While the superb Nier Automata has its own fair share of endlessly interesting characters, it’s perhaps easy to forget that Nier Replicant got there first when it comes to casting a roster of absolutely batty characters in the way that only game director Yoko Taro can. With Nier Replicant getting a deliciously modern remaster later this month, I’m here to fill you in on all the colorful characters in the game. It’s quite a roguish bunch too, let me tell you.
Who Is The Nier Replicant’s Main Character And Protagonist?
Nier Replicant’s main protagonist is, well, Nier. A pleasant, though determined young man who strives to cure his younger sister Yonah from the deadly Black Scrawl, Nier ventures across a broken world with the talking tome Grimoire Weiss to seek out the Sealed Verses in order to cure his sister’s condition. Strong, brave and resolute, Nier is the stuff that all the best good guys are made from.
Other Nier Replicant Characters – Devola
Twin sister to Popola, Devola is a lively sort that pulls her weight in helping Popola to govern Nier’s village. A talented bard with charisma to spare, Devola can often be spotted around the village, singing and playing her guitar with glee. A truly compassionate soul, Devola will do everything in her power to help Nier discover the Sealed Verses.
Other Nier Replicant Characters – Emil
Something of an enigma, Emil leads a tragic life. A young lad that lives in a mansion beyond the reaches of Nier’s village with his trusty butler Sebastian, Emil must wear a special blindfold otherwise everybody he gazes upon turns to stone. Kind at heart, Emil will quite happily stumble through the darkness for great distances to warn Nier about incoming dangers, but fate it seems, has much darker plans for him.
Other Nier Replicant Characters – Fyra
A quiet young woman that lives in the land of Facade, Fyra is a deeply compassionate soul who wastes no time befriending Nier and his group when they enter Facade, thanks in no small part to the kindness she has been shown by Kainé. Sold into servitude at an early age, Fyra’s kind nature belies a determined soul.
Other Nier Replicant Characters – Grimoire Noir
Known as the ‘Black Book’, Grimoire Noir is an evil magical tome that boasts an equal amount of power to Grimoire Weiss and is essentially its negative counterpart. Wielded by the Shadowlord, Grimoire Noir has a nasty, hateful and acerbic personality that he uses to pour scorn on absolutely everybody and everyone he comes across. A properly nasty piece of work.
Other Nier Replicant Characters – Grimoire Weiss
Grimoire Weiss is the polar opposite to Grimoire Noir. An extravagantly powerful, talking magical tome, Grimoire Weiss possesses titantical amounts of power and freely allows himself to be used by Nier as a means to destroy Grimoire Noir, as his destiny prescribes. A much more welcoming soul, Grimoire Weiss is both caring and endlessly compassionate to those folks he is fond of.
Other Nier Replicant Characters – Kainé
One of the key protagonists in Nier Replicant, Kainé is a foul-mouthed, angry warrior that stands shoulder to shoulder with Nier on his journey. Wielding two deadly swords and capable of conjuring hugely destructive spells, Kainé suffers from a tremendous amount of self-loathing thanks in no small part to how other people view her knowing that she was previously possessed by an evil Shade.
Other Nier Replicant Characters – Popola
The twin sister of Devola and the leader of Nier’s village, Popola is a kind hearted woman who will do whatever she can to help Nier and others who are in need. Creaking under the weight of her immense responsibilities, Popola’s friendliness and effervescent happiness belies an anxious and worrisome soul.
Other Nier Replicant Characters – The Shadowlord
Nier Replicant’s resident big bad, the Shadowlord is responsible for kidnapping Nier’s sister Yonah and setting him off on his epic odyssey to get her back. Able to manipulate both the Shades which possess people and the endlessly powerful Grimoire Noir, the Shadowlord is an almost unstoppable villain whose true motives threaten to destroy existence as we know it.
Curious to live through the Nier Replicant story in person? Get your own PC copy right here.