NieR: Automata - Game of the YoRHa Edition

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 776 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 671 out of 776
  2. Mixed: 60 out of 776
  3. Negative: 45 out of 776
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  1. mistwalker14
    May 15, 2019
    6
    I was pretty excited to finally play this game after hearing all the praise it has, not only from fans, but a lot of gaming outlets as well, almost all the time I tend to agree with them, but this is just one of those times where I just don't quite get it....
    This game is a combination of an Action game, with an open world and some RPG elements, also there are some shoot'em up elements    I was pretty excited to finally play this game after hearing all the praise it has, not only from fans, but a lot of gaming outlets as well, almost all the time I tend to agree with them, but this is just one of those times where I just don't quite get it....
    This game is a combination of an Action game, with an open world and some RPG elements, also there are some shoot'em up elements (the second playable character will have a lot of sections of this) and the game can't even execute one of those single genres well....
    The combat, which is similar to Bayonetta if you are familiar with that series, 2 attack buttons: 1 heavy and 1 light attack, but in this case, the combo variety options this game offers are pretty limited and considering the poor enemy ai design, their paterns are very predictable and honestly, most of them feel the same while fighting them, you'll just end up using the same moves over and over again, there's really not a real challenge, unless higher the difficulty settings which only makes the game harder in an artificial way (enemies do more damage). None of the bosses feel memorable, at least in a gameplay-wise pov.
    Now into the open-world and RPG aspect.... I don't really understand what was the point of making this game open-world, none of the side-quests are interesting in any way, most of them consist of the same thing (go here, kill enemy, collect item, return to quest giver) and the fact that the game purposely ("lore") avoids a auto-save feature so you'll have to save every single time, because in most cases, the game doesn't offer check-points (although in my experience, some boss fights did have them... for some reason). It is worth mentioning that, at least for me, for an open world game to be good it most have a world where you can forget about the main missions for a bit, and this game just doesn't have that kind of world.... most of the areas are empty, and since it is using gameplay elements from an action game... you really don't have anything to do in it.... I really feel this should be a linear game separated by chapters, like every other action game in the market, at least if this game is supposed to be "all about the story bro" like their fans are claiming it to be.

    The leveling system doesn't feel as rewarding like other RPGs, because it doesn't really serve a purpose in the game... except for some side-quest that won't adjust to your level, and since you have to buy your abilities with in-game currency, I don't see why it was implemented.
    The graphics are really not that good for what this generations is capable of, these are on the same level as a PS3/360 game, for the looks of it, they used the same engine Platinum used for Bayo 1, MGS Rising. I do admit some areas, like the castle in the woods, do look pretty.
    My favorite aspect of this game is the music, I think it is one of the few things the game nails to achieve. The story is... interesting, but I'll have to admit I don't really get the praise it receives, but the fact that you have to deal with all the boring gameplay aspects made it kinda difficult for me to really enjoy the trip, and the fact that you have to beat the game 2 TIMES (the second one is way worse than the first one, since you won't be having a 2nd button attack here, but a "hacking" button that triggers a shoot'em up minigame... meaning that you'll have to play it hundreds of times) to get to the second part of the main story just made it worse.
    I particulary like the english dub, I think the voices of the 3 main characters nailed it in their roles, and I say this as someone who likes to play/watch things in their original language.
    I guess I'll admit that 2B's character model.... is quite something, but sex appeal won't make me higher my final score for this game lol.

    I do know that Yoko Taro games are known for having pretty bad gameplay and a lot of technical issues, and since this game was developed by Platinum Games, this is one of the better ones in those aspects, and I really don't have an issue if the guy has an audience that likes his games, but for gaming outlets and other professional reviewers completely ignoring this game's issues and going as far as nominating it for GOTY alongside games that actually are well crafted GAMES (Breath of the Wild, Persona 5) is something I can't respect.    … Expand
  2. ryingzi
    Mar 19, 2019
    6
    游戏是个好游戏，但是开发商吃相太难看，价格定位过高，如果是一开始的199定价，我相信很多人会买，六分给的游戏，扣开发商四分
  3. ty92
    Aug 7, 2019
    7
    The combat is fast and graceful. The story is good from the start. The music is good. And the different camera angles they use is interesting. You get a full package of game here. Some of the side quest are bad. But overall it's a good game.
  4. ThePluckyBrit
    Apr 8, 2019
    5
    This is an odd one for me, I loved the 1st game, I couldn't enjoy this game.

    It just felt kind of empty to me, combat was good, animation was nice, but the settings were hideously ugly and dull, most of the sets looked worse then the original game, I just couldn't click with it, never got to finish the first play through as my interest just kept trailing off, no idea how you could play    This is an odd one for me, I loved the 1st game, I couldn't enjoy this game.

    It just felt kind of empty to me, combat was good, animation was nice, but the settings were hideously ugly and dull, most of the sets looked worse then the original game, I just couldn't click with it, never got to finish the first play through as my interest just kept trailing off, no idea how you could play it multiple times, there must be a good game here, but I've just struggled to connect with it so not a recommendation from me.    … Expand
  5. Lestatman
    Mar 28, 2019
    6
    I had not played the previous games so went in without any prior bias. Was enjoying it till I got to the ending and then another ending and then another ending by which point I had gotten tired of it and wished it just had one ending and thats it.
  6. VTL
    Dec 21, 2019
    6
    Siendo sinceros... la jugabilidad es semiperfecta, la estetica es muy buena, la accion no para de succeder... pero la historia es predecible... los enemigos son 4 y para de contar... su backtraking es horrible... no se porque lo consideran una obra de arte la verdad. Esta bien el juego pero nada mas... la primera pasada ademas es muy corta luego si busca sus 100 finales... pero es lo mismoSiendo sinceros... la jugabilidad es semiperfecta, la estetica es muy buena, la accion no para de succeder... pero la historia es predecible... los enemigos son 4 y para de contar... su backtraking es horrible... no se porque lo consideran una obra de arte la verdad. Esta bien el juego pero nada mas... la primera pasada ademas es muy corta luego si busca sus 100 finales... pero es lo mismo otra vez, con sus 4 enemigos otra vez... me aburrio sinceramente... lo siento. buen juego, pero nada mas.… Expand
  7. dr0nzer
    Jun 28, 2020
    7
    Firstly, a 2017 release - graphically does not hold that great in 2020, however the gameplay mechanics still do and are astonishing, i was pleasantly surprised and impressed many times over, the entire system is seamless, the boss battles are some of the best I've ever experienced, so many layers, so much depth..... so many phases! There is so much replay value if that's your thing, it's aFirstly, a 2017 release - graphically does not hold that great in 2020, however the gameplay mechanics still do and are astonishing, i was pleasantly surprised and impressed many times over, the entire system is seamless, the boss battles are some of the best I've ever experienced, so many layers, so much depth..... so many phases! There is so much replay value if that's your thing, it's a game that actually encourages you to in order to see the other endings.
    The music/soundtrack compliments the action so well, I personally didn't understand the story... nor did i really care for it, I've only done one playthrough and I won't be doing another.
    I do feel this game is overhyped though.    … Expand
  8. Nielivarez
    Jun 6, 2020
    7
    * TLDR and my suggestion:

    Nier Automata is a decent game that left me with mixed feelings. It's unique. But it also has its frustrating moments. If you are out of good games then give this one a go. I suggest you don't touch the side-quests and just progress the main story. You'll have a way better time. * I originally had written a much longer review of this game but to MetaCritic's    * TLDR and my suggestion:

    Nier Automata is a decent game that left me with mixed feelings. It's unique. But it also has its frustrating moments. If you are out of good games then give this one a go. I suggest you don't touch the side-quests and just progress the main story. You'll have a way better time.

    * I originally had written a much longer review of this game but to MetaCritic's 5K letter limit I had to cut in half and forgo the positives. There are many of those reviews out there.

    * What keeps this game from being a masterpiece?
    As great as Nier Automata is, it has it's annoying moments. And unless these moments are addressed with fair and constructive critisicm, they will be included Yoko Taro's next games or any aspiring developer who wants to learn from this game. That's the main reason I am writing thise piece, and that's why I am surprised as to how many reviews, even those who sporadically mention these flaws, ingnore them in their ratings.

    - Flawed pacing:
    The pacing of Nier Automata reminded me of MGS5. When a quest becomes available, I, the cosumer, take it as a sign that the game wants me to do it. However these side-quests have almost nothing to do with your main quest and doing them actually hurts the pacing of the game.
    So basically, no story development while you are doing unrelated side-missions and when a story development does happen you know that a snooze-fest is awaiting you further ahead until the next development happens.
    Keep in mind, these side-missions are designed to be a part of the game; if you delete them, you're omitting a big chunk of the game.

    - Sinful side-quests:
    These side-quests are not only causing pacing issues for the main mission but they themselves are to put it mildly 'unispired'.
    All the old sins of the 90s are here. 'Fetch quests' are the best you can hope for. 'Escorting helpless NPCs' are here as well. And the one side-mission where you 'walk aimlessly in a huge barren desert, hoping to chance upon hidden items' just takes the cake.
    They're the prime examples of 'filler content'.
    The 'existential crisis' these quest convey isn't due to the story but your IRL time-waste.

    - Main story momentum killers:
    For some reason, the cool moments in the game are immediately followed by some event that intentionally kills the flow. It's like the cow that produces a lot of milk but as the bucket starts to fill, poops a hard dung in it and spoils it all.
    For example, after a cool event, you are forced to stumble for about 4-5 minutes across the map unable to use any abilities. You also can't jump. This clearly intends to frustrate the player. But why? I'd calmly put down the controller and play another game.

    - Unnecessary multiple playthroughs:
    The multiple playthroughs turned out to be more of a marketing strategy.
    [PARAGRAPH BELOW TALKS ABOUT NUMBER OF PLAYTHROUGHS. SKIP IF YOU CONSIDER IT A SPOILER]
    The game has 5 meaningful endings. To get those endings you have to play '3 routes'. However the 2nd route 80% matches your 1st playthrough, and the rest are bits of new info sprinkled in. The 3rd playthrough is basically a new segment of the story locked behind those 2. Keep this in mind as we go on.
    [END OF DISCUSSION ABOUT NUMBER OF PLAYTHROUGHS]
    Here's the problem. Halfway through your first playthrough, you unlock the fast-travel. However, when you start your 2nd route this fast-travel mechanic is taken away until you unlock it again in the middle of your current playthrough. So you have to do all the boring trekking once more, doing the same missions again. I personally find it this decision very hard to swallow.
    So, given how much new content exists in these multiple playthroughs, you are basically dealing with a single normal-length campagn which is stretched through muliple playthoughs to artificially inflate its length and value. I don't know whether this was an executive decision by Yoko Taro or an artistic one, but what it leaves me with, is the sense that the game doesn't respect my time, at all.

    - Under-utilized combat:
    This is a Platinum game. You except to see cool fights and skill based slashing. But unfortunately the JRPG nature of the game overtakes and leaves the combat under-utilized.
    Combat is more about your level that it's about your skill. You slash and then you dodge. The system of combat is very simplified. If the enemy is +10 levels higher than you, the fight is gonna drag on until you give up or finish it and not gain anything for your hard effort.
    The lackluster nature of combat extends to your weapons too. There are many weapons in the game but the weapons of the same class all share the same movesets. A greatsword has the same animation and moveset as a halberd! This is a huge disappointing and limiting factor for a game that wants to encourage exploring and finding those weapons.

    Summary:
    Nier Automata is a good game but you will have to practice patience, especially if you are a completionist.    … Expand
  9. Cloudy83
    Nov 29, 2020
    5
    Uno de los juegos más sobrevalorados que he podido probar. Gráficos desfasados, combate aburrido que consiste en machacar botones prácticamente, una historia que no me aporta nada que no haya visto ya, la música si me parece buena. Drakengard ya me pareció un juego bastante regulero y este pues igual.
  10. Zeph93
    Jul 30, 2020
    6
    This is a sprawling open world game, packed with places to explore and secrets of the past to unravel. The story is stark, and compelling enough (though not as 'deep' as some reviews here would lead you believe) to make you want to see the game to its conclusion. The score is also fantastic for the most part, which helps draw your attention from the bleak settings.

    However, therein lies    This is a sprawling open world game, packed with places to explore and secrets of the past to unravel. The story is stark, and compelling enough (though not as 'deep' as some reviews here would lead you believe) to make you want to see the game to its conclusion. The score is also fantastic for the most part, which helps draw your attention from the bleak settings.

    However, therein lies the main problem. To get to the 'true' ending, you have to play this game 3 times from different character perspectives. What's different between these characters? Not a whole lot, to be honest. This would be more forgiving if the areas you have to trawl through repeatedly aren't so bland and devoid of life - literally. In this apocalyptic setting, you fight robot organisms with very little in the way of variety. Bosses are standout moments from a design point, but typically devolve into an odd combination of bullet hell, and bullet sponge. If you are a completionist, expect to spend a lot of time farming the same roomful of enemies ad infinitum for the hopes rare materials will drop for upgrades.

    This game would have benefited greatly from more unique story paths, or greater variation in play styles of the characters. Instead, expect to feel burn out around the halfway mark from the sheer repetition and the question; while the future may be bleak, must it be so boring?    … Expand
  11. LunaresArienal
    Dec 12, 2020
    6
    Long story short, I might have missed what most people seem to really love in that game.

    The music is fantastic (the one in the desert or in the parc are demented). The atmosphere is really breathtaking. Narration is very complex and brings tons of different angles as the story unfolds. Combats are really dynamic and generally fun. The gameplay changes several times during the game and    Long story short, I might have missed what most people seem to really love in that game.

    The music is fantastic (the one in the desert or in the parc are demented). The atmosphere is really breathtaking. Narration is very complex and brings tons of different angles as the story unfolds. Combats are really dynamic and generally fun. The gameplay changes several times during the game and really add to the fun. There also are some great easter eggs I loved finding.

    And, that's it to me.
    The game suffers a lot of really serious issues to me that kind of ruin the fun and don't really compel me to come back to it. Some of them would be

    * Really boring, fedex side quests. Most of the side quests are just "go fetch that on the other side of the map and come back to me". Although they have a strong narrative content as well, the actual quest is just roaming through the map, again and again and again.

    * That map. Let's talk about it. It's huge and really impractical. There are tons of roadblocks, complicated paths to take. I can't even guess how many hours I spent just trying to run from point A to point B on that map.

    * The UI is generally bad. Although there are some brilliant features to the UI when you - as a machine - are in a dire state, when you are playing normally, the mini-map is absolutely unreadable. The points of interest and quests are very hard to find. You can't turn on and off the quest locations. The games feels very old in that way.

    * Combat. I know I said it was fun and dynamic. But at the end of the day, I've done most of the game using the same weapon, pod, build and special. I would have loved to have the game incentivize the variety of playstyles, with foes resisting a type of weapon or ... i don't know, prizes ?

    Finally I would have to say that the story itself it kind of unsettling. I know that's part of what Square Enix did. And they did it fantastically well, which is a strong suit of the game. But man do I like feeling that bad as I discover more of the story ? Not sure.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best PS4 Game of 2019
44
#44 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. DarkStation
    Apr 3, 2019
    90
    Nier: Automata is a really compelling piece of science fiction. It builds on the thematic foundation of sentient robots and takes into a bold and heart-wrenching direction. The emotionally rich saga is further bolstered by an intensely memorable soundtrack that add so much flavor and extra dimension to the multiform narrative.
    Read full review
  2. RPG Fan
    Apr 2, 2019
    97
    If you've never played NieR: Automata, this package is the perfect way to experience this bizarre and haunting masterpiece.
    Read full review
  3. Gaming Nexus
    Mar 19, 2019
    95
    NieR Automata: Game of the YoRHa Edition was my first foray into the NieR series and I personally loved it. I know some people soured on having to basically replay the same game again just to get to the third run that opened up more of the story, but the first two routes don’t take incredibly long to play through if you don’t do any side missions. Then again doing the side missions just made the game more fun for me and I kept forgetting that I needed to finish the main story to write this review. If you’re into hack-and-slash RPGs and don’t mind having to play through the game three times to experience the full story, give this game a shot.
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