NieR Replicant quietly hit 2M — and Automata’s 10M shows Square Enix is leaning into nostalgia

Two million sales for a 2021 remaster isn’t a victory parade – it’s a directional nudge. Square Enix just confirmed NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 has crossed the two‑million mark worldwide, announced alongside a larger celebration for NieR:Automata hitting 10 million units. Taken together, these milestones tell a simple story: the NieR franchise still moves copies, and the publisher is comfortable riding that momentum.

• Square Enix reported NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 exceeded 2 million shipments and digital sales worldwide; the remaster previously stood at 1.5M in November 2022.
• The Replicant update was revealed during NieR:Automata’s 9th‑anniversary event, which also confirmed Automata has sold 10 million copies.
• Square Enix’s post appeared in the Steam News feed and was bundled with other legacy updates and platform news – a signal that publishers are leaning into catalog activity right now.
• What matters next: developer commentary (Yoko Taro/PlatinumGames), any current‑gen ports or reissues, and whether this becomes a soft justification for more remasters instead of new entries.

Why this actually matters

Numbers alone don’t make a trend, but context does. NieR Replicant’s remaster launched in April 2021 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC; passing two million units shows the remaster has steady long‑tail appeal. More importantly, Square Enix announced it beside Automata’s 10M milestone during the series’ anniversary stream. Bundling the two sends a deliberate message: the NieR IP is healthy, and the publisher can point to both back‑catalog and modern hits when talking strategy.

The uncomfortable observation the PR team hoped you’d skip

There’s nothing wrong with a remaster selling steadily. But 2 million units over nearly five years (Replicant was at 1.5M in late 2022) is modest compared to Automata’s runaway 10M. Packaging Replicant’s milestone with Automata’s nine‑year anniversary is tidy PR: it amplifies the uplift for Replicant by association. In plain terms, Square Enix is amplifying catalogue performance to underline franchise momentum – without having to announce a new mainline game.

What Square Enix is actually doing

The Steam News post mirrored the publisher’s update and sat alongside other platform and legacy items — Nintendo released the Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen soundtrack on Nintendo Music, Grasshopper Manufacture shipped a Romeo is a Dead Man v1.4.0 PC patch fixing DLSS and a chapter‑4 boss issue, and Automata’s milestone was celebrated with new artwork and a “to be continued” tease. That pattern — small, regular catalog activity plus celebratory moments — reads like a coordinated strategy to keep older IPs visible and monetizable.

The question nobody’s asking (but should)

If the franchise can still sell, where do those sales get reinvested? A healthy back catalog makes the business case for ports, deluxe reissues, soundtrack releases and merchandise. It doesn’t automatically justify a big, expensive new title. The real test will be whether Square Enix pairs this sales momentum with concrete development signals: comments from Yoko Taro, PlatinumGames involvement, or a current‑gen Replicant/Automata remaster or sequel announcement.

Historical anchor

NieR:Automata released in 2017 and became a cultural and commercial touchstone for action RPGs; that it cleared 10 million in 2026 shows persistent influence across re‑releases, concerts, stage shows and other tie‑ins. Replicant’s remaster rode that halo in 2021 but never eclipsed Automata’s breakout—this new milestone is more proof of steady catalog demand than a seismic resurgence.

What to watch next

• Official comments from Yoko Taro or PlatinumGames — tone and timing will tell if this is PR noise or precursor to new development.
• Any announcements of current‑gen ports, definitive editions, or a Replicant/Automata bundle — those would convert goodwill into revenue quickly.
• Platform breakdowns or regional sales data — Square Enix hasn’t published per‑platform numbers; seeing them would clarify where demand is strongest.
• Fan and community reaction on Reddit/Discord — Automata’s “to be continued” tease has already sparked sequel chatter; watch whether Replicant’s milestone generates sustained engagement or a quick headline fade.

Square Enix announced the Replicant milestone on February 20, 2026, via its livestream and Steam News follow‑up. There were no developer quotes attached to the Replicant figure; the spotlight remained on Automata’s anniversary events and the broader media tied to it.

TL;DR

NieR Replicant’s remaster passing two million is a tidy catalog win — not a blockbuster. Paired with NieR:Automata hitting 10 million, it strengthens Square Enix’s case for milking legacy IPs via remasters, soundtracks, and merch. The next sign this matters beyond PR will be concrete development signals: dev comments, current‑gen ports or a new mainline announcement.