Correct, hard difficulty in this game basically just makes enemies beefier health-wise and damage-wise, does not change gameplay otherwise. Normal is fine for a good experience, and the game is already pretty long if you want to reach the final ending.
The difference between normal and hard mode boils down to how much damage you need to do to end a fight. Also consider that this game isn't really one you play for a challenge (like a soulslike), most of the damage the player takes is emotional damage, so the gameplay is designed to ferry you to the next story beat instead of rewarding you for being a skilled player.
Here are the hard numbers on differences:
https://samurai-gamers.com/nier-replicant-remaster-ver-122474487139/difficulty-modes/

Hopefully this is enough info to help you figure out which one you want. This game is great, but after beating this game through to the final ending multiple times I don't feel like it's worth it for a new player to choose to play this game on hard the first time. You'll still enjoy the ride on normal.

Originally posted by Derriere:

Correct, hard difficulty in this game basically just makes enemies beefier health-wise and damage-wise, does not change gameplay otherwise. Normal is fine for a good experience, and the game is already pretty long if you want to reach the final ending.
The difference between normal and hard mode boils down to how much damage you need to do to end a fight. Also consider that this game isn't really one you play for a challenge (like a soulslike), most of the damage the player takes is emotional damage, so the gameplay is designed to ferry you to the next story beat instead of rewarding you for being a skilled player.
Here are the hard numbers on differences:
https://samurai-gamers.com/nier-replicant-remaster-ver-122474487139/difficulty-modes/

Hopefully this is enough info to help you figure out which one you want. This game is great, but after beating this game through to the final ending multiple times I don't feel like it's worth it for a new player to choose to play this game on hard the first time. You'll still enjoy the ride on normal.

thanks for info, and i understand this isnt a soulslike, i was more comparing it to witcher 3 and cyberpunk as those games give best and most fair experience at highest difficulties.

Normal, don't play on hard, it takes millions of years to kill even the tiny shadow monkeys that appear by the hundreds all over the game.