Square Enix Explains How NieR Connects to NieR Automata

Square Enix published an article explaining the connections between NieR Replicant and NieR Automata, which canonically take place a thousand years apart from each other. Yoko Taro, the creator of the series, retweeted the post on X (formerly Twitter) to assure readers that they can maybe play the games as stand-alone ones.

Those who’ve played both games should already know the majority of what’s listed in the article on Square Enix’s website. Of course, they do contain spoilers for those who haven’t (as does this article). Some of the connections listed include how Replicant characters (Emil, Devola, Popola) appear in Automata, as well as locales (Kaine’s shack, the library). While the base story of Automata doesn’t require knowledge of Replicant to get it, playing the prequel will give you a better understanding of the world and returning characters.

As a note, the article only focuses on the NieR series. However, these games actually connect to Yoko Taro’s other series, Drakengard, as well. Though most of Drakengard takes place in a world separate from the NieR series, the E ending in the first Drakengard game puts protagonists Caim and Angelus in modern-day Tokyo. The result of their fight against the Queen Beast directly leads to the events of NieR. Accord, a character from Drakengard 3, is also mentioned in NieR and NieR: Automata.

NieR Replicant is available on PS4, Xbox One, and Windows PC. NieR Automata is available on the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC.