NIER

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 529 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 459 out of 529
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 529
  3. Negative: 38 out of 529
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  1. Randyb
    May 5, 2010
    7
    While to be honest i did'nt have very high expectations for square enixs latest title and sometimes i'am wrong and get blown away, unfortunatly this was not one of those times. Nier's story is the reason to stick around for 30+ hours of gameplay, thats assuming you can live through some of the most bland and simple combat in an action rpg. The combat feels empty and While to be honest i did'nt have very high expectations for square enixs latest title and sometimes i'am wrong and get blown away, unfortunatly this was not one of those times. Nier's story is the reason to stick around for 30+ hours of gameplay, thats assuming you can live through some of the most bland and simple combat in an action rpg. The combat feels empty and spamming magic attacks usually means the end of any non-boss encounter. As if that was'nt disheartning enough, the game is filled with huge enviroments with nothing to do but monster hunter like gathering quests. If your looking for a truly unique story and world nier may have your answer but ask your self is it really worth it? the answers up to you but for me the answer is a definitive no!.… Expand
  2. SalarymanDaishi
    Dec 21, 2010
    7
    A highly original action-RPG that adds all sorts of wild ideas into the mix, from 2D platforming to bullet hell shooters. Dreamy musics, good characters, and an interesting story but on the other hand, it's a bit short, looks bland, has monotonous combat, and is lacking in compelling side content. Still well worth a playthrough or two, though.
  3. cmyk
    Dec 23, 2013
    7
    Interesting and creative story, not to mention breathtaking music; it falls a touch short in terms of game mechanics, but for how cheaply it can be found in stores (I bought my new copy a couple years ago for $10), it's completely worth it. Replay value is on the lesser side, but it's enough to drag you back in every few months. Quite solid characters and their development, consideringInteresting and creative story, not to mention breathtaking music; it falls a touch short in terms of game mechanics, but for how cheaply it can be found in stores (I bought my new copy a couple years ago for $10), it's completely worth it. Replay value is on the lesser side, but it's enough to drag you back in every few months. Quite solid characters and their development, considering how short the game actually is. Gorgeous art too for those interested in the graphic aspects, not so much the actual 3D rendering but the concept sketches and promotional materials are amazing. This title was quite the pleasant surprise.… Expand
  4. wildemu
    Jan 4, 2014
    6
    I came into this game with an underdog mindset, in which the fans loved it but the critics panned it. And I left this game with the feeling that it truly deserved the 6's and 7's it was receiving back in 2010.

    Story and Music can only comprise so much of the score, but everything else is really mediocre. The level design is re-used many times, the combat is a really boring form of hack    I came into this game with an underdog mindset, in which the fans loved it but the critics panned it. And I left this game with the feeling that it truly deserved the 6's and 7's it was receiving back in 2010.

    Story and Music can only comprise so much of the score, but everything else is really mediocre. The level design is re-used many times, the combat is a really boring form of hack and slash, and there is also a ton of unnecessary backtracking. The voice-acting didn't really fit the persona of the characters either.

    The only positives I can say about this game is that it tried to be different, and it's refreshing when we're getting a lot of formulaic games now. But, the developers were a bit too ambitious with their ideas for this game, and it was implemented properly.

    I am not a graphics hog but this game feels like from the PS2 era with the exception of the boss fights. It's on the graphical level of shadow of the colossus.

    I really can't recommend this game to anyone unless you have played everything else you've wanted to play, and you just want this game a shot. For me, it isn't the hidden gem/masterpiece I was expecting.    … Expand
  5. wesker2012
    Jul 10, 2012
    6
    Interesting premise. But drags on for too long. The middle could have been shortened a lot.
  6. Galbias
    Jun 25, 2011
    5
    Nier suffers from subpar graphics, subpar story/presentation, and a lot of repetition; doing dungeons for the third time except with different enemies is rather boring and the combat, while passable, isn't anything to get excited about. The one standout point is the beautiful, if somewhat repetitive soundtrack.
  7. KratosKong
    Jan 18, 2019
    7
    Videojuego que quizás pueda llegar a repetirse pero que destaca en exceso por su historia y su banda sonora.
  8. Kinokee
    Aug 3, 2020
    6
    A lot of good ideas which all mostly fell short. This is a good example of where less would have been more. The requirements for upgrading weapons borderlines offensive. Loading in and out of screens and suicide to harvest the same nodes for 5 hours to gain one of the ingredients to partially upgrade one weapon is no fun.
    Having allies with massive hitboxes around them so you cannot walk    A lot of good ideas which all mostly fell short. This is a good example of where less would have been more. The requirements for upgrading weapons borderlines offensive. Loading in and out of screens and suicide to harvest the same nodes for 5 hours to gain one of the ingredients to partially upgrade one weapon is no fun.
    Having allies with massive hitboxes around them so you cannot walk into them is one thing. Having that hitbox obstruct and slow down your movement is another. Consistently teleporting the allies in front of you as you're trying to run through a hallway is another thing. It forces me to have to jump everywhere to maintain some speed because otherwise they'll stop in front of me and do crap all and halt me in place.
    The controls do not feel tight. There's driving controls for humans as well as attacking. That means all your attacks will attack in a circle instead of reflecting the angles you push on the stick. The majority of weapons are also useless.
    The game is very short. You can very easily beat it within 15 hours. You can probably run through the game in 8 hours if you stick to the critical path without any speed run tactics.
    The game has multiple endings but unfortunately they don't really add so much for what they ask in return and mostly felt like padding fore more playtime in the end. As does most of this game. I don't need an 80 hour scrawling RPG, but if the game is built to be 15 hours, I'd appreciate the systems respecting that time frame.
    I do like how the teammates are useful in combat and cut-scenes though and can actually kill things. I also like the overall art direction and sound. Except for the shades. The shades are lame. Soundtrack good, shades lame.

    TLDR; Lots of ideas that didn't come together well and then ridiculous RNG based drop rates to pad out the length of the game.    … Expand
  9. SuperkenGaming
    Jan 23, 2017
    7
    Nier
    Great Story, Dull Gameplay
    Neir tells the tale of a father willing to do anything for his daughter Here you play as a character that you get to name and you spend the rest of the game trying to cure your daughter of this illness known as the black scrawl… This is an open world miniature witcher 3 styled game… This combat here is very hack and slashy… and you’re accompanied by a    Nier
    Great Story, Dull Gameplay
    Neir tells the tale of a father willing to do anything for his daughter
    Here you play as a character that you get to name and you spend the rest of the game trying to cure your daughter of this illness known as the black scrawl…
    This is an open world miniature witcher 3 styled game…
    This combat here is very hack and slashy… and you’re accompanied by a talking book that allows you to do crazy magic attacks…
    the combat is fast paced but dumbing…
    Never really immersing me into the moment...
    You go to the far stretches of the land…
    Visiting every location with every lead you have in hopes of finally finding a cure for your daughter…
    You’ll meet memorable characters such as the lighthouse lady near the sea,
    and a village of triangle head people in the desert…
    siblings living in a junk yard with a lost mother…
    a loner who insists on wearing lingerie
    a boy that lives in a haunted mansion…
    The story and how it all connects is so intriguing that it isn’t hard to be glued to this game during its 17 to 20 hour length dependent on whether or not you care to see other endings of other characters…
    as you do get joined by a handful during your journey and they do fight by your side…
    the highlight of this games gameplay is its bosses…
    they don’t look cool or offer anything new… but they’re the most fun to deal with as the rest of the game is pretty empty and fairly boring to go through…
    Every enemy looks and feels the same...
    The only thrill you get is the possibility of a new weapon drop or a new word drop that you can assign to your weapon or magic to buff a stat…
    And the design of the levels you go too all feel very generic and uninspired…
    you’re over them within the first few moments you visit them…
    and unfortunately for you, the 2nd half of the game is revisiting all of these places all over again for a piece of a key to get to the final spot in the game…
    Thankfully the pacing of this game is still pretty perfect.. It doesn’t waste your time and its checkpoints are great…
    It focuses on challenging you rather than frustrating you…
    Is Nier this hidden masterpiece that everyone makes it out to be?
    No, in fact I feel it’s highly over praised and over rated by the gaming community…
    But it still have a beautiful story and a great cast of characters who I feel really make this game all that it is…
    I give Nier a 6.5/10    … Expand
  10. TheKillerFries
    Mar 22, 2017
    7
    Before playing this game, you need to ask yourself how much clunky gameplay you're willing to tolerate for an otherwise amazing story. That being said, the story is easily the most impressive part of this game, being unconventional, strange, dark, but ultimately satisfying in its execution and nuance. Yoko Taro's style of storytelling is immensely unique and memorable, though as previouslyBefore playing this game, you need to ask yourself how much clunky gameplay you're willing to tolerate for an otherwise amazing story. That being said, the story is easily the most impressive part of this game, being unconventional, strange, dark, but ultimately satisfying in its execution and nuance. Yoko Taro's style of storytelling is immensely unique and memorable, though as previously mentioned, the lackluster gameplay might turn some people off.

    If you're the kind of person who can suffer through some mediocre/uncomfortable gameplay and love a good story, then chances are you'll really enjoy this. Otherwise, it's hard to say.    … Expand
  11. megabusterx
    Jan 25, 2023
    7
    This was better than I expected it to be, though it was still just only ok.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2010
5
#5 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 58 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 58
  3. Negative: 3 out of 58
  1. GamerNode
    Feb 9, 2011
    80
    Nier won't wow players with its basic mechanics, but in the story it tells, the characters it develops, and the themes present throughout play, it will easily win over anyone seeking something emotionally exploratory and well off the beaten path.
    Read full review
  2. Metro GameCentral
    70
    A bizarre mix of influences and a great script still can't save this inventive but flawed role-player.
    Read full review
  3. 3DJuegos
    78
    Nier comes with a bizarre mix of influences and its own accomplishments. Not all of it works, but it's a commendable effort, and a great experience.
    Read full review
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