Nier Replicant Gets Gameplay Showcase At The Game Awards

Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., which we'll just call Nier Replicant, is an enhanced version of Yoko Taro's 2010 cult hit, and it was shown in a gameplay demonstration during The Game Awards 2020. It was stated before that combat was being reworked to play closer to 2017's Nier Automata, and such seems to be the case from the short clip that was shown.

While you can see many parts of the original Nier in the gameplay shown, you can also see acrobatic combos, juggling attacks, and special abilities. The trailer also shows bosses and enemies with bullet-hell style in which you have to dodge and shoot through attacks using your pod abilities. You can watch the trailer below.

Taking place thousands of years before Nier Automata, Nier Replicant stars the titular Nier in a race to save his sister from a mysterious illness. The game features Taro's famous dreary storytelling and philosophy, and the new version revamps the clunky mechanics of the original.

What hasn't been changed is the story, which features a younger version of Nier originally only available in the Japanese release. If you've played Automata and wondered where Emil came from--and just what his deal is--you'll get some answers here.

Nier Replicant releases on PS4, Xbox One, and PC on April 23, 2021, with support for the next-gen systems through backwards compatibility. There is also a special White Snow Edition that contains a soundtrack, grimoire pin set, steelbook, and the script. Preorders are now live as well.