All Nier Games In Order Of Release Date

Nier just isn’t a long-running collection. It’s not an enormous “franchise,” both. Instead, it’s a self-contained two-part story that comes by means of excellent RPG video games.

Final Fantasy creators Square Enix are Nier publishers. We may say each share similarities, as each collection belong to the JRPG style.

However, Nier is a semi-linear motion RPG. There’s no turn-based fight, as gameplay as an alternative comes by means of hack & slash mechanics.

Either means, Nier, simply as a lot as most of Square Enix’s IPs, has a powerful concentrate on storytelling and characters.

The NieR Series

Nier video games might be complicated. The identify follows storytelling causes, so should you’re not accustomed to the collection, you might get misplaced.

See, the primary sport debuted in 2010. The identify is just “Nier,” nevertheless it’s often known as “Nier Gestalt” in Japan.

Square Enix launched another model for Japan a number of months later, “Nier Replicant.” In Replicant, the titular character is youthful. The yr during which the story takes place can be completely different and the connection between the titular duo.

Then comes an oblique sequel, Nier: Automata. It debuted worldwide in 2017 and achieved important and business acclaim.

Then, there’s a remake Nier: Replicant (the choice model): Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139. Lastly, there’s a cellular sport, NieR Re[in]carnation.

That means there’re 4 NieR video games. We’re not together with the unique NieR: Replicant, because it was a Japan-only title we are able to now take pleasure in as a remaster.

Either means, collection creator Yoko Taro imagined Nier as a spin-off or a religious successor of the Drakengard collection. Yoko Taro and Caia video games are additionally behind Drakengard. So, Nier follows the fifth ending of the older RPG. The setting begins with the Earth in decay, a thousand years after the earlier story.

Overall, followers reward these video games due to the superb storytelling, mesmerizing music, and fascinating gameplay, in that order.

Every NieR Game in Order

NieR – 2010

NieR debuted in 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The builders are Cavia, and the writer is Square Enix.

The title follows a protagonist duo looking for a treatment for the Black Scrawl sickness. The protagonist has no identify, nevertheless it’s a middle-aged man on the NieR worldwide model (Gestalt). He’s Yonah’s father, and Yonah has succumbed to the plague.

Taking the Grimoire Weiss as a associate )(a speaking e-book), father and daughter journey collectively to discover a resolution. The journey takes them in the direction of the opposite characters, Kaine and Emil, allies.

Soon, they uncover the key to a treatment lies in understanding the Shades. The Shades are unusual beings stalking the decaying world.

It’s the yr 3,465, and humanity survives in small, low-tech villages surrounded by ruins of commercial civilization. The areas in between cities are stuffed with Shades. Many years in the past, a Shade assault marked Yonah with the Black Crawl terminal illness.

Their discoveries make them the reply. To save Yonah and eliminate the Black Crawl, the heroes should defeat the Shadowlord.

The setting delivers a fast-paced action-adventure sport with role-playing components. The participant controls the unnamed protagonist with a third-person perspective. Nevertheless, he can swap with the opposite characters all through the journey.

The world is 3D. Players go to open-ended areas to finish aims, and so they can transfer freely by working, strolling, climbing, and leaping. In some areas, although, the digicam turns 2D for platforming segments. There’re additionally battles the place the digicam pulls up for a birds-eye view and a shoot’em up fight.

Otherwise, Nier is a hack & slash. Recurrent enemies embody massive animals, robots, and Shades. Players can use one-handed or two-handed swords or a spear; they will customise weapons and use abilities or magical spells.

As an RPG, defeated enemies drop loot and expertise factors. So, the characters can stage as much as develop more energy. However, the characters can solely receive magical spells by finishing distinctive battles.

Lastly, Nier has each the principle quest and facet quests in every space. Side quests reward expertise factors and in-game forex. Needless to say, there’re distributors the place you may commerce gear and different objects.

Lastly, the sport has 5 endings, and also you’re free to play again and again to see each story. However, a second playthrough might really feel repetitive.

NieR: Automata – 2017

Bayonetta creators Platinum Games created the oblique sequel. NieR: Automata debuted in 2017 for PlayStation 4 and Windows.

The setting introduces the Proxy War, a battle between alien-created machines and human androids. You enter the story as Androids 9S, 2B, and A2, combating for the human facet. The world is

This story takes place 1000’s of years after NieR’s fourth ending, which let’s imagine is the “canon” ending. Also, it turns into clear that NieR takes place in an alternate timeline inside the Drakengard collection.

So, within the yr 11,945, two androids with out obvious feelings have the mission of driving back the Machines. Soon, the story takes the Androids to the prime antagonists, Adam and Eve, twin controllers of the Machine Network.

However, unlocking your complete story and the true ending means taking part in the sport numerous instances. Each playthrough might reveal a brand new ending. There’re 26 endings and epilogue, however most of them are jokes or spoofs. Still, you might want to unlock 4 endings to see the “true” closure because the fifth ending.

For instance, the primary and second playthroughs occur by means of the factors of view of 9S and 2B. The third playthrough begins elsewhere, after the titular Androids discovered a “Glitch” within the Network. It opens up a brand new plot the place your selections finally determine the world’s destiny.

Like the earlier sport, Nier: Automata is an ARPG. Players management the Androids throughout an open world and a prolonged storyline. Players can summon wild animals to experience or pilot flying mechs into battle.

There’re additionally platforming segments, side-scrolling components, and shoot ’em-up conditions. Elsewhere, it’s a hack & slash title. Players can use quick assaults, heavy assaults, dodge, and counterattacks.

There’s additionally a assist Pod flying robotic. It can develop quite a lot of defensive and offensive abilities that can assist you.

There’re additionally facet quests from NPCs all all over the world. They reward XP and forex you should utilize to purchase swords, bracers, and spears.

As gamers stage up, they enhance their defenses, well being, assault energy, and different perks. The participant customization comes by way of Chips, objects you may set up into the characters to enhance and add attributes.

Then, the variety of Chips a participant can set up is proscribed by the variety of slots. The slots enhance because the participant ranges up. Also, you should purchase Chips from distributors or as loot from defeated enemies.

NieR: Automata Become as Gods Edition – 2018

The Become as Gods Edition is how NieR: Automata reached Microsoft’s console. It debuted for Xbox One in 2018.

This model is similar because the one on Steam for Windows. It brings six equipment attire DLCs= gamers can use:

Additionally, it bundles the NieR: Automata 3C3C1D119440927 DLC. It’s a set of further sub-quest that reward NieR: Replicant costumes and attire.

Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139 – 2021

The NieR: Replicant remaster debuted for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows in 2021. It’s additionally accessible for Xbox Series by way of retro-compatibility.

As I defined above, it’s an enhanced model of the Japanese model. It means the protagonist just isn’t a middle-aged man however a younger man. The new hero is Yonah’s brother as an alternative of his father.

The story is similar nonetheless. But with its fashionable improve, you may take pleasure in it at 1080p decision and 60fps. On windows, the sport helps 4K resolutions as effectively. However, the weaker Xbox One can solely deal with the title at a 720p dynamic decision (as much as 792p).

NieR Re[in]carnation – 2021

The latest sport within the collection debuted for Android and iOS in 2021. it’s a cellular RPG by Square Enix and Applibot.

It’s a easy sport that occurs in The Cage. You observe The Girl of Light, guided by “Mama,” in search of redemption.

As the story strikes on, you slowly uncover the story concerning the protagonist, Mama, and the state of affairs. Gameplay-wise, it’s a turn-based cellular RPG with an auto mode.

Every NieR Game in Chronological Order

FAQs

What is Drakengard?

Drakengard is a JRPG collection. The second sport, Drakengard 2, debuted in 2006 for PlayStation 2. Even although NieR is a spin-off, there’s additionally a 2010 Drakengard 3 sport.

Either means, Drakengard 2 tales are locations in an unnamed fictional land. The plot takes place in a separate timeline as the primary title, and so it follows related occasions.

The story is concerning the battle of two empires for the Seals, magical bindings that saved the darkish entities at bay.

Should I Play NieR Games in Order?

You can begin your Nier expertise with NieR: Automata. Even although it’s a sequel, it’s additionally a stand-alone expertise with a narrative that opens and closes on itself.

If you want Automata, you may then strive Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139. You might adore it due to its story high quality. Still, you can additionally not prefer it due to its repetitive gameplay mechanics.