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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Video Games

Nier

Nier is a 2010 action role-playing video game developed by Cavia and published by Square Enix.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nier is a 2010 action role-playing video game developed by Cavia and published by Square Enix. It is a spin-off from the Drakengard series and the first game in the NieR franchise, which later expanded into sequels, remasters, and other media.

Gameplay

Nier is an action role-playing game that combines real-time combat with role-playing progression. Players control a player-named protagonist across different settings and story sequences.

Plot

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world long after a catastrophe linked to the Drakengard continuity. The protagonist travels to find a cure for Yonah, whose illness drives the central conflict.

Development and release

Cavia developed Nier and Square Enix published it in 2010. In Japan, the game appeared in separate versions with different protagonists, while overseas it was released as Nier.

Franchise legacy

Nier became the foundation of the NieR franchise. Its follow-up titles, especially Nier: Automata, brought the series wider recognition and expanded its audience.

Key facts

  • Nier was originally released in 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
  • The game is a spin-off from the Drakengard series.
  • It follows a protagonist named Nier who seeks a cure for a terminal illness affecting Yonah.
  • Two regional versions existed in Japan: Nier Replicant and Nier Gestalt.
  • Nier is the first title in the broader NieR series.
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Canadian context

Nier has a Canadian audience through its release on major international consoles and its continued popularity in the global video game market, including among Canadian players and collectors.

Frequently asked questions

What is Nier?
Nier is a 2010 action role-playing video game developed by Cavia and published by Square Enix.
Is Nier part of another series?
Yes. It is a spin-off from the Drakengard series and the first game in the NieR franchise.
What platforms was Nier released on?
It was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Who directed Nier?
Nier was directed by Yoko Taro.
What is the main story of Nier?
The story follows Nier as he searches for a cure for Yonah, who is suffering from a terminal illness.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nier_(video_game)
    Supports: Developer, publisher, release year, platforms, genre, plot, and relationship to Drakengard.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nier
    Supports: The Nier franchise context, including sequels and related entries.
  3. NIER Wiki — https://nier.fandom.com/wiki/NieR
    Supports: Series context and the identification of Nier as the first game in the NieR series.
  4. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nier_(videojuego)
    Supports: Release details, regional variants, and story premise.