There is no denying that Yoko Taro made a game meant to break your heart with Nier Replicant. There is a lot going on in the game, and it’s almost guaranteed that you won’t feel good when you beat it. Nier is one of those games that truly presents a story where no one ever truly wins, but that works with what they have. That is why the quotes from the game’s characters are so moving.
They are aware of the tragedy that surrounds them, but they power through it nonetheless and help each other to stand back up when things go awry.
9 “Revenge is a fool’s errand.” - Grimoire Weiss
Revenge is a catalyst in a lot of series, and for many, it drives the plot forward. Weiss is completely correct, as revenge never makes anyone feel fulfilled and can suck up years of their life. Revenge is a mode that will drain your time away and will bar you from growing as a person.
This is seen in many of the tragic characters in Nier, especially in the Junk Heap where Gideon kills his brother.
8 “Oh, Shadowlord! I love you, Shadowlord! Come over here and give Weiss a big sloppy kiss, Shadowlord!” - Kaine
It’s pretty safe to say that Kaine’s speech to Weiss at the end of the game’s first half is one of the most memorable quotes in the game. In fact, it was the quote used in the game’s trailer and seems to be one that fans can easily remember. That being said, it’s also one of Kaine’s funniest rants.
If Kaine wouldn’t have snapped Weiss out of it, the game’s ending would likely have gone much differently.
7 “For so long, all I could do was destroy. But now, I have a chance to save something…” - Emil
Emil is a character who goes through a lot of heartbreak constantly. He was used as a weapon and then left to wait in a mansion for years. His identity became less and less human, and he started to believe that the most he could truly do is cause harm to others.
Emil is a gentle character when Nier meets him, who has no desire to cause pain to others around him.
6 “Oh, he’s sure. Believe me, this man loves nothing more than meddling in other people’s affairs.” - Grimoire Weiss
Weiss seems to speak the mind of the player throughout the game. While Nier is happy to accept any task that is mentioned by an NPC, Weiss shows his distaste for running errands. This gets to the point where Weiss just admits to people that Nier has no problem helping them out.
Honestly, Weiss’s quote about side-quests could easily pertain to the JRPG genre as a whole.
5 “There are as many ways to view the world as there are people in it.” - Emil
Emil is an amazingly talented young boy who is willing to do just about anything for his friends. This even includes sacrificing himself in order to ensure that Nier can finally save Yonah. Emil understands different world views but knows he must follow his own heart.
This is shown with the quote above, which is spoken shortly before he saves Nier, Weiss, and Kaine.
4 “Probably for the same reason you are. Enough talk. Make your choice.” - Tyrann
Tyrann is a character that appears during your second playthrough of the game, though he is never shown having a physical form. He constantly berates Kaine and is unpleasant towards shades. Tyrann does change in the end though when he decides to help Nier save Kaine.
The quote above affirms both the fact that Tyrann and Nier are in love with Kaine and are willing to sacrifice themselves to save her.
3 “You know…when I was young. I…I hated my eyes. And now that I’m older, I hate what my body has become. But there’s something else there now. Something like…pride.” - Emil
Emil is a boy who has had a lot of self-hate, and much of his arc is about acceptance. While traveling with Kaine specifically, Emil learns that being different doesn’t make him hideous or a monster. By the end of the game, he learns to have pride in himself and his body.
Self-doubt is something that just about everyone struggles with at some point, so Emil’s story really hits home with many players.
2 “And we have ours. I fear it really is just that simple.” - Devola
While the initial reaction to Devola and Popola isn’t positive, when you really stop to think about their words, your heart will break. They don’t want to fight Nier, but they know they have the weight of humanity on them. They also understand how Nier feels and that there is no way out of the conflict.
The quote by Devola basically shows that they fully understand the cruel battle that is about to begin and that there is no changing anyone’s feelings.
1 “Your eyes are not a sin.” - Kaine
Kaine is a very kind-hearted woman, especially when it comes to Emil. Kaine relates to his feelings of resentment about his body and wants him to understand that he is beautiful as well. Kaine tells him that he isn’t a sin and helps him to understand that it’s up to him how he uses his eyes.
This is also shown later in the game when she fully accepts the fact that his body has changed into that of a skeleton.
