NieR: Automata

 PC
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. ICXM
    Mar 27, 2017
    95
    Overall, Nier: Automata is a phenomenal game filled with great gameplay, world building, amazing storytelling, and it even poses some interesting questions. There’s so much to love about this game and it has spawned dozens of think pieces from various websites on the topics posed in the game. I truly believe Nier: Automata is easily an early Game of the Year contender for 2017. If you own a PlayStation 4 or have a Windows machine capable of running it, you have to give this game a try.
  2. Riot Pixels
    Apr 10, 2017
    91
    This unusual action game set in an offbeat world created by Taro Yoko is a treasure trove of pleasant surprises. It's not often that we meet such a stylish, offbeat, memorable game.
  3. PC PowerPlay
    May 11, 2017
    90
    Sometimes frustrating but always compelling, Nier: Automata is a wondrous and strange experience that could only ever be a game. [Issue#261, p.60]
  5. Game Revolution
    Mar 17, 2017
    90
    This is one of the best single-player RPGs to ever embrace PC, delivering a long-lasting adventure that entertains with its exciting gameplay while piercing the senses with the story it has to tell. Arriving just days after its console version, it serves as an example that the PC platform hasn't been forgotten.
  6. GameSpot
    Mar 6, 2017
    90
    Thanks to Platinum Games' knack for riveting and gratifying combat, Automata is Yoko Taro's most exciting game to date. The combat mechanics click after hurdling a low learning curve, and the end result is a skillful dance where balletic dodges complement wushu-inspired aggression. Moreover, this multi-ending trip is generously peppered with surprises and revelations, as well as easter eggs that call back to the first game and the Drakengard series from which Nier spun off. It's a meaty, often exhilarating trek that showcases Platinum Games' and Yoko Taro's unique blend of genius.
  7. Ragequit.gr
    Apr 2, 2017
    87
    NieR: Automata is a top quality, intelligent and unique ARPG, that you may spend many exciting hours on it, even if some game design choices are obstacles from reaching a masterpiece status. If Square Enix finally decides to correct its hideous technical issues, then it is a must-buy.
  8. PC Invasion
    Mar 21, 2017
    80
    In the end, NieR: Automata reflects what’s in your heart, and it’s possibly the most playable introduction to the glorious madness of Yoko Taro there is. Whether that’s worth something to you I couldn’t possibly say, but it’s left quite a mark on me.
  9. PC Gamer
    Mar 23, 2017
    79
    A beautiful, melancholy action RPG that’s effortlessly stylish and utterly unpredictable.
  10. GameStar
    Mar 19, 2017
    79
    A profound jewel of an action game that deserved a better PC port.
  11. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Mar 24, 2017
    78
    Making a good open-world is a difficult task even for an experienced studio, so what chances did Platinum Games (that has pretty much no experience in this area) have? Better question yet – where was the quality control of Square Enix, that should’ve either postponed the release to let the studio develop their sandbox mechanics further, or told them to cut it altogether? It’s especially sad since at its core Automata is a great action game that easily could’ve been turned into an unforgettable six-hour experience. [Issue#218, p.46]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. IGN Spain
    Apr 5, 2017
    70
    There is no doubt that Nier Automata is a great game, but the PC version does not do it justice. A new case of a shameless port for PC.
  13. The Overpowered Noobs
    Mar 23, 2017
    60
    NieR: Automata contains twenty-six different endings, which inevitably incentivizes those who want to see all possible conclusions. But, the apparent lack of story, which drops off for a good while after the introductory level, is stinging, and you must have enough commitment to see past this. The combat is unique and, at times, refreshingly variegated gaming styles emerge from NeiR — from hack-and-slash to arcade-esque air fights — but enemies themselves show little variation and predictable movement. If you are looking for a hack-and-slash with extraordinary graphics and a fair amount of character customization, then it is likely you’ll enjoy playing this release.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Ars Technica
    Mar 16, 2017
    It’s testament to Taro’s talent for storytelling that the game inspires replay as much through its narrative hooks as its baser promise of trophies and a 100% competition record. And it’s testament to Platinum’s talent for action game design that the game’s systems remain crisp and engaging with each reinvestment. Indeed, this is bold, exciting game design from two of Japan’s most noteworthy creative powerhouses.
  2. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Mar 20, 2017
    It’s rare to see such ambitious storytelling and open world roleplaying tied to such a stylish combat system, not to mention the (optional) Souls-like multiplayer elements, shooter tangents, mini-games that punctuate rather than interrupting, and that big ol’ world to explore. You don’t need to have played any of Yoko Taro’s previous games to appreciate Automata, even though it has links to both Drakengard and (of course) the original Nier, but it’ll probably make you keen to seek them out. Me? I’m hoping Platinum get a chance to work with these worlds and words again. A thousand ideas, delivered in rapid succession, backed by action that is the thread that stitches everything together rather than an interruption between one story beat and the next.

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best PC Game of 2017
10
#10 Most Discussed PC Game of 2017
74
#74 Most Shared PC Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1804 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,528 out of 1804
  2. Mixed: 126 out of 1804
  3. Negative: 150 out of 1804
  1. Cypherous
    May 9, 2017
    4
    So, currently sitting at 6 hours playtime so far, i have a few opinions, you won't like them but i'm not worried by downvotes

    Nier is    So, currently sitting at 6 hours playtime so far, i have a few opinions, you won't like them but i'm not worried by downvotes

    Nier is overhyped, everyone knew that though, some people will love the game, most people will find it fairly generic

    The first portion of the game up until defeating the first boss, i had to use my melee attack a massive 3 times, and those 3 swings were during the boss battle, for the first portion of the game i could have used electrical tape to hold down my L1 button and not had my experience diminished

    Graphically speaking the game is ok i guess, as a PC gamer its hard to be "impressed" by graphical quality that you've seen in numerous places before, level design was pretty bland for the section i played but i apreciate that this is mostly a tutorial section, that being said its all you had to win me over and it didn't, and thats before you mention the horrid 30FPS during cutscenes, what is this, 2006?

    Audio, the music, what little i've heard was fairly decent, noting stood out as bad and the sound effects seemed ok, someone actually put some work in to that so i'm impressed, the voice acting, well i get that they are robots but even for robots the acting was bland, i couldn't tell if it was just the voice actors being bored or not

    Gameplay, having only experienced the first section of the game i can't comment on the rest, but it must have changed genre about 6 times, there was 3rd person, top down, sode scrolling shooter, vertical shooter, twin stick shooter and platformer that i counted, the constant changes between genres was jarring, on top of that it didn't really do any of them particularly well, it wasn't engaging and it makes it feel like nobody could settle on what this game was meant to be

    All in all i would probably give this game a 5 out of 10, if you can pick it up for cheap during the christmas sale then its alright, but at £40 i expect a little more, although considering square-enixs love of mediocre games recently, i can't say i'm overly surprised

    If you like constant transitions between genres and generic gameplay then you might enjoy this game, if you're expecting something more engaging then you probably should look elsewhere    … Full Review »
  2. WerN1211
    Mar 22, 2017
    6
    6 to fix the framerates issue please ! The gameplay is still pure genius though ! :-)
    Second review after having spent more than 15 hours    6 to fix the framerates issue please ! The gameplay is still pure genius though ! :-)
    Second review after having spent more than 15 hours in the game. I had given an 8, almost a 9.
    Down to 6 because of the uneven framrate throughout the different areas of the game.    … Full Review »
  3. zedriccoil
    Mar 19, 2017
    10
    Definitely a great port from platinum's side. This game is hard to emulate on a M&K combination due to its genre mashing elements, thus aDefinitely a great port from platinum's side. This game is hard to emulate on a M&K combination due to its genre mashing elements, thus a controller is recommended.
    The performance is stable, with no frame rate drops below 40 on heavier action scenes,
    Great port, kudos to platinum.
    The full screen bug is there, hope it gets fixed soon. Temporary fix will be to use Borderless Gaming App.    … Full Review »
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