Nier games have always been some of the most popular Square Enix releases throughout recent years, and both Automata and Replicant are true masterpieces in terms of gameplay, soundtrack, and many other aspects. This makes it a true challenge to choose which title of the Nier universe is the best one to go for. But don’t worry. We are here to help with this task.

In this article, we will directly compare both Nier Automata and Nier Replicant in a series of aspects to see which one is the best one to play and why. Make sure to look at all the categories to see which Nier game best suits what you’re looking for.

• Release Date: February, 2017

• Developer: Square Enix

• Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows

Even though the original Nier was launched in 2010, Automata was the first Nier game to become famous worldwide and attract millions of fans to the franchise. The creation from Yoko Taro became an instant success, having one of the smoothest combats ever seen in a title of the genre and a soundtrack that you could listen to repeatedly without getting sick of it.

The main character, 2B, is also one of the most beloved aspects of the franchise. Nier fans and the entire gaming community love her so much that it is common to see her featured in other games through crossover actions, like Soulcalibur VI and Rainbow Six Siege, for example.

Like in the first game, the story is exceptional and features multiple endings depending on how you play the game, allowing you to do multiple playthroughs without getting bored.

It is set in 11945AD and follows the war between humanity and the army of invading robots from another world. Humankind is still trying to take back control of Earth after these cruel machines invaded it, and to do that, they built their own Androids, designed to fight against the invaders. You are 2B, a combat Android and also one of humanity’s last hopes to retrieve their home. You’ll have to complete a series of tasks and commands sent from the main headquarters.

Even though 2B is the protagonist and the character you’ll spend most of your time playing, there are other characters you can also control throughout the game, like 9S, for example, who is a support android and also your main companion throughout the journey. The best part is that, even though Androids aren’t supposed to have feelings, each has a distinct personality, making the story much more dynamic and one of the reasons why people absolutely love Automata.

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• Release Date: April, 2021

• Developer: Square Enix

• Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows

With the success of Automata and its numerous achievements, fans started wondering what Yoko Taro’s next game would look like, and here is the answer. Nier Replicant takes place in the same post-apocalyptic world of the previous title and takes the hack-and-slash gameplay to a whole new level.

Even though the connection between Nier Replicant and Automata might not be too clear initially, both games have numerous similarities, despite taking place thousands of years apart. Different from what most people think, the story of Replicant is not a sequel to Automata. It is actually a prequel that takes place eras before the events of Automata.

Nier Replicant is a remake of the first title of the Drakengard games. Even though it tells the same story as the original game from 2010, it still differs from it in numerous ways.

One of the most remarkable characteristics is that both games feature different main characters. The original Nier, also known as Nier Gestalt in Japan, was a spin-off of a Drakengard game that soon got its own game and franchise. It was released for Xbox 360 only in Japan and followed the story of the father of Yonah, who needs help with a series of tasks throughout the gameplay. Nier Replicant was launched in Japan in 2010, but you play as Yonah’s younger brother instead of her father this time. 

Replicant Ver.1.22 is a remake of this version launched worldwide, featuring new elements, like redesigned combat and new side quests. It is the perfect opportunity for many players to finally enjoy the “original” title on modern consoles.

Get Nier: Replicant Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

Before we find out which game of the Nier series is the best one for you, it is important to know where to find video game keys for the best price. There are several options available for purchasing digital game copies, going from the store of each platform to online marketplaces throughout the internet.

Among all the alternatives, RoyalCDKeys is the best one for your gameplay and wallet. We offer keys for over a thousand titles from numerous genres and play styles, ensuring you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for at the best price.

Moreover, every key sold comes with 24-hour support, guaranteeing you no problems redeeming your code or playing the games.

We have what you need whether you’re playing on a console or PC. Visit our homepage and check the latest gaming industry releases for a special price.

The gaming community absolutely loves both Nier Automata and Replicant, as they have become references in the industry for many games of the genre. But only one of them can secure the spot of the best title of the Nier franchise.

It’s time to directly compare them in a series of aspects to see which is the best overall and why. Make sure to take a look at all the categories below to ensure you make the right decision when choosing which one to play first.

Here are the main aspects you should consider when comparing Nier Replicant and Nier Automata:

Characters

One of the first aspects to consider when comparing both titles is the characters, including NPCs and characters you play throughout the story. Both games have remarkable figures that will instantly generate a connection between the player and the game, being one of the best franchises for character development.

From their expressions and personalities to the quests and missions they give you, every person is unique in their own way and drastically contributes to the gameplay and lore to feel more alive.

Even though both games are from the same franchise, you’ll find completely different kinds of characters to interact or play with. Automata focuses much more on Androids, machine creatures, and other types of characters that contribute to the game's post-apocalyptic setting. When it comes to playable characters in Automata, even though you’ll use 2B most of the time while playing, you’ll also find other characters you can play with throughout the story, like 9S and A2. 

On the other hand, the characters from Replicant are usually humans and much more diversified creatures. Replicant doesn’t feature that same playable character variety. Even though you’ll meet numerous charismatic characters during the adventure, they don’t feel as authentic and unique as the characters from Automata.

Considering all of this, Nier Automata takes advantage regarding character development and the interactions you’ll find along the way. This doesn’t mean Replicant doesn’t have good characters. You’ll find many incredible NPCs and creatures that’ll help you throughout the journey and make the game more immersive.

Soundtrack

One of the highlights of both games is the soundtrack. Square Enix and Nier are responsible for some of the most incredible soundtracks ever created in the gaming world.

The music in Nier is distinct and significantly enhances the game's atmosphere. It adds to the memorable moments, keeping players immersed in the experience until the very end.

Both soundtracks are very similar, but Automata’s also takes the advantage. Whether it comes to fighting songs or just ambient music for exploring the scenarios, the level of quality is absurd and a true reference for other JRPGs trying to create quality music for their games.

Each track is a true work of art and evokes numerous emotions while playing the game, whether when the game wants the player to feel a sense of loneliness or the adrenaline of a boss fight. Soundtrack is a largely forgotten aspect in games, but Square Enix always finds a way to create some of the best compositions for their titles, and you can clearly see that here.

Both games feature original soundtracks worth listening to over and over again, but Automata still features the best one. If this is important for you, the game surely won’t disappoint.

World Building

The world-building of Nier Replicant is exceptional, and nothing compares to it when it comes to content volume. This happens for numerous reasons, but mainly thanks to the game being a “spin-off” from another franchise. Since Drakengard already had a solid lore and universe, several aspects also impacted Nier and its world.

Replicant has one of the deepest and most complex lores ever featured in a video game, and it can take a lot of reading for players who are not used to this universe and never played a title from the franchise. There are events that drastically impact what happens in the game and how the characters act toward each other, like the white chlorination syndrome, for example.

The world of Replicant is formed through the numerous concepts you learn throughout the game, whether through dialogues with other characters or documents found along the way. The entire concept of the game revolves around the Replicants, which are shells created under the Gestalt Project, a solution to save humanity from a lethal disease killing everybody.

In Automata, it is no different. The lore can be as deep as in Replicant, with several aspects dictating how the Androids act and their relation with the other machines. The post-apocalyptic world is vast and has a lot to discover. However, its lore is not as solid as in Replican. Like Dark Souls, for example, much of it is told through hints and other complementary documents. Considering all of the above, Replicant wins thanks to its world-building and solid setting.

Story

Regarding the story aspect of both games, they can be exceptionally complex, especially for newcomers to the Nier or Final Fantasy series, due to the volume of information and the depth of their narratives.

There's an abundance of information, from numerous characters to the background events, making it challenging to keep track of everything within the games.

When comparing both stories directly, Nier Automata takes a slight advantage for being more straightforward and easier for the player to understand, although still featuring much content and dozens of secrets to explore. You’ll also find lots of dialogues and documents about philosophical themes directly relating to machines’ behavior and their real intentions regarding planet Earth.

Nier Replicant also features a thriving story with numerous plot twists that will immerse the player from the beginning to the end of the campaign. But its content is so dense that it can be really hard to understand if you’re not used to games of this kind.

Moreover, Automata has an official anime to help tell the story and what happened during the game's events. If you have yet to play a Nier title, Automata might be the best one to start with.

Enemies

One of the main factors to consider when choosing a Nier title is the enemies you’ll fight against throughout the campaign. Even though Replicant has a bigger enemy variety, the characters from Automata have much more personality, and the same goes for the evil ones. 

How they impact the lore and the dichotomy between machines and nature is so interesting that it will make you want to explore every piece of lore regarding them. Each boss battle is distinct, and despite most enemies being machines, the encounters remain engaging and aren’t repetitive. This dynamic fosters a sense of rivalry between humans and machines, emphasizing the emotional aspect of this conflict.

This doesn't imply that the enemies in Replicant are inferior or lacking. Instead, Replicant showcases a more magical and fantasy-oriented setting compared to Automata's sci-fi theme. This difference is evident in the enemies, which display greater variety, intricate combat skills, and diverse weaponry.

The particularity of Automata’s enemies and their philosophies make Automata a better pickover Replicant regarding enemies and Bosses. They might not vary drastically, but they are unique, and every new encounter is a surprise for the players.

Combat

As expected from a title released later, the Remake version of Replicant features much smoother combat with incredible animations and combos. Since Nier combat is full of hack-and-slash elements, it features a much faster pace to its battles, so good animations are indispensable for an enjoyable experience.

Both games feature nice combat smoothness and incredible battles, but Replicant still takes advantage, not only when it comes to smoothness but also combos and combat possibilities.

There are many ways to fight against the creatures you find along the way, whether with daggers, swords, spears, axes, and many others, and the improvements made for this remaster/remake version are clearly visible, with a wholly reimagined combat system.

Nier Automata has a total of 40 swords you can find along the gameplay, but the combat doesn’t vary that much. It is solid and fun, especially if you like games like Devil May Cry. Both games do a great job regarding the fights, but Replicant is a better experience overall in this aspect.

Graphics

It’s a little obvious that Nier Replicant has better graphics since it was launched years after Automata, and video game technology is constantly evolving. But the surprise is that this graphics evolution is not as significant as some players might think, making both games very similar to each other and perfect picks even if you prioritize graphics over other aspects.

Nier has a unique style for their environments that highlights the fantasy aspect of the franchise, and with the stunning graphics, the player can feel even more immersed. With the graphic improvements of Nier Replicant, the areas become even more vivid and attractive for the players to explore, making you feel like you’re really part of the story and its vast world.

If graphics are a crucial aspect for you and you seek the best experience in this category, Nier Replicant should be your choice. Both games are quite similar, but Replicant excels due to the technological advancements in the gaming industry.

Both Automata and Replicant are incredible games and some of the best JRPGs ever released. But considering all the aspects and the overall gameplay, Automata is still a better choice for the players, mainly if you never played a Nier title before.

Even though it takes place thousands of years after Replicant, the story still serves as background for many things that happened during the remake. Moreover, the story is fairly easy to understand, making it more friendly if you have never played a game of this kind.

Even though Replicant has an advantage in combat and graphics, the experience with Automata is one of the best ever featured in a game from Square Enix, and you’ll find yourself listening to its soundtrack over and over again.

Both games are awesome, and we highly recommend playing Replicant after finishing Automata and getting all the endings. As for a first experience in the saga, 2B should be your go-to choice.

Nier is one of the best franchises ever created by Square Enix, selling millions of copies worldwide throughout the platforms. Automata and Replicant were the first ones to get out of Japan and reach stores worldwide, so choosing the right one might be a hard task if you know nothing about the franchise.

Both games feature a depth of content and tons of documents to read about if you want to fully understand the universe. This, combined with the complex lore, makes it the perfect game for the players who like to explore every aspect of a title and its story.

Among both options, Automata is the best one as a first Nier title, not only because of its simpler story but also thanks to its incredible gameplay and character development. If you never played Nier before, make sure to try this one out first.