4.5/5 ★ – Hill417's review of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139....

Nier Automata was a game that has stuck with me long after I put the controller down. The characters, the combat, the story, and its themes were on another level and shows how video games are more than just mindless entertainment, but a true art form that is capable of resonate with people. Little did I know that Automata was actually a sequel to a 2010 game simply titled “Nier”. I never did play the original Nier and given what I heard about the combat I didn’t make a much attempt to seek it out. So when Nier Replicant Ver 1.22 (I am not typing every single number) I was ecstatic. A hybrid of a remake/remaster. The combat was fixed where it was similar to Automata, the models and textures were redone, cut content that was scrapped was now featured, and best of all: a brand new ending. However some of it’s 2010 DNA is still encrypted to this tale of tragedy and hope. The story starts out in a world where humanity is succumbing to a plague known as the Black Scrawl and monsters known as Shades ravage the land. The protagonist Nier is holding out hope that his sister Yona can beat the virus, but her situation is looking more and more grim. It isn’t until Nier meets a talking book called Grimoire Weiss where you discover that a cure is possible. Along your journey you’ll meet the foul mouthed Kaine, and the shy, but earnest Emil. You’ll find yourself going back and fourth between each area… without fast travel. You will unlock it eventually, but not until the last few hours. To poor salt on the wound 90% of the side quest are glorified fetch quest where you have to collect a certain amount of obscure objects where you’ll have to backtrack again and again and again. Nier and the party will often comment on how stupid the jobs are, but you’re compensated with a lot of money so he puts up with them nonetheless because he needs the money. Which makes Nier the most relatable JRPG protagonist. At least you’ll get a weapon as an extra bonus. There are three types of weapons: one-handed swords, two-handed swords, and lances. Each of them have their own play style. The combat is fast paced where you can try out different combos and throw in some magic attacks with the helps of Weiss. I mostly used Dark Blast and Dark Whirlwind (a circle of scythes rotating around you is a godsend in close quarter combat). Kaine and Emil also provide assistance, but nothing substantial. If you kill enough random enemies then you might unlock a “word”. If you attach them to your favorite weapon then you can buff it up for more damage, EXP, or rare items. Always equip words with rare item drops because one side quest requires three rare items (which took me TWO HOURS to complete) and you need to finish this quest because you’re rewarded with another weapon. Which makes it even more of a pain because all thirty three weapons are required to unlock ending C & D. The idea of playing the game not once, but four times to unlock the true ending can be tedious, but Replicant respects your time… for the most part. Instead of playing the entire campaign from the very beginning you are dropped to the beginning of act 3. Even though you’re fighting the same bosses each play through unlocks a brand new dialogue that puts your actions into a whole new perspective. So much so that I legitimately questioned if I was actually the hero or not. All of your actions lead to an ultimatum in route C & D and your decision serves as your penance for the sins you committed. Even with the extra context of each subsequent play though. Route D really should have just started you right before the final boss as collecting every fragment and witnessing every cutscene for a fifth time was becoming a little asinine. At least the the ensemble voice cast deliver memorable performances. Most notably Zach Aguilar as young Nier who gives him a kind and optimistic attitude which is a complete contrast to Ray Chase who gives the adult Nier a more hallow tone who is slowly losing hope. Laura Bailey really gets to show off how vulgar she can sound with Kaine. It’s Liam O’Brien who shines the brightest as he gives Weiss an aristocratic/sarcastic attitude who doesn’t have time for obscure nonsense. If you haven’t played Automata yet I would start with Replicant. Replicant is a moving and heartbreaking tale that’ll have you searching for hope as you slash your way through shades and machines.