The chronology of events between all threeDrakengard games,Nier,the remasteredNier Replicant,andNier Automatais honestly pretty convoluted.Yoko Taro really spread that infoacross all different forms of media. In fact, to get the full picture, fans will need to do a lot of research that includes information found in theNier Automatastage plays, theNierDrama CD, theDrakengard 3manga series, and even the crossover raids in theFinal Fantasy XIVMMORPG.
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Thankfully, the actualNier Automata game, including theEnd of YoRHa Edition,is pretty obvious with its references and homages to its predecessor, but there are still a few of them that only true fans ofNier Replicantwill notice.
7The New Red-Haired Twins & How They’re Different
Devola and Popola, the red-headed twins ofNier’shub area, are some of the more memorable characters in the game outside of the main cast AKA Nier, Weiss, Kaine, and Emil. The connection between these twins, the Village they take care of, and both versions of Nier (Father Nier and Brother Niet) are very well-written and believable. And, this is exactly what makes it so painful that they end up “betraying” and trying to kill Nier to bring back the Shadowlord and finish Project Gestalt.
And, inNier Automatathese two twins reappear in the Resistance Base, sort of. The Devola and Popola ofNier Automataare actually just the same line of Androids as the twins seen in Nier Replicant. That said, likely because the “original” Devola and Popola failed in stopping Brother Nier from ruining Project Gestalt, all Androids are now hard-coded to feel general dislike for all Devola and Popola units. This is probably done as a way of punishing all Devola/Popola units for the sins of their predecessors.
6The Redemption Of The Twins
And, while on the topic of Devola and Popola, let’s talk about their redemption. InNier Automata, these two adorable Androids are constantly shunned and disliked by those around them by design. They’re literally programmed by YoRHa to feel constant guilt about something that a different model of them did thousands of years ago.
Yet, somehow, when the situation is perfectly set up for them to act as betrayers once again, they actually step up and help out. While 9S tries to hack into the Tower during the eventsthat eventually lead to Endings C and D,Devola and Popola actually fight off the machines to buy him time. To way this scene plays out is masterful too, as the twins stand in between 9S and the entrance and draw their weapons as if to attack him but then they run right past him and start attacking the machines.
5The Shade-Like DLC Coliseum Boss “Unknown”
Nier Automatahas two DLCs,3C3C1D119440927and6C2P4A118680823(3Cand6Cfor short). And, while the6CDLC came out with the Nintendo Switch version release, it doesn’t have a lot of “content” in it outside of some cosmetics. Meanwhile, the first DLC AKA3Cadds three different arenas where players can undertake combat trials at that eventually lead to players fighting against the heads of both Platinum Games and Square Enix as secret bosses. But, what’s most interesting is the Special Challenge at the Gambler’s Coliseum.
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This challenge has players fighting against many familiar Bosses as well as some enemies labeled as “Unknown”. But, fans ofNier Replicantwill likely notice that these Unknown enemies almost look identical to Shades (or Gestalts) from the originalNier. This DLC isn’t exactly “confirmed canon”, but if it was the appearance of Shades would have some pretty heavy implications.
4Certain Weapon Stories Reference Nier History
Weapon Stories are by far one of the most interesting mechanics that theDrakengardandNierfranchises have innovated on.As players use these weapons more, complete challenges, and upgrade them, more of the story tied to the weapon is revealed. And, inNier Automata, a few of these weapons have stories that are obviously references toNier Replicant. For example:
The Weapon Stories present so many interesting characters and unique methods of storytelling, and they always leave fans wanting for more. Hopefullyin theNier Automataanimethey’ll reference or elaborate on some of them in some capacity.
3The Library In The Tower
This is likely the reference that had most fans of the originalNierandNier Replicantbawling their eyes out and not exactly knowing why it was hitting them so hard. While A2 is climbing the tower inNier Automata,she comes across a library of sorts made of all white material.
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And, anyone who playedNier Replicantwill pick up at a glance that this library looks exactly like the one in Brother Nier’s village. From the calming music to the bookshelves and even the placement of the ladders, it’s a 1-to-1 recreation.
2The Sun That Never Sets
InNier Replicant, there is no day and night cycle. Time still progresses in the game’s systems, in-game days still canonically pass, and people still choose a time of day in which to sleep. But, there is never a point in this game where players will run around at night, and there’s a canonical reason for this.
As it turns out, the Earth eventually stopped spinning or slowed down massively after the events of the Queen Beast fromDrakengard 1’sEnding E. And, as such, the sun never sets (nevermind that this would roast the planet) and there is no night. The most obvious example in the original game is during the events of the King’s wedding in Facade where the game talks about the “night before the wedding”, yet shows Facade in bright daylight. And, this system and explanation also exist inNier Automataas well,with a few sidequests even mentioning the oddity of it.
1The Variety Of Lunar Tears
This is probably the most obvious reference toNier Replicantof them all, and it’s the Lunar Tears. These flowers that Emil has 2B and 9S running around to find afterthey meet him and his mysterious shopare very important for some of the events ofNier Replicant. They play into Yonah’s story, Brother Nier’s story, and even the overall story of the franchise.
So, when players are first tasked with finding them inAutomata,most quickly became excited to see the flower again and hear what Emil had to say about them. Then, when they finish this task, stumble across the underground field of Lunar Tears, and hear Emil’s tragic backstory, the tears start flowing.
NieR: Automata is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
