Award Banner
Award Banner

NieR Replicant remake almost added new levels and a shooting game, says producer Yosuke Saito & director Saki Ito

NieR Replicant remake almost added new levels and a shooting game, says producer Yosuke Saito & director Saki Ito
PHOTO: Facebook/NieR Series

The recent release of NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…had garnered a positive response so far thanks to its upgraded visual effects, narrative, rearranged music and a new scenario. 

With its convoluted history, fans who do follow the franchise could still be confused about the background and versions of the game, but fret not because we broke it down for you in our spoiler-free review of the remake. 

PHOTO: Facebook/NieR Series

But what’s the point of the new name – NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 – for this remake?

According to the game’s producer Yosuke Saito and director Saki Ito, it was a reference to simply differentiate the game from what came before. 

Saito initially asked Yoko to come up with a name so that fans won’t have to struggle to differentiate the original from the remake, and he returned with “ver.1.22474487139…”.

While it does its job in putting a good 0.22474487139 versions away from the original NieR, we’d like to chime in and say that it probably has made things worse for some of us.

PHOTO: Facebook/GSTV

Although considered a remake, the new title is essentially a version upgrade (hence the name) because it includes all-new “level controls, graphics, additional scenario elements, voice acting and recorded music,” explained Saito.

Compared to the original version, the action RPG does live up to its expectations and visuals of 2017’s NieR: Automata, thanks to the developers.

PHOTO: Facebook/NieR Series

For the entire team, Ito explained that they had faced immense pressure with the remake, due to the critical acclaim of NieR: Automata.

And personally, for Ito, it was about “reaching the quality Yoko and Taura (designer Takahisa Taura) from Platinum Games are looking for”. 

ALSO READ: PlayStation Plus subscribers get Battlefield V, Wreckfest and more in May

And since NieR: Automata was praised for its visual and games design, he felt that there was a lot of pressure for the team to match it.

The world of the Replicant remake, like its original, is a solid RPG filled with gorgeous landscapes, compelling characters and an endearing narrative that offers an extremely unique and genre-bending gameplay experience.

Despite all that, Ito recollected that there were still many things that they would’ve loved to add into the game but couldn’t.

PHOTO: Facebook/NieR Series

“There are so many (things) I can’t even remember them anymore,” and when he looked back at the team’s idea notes, he saw that “we wanted to include a shooting game in the ending,” which unfortunately for us, didn’t happen.

Even then, the remake itself includes a variety of gameplay perspectives such as top-down, side-scrolling and third person and the duo themselves teased that they might or might not have another surprise for us later this year, whether it’s more new content or another game, only time will tell.

PHOTO: Facebook/NieR Series

Having said that, we’re still sure their unused ideas won’t go to waste because when we asked about their partnership and if there are any future projects they’d love to work on, they told us about one action-adventure game with cats and sharks. 

“It would be a shame if we didn’t make use of our expertise in action and background art so we’d like to create either a marine action adventure set in an ancient underwater city where you strike a friendship with a great white shark, or a nostalgic adventure set in the natural beauty of a Japanese countryside where you can immerse yourself and befriend a girl with realistic behaviours like in Detroit: Being Human,” Ito said.

He added that it has to have cats too because both of them absolutely love cats and sharks.

Saito then chipped in and said that they “aspire to create a game with dreams and hopes, like Final Fantasy.” 

ALSO READ: The most anticipated games of 2021: Resident Evil 8, God of War 2 and more

While each franchise has its own unique style and visuals, the NieR franchise which originated as a spin-off from the Drakengard series has had its own captivating and timeless stories much like Final Fantasy.

PHOTO: Facebook/NieR Series

Having spent almost 30 years in the industry, Saito continues to push himself further and explains that the biggest driving force for him is the “feedback we receive from users who play our games,” whether it’s positive or negative, it drives them further to continue what they’re doing.

All their hard work can be seen in the remake and we’ll definitely have more to look forward to since it is already set to receive the 15 Nightmares DLC that offers additional content and costumes.

PHOTO: Facebook/NieR Series

Along with the great response, we’re confident that there’ll be more good things to come and whether it’s another DLCs or a new riveting shark and cat action-adventure game, we’re all in on it. 

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is available for PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One on April 23.

This article was first published in Geek Culture.

homepage

trending

trending
    Chee Hong Tat to chair Chinese Community Liaison Group, succeeding Edwin Tong
    Is Singapore's F&B industry struggling? Hawkers, entrepreneurs and insiders weigh in
    Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from revoking Harvard enrolment of foreign students
    2 men and a woman arrested for alleged involvement in impersonating MAS staff, scamming victim of nearly $100k
    We will involve Singaporeans in creating and implementing solutions, says PM Wong as new Cabinet sworn in
    18 injured in knife attack in Hamburg, report says
    'Short-term, more conservative view': Local businesses struggle to come to terms with US tariffs
    'Harvard refugee': Chinese students hunker down as US blocks foreign enrolment 
    $4.6m fine: 2 contractors taken to task for rigging tender bids of upgrading works at PA community clubs
    Cool paint, clean power: These are the sustainable innovations that Temasek Foundation are backing for $2m
    LTA impounds 78 non-compliant AMDs to address rising number of fire incidents
    Youth who performed lewd act on cat pleads guilty

Singapore

Singapore
    • Singapore has never stayed neutral and does take positions on trade with US and China: Gan Kim Yong
    • 'Mixed emotions': Ministers Chan Chun Sing, Desmond Lee and Chee Hong Tat reflect on their Cabinet movements
    • US and China embassies in Singapore clash online over South China Sea; MFA cautions against stirring local sentiment
    • Man who sexually assaulted stepdaughter despite wife's warning gets jail, caning
    • Daily roundup: Murder mystery pop-up inspired by K-drama Nine Puzzles lets you take a shot at playing detective — and other top stories today
    • Daily roundup: New FairPrice Finest outlet featuring food hall opens in Sembawang — and other top stories today
    • Jail for man who devised bogus wine investment scheme, pocketed $12.67m of investors' funds
    • PM Lawrence Wong's Cabinet reshuffle 'cautious' and with succession in mind: Analysts
    • Singapore keeps 2025 growth forecast at 0-2%, sees slight boost from US-China truce
    • Daily roundup: Cat A COE premiums remain above $100k despite slight dip in second bidding for May 2025 — and other top stories today

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Tom Cruise sends BTS' Jin on secret-agent challenges in variety show
    • Little Monsters flock to Maxwell Food Centre table that Lady Gaga dined at
    • ICA reviewing PR status of Ian Fang, Lev Panfilov following convictions for sexual offences
    • Ayumi Hamasaki, CL, Show Lo: Singapore concert calendar for 2025
    • Barry Keoghan confesses to being an addict
    • US singer Chris Brown granted $8.6 million bail for world tour by UK court
    • Miley Cyrus unwilling to remove 'very large' polyp on vocal cord in case it changes her voice

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Kopitiam offering 60-cent hot kopi-o and teh-o from June to mark SG60
    • Jurassic World, inflatable playgrounds and more: Family-friendly events and activities this June holiday
    • We check out Hiap Joo Bakery's new vending machine selling its famous banana cake
    • Singapore's beef kway teow ranks 18th in best stir-fried dishes list, Indonesia's sambal goreng takes crown
    • Bak kut teh or laksa? Uniqlo's latest drop features Singapore food-inspired collection
    • Supermarket meets kopitiam: New FairPrice Finest outlet featuring food hall opens in Sembawang
    • Cat A COE premiums remain above $100k despite slight dip in second bidding for May 2025
    • New theme park to open in Japan's Okinawa this July offering scenic treks, hot air balloon rides and more
    • We head to China to check out how Singapore's top-selling car brand intends to transform the automotive industry
    • Back with a bang: Burgs ends 2-year hiatus with new standalone restaurant at Arab Street

Digicult

Digicult
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • EU and US authorities take down malware network
    • Google Pixel 9a: The best AI-centric phone under $800 in 2025?
    • Western intelligence agencies warn spyware threat targeting Taiwan, Tibetan rights advocates
    • Taiwan says China using generative AI to ramp up disinformation and 'divide' the island
    • Russian court fines Telegram app for refusal to remove anti-government content, TASS reports
    • One Beijing man's quest to keep cooking — and connecting with Americans — on camera
    • Nintendo Switch 2 to launch in June with US$449.99 price tag

Money

Money
    • Wall Street equity indexes close higher after US-China tariff truce
    • Giant deal: Malaysian company to acquire Cold Storage and Giant supermarket chains in Singapore
    • Newly MOP-ed 3-room HDB flat in Bedok sold for record $730k
    • Ang Mo Kio's most expensive 5-room HDB flat sold for $1.5m, here's why
    • US climate pullback threatens planned debt-for-nature deals
    • This rare HDB maisonette in Queenstown just set a $1.51m record: Here's why
    • HDB BTO July 2025 review: Locations, resale, values, amenities and more
    • Selling your condo? This overlooked factor could quietly undercut your selling price
    • Using a personal loan for a used car purchase: What you need to know
    • 6 prime HDB shophouses for sale at $73m in Singapore: A look inside the rare portfolio

Latest

Latest
  • China pledges support for overseas students after Trump's Harvard curb
  • Top US diplomat in Havana promises more sanctions on Cuba
  • US judge orders Trump administration to facilitate return of Guatemalan deportee
  • Paris court convicts thieves who robbed Kim Kardashian in jewel heist
  • US issues orders easing Syria sanctions after Trump pledge
  • After shootings, Washington's shaken Jewish community looks to bolster security
  • Trump threatens new tariffs on EU and Apple, reigniting trade fears
  • 4 dead, 17 missing as heavy rains soak southern China, triggering landslides 
  • US and Iran to hold nuclear talks amid clashing red lines 

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • No joke: Bangkok condo resident releases snakes in corridor to protest neighbour's noisy dog
  • 'Only one chance at life': Chinese student, 18, misses exam to save classmate suffering heart attack
  • Baby suspected to have been eaten by monitor lizard in Thailand, only head found
  • 'Dog will return soon': GE2025 independent candidate Jeremy Tan wants to contest again
  • Ong Ye Kung leads PAP team to victory while elder brother Howard Ong loses in Australia's election on the same day
  • Tan Kiat How weighs in on viral video of Gan Kim Yong being ignored by passers-by in Punggol
  • PSP's Tan Cheng Bock turns 85; SDP's Paul Tambyah joins celebration at Teban Gardens
  • PM Wong urges voters to 'choose leaders of good character' in PAP's first party political broadcast
  • It is 'important for Singapore's democracy' that WP wins more seats, says Pritam in election broadcast
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.