters. While the team wanted it to capture that essential feeling of fun and fluidity, they realised it had to stay true to the world and spirit of the original game.

As Ito explains: “I felt that we needed to build a new feel to the controls - something that was unique to this modern version of NieR Replicant.”

Getting priorities straight

With a general idea of what they wanted the combat to be, the team started to drill down to determine their specific priorities for the updated system. To do that, they had to take a deep look at the characters.

In NieR Replicant, story and gameplay are intertwined. The combat doesn’t exist in a vacuum - it has to say something about the characters you’re controlling and their situation.

For the team, that meant capturing the unique personality of the protagonist - and the extraordinary circumstances he finds himself in.

Character-driven combat

“The first thing we did was to set down the images of the protagonist and the Grimoire Weiss; the two characters who would be doing the heavy lifting in battle,” says Ito.

“We looked at the defining characteristics of these two characters and thought about what features we should incorporate into their actions to meet both my expectations towards this new Replicant, and those of series fans.”

Throughout the adventure, the characters battle against Shades, and the protagonist has no love lost for these shadowy entities - the team wanted to capture that feeling in gamers.

“The focus was on making the player feel like this epic story of a self-taught swordsman who wields sinister magical powers was happening to them.

“Rather than merely guiding the protagonist, we wanted players to feel like they were actively involved in cutting through the hordes of shades to protect someone dear to them.”

This character-led approach to combat would be an intense focus for the team throughout the entire development process… and one that required an enormous amount of effort and iteration to feel just right.

“We worked ourselves to exhaustion to create that feeling that the player is instinctually and directly in control of the intense action,” laughs Ito. “The combat gives a sense of speed and power… with that hatred towards the Shades occasionally boiling over.”

Taking notes from NieR:Automata

Ito and the development team had a clear vision for the combat in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., so now it was time to start making it. First, came a little research.

Ito says, “I can’t talk about combat without referencing our wonderful predecessor, NieR:Automata.

“Since that game let the player enjoy such brilliant fast, free flowing action in multiple dimensions, we felt that it was essential to make this new version of Replicant feel similarly satisfying.

“We took time to look over and analyse the game’s design, with amazing help and co-operation from Mr. Taura and the team at Platinum. It’s largely thanks to them that we were able to make the combat in NieR Replicant so dynamic and exciting!”

Getting the details right

With the lessons of NieR:Automata taken on board, the team started building the combat system. They knew how they wanted fighting to feel, but achieving that required time, effort and extraordinary attention to detail.

Ito says: “One of the big things we had to get right was how to get as much variation to the different attacks as possible - and how to make them so that the player wants to use each one differently.”

As the team built the different combat moves, they worked hard to make each one to make them both flow together and feel unique. This was a very technical task, which required constant testing and revision.

“We made it so that the nature of the player’s attacks varies as much as possible depending on the input made and the situation in battle,” explains Ito. “That doesn’t just involve adding more motion data, but also adjusting the basic parameters such as acceleration, deceleration and number of hits et cetera. to make sure that each move has its own different and unique feel to the next one - even if only by a little.

“Of course, it was also important to give the different attacks their own characteristics and thus create the innate expectation that they will be more useful in some situations than others.”

Respecting the past

Although the team was committed to updating the combat for a modern age, the development team didn’t want to wave goodbye to the past either. While not a major sales success, the original NIER release was utterly beloved by those who played it, and the team felt that it was important to respect that.

“We made a lot of effort to properly reproduce the spirit of peoples romanticised memories of the original game,” says Ito. “We aimed to deliver the core essence of the first NieR to modern players in as close a form to the original as possible.”

“To do that, I looked over all the subtle details of the gameplay, from the action to the cameras, visuals and the script, and compared them to my own rose-tinted recollections of these elements. That helped us decide how best to tweak and adjust each of these things.”

The final battle system is a compelling fusion of new and nostalgia. The DNA of the original battle system runs through the very core of the experience, but everything is snappier and far more satisfying.

It’s simultaneously a new and improved version of what came before - something that fans of the original game should adore.

What’s more, while they amped up the combat, the team were very careful not to disturb the parts of the game that didn’t need alteration.

Ito says: “The original NieR had many elements, such as the story and the cut scenes, that still have a strong appeal and stand up today. For those elements we strived to leave things close to the original version as possible, and I think that has imbued the game with a ‘new but nostalgic’ feeling.”

Combat challenge

While the combat design was progressing well, it also wasn’t without challenges. As fights got faster and flashier, problems began to emerge - particularly with enemy AI.

Ito explains: “One of the biggest challenges we faced was having to adjust the actions of the enemies to fit with what the player does.

“If the player’s movements becomes showier and more extreme, without the enemy behaviour and reactions fitting in with that, it starts to feel like the player is dancing rings around them in a self-satisfied way. It lacks the satisfaction of trading blows with the enemy or landing a solid strike.

Unfortunately, the enemies were directly controlled by the old programming from the original NIER, and it was very difficult to analyse and change their behaviour. More than once we found ourselves spending days staring at swathes of unfamiliar code to work it all out.”

Luckily for the project, there was some NIER expertise already in the development team.

“The main programmer on the development team actually participated in the development of the original NieR game 11 years ago, creating the minor enemies,” says Ito. “His own memories of the project were quite vague by this point, but thanks to what he did remember, we were able to skip a number of steps that we would otherwise have had to take to investigate and unpick the original construction.

“Even so, there were still many enemies that he was not involved with putting together, and we had to continue our dull - but essential - investigations into 11 year-old code throughout the whole of the project.”

This work was tiring and tiresome for the team, but necessary. They were ultimately able to find solutions and ensure that enemies can put up a fight.

Of course, according to Mr. Ito, that wasn’t the biggest challenge the team faced:

“Our biggest challenge was raising the quality of the action to a level that satisfied Mr. Taura from PlatinumGames!” he laughs.

There are many awesome things about the NieR Replicant combat system - too many to list here. Ito is also reluctant to point them out, preferring players to discover them through the game.

“We made countless changes to the original game’s combat, but I feel it would be a bit egotistical on the development team’s part to want the players to pay attention to it,”

“…to be honest I do want people to notice them though,” he chuckles.

More than anything though, he wants people to experience this classic RPG in a modern way, when NieR Replicant launches on April 23. As he says:

“I hope players can sit down, relax and experience that same awesome story that moved me 11 years ago right through to the end.”

• Get NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…

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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. Now we’re going back to where it all began with an incredible remaster of the first game in the series.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is a modern re-telling of the classic RPG that features updated visuals, new character illustrations by NieR:Automata character designer, Akihiko Yoshida and even a newly recorded soundtrack by composer Keiichi Okabe!

It launches for PS4, XBOX One, and PC (Steam) on April 23, 2021, and is available to preorder now.

In addition to the standard edition, we’re excited to announce a very special, and very exclusive, collector’s edition: The White Snow Edition.

The White Snow Edition

Available only on the Square Enix Store, this is a bumper pack of NieR-related awesomeness. It gives you the game on the platform of your choice, and includes a wealth of extra items, including:

• A “Lunar Tear” collector’s box

• A Steelbook case featuring stunning artwork by Illustrator KODA KAZUMA.

• A set of Grimoire Weiss, Grimoire Noir, and Grimoire Rubrum pins - presented in a specialized display case.

• The Script Set - a collection of seven books, including the content of the spoken script of the game. It’s packaged in a special hard case, featuring unique cover art by character designer Akihiko Yoshida! Please note that this is only available in English.

• A two-disc soundtrack collection - one disc features reworked tracks from NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…. The second features special arrangements overseen by Keiichi Okabe, which are exclusive to the White Snow Edition. It’s all presented in a premium Grimoire Weiss-inspired package.

Get NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… White Snow Edition.

Awesome, right?

To celebrate the return of this landmark game, and this amazing edition, we wanted to take a brief moment to look back at the origins of the NieR series - and celebrate how far it’s come.

2010 - NIER launches

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.

Then, 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.

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The Future - NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… and more

Which takes us into the future , and the upcoming release of NieR Replicant ver. 1.22474487139…

This modernized version updates the classic game with a host of enhancements, including new visuals, new illustrations and new music.

During the Tokyo Game Show, we also announced that NieR Re[in]carnation - the first mobile game in the NieR series - is in development by Applibot, Inc. for North America and Europe. To stay up to date on that title, follow the official Twitter and Facebook channels:

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The legacy of NieR

The NieR universe has really taken on a life of its own - it’s inspired books, concerts, merchandise - it’s even made a recent guest appearance in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers!

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:Orchestra Concert re:12018 tour, which came to Los Angeles, London, Chicago and Bangkok earlier this year.

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:

• NieR:Automata merchandise

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, or costumes for Sony’s Gravity Rush 2.

More recently, FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers launched a 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 will feel particularly special.

• Find out more about the NieR Raid Series
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As you can see, it’s been an amazing journey for the NieR series so far, and with NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… arriving April 23, 2021, there’s so much more to come.

• Preorder NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…

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Get ready to experience where the NieR series all began - NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is in development now for PS4, Xbox One and PC (Steam)!

The cult classic third person action RPG is being developed in collaboration with Toylogic, and an incredibly talented team, including:

• Director YOKO TARO (Drakengard / NieR:Automata)
• Composer Keiichi Okabe (TEKKEN / Drakengard / NieR:Automata)
• Producer Yosuke Saito (DRAGON QUEST X / NieR:Automata)

Take a look at the new trailer:

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is puts you in the role of the titular Nier, a young man on a quest to cure his sister Yonah of a deadly disease. What they discover will make them question everything they thought they knew…

The original NieR release has an interesting history. In Japan, there were two versions of the game: NieR Replicant and NieR Gestalt.

NieR Replicant focused on Brother Nier and his sister Yonah. In NieR Gestalt, the main character was Father Nier, and Yonah his daughter.

Only NieR Gestalt released in the West (under the name NIER) - so excitingly, this will be the first time many people will have played the Replicant version of the game!

You can find out more about this, and the NieR series as a whole, in our retrospective. Read it here:

• NieR series retrospective

We’ll have much more to share about the game in future - make sure you follow the NieR Series on social media to get all the news and updates first:

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