NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… Review: A JRPG Built To Last

When developer Toylogic and publisher Square Enix confirmed the existence of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…, a remake of the niche JRPG entry that served as predecessor to the much more broadly successful NieR: Automata, it wasn’t clear what to expect. There was already the possibility of NieR Replicant having aged poorly purely from a mechanical standpoint, even before contemplating the game’s original reception and whether or not it was indicative of the ceiling for its appeal. What players will be experiencing in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is evidence that a remake was more than justified, as the title has aged gracefully, with the upgrades packaged into the newest version making it a JRPG well-worth purchasing in 2021.

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The basis of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… surrounds the journey of a small group of characters as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world that is ravaged by alternating problems stemming from either magic or science – sometimes both. That’s a simplistic description of a story that paints broad strokes across concepts of found family, the definition of the soul, and more, but one of the best elements of re-experiencing NieR Replicant is diving back into its narrative, which is every bit as strong as Automata. Revisiting Replicant shows just how much of the groundwork for NieR: Automata was laid down in this game, whether it be the story’s twists and turns, it’s multiple playthroughs, or even its meta-narrative leanings.

For many, however, the question won’t be about whether NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… continues to excel at story-telling – it will be whether or not the title’s gameplay engine can keep up, especially in 2021. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… succeeds in adapting the JRPG to modern genre sensibilities, with fluid combat paired with a deep and interesting magic system. Most of all, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… manages to strike a delicate balance between preserving the game’s feel as a standalone title while also making it a familiar experience to fans coming over from NieR: Automata as their first experience with the franchise. Despite different developers behind both games, the movement of the adjusted combat and its boss battle pacing felt like a conventional bridge between either title.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… also features a focus on genre-bending that will be a point of interest for players. Alternating between side-scrolling, platforming, puzzle-solving, and bullet hell, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… does a brilliant job of making each of its shifts in mechanics work, often tying them into a thematic concern or story beat for added effect. Another standout is undoubtedly the game’s voice acting and soundtrack, both of which are engrossing.

If there’s a flaw in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…, perhaps it’s that the game shows its age even though its visuals have been upgraded to be much more aesthetically pleasing than the original. Characters look good, but not necessarily sharp, and the environment can feel a little less detailed than what someone might expect from a game that’s so rich in world-building. That being said, areas central to the story and its many cutscenes seem to have had a little more attention paid to them, and it’s a smart decision, as they have a distinct visual pop during breaks in inputting commands. The general dreariness of the world of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… never drags down the exploration and sense of adventure, either – a remarkable feature that was also present in the original but remains impressive even in 2021.

While input is smooth for the player character, another minor issue in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is the way its party AI behaves. There were a handful of moments that party members idled when combat was occurring, or would get stuck on environmental obstacles during exploration. None of these problems impacted gameplay much – really, the combat is all about what the player is doing, and exploration was never negatively influenced by errant AI – but it’s at the very least noticeable on occasion.

These small annoyances don’t matter much when contrasted by the improvements NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… makes across the board. Lock-on in combat is a wonderful addition, making it even smoother and significantly less frustrating, and the ability to use magic spells while also attacking is reminiscent of Automata‘s Pod system – a fun, multi-directional focus that helps the player feel more in control of the way a battle is progressing. That’s without considering something that really needs to be experienced without any spoilers for fans – a brand new ending that was added to NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… It’s clear from the remake’s construction that it’s meant to expand the story players first experienced years ago, not simply re-tell it with better graphics.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… isn’t just a comprehensive remake that makes some startling updates – it’s also a proof of concept for the series moving forward. The story holds up, the refined combat is engaging, and its charm and melancholy both resonate with a player long after they’ve put the controller down. In revisiting NieR‘s past, it becomes clear just how bright its future is. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is something worth playing in 2021 and beyond, and a one-of-a-kind JRPG that continues to challenge convention even a decade after it first began to do so.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… releases on April 23, 2021 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Screen Rant was provided with a digital PS4 code for the purpose of this review.

Our Rating:

4.5 out of 5 (Must-Play)
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