Good games only get better the more you play that and that notion rings especially true for Nier Replicant. The very nature of New Game Plus in Nier pushes audiences to replay the game as much as possible, gaining a fuller understanding of the story and themes in the process. 

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Since New Game Plus starts two-thirds of the way into the plot, replaying Nier from the very beginning can be quite eye opening. Nier Replicant is built on a level of foreshadowing that you’re almost guaranteed to miss on a first playthrough, with countless small details you’ll only catch on a replay. Spoilers for Nier Replicant.

10 Grimoire Noir In The Prologue

The prologue in general makes far more sense when replaying Nier Replicant, especially in regards to the Shadowlord’s relationship with Grimoire Noir. On a first playthrough, most audiences won’t pay the Grimoire much mind – let alone enough to distinguish Noir from Weiss. When replaying the game, however, the brief interaction between the Shadowlord and Noir serves as a chilling parallel to Nier’s relationship with Weiss. Where Weiss makes a genuine pact with Nier, Noir sinisterly goads the Shadowlord into giving in. 

9 The Tower Prologue Changes Depending On Region

A small detail you’ll only notice by replaying Nier Replicant in different languages is that the tower seen during the prologue actually changes depending on your region. The Japanese version of the game shows Tokyo Tower, English language versions of the game show Big Ben, and the French version features the Eiffel Tower. Interestingly, the original American release showed the Empire State Building, but it was replaced by Big Ben for Replicant. 

8 Nier Keeps Neglecting Yonah

A very easy detail to overlook about Nier is his constant neglect of Yonah. While Nier will do anything for his sister, he doesn’t actually stop to spend enough time with her. Yonah’s condition only deteriorates over the course of the story and her diary entries make it painfully clear that a large reason why is because she’s so lonely. 

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Nier traps himself in an almost paradoxical situation where he has to work to take care of Yonah, but he can’t actually take care of Yonah because he’s always working. Ultimately, his neglect stems from being a young man with skewed priorities. Why else would he spend days fishing in Seafront when Yonah is sicker than ever? 

7 Yonah’s Diary Entries Reference In-Game Events

Nier Replicant’s loading screens are some of the best parts of the game, showing players glimpses into Yonah’s diary. Early on, Yonah’s diary is simply a means to gain insight into an othersive non-present character. By the halfway point, Yonah’s diary starts referencing actual in-game events. Tragically, a lot of these entries pop up after she’s been kidnapped – adding a deeper sense of longing to Part 2. 

6 Kaine’s Out Of Place Dialogue Make Sense

Kaine has a lot of out of place dialogue during Part 1 that only tangentially makes sense. This starts making a lot more sense after playing through Route B. Nier’s New Game Plus, Route B adds subtitles for Shade dialogue, often as a means to play up the story's tragedy. Moments where Kaine randomly blurted out dialogue suddenly make more sense as players are now given the same context she has. 

5 Kaine’s Lunar Tear

Both Nier and Emil undergo major costume changes after the time skip, with Kaine seemingly staying the same. This actually isn’t the case. When Emil breaks Kaine’s petrification, Nier hands her a Lunar Tear he grew for her over the course of five years. Perceptive players will notice that Kaine actually starts wearing the Lunar Tear in her hair for the rest of the game. It’s a subtle difference, but one that speaks volumes about her growth. 

4 Why The Shadowlord Spared Nier

The fact the Shadowlord kidnaps Nier’s Yonah while sparing Nier is seen as something of a plot hole, but it’s necessary for his plan. For starters, the Shadowlord actually failed during the kidnapping. Grimoire Noir shows up first as an attempt to force Weiss to begin the Gestalt process. 

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When this doesn’t succeed, the Shadowlord has no choice but to take Yonah. From here, the Shadowlord also has to bide his time for Weiss to come to his senses. The Gestalt project simply cannot continue without Weiss’ consent, so the Shadowlord needs to keep Nier alive until that time comes. 

3 The Project Gestalt Files

Due to the breakneck pace of the finale, most players end up overlooking the fact that Popola and Devola hand over readable versions of the Gestalt files. If you pause and check Grimoire Weiss at any point after the battle starts, you’ll be able to read backstory on Project Gestalt, the original Yonah, and Devola & Popola’s mission. The window to read these files is very brief, but they flesh out Nier Replicant’s story considerably. 

2 The Dungeon Differences Betweens Parts 1 And 2

A large part of Nier Replicant’s level design is defined by reuse. On a surface level, this can spell a repetitive playthrough. In execution, Nier always makes sure that there’s a twist to revisited areas – especially dungeons. The Lost Shrine starts sporting harder enemies during Part 2; the Junk Heap branches off to new locations; the Forest of Myth’s storytelling changes; and The Aerie ends up utterly destroyed. 

1 All The Foreshadowing In Part 1

Nier Replicant is a masterclass of foreshadowing, setting up twists early in the game that you’re going to catch when replaying. Popola and Devola’s interaction with Nier takes on an inherently different tone as you’re now privy to their bad intentions. Kaine’s strange behavior only makes sense once you understand her relationship with Tyrann. More importantly, every interaction with a Shade takes on a different light even without subtitled dialogue. 

Next: 10 Hidden Items in Nier Replicant (And Where To Find Them)