The Difference Between the Two Niers
PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions to be different only in Japan.
2009年10月02日 01時28分に掲載, アヌープ＝ガンタヤット著
Xbox 360 owners here in Japan are getting Nier Gestalt. PS3 owners are getting Nier Replicant. What's the difference between these two?
Square Enix hasn't been particularly forthcoming on the differences. But this month's Famitsu Xbox 360 provides some answers.
Executive producer Yosuke Saito told the magazine that Nier Gestalt, the Japanese Xbox 360 version of the game, is basically the international version of Nier.
[note: I originally wrote here that Gestalt is the version of Nier that PS3 and Xbox 360 players outside of Japan will be getting. This was actually never specifically stated in the Famitsu Xbox 360 interview. However, it was heavily implied. See this update for more, including additional details on Nier in general]
In Japan, PS3 players will be getting a unique version of Nier in Replicant. This version was created as Cavia and Square Enix consulted on what would be fitting for the Japanese market.
Screenshots have already shown the main differences between the two titles. Gestalt has an older, more masculine hero, who's out to save his daughter. Replicant has a younger, more effeminate hero who's out to save his younger sister.
Replicant Nier (left) and Gestalt Nier (right).
This wasn't mentioned in the Famitsu Xbox 360 article, but the sister and daughter appear to be the same person. I played the Tokyo Game Show version of Gestalt, and noticed the Yohan character, who was first described in Famitsu's first PS3 preview of the game as being Nier's sister. She's presumably the daughter in Gestalt.
Saito was a bit vague on the actual differences in content between the two versions, saying that players could consider the "game design" to be the same between the two and that it's not the case that you'll only be able to see 100% of the game by playing both titles.
Elsewhere in the interview, Saito said that Nier would not have co-op play . However, download content is under consideration.
Saito also commented on one curiosity of the TGS Gestalt demo. That demo had English voices. The Japanese version of the game will be like this, with English voices and Japanese subtitles.
この記事はフォローアップがあります: MoRe on NieR(10.02.2009)
キーワード
- NieR Gestaltゲーム
- ニーア レプリカントゲーム
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Reader Comments (showing 8 of 8)
Rockgamer @ 2009.10.02, 3:34
If they're going to go through the trouble of making a PS3 version of Gestalt anyway, it makes Replicant seem a bit unnecessary. I understand they're developing it more for the Japanese market, but if that's the case why not just make both games multiplatform and release the two versions of Replicant only in Japan and the two versions of Gestalt overseas.
It seems as if they're essentially saying that Japanese 360 owners have the same sensibilities as Western gamers, while true Japanese gamers only play on PS3. I guess I just don't see why Japan needs two versions of the game if they're already making one specifically for the Japanese market.
Eve @ 2009.10.02, 4:01
I was more impressed by the replicant trailer than Nier E3 trailer.
HurricaneGotham @ 2009.10.02, 6:18
uhh im pretty sure youre not translating properly. What was said was that Nier Gestalt was supposed to appeal to an internation crowd, not that it was the international version of the game. YOur article is kinda confusing people
lech @ 2009.10.02, 6:28
This whole thing seems quite silly. I am curious to see the results of this little experiment. I'll laugh my ass off if Gestalt sells more copies in Japan then Replicant. How about a choice Square Enix? Ship the game with both characters and let me choose who I want as my avatar, eh? Though, for what it's worth, I'll go with old man Gestalt over pretty-boy Replicant.
yowvapa @ 2009.10.02, 8:50
It may make sense that the Xbox 360 version would be different from the PS3 so that the game can appeal to Western tastes. Effeminate-looking male characters are not appealing to Westerners. The Japanese need to realize that what sells well in Japan may not sell well in the West. The same goes with Western developers who sell their games in Japan.
lech @ 2009.10.02, 10:26
"...The same goes with Western developers who sell their games in Japan."
Modern Warfare starring Gakt. I'd pre-order that in a flash.
jonnyram @ 2009.10.02, 11:04
It's an interesting experiment. I'd assume the PS3 version would sell more by default anyway, but having the stronger anime-like character, and I assume an incestuous story, will probably make the Japanese maniac gamers buy it in droves. Still, it's funny that Gestalt is the game that western PS3 gamers will be getting.
anoop @ 2009.10.02, 14:12
Actually, the interview does not specifically state that the overseas PS3 version is the same as Gestalt. It is heavily implied, though, especially considering Square Enix USA's statements when Gestalt and Replicant were first announced. I'll post a followup clarifying that and providing even more details on the game in just a bit.