Should I play Nier Replicant or Automata first?

I know Replicant is a remake of a game that released before Automata but I hear it's not nearly as good. And I know the stories aren't directly connected. Do I miss out on anything big by not playing Replicant first?

They're both fantastic, play Replicant first

You'll miss out of some easter eggs but otherwise you can play Automata first. The Replicant remake drastically improved its gameplay from the original, but it's still a bit of a slog. Plus, while both require multiple play-throughs to see the "true" ending, Replicant doesn't have a surprise "story part 2" like Automata does, so you'll actually be re-playing the second half of the game like 3 times.

Replicant DOES have the better main cast, IMO, and their personal stories will resonate more with most people compared to 2B/9S/A2, but in terms of raw gameplay Automata is just better in every way.

If you're going to play both anyway, play Replicant first so it doesn't feel quite like a downgrade in terms of gameplay. If you're really only ever going to just play one of them, play Automata.

Not really. I also preferred the dad dynamic to the brother

Outside of a few easter eggs, character mentions and the like not really.

I played Automata first and it made my Replicant playthrough that much more powerful.

I agree, play Replicant first. Replicant has some references that won't really make sense until you play Automata, but nothing that really spoils anything. Automata on the other hand, does spoil some character twists in Replicant.

they are both fairly standalone. If you like one youll like the other, but automata has better gameplay.

theres some elements in automata that are better if you have played replicant first but its not required

Don't play replicant
Play the OG with Papa Nier

Automata.

Replicant feels more like a prequel to automata than a predecessor.

The one with the better waifu, OG Nier.

Drakenguard 1 then Drakenguard 3 then Nier with old man then Nier Automata. Even though they are all stand alone.