I think calling it a retelling is going too far, as there are a ton of key differences in plot structure, characters, and themes. And it's not something that I really considered before. But I can see the parallels thinking about them now.He says that but I'm honestly a bit confused about how Automata is supposed to be a retelling of Neon Genesis Evangelion lol
While broadly Nier Automata's existential philosophical themes swing much more broadly than Eva, the core it comes down to with 9S and 2B bears a lot of resemblance to the last episodes/movie of Evangelion. As 9S starts to emotionally fall to pieces in the C/D route, he faces questions that are similar to Shinji, trying to understand what he's fighting for and how he can continue to live in a world where he hurts and is hurt by the people he cares for. His rage at his inability to connect with 2B comes out when he destroys the fake models while climbing the tower in a manner not dissimilar from Shinji choking Asuka during Instrumentality in End of Eva.
2B also exists in a sort of "Hedgehog's Dilemma", forced to kill 9S even though she cares for him. And, much like Eva, Automata's ending posits that belief in the power of change, and the power to build connections with others, can make it possible to break out of cycles of emotional hurt and find happiness even as we make mistakes. Like Eva, 2B and 9S are given a second chance after their failures.
2B also exists in a sort of "Hedgehog's Dilemma", forced to kill 9S even though she cares for him. And, much like Eva, Automata's ending posits that belief in the power of change, and the power to build connections with others, can make it possible to break out of cycles of emotional hurt and find happiness even as we make mistakes. Like Eva, 2B and 9S are given a second chance after their failures.
Again, the differences between the works overwhelm the similarities, but it's possible to work your way between the two and see the influence.