TL/DR: They made the flow and gameplay Automata-esque. The lore goes deep and will hit hard knowing this game takes place in our timeline. Play NieR Replican't before Automata as this game is the prequel, and ending E directly leads to Automata. The characters aren't one note; they all add to the plot rather than take away. Even side characters who seem trivial create the feeling of a dystopian future civilization. The pricing is fair as it isn't a direct port and made the graphics from the ground up, new content, and a new ending. I love Devola's and Popola's hair here, they need to update Automata with it!

Emphasis on this!!
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**You need to get all 9 weapons in part 1 or they'll be inaccessible in part 2! You need all weapons before you attempt ending C!**

Lore!!
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I understood Drakengard/NieR lore by watching SPBrando on YouTube and I gained a deeper appreciation of the series. It helps if you are banging your head against the wall from confusion. Books and any games with NieR collaborations are cannon lore.

Replicant before Automata!!
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If possible, play this before Automata since this remaster touches on the life before robot aliens and robot wars, as well as the downfall of humanity. The storyline is immersive, and gives the player reflections on life and philosophy. Cutscenes are beautifully rendered as well as the models/graphics look fantastic. The textures are impressive.

Semi-spoilers!!
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I love all the characters and how they were written! After each ending, you learn more about each character, and references to Drakengard and how NieR came to be in our universe. Emil is my favorite character by far. He suffered at the hands of Kaine's shade, Tyrann, around our current year. Tyrann helped conduct experiments on children, which was approved by the government). He turned Emil's sister into a battle machine and Emil into "medusa" to stop his sister. He doesn't know Kaine has Tyrann, or remember Tyrann's name but it isn't mentioned in the present (only in backstories when Emil's confronts his mind). Emil still protects Kaine and has a strong sense of protection for her and the protagonist (who screws up humanity--).

Pricing!!
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The price is worth in my opinion. The graphics are completely revamped, new plot elements, and an ending leading Automata which can make more coherent sense for the NieR series. Fun fact-- the square root of 1.5 is 1.224744871, which is a neat touch to reflect how this game has the NieR plot from 2010 but remastered with new graphics and stories in 2021. This is no port, nor it is a whole 'nother NieR game.