GUIDE: What is NieR? The Action RPG Series, Explained
NieR:Automata Ver1.1a is an anime adaption of the video game, NieR:Automata. We wanted to take a look at the history of the NieR franchise and answer some of your questions about the anime. After hitting some serious mainstream appeal with its release in 2017, the action-RPG series from PlatinumGames (Bayonetta, Astral Chain) and Square Enix (Final Fantasy) has a unique and complex history that makes for one of the most powerful sci-fi narratives in gaming.
Ready to dive in?
What is NieR?
NieR is an action role-playing game that debuted in Japan in 2010 as two games: NieR Replicant and NieR Gestalt. The game we know as NieR in the West is actually NieR Gestalt and was released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The games are actually a spin-off of the Drakengard series, based on one of the series’ many endings. The first NieR followed a protagonist who is on the search for a way to cure his daughter, Yonah, of an illness.
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In 2021, NieR Replicant received a Western release (and an enhanced release in Japan) as NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. They’re essentially the same game with the same story, except for the protagonist. In Gestalt, the protagonist was a middle-aged man, and in Replicant, he’s a teenager. Besides a few script changes to accommodate this, that’s virtually the only difference at the core of each game.
Where Does Nier:Automata Fit In?
The original NieR game received a sequel in 2017 called NieR:Automata from PlatinumGames and director YOKO TARO (Drakengard). It follows protagonists 2B and 9S, who are human-like androids tasked with reclaiming Earth from an invading machine force. The game, which is what the NieR:Automata Ver1.1a anime series is based on, went on to win numerous awards and fan acclaim.
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An iOS and Android game called NieR Reincarnation was released in 2021 which follows a young girl, a creature named Dark Monster and a ghost named Mama. Although this game takes place in the NieR universe, it doesn’t have many connections to either the original NieR or NieR:Automata. However, it’s still a touching entry in the franchise and is worth playing.
The NieR series is known for its multiple endings, requiring players to go through repeated playthroughs of the games and perform specific actions. In the first NieR, there were four endings — A through D. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… added an additional ending E that connected more to the events that happened in NieR:Automata. NieR:Automata itself also has 26 different endings, but many of them are easy non-canon joke endings while only a few require substantial work to obtain.
Do I need to play NieR:Automata first?
Even though we absolutely recommend playing NieR:Automata, it is not required to enjoy watching the anime adaptation. The first episode is almost a one-for-one shot of the opening sequences in the game so you’ll still be able to understand what’s going on in the anime even if you never played the game before. Meanwhile, fans of the game won’t have to worry about the anime deviating too far from its source material.
One aspect that NieR:Automata Ver1.1a handles well is the multiple perspectives of the game. 2B and 9S have different experiences during the first half of the game. In the game, they’re labeled as Route A and Route B, respectively. The anime shows both perspectives concurrently in order to provide the viewer with a smoother experience.
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As the series continues to air, fans will surely be curious about how the anime will address the multiple endings and the creative liberties that come with adapting to a different medium. Either way, both fans and newcomers will have a great time watching one of the best video game stories ever told.
This article written by George Yang was originally published on the Funimation Blog on April 20, 2021. It has been updated to include new information on the NieR franchise.
George Yang is a freelance writer specializing in video games and pop culture. He has written for sites like IGN, GameSpot, Kotaku, The Verge, NPR and Complex. You can follow him on Twitter @yinyangfooey.
