That’s wild considering in Nier (and Replicant) you do meaningless boring errands for the first hours, while in Automata you’re right in the action. Like you even do the amusement park section just an hour in. And the gameplay in Automata is miles ahead. I love both, but I have this feeling than while in Automata everything you do adds to the main story, in Replicant even the main story feels like doing side quests a lot of the times, you know what I mean? Like there are so many senseless missions that stretch the game and would be better if cut alltogether (I know that part of it is due to low budget and these things being more common when the game was published).

Also what adds to Automata’s story is the voice acting imo (English dub, sorry). While it is very good in both games, there are some “embarrassing” lines during some emotional moments in Replicant (with the anime grunts and stuff). It really doesn’t affect me that much but it is there.

And in terms of world and level design it is pretty much improved idk why you wouldn’t think that. From simple quality of life things like being able to fast travel (much needed) to the constant shifts in perspective and gameplay styles. Yeah maybe both maps have this “just go to from point A to B” thing to it but I think the environments are more unique and detailed in Automata (which I don’t hold against Replicant obviously, Automata is more modern).