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[brinstar]

So I picked up Nier Automata today and it's sitting on my shelf, taunting me.

However, I'm a little bit a ways into a playthrough of the original Nier on PS3. Now, I've heard you don't need to have played the original Nier to understand what's going on in Automata and that's no problem for me, I'm even thinking of playing the two concurrently, but what I'm curious about Automata is:

A: Will having played the original make me appreciate the plot of Automata even more?

and

B: Is there anything in Automata that will retroactively spoil the events of the original Nier for me?

 

[LotusHD]

A. You will appreciate Automata more.

B. Yes

 

[Martylepiaf]

You should at least do the first ending, yes.

 

[Hektor]

Yes to both

 

[crowphoenix]

From watching my wife play both, there definitely seems to be a strong enough connections to warrant a play through. Also, the first Nier is just incredible in the story department.

 

[BadWolf]

Very much yes.

It's also a great game on its own.

 

[Inuhanyou]

Yes...personally if i was a newcomer, i'd play through automata first then go back to uncover more secrets in Nier 1

 

[Anung]

Yes you should.

 

[GinoFelino]

Yes...personally if i was a newcomer, i'd play through automata first then go back to uncover more secrets in Nier 1

Good, that's what I plan on doing if I really like Automata. Saw a good deal on Nier (PS3) the other day.


Btw, if anyone can answer this:

1) Nier isn't backwards compatible on Xb1 is it?

2) What's the best version of Nier?

 

[Spieler Eins]

Yes, because it's a great game above anything else.

 

[SephLuis]

Good, that's what I plan on doing if I really like Automata. Saw a good deal on Nier (PS3) the other day.


Btw, if anyone can answer this:

1) Nier isn't backwards compatible on Xb1 is it?

2) What's the best version of Nier?

2) They only localized one version (Papa Nier) while the other remained in Japan (Brother Nier). As far as I know, there's little difference between both.

 

[Hektor]

Good, that's what I plan on doing if I really like Automata. Saw a good deal on Nier (PS3) the other day.


Btw, if anyone can answer this:

1) Nier isn't backwards compatible on Xb1 is it?

2) What's the best version of Nier?

1) No

2) 360 got faster loading screens, that's about all the difference there is to it

 

[Glitchesarecool]

2) They only localized one version (Papa Nier) while the other remained in Japan (Brother Nier). As far as I know, there's little difference between both.

Story beats wise, there's nothing different (all the scenes are the same), but Brother Nier works a little bit better in the story vs Papa Nier.

 

[Dandy Crocodile]

I'd say play A and B routes of Nier first. Too many happy references to that game in Automata for me to say otherwise.

2) What's the best version of Nier?

I don't think there's really a difference in performance between One and PS4.

Japan got two versions, one with Brother Nier as the protag and one with Papa Nier. The West only got Papa Nier and he's better anyway.

 

[EvilKatarn]

Absolutely. Do all endings as well. It's worth it.

 

[Crayon]

Imo, you could just as well go back to Nier 1 after Automata. Or even play it in between Automata playthroughs. There whole story prompts a lot of reflection if you get into it, and may lose something if you are trying to rush through either game. I think Automata has a better chance of hooking you right off the bat so I'd actually reccomenda most people start with that.

 

[DrunkShogun]

Yes to both but original Nier is not only a great game but the references in automata are so well done that you will probably instantly have a reaction.

 

[Sumio Mondo]

Good, that's what I plan on doing if I really like Automata. Saw a good deal on Nier (PS3) the other day.


Btw, if anyone can answer this:

1) Nier isn't backwards compatible on Xb1 is it?

2) What's the best version of Nier?

1. Nope.

2. Either version should be fine, they're pretty much equal, I played the PS3 version and it didn't have any real technical problems when I played it back in the day (2010) so you should be good to go.

 

[GinoFelino]

Alright cheers guys and gals. I'll pick it up on PS3 then.

 

[abrack08]

Story beats wise, there's nothing different (all the scenes are the same), but Brother Nier works a little bit better in the story vs Papa Nier.

How so? I feel like the motivation is at least a little stronger for a parent rather than sibling, not sure other than that what the difference would be.

 

[Greatest Ever]

You should try Hitman.

 

[Slater]

How so? I feel like the motivation is at least a little stronger for a parent rather than sibling, not sure other than that what the difference would be.

Kaine and Emil both have relationships with Nier that make more sense with the brother then the father

 

[TissueBox]

Yea if you're gonna plan to play it just finish it first.

 

[Samaritan]

Absolutely yes to both questions. While Automata is very good on its own, there are many aspects of the game that will be significantly more impactful if you've played through the first NieR, and some that will water down the first game if you go back to it after playing Automata.

 

[brinstar]

Thanks for the answers all, since I've already started the original I'll just keep going before starting the new one then. I'm really curious to where the story's going so I don't want to accidentally spoil it, haha.

 

[DrunkShogun]

How so? I feel like the motivation is at least a little stronger for a parent rather than sibling, not sure other than that what the difference would be.

Papa Nier is better than bro Nier in relation to Yohna but that's not taking the novel stories that improve the sibling relation. Brother Nier is miles ahead better than papa Nier in relation to the rest of the supporting cast.

 

[kennyamr]

Actually thank you for making this thread.

I just ordered the original Nier from Amazon.

Looking forward to it.

 

[Remembrance]

I tried to start and finish my Nier playthrough this week, only to come to a complete halt due to waiting for crops to grow in real time in order to finish sidequests.

You can make your playthrough much faster by judiciously skipping all the sidequests that take forever for little reward.

 

[allintospace]

I'd still like Nier to be available on PSN for download, I thought in the run up Automata it might have happened. =/

 

[Ragnar Blackmane]

There are some really big spoilers for the ending of Nier 1 (which is one of the best things about the game) if you play Automata first, be warned.
There is also a bunch of context for Automata as well.

I'd recommend playing Nier 1 first, also because going from Automata to Nier 1 gameplay will be a rather unenjoyable experience (going from absolutely fantastic to merely serviceable combat).

Also do New Game plus (which also starts right after you finished your first run), it starts after the first 60% of the game (saving you a lot of time by not having to replay everything) and you'll have a completely different narrative right off the bat, it's also where the game really starts to shine with its narrative and a completely different ending. Ending C and D can be watched on Youtube afterwards IMO.

Also use this handful guide for sidequests, it will save you from lots of repetitive and frustrating filler.

 

[Crayon]

The second play thru if Nier 1 btw can I very quickly if you like and is not to be missed.

 

[Remembrance]

I'd still like Nier to be available on PSN for download, I thought in the run up Automata it might have happened. =/

To be fair, you really don't want people who know nothing about the series to try the first game thinking that's what Automata will play like.

 

[NightShift]

At least get ending A. There's stuff that gets revealed that will give you a better perspective of the world.

 

[GSG Flash]

I'm gonna watch a let's play for Nier on Youtube before playing my copy of Automata. I would love to play through the original Nier but sadly don't have enough time to do so.

 

[allintospace]

To be fair, you really don't want people who know nothing about the series to try the first game thinking that's what Automata will play like.

Yeah, fair enough.

 

[kromeo]

How far into Nier is the fishing quest at the port town? Too many sidequests keep making me run back and forth between towns

 

[Ragnar Blackmane]

How far into Nier is the fishing quest at the port town? Too many sidequests keep making me run back and forth between towns

Take this helpful guide into account and save yourself a bunch of hassle, many of the side quests are simply not worth doing (especially the fragile delivery quests, skip them for your sanity's sake, seriously):

Just make sure you do the early quest to get Devola and Popola to sing in the tavern, that's the best one and shouldn't be missed.
Otherwise none of the side quests are essential, the best you usually get out of them is some fun banter between Weiss and papa Nier, the rewards are slim most of the time otherwise.

 

[Spieler Eins]

And the future sequel refused to change.

 

[TheWorthyEdge]

If I was to never play Nier 1 would I get the same experience in Automata as those who did? Storywise I mean.

 

[LotusHD]

If I was to never play Nier 1 would I get the same experience in Automata as those who did? Storywise I mean.

As we have stated, those who have played will see references regarding the first game that will further enrich the experience. If you haven't played or watched it, it will likely still grab you, just not as much. Or it will be a reference that you don't really need to be informed about in order to enjoy Automata.

 

[Duxxy3]

Nier just doesn't like something I'd be interested in. Combat looks boring. The world looks boring.

Automata looks far more interesting to me.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Sure. Automata's not going anywhere.

 

[Augemitbutter]

you really have to experience the ost in context.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

I'd recommend you do

 

[brinstar]

got the first ending

holy shit what a game. The 2nd half was nonstop heartbreak, I'm honestly shocked at how much it picks up in part 2.

Now I have to go back in and see the rest....

 

[IAmtheFMan]

Starting playthrough 2? Hold onto your butts...

 

[Lunafreya Nox Fleuret]

Play it for the incredible OST if anything.

 

[Llyranor]

got the first ending

holy shit what a game. The 2nd half was nonstop heartbreak, I'm honestly shocked at how much it picks up in part 2.

Now I have to go back in and see the rest....

2nd ending is worth playing through. It will only take a few hours since you can start in the middle and can stomp through everything.

 

[Gbraga]

got the first ending

holy shit what a game. The 2nd half was nonstop heartbreak, I'm honestly shocked at how much it picks up in part 2.

Now I have to go back in and see the rest....

Get ready, shit's about to get real.

 

[TheChewyWaffles]

Is Nier BC on Xbox one?