When it first released, NieR: Replicant didn't receive the popularity it deserved. Therefore, once its sequel, NieR: Automata was considered a masterpiece by hack and slash as well as shoot em up fans, Square Enix decided to make a new version of the installment that released in 2010. Finally, the game is becoming the success that it always should have been, but some players may find the game to be too difficult.
For those gamers, luckily there are some things that they can do to become stronger and beat the game. Here are somevof the best pro tips out there for the new and improved NieR: Replicant.
10 Fight Every Enemy You See
This should be obvious for anyone that's played an RPG but it's still very important to keep in mind. Defeating the shades and the other enemies in NieR: Replicant will reward players with experience points, which makes it so they can level up. Once they level up, they become more powerful. Many games will try to have players fight enough enemies, if they choose to, that they'll be able to keep moving forward without the game getting too hard, so by skipping out on battles, the game will get harder and players will eventually need to grind, which can feel like its taking much longer than it would have by fighting enemies when first seeing them. This will also help players get better at the game in general and learn what their strengths and weaknesses in the fight are, which helps them improve overall.
9 Lock-On To Opponents
Locking-on to an enemy causes the playable character and Weiss to directly aim at that enemy, making it quicker to defeat them. This also helps for those that aren't use to aiming at an opponent, which isn't usually needed in a hack and slash game as much as it is in a shooter. Once the enemy that is being locked-on is defeated, another enemy will be automatically locked-on as long as they're close enough to the player, so it's best to stay in the center of a battle when using this mechanic.
8 Play Every Side Quest
Another great way to make it so players can defeat enemies without taking a lot of time to grind is by playing the side quests. It's best to accept a side quest as soon as possible because a lot of them are vague and gamers can slowly complete them as they progress through the main story.
Not only does this provide more content for fans to play and to defeat enemies, but they will also be rewarded by gaining new things, such as weapons. Speaking of which...
7 Find Every Weapon
To fully complete the game, players will have to find every weapon. There are 33 in total, with some of them being given throughout the story while others can be bought and given as a reward. If players fail to collect all 33 weapons and wish to experience the entire main story of NieR: Replicant, they will have to replay the second half of the game up until the battle against the main antagonist of the installment, The Shadowlord. Therefore, to avoid spending hours repeating everything they just did, it's best to obtain all 33 weapons as soon as possible.
6 Swap Between Different Weapons
With so many weapons, it's best to try them all as some players will be better with some weapons more than others. Whether they like weapons that can be used to attack enemies quickly or prefer a strong weapon that is slower, there is certainly a perfect weapon for every gamer. And what's even better is that they can quickly switch between three weapons at a time once they're able to obtain one-handed and two-handed swords, as well as spears.
5 Upgrade Weapons
Near the Junk Heap, players will meet two brothers named Jakob and Gideon and help them out throughout the story. Players should constantly return to them in order to make their weapons more powerful. However, they are also going to need to get a lot of material around the world in order for the brothers to be able to upgrade the weapons, so it's best to collect anything and everything you see while progressing in the game.
4 Try Different Types Of Magic
Like the different weapons, there are also multiple types of magic, known as the Sealed Verses, that can be used whenever Grimoire Weiss is around. These Sealed Verses are very powerful and can be used to attack enemies, as well as slow down time by holding down the button that players decide to assign one of them to.
Dark Blast, though it can't slow time down, is definitely one of the Sealed Verses players should equip as they can attack enemies from far away with it. As for the others, they should check the abilities of each one and see which are best for them.
3 Equip Words To Every Weapon And Magic You Use
Throughout the game, players will obtain Words, which will make the weapons and Sealed Verses much better by increasing their attack, defense, etc. Because of how often players get them, it can be overwhelming to decide which Words to equip to which weapons and Sealed Verses. Luckily, the game tells them what the best combination would be for what players have, though they can choose to experiment with the Words if they wish. By always making sure that Words are equipped to what players are using, their chance of winning battles easily increases.
2 Constantly Use Evade And Defend
Besides Dark Blast, it's best to only use one other Sealed Verse due to how important it is to use Evade and Defend. Evade allows players to move faster, which is great since they will constantly moving from one location to the other. It is also great to use Evade to dodge enemies' attacks and get behind them. However, sometimes it's better to block an enemy's attack, which is why players also need to have Defend. Defend is also great because when used at the exact right moment, players can parry their opponents and get an advantage in the battle.
1 Use The Canal For Fast Travel
In the second half of the game, players will be able to use the canal, which quickly transports them to another area of the world. There are five places to go to: the player's village, Seafront, Desert, Northern Plains, and Lost Shrine: Rear Path. When in a hurry to do something or simply not wanting to travel all the way back on foot, the canal can come in handy, especially for those that are looking to speedrun the game.