The irony is that most people in the west prefer Papa Nier, while most in Japan prefer Big Brother. From the Remake came out and most people in the west found out they're using the big brother version, there were minor complaints. Do we make sold well, so it showed that there weren't that many people complaining about being more like the Japanese version.
The problem with the original Drakengard series as a whole was that, it was just discount Berserk. Especially the first game. Taro was just on a deconstruction and edgy binge. He had nothing to do with the second game though, which explains why it's more upbeat by comparison. Nier is more cynical compared to its sequel, but still had some heartwarming moments in most of the endings were bittersweet. Especially that final ending.