If you are in the mood for a new JRPG, you might want to check out NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… You definitely get the Square-Enix feel, like you would have while playing Avengers or a Final Fantasy game. Better yet, if you are a fan of Nier Automata, then Replicant is a great addition to your gaming collection.
The first five minutes of the game hardly holds your hand and drops you into some actions, fighting shades. We give our character a name and awake in a ruin of a city as snow falls around us. Monsters keep attacking us in waves until we realize we need more power to defend our sick sister, Yona. We accept the help of a grimoire and use magic abilities to annihilate all the monsters around us. The story and timelines are sort of all over the place, but this is our mysterious introduction to the world.
We next emerge nearly 1,400 years later in a medieval-like setting. We are the same cast of characters, but now we are in the safety of a village. Yona is sick with a rare and fatal disease that covers in her black runes. As she is trying to recover in bed, we take on the responsibilities of the village, getting food and killing shades. Events seem to repeat as Yona tries to take her fate into her own hands to cure her illness. She is lost in a ruin, and we follow after her. Just like in the opening of the game, we become surrounded by shades and find the means of saving Yona by accepting the help of the grimoire. But this time, the book speaks to us.
The combat is fun, but I would say it can get repetitive. You can change things up by using different equipment and tactics. You can try to soak up damage and time your blocks, or you can dodge and parry, wearing down your enemies by attrition. The game supports your style. On top of that, magic is a substantial boon, as it regenerates quickly and causes a great amount of damage. The boss battles have been great so far. There was a generic large shade in the opening battle and a pair of ancient guardians with heavy armor in the fallen temple. Both of these encounters were handled somewhat differently. The guardians would alternate their attacks; one would assume a defense while they other went on the offense. I’m glad they were not the same type of situation.
The pace of the game moves very quickly, but you have some freedom of movement around the village. You can visit multiple locations and accept side quests. Enemies and beasts of prey drop items that you can use or sell on the market. You could take on the main story (for the first hour) without grabbing additional healing components and still be okay. You can just as easily destroy crates and find what you need, like a healing herb.
The soundtrack really stuck out to me in this title. Sure, it has a classic track that you would hear in almost any other JRPG, but the score feels somewhat unique. It is very dramatic in the more serious moments, but even the ambience sounds great. The voice acting is great, too, but you can tell it is someone reading from a script sometimes.
After playing the first hour of this title, I have to say it’s not bad. I am not a frequent JRPG player, but I can see myself playing more of the game. The story has me intrigued and the combat is somewhat satisfying. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… looks and sounds great on console, too. There is quite a lot of backtracking, though. This is not a bad thing, but I imagine some people may feel frustrated. Otherwise, I think this title should receive a 9 out of 10. There are no bugs so far, it has a good polish, the controls are simple, the soundtrack is solid, and the story is okay.
Check Out the NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… Trailer:
NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is available for the PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X, and PC via Steam. The game is rated M (Mature). For more information, please visit: http://www.niergame.com.
Related: NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… Release Content Revealed
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Xbox Review
I like to think of myself as the average Joe who grew up alongside video games. I have fun playing strategy games, RPGs, shooters, sandboxes, the whole shebang! Every game provides an experience whether it strikes you as profound, mundane, or someplace in between. I'd like to weigh in my two cents before you spend a single penny.
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