NieR: Automata

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4607 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4,076 out of 4607
  2. Mixed: 223 out of 4607
  3. Negative: 308 out of 4607
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  1. wanderingted
    Aug 23, 2023
    9
    Nier: Automata is comprehensively exceptional. Its structure is easy to understand yet deep enough for players to explore. The storytelling, which discusses the meaning of mankind's existence from the perspective of robots, is refreshing. The game excels in role-playing design, capturing human emotion and spirit within the robotic framework.
    I must mention the charm and artistry of the    Nier: Automata is comprehensively exceptional. Its structure is easy to understand yet deep enough for players to explore. The storytelling, which discusses the meaning of mankind's existence from the perspective of robots, is refreshing. The game excels in role-playing design, capturing human emotion and spirit within the robotic framework.
    I must mention the charm and artistry of the character design. Characters like 2B and the others maintain an appearance of emotionlessness, while radiating the essence of mankind's spirit consistently. As for the battle and action design, it leans toward a fast-paced style rather than being hardcore, immersing players in a touching story and an outstanding soundtrack. This narrative encourages contemplation of philosophical concepts like existence and the future, making it a satisfying experience for JRPG fans seeking action and an open-world sensation.    … Expand
  2. dharma
    Jun 10, 2017
    8
    Weird. Eccentric. Completely bonkers RPG- Bullet hell- hard stylish Platinum style fighting game hybrid is a sleeper hit. You have to finish the game a couple of times to see the true ending (which shamefully,I haven't done :p). Platinum Games, collaborating with reclusive Game Designer Yoko Taro and Square Soft, given the opportunity, always create some of the best games in the market.Weird. Eccentric. Completely bonkers RPG- Bullet hell- hard stylish Platinum style fighting game hybrid is a sleeper hit. You have to finish the game a couple of times to see the true ending (which shamefully,I haven't done :p). Platinum Games, collaborating with reclusive Game Designer Yoko Taro and Square Soft, given the opportunity, always create some of the best games in the market. This shows you that Japanese developers are back in the market after a long slump. Bravo.… Expand
  3. mrnice
    Mar 3, 2018
    8
    Core gameplay feels like a simpler version of Bayonetta or Metal Gear Rising. The storyline is has a lot of fetch-quests and open-world travelling "from point A to point B" with minimal input required from the gamer, apart from pressing forward and run button.

    The story is quite involved and intelligently done. It didn't blow my mind, but at least it explored some of the big themes of    Core gameplay feels like a simpler version of Bayonetta or Metal Gear Rising. The storyline is has a lot of fetch-quests and open-world travelling "from point A to point B" with minimal input required from the gamer, apart from pressing forward and run button.

    The story is quite involved and intelligently done. It didn't blow my mind, but at least it explored some of the big themes of existence a bit. I mean, that's a big deal in video games. Even if it feels slightly gimmicky.

    There's a famous in-game performance of 'Romeo and Juliet' that I looked forward to. But it was just silly joke. Didn't even pretend or try to live up to Shakespeare's play.

    I file Nier Automata under 'Japanese Sci-fi Action' and say it succeeded at what it tried to do. It's just not much more than entertainment, and certainly not as high-brow or philosophical as some people claim.

    And the gameplay is not as innovative or groundbreaking as I expected. At no point did it make me go "Wait, a game can do THAT?!". It does mix up various mini-games, but Final Fantasy had mini-games too. It didn't blow my mind in either series.

    I did actually play through the entire game and got the credits-mini-game. I invested plenty of time and consideration for the game, but it's just not the mind-blowing game that I expected. It's great as an open-world action game... but some of the fetch quests p*ssed me off.    … Expand
  4. sityoazzdown
    Dec 28, 2017
    8
    A very nice game with great game play and interesting story that will keep you guessing throughout. At it's core it's a main hack and slash, with some side scrolling, some top-down beat-em up/shoot-em up and arcadey shooter. It also has an ok open world with kitchen sink side quests that are are ok, some hidden loot boxes that gives new weapons/ rare items, items to grind for that enemiesA very nice game with great game play and interesting story that will keep you guessing throughout. At it's core it's a main hack and slash, with some side scrolling, some top-down beat-em up/shoot-em up and arcadey shooter. It also has an ok open world with kitchen sink side quests that are are ok, some hidden loot boxes that gives new weapons/ rare items, items to grind for that enemies drop that are needed to max level your weapons to get that special ability ( which is actually addicting). The best this game features is a very smooth and visually pleasing combat hack and slash, before I know it i was smashing buttons and it didn't feel all that repetitive because of the visual fireworks on screen as you fight. The story was interesting, and it got more interesting as the game went on. I will say you'll have to atleast play through this game a few times to be satisfied of the story. This game is definitely not for someone looking for a 10 hour game. Pros: Excellent and visually pleasing combat, some loot worth grinding/looking for, story,great soundtrack and atmosphere. The So-So= Ok open world and sidequest, graphics look last gen. Cons: can get repetitive to some, not meant for people who don't like to grind, takes multiple play through to be satisfied of story. 8.5/10… Expand
  5. OwtDaft
    Jul 17, 2019
    8
    + The music is gorgeous and the vocals are really beautiful.
    + The combat is pretty simple but very easy to pick up and play.
    + The game is like the first one in the way the game switches up the game play and camera. + 2B the main character is very easy on the eye.... + The music deserves a 2nd mention. - The game has a stutter despite sacrificing graphics for a high frame rate. -    + The music is gorgeous and the vocals are really beautiful.
    + The combat is pretty simple but very easy to pick up and play.
    + The game is like the first one in the way the game switches up the game play and camera.
    + 2B the main character is very easy on the eye....
    + The music deserves a 2nd mention.
    - The game has a stutter despite sacrificing graphics for a high frame rate.
    - Story is very melodramatic and only gets interesting in the last third of the game.
    - The game has you replay certain parts of the game again half way in.
    - The first game had a much better atmosphere to it.    … Expand
  6. JohnWitten
    Apr 30, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. [Portion of original Full-Length Review]

    One of the most intriguing aspects of gameplay at least stylistically stems from the change in perspective that litters some portions of the game. Typically you play in an over-the-shoulder third-person format, yet on occasion the game shifts to on the rails and top down perspectives for intense firefights utilizing your full android arsenal and party. While ultimately even the bullet-hell segments of the game boil down to eliminating your enemies and clearing the area in search of any interesting lore or story progression, I still found combat and the nice pace of breaking things up a suitable way to keep the monotony of most hack and slash titles to a minimum. The combat is solid enough that there honestly doesn’t need to be too much done with it that is flashy or gaudy and the enemy encounters and boss fights are memorable enough and frenetic and entertaining as is.

    The few complaints that I would have do touch a bit on what repetition there is actually present within the game and that comes largely as a narrative and strategic thing. Your character will be afforded the opportunity to deck themselves out in the occasional rare bonus here and there, plugging in a special upgrade chip that boosts stats in certain areas and are hard to come by. Ultimately this adds some strategy to the game, however there isn’t much diversity outside of a health or damage boost and so it isn’t as interesting as it could be in terms of use. Another case I would like to make is that Automata falls heavily into the Dragon Age II camp of adventure titles- meaning there is plenty of lore and content there and it isn’t a bad game at all, however you’re likely to retread many of the same or all-too similar areas for the duration of the campaign and throughout your quests. Although encounters will be varied and narrative progression unhindered, it’s a sort of lazy game design flaw that bugs any and everyone.

    The world and lore is entirely too intriguing for it to be limited in some of the ways it is- perhaps not literally as it is quite expansive, but in terms of scope and use as a character in and of itself. All things considered, if you played the previous installment then you’ll probably agree that Automata is certainly a leg up on the original in nearly every single way possible. The combat encounters are fun if not always diverse, the lore is handled quite well and manages to promote some intriguing plot lines, and the gameplay mechanics are quite solid and rarely offer any hiccups to halt the fluidity of the game. If you’re looking for an experience that has the ability to be a comprehensive one but doesn’t force you to explore it as deeply as you could, then Nier: Automata is for you.

    Concept: Guide your android comrades in the eternal war against the machines. Quite literally, rage against the machine.

    Graphics: While you will see ultimately a lot of the same, what is there is rendered quite well and there aren’t too many muddy textures involved.

    Sound: The melancholy mood that permeates the soundtrack and the narrative itself lends to the experience overall and is a strong selling point.

    Playability: While it has some quirky features and abrupt changes in perspective at times, the gameplay handles excellently and fluidly throughout your adventure.

    Entertainment: There are often hidden depths to be found but the main draw lies in the fact that the experience is totally what you make of it and there are many interesting facets to the characters and the world and conflict themselves.

    Replay Value: Moderate.

    Overall Score: 8.5    … Expand
  7. dramatickid
    Jun 4, 2017
    8
    Nier:Automata is a super stylish game both in its visuals and in its gameplay. The story is very involving too and above all interesting since it revolves around themes such as human nature and the meaning of life. The only weak point lies in the combat system which, after a while, becomes a little repetitive and the same can be said for its building-up system. Anyway it's a UNIQUE gameNier:Automata is a super stylish game both in its visuals and in its gameplay. The story is very involving too and above all interesting since it revolves around themes such as human nature and the meaning of life. The only weak point lies in the combat system which, after a while, becomes a little repetitive and the same can be said for its building-up system. Anyway it's a UNIQUE game that doesn't look like anything else on the market right now.… Expand
  8. ehcab
    Mar 15, 2017
    8
    After playing 8 hours at a normal level of difficulty, I can decently declare that this game is fresh and fun. However, I can't find yet all the hype that I read on both User's and press articles.

    The world is immersive, the story is deep enough, the 3C's are awesome but : the graphics are not so nice, the frame rate is not constant (you do have some slight drop of frame rate) and the    After playing 8 hours at a normal level of difficulty, I can decently declare that this game is fresh and fun. However, I can't find yet all the hype that I read on both User's and press articles.

    The world is immersive, the story is deep enough, the 3C's are awesome but : the graphics are not so nice, the frame rate is not constant (you do have some slight drop of frame rate) and the rpg mechanics has so far not been useful (been equiping maybe 10% of the items i found / could buy)

    So it's a YES, but I am still eager to live the hype that I read.    … Expand
  9. Sharpshooter188
    Mar 18, 2017
    8
    I was always a fan of the Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and DMC games. If those are your thing you need to at the very least rent this game with some kind of service. Very fluid and flashy combat, a lot of different weapons to find and expand your arsenal, and teensy bit of fan service. The story is interesting, though I admit a bit nonsensical at times. It becomes a bit difficult to followI was always a fan of the Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and DMC games. If those are your thing you need to at the very least rent this game with some kind of service. Very fluid and flashy combat, a lot of different weapons to find and expand your arsenal, and teensy bit of fan service. The story is interesting, though I admit a bit nonsensical at times. It becomes a bit difficult to follow with so many twists in the story. Environments could've been more interactive as well. Soundtrack isn't bad though I'm more a fan of the DMC and Metal Gear Revengeance tracks myself. Sidequests are a bit repetitive.

    But at it's core this game is about combat. And it performs that exceedingly well. Lots to do as well as multiple endings. However, some endings are just gimmicky things. Like a short clip of something happening and then the game ending because of some vague reason. I've sunk about 50 hours of gameplay into this thing and Ive still got a few hefty things to do. There are a couple of hidden bosses as well to extend gameplay time and a newgame+ of sorts as well. No shortage of content here.

    Give it a shot. I think you'll find it worth your time.    … Expand
  10. SwiftReviews
    Dec 7, 2018
    8
    This game was a great play, it had some repetitive combat and what not but i didn't find it annoying at all, the combat mechanics were smooth and satisfying, it had ground combat and flying combat. It sort of reminded me of devil may cry with the sword fighting.

    The music was great and the art direction, different world zones were immersing and beautiful. I found the camera angles    This game was a great play, it had some repetitive combat and what not but i didn't find it annoying at all, the combat mechanics were smooth and satisfying, it had ground combat and flying combat. It sort of reminded me of devil may cry with the sword fighting.

    The music was great and the art direction, different world zones were immersing and beautiful. I found the camera angles sometimes to be annoying with it switching to side scrolling moving and combat but i think it also added to the art style.creativity and charm of the game.

    There was no auto-save which is annoying at the start, while your trying to learn controls, but later on there is so many opportunities to quick save, it wasn't too bothersome.

    The open world was interesting but i think the questing aspect would get really boring after a while, i was mainly focusing on the main story line which kept the pace of the game going with awesome cinematic scenes and boss fights to keep things interested and keep me entertained.

    The story was compelling enough to keep me playing until the end, overall this game is for people who like games like DMC slasher type games and games with an anime style and interesting story and big boss battles.    … Expand
  11. jelikey
    Jun 28, 2018
    8
    A really beautiful game that surpass my expectation.
    Almost everything in this game awesome, the story & plot, the musics, the action/battle, world setting and characters. The game that you must play to understand how good it is and get full experience in a good way.
    Yoko Taro and Platinum game did a good job on this game, this is definitely a gem in PS4.
  12. GamerJosh0137
    Apr 17, 2017
    8
    I don't have much, if any experience with hack and slash games or even JRPGs for that matter. Final Fantasy 15 is probably the only JRPG game I have ever played, oh and Metal Gear Solid 5 (if you consider that a JRPG. I don't but I could see why someone would). I may not know what makes a hack and slash, or a jrpg game good but imo NieR Automata is VERY good. Nier Automata makes anI don't have much, if any experience with hack and slash games or even JRPGs for that matter. Final Fantasy 15 is probably the only JRPG game I have ever played, oh and Metal Gear Solid 5 (if you consider that a JRPG. I don't but I could see why someone would). I may not know what makes a hack and slash, or a jrpg game good but imo NieR Automata is VERY good. Nier Automata makes an attempt at putting almost every genre of game into 1 title. Bullet hell, side scrolling platformer, top down shooter, etc. To my surprise all of those things are done rather well. I can't say that the story is great yet because I feel like I need to play it a couple more times to really get it, there is still much I'm not sure about but what is important here is that I am COMPLETELY willing to play through a couple more times. That says something. With all the titles released recently my backlog seems to get bigger and bigger everyday but I am content with playing Nier exclusively for the time being. Another big plus for this game is the soundtrack. The music that plays with each scenario is sublime, and should be the industry standard for what kind of role music should play in video games. One gripe I have being new to this style of game is being overwhelmed by certain mechanics that have to do with leveling up your character. You are playing as an Android named 2B and your defense, and attack protocols are dependent on the "chips" (as in computer chips, or programs) you have and equip. I still don't think I could explain it but if you are new to this type of game I highly suggest you watch some youtube videos on leveling up 2B. Anyway, the game is great and worth the price. There is a lot of game here, probably around 35 hours I think. And although the open world isn't full of intricate details, it is a blast to explore.… Expand
  13. Deadheadbill
    Mar 19, 2017
    8
    Meh. First off, I will admit that I am not the biggest fan of jrpg's. However I am a fan of great games regardless of their genre and so with all the good rviews decided to give Nier a shot.

    This is just a meh any way you slice it. Combat alone is a 9, but the story, idiotic dialog, bad camera angles and crappy save system are constant disappointments. Wish I had redboxed it or waited    Meh. First off, I will admit that I am not the biggest fan of jrpg's. However I am a fan of great games regardless of their genre and so with all the good rviews decided to give Nier a shot.

    This is just a meh any way you slice it. Combat alone is a 9, but the story, idiotic dialog, bad camera angles and crappy save system are constant disappointments. Wish I had redboxed it or waited for a deep discount rather than dropping full priced coin on it.    … Expand
  14. JTJSGamer
    Mar 7, 2017
    8
    Great game, despite having a rough development, it turned out great. Great graphics, fast paced gameplay, and a great story. I suggest you give it a go.
  15. Empyrea
    Dec 23, 2018
    8
    I've just finished the game in normal (and sometimes easy) mode. I've read that you should play 4 times more once you've beaten it for the first time to know more things of the story but I'm too lazy for that. I've just started the game for second time and, ok, the character is different but for the moment there are too many scenes that I've already seen so I'll probably take a long breakI've just finished the game in normal (and sometimes easy) mode. I've read that you should play 4 times more once you've beaten it for the first time to know more things of the story but I'm too lazy for that. I've just started the game for second time and, ok, the character is different but for the moment there are too many scenes that I've already seen so I'll probably take a long break and try it later or I'll just watch the ends on youtube. About sidequests some should appear later when your level was higher because you can find strong enemies in some sidequests. The story is ok. Probably it must get better when you play this game the whole 5 times but I'm not sure. So for the moment the plot is ok. About gameplay is good, with some retro "starship" gaming. I don't know my feeling after having beat it once is that I expected more from this game. I finished the first round in 13 and a half hours.… Expand
  16. amubher
    Oct 27, 2020
    8
    A rough gem in need of polish in a lot of ways, limited but fun combat. At its heart is a fascinating world and a great story worth telling, despite the weak dialogue and shallow characters.
  17. HTGamer
    Feb 17, 2018
    8
    Nier: Automata is a great blend of many genres and revives interest in the niche Nier/Drakengard franchise.

    Nier: Automata is a spiritual successor to the original Nier released in 2008, its story taking place thousands of years after the 1st game. Some of Nier's characters and events are mentioned in Automata, but otherwise the new game is standalone. A long time before Automata's    Nier: Automata is a great blend of many genres and revives interest in the niche Nier/Drakengard franchise.

    Nier: Automata is a spiritual successor to the original Nier released in 2008, its story taking place thousands of years after the 1st game. Some of Nier's characters and events are mentioned in Automata, but otherwise the new game is standalone. A long time before Automata's events, aliens conquered planet Earth, and the remnants of mankind were driven away from their home planet taking refuge to the Moon. Humanity then created androids to battle against machines controlled by the aliens, resulting in a never ending war that has been raging for thousands of years. Players assume the role of androids 2B, 9S and A2 who fight against the machines. The story is told in 3 short playthroughs called "Routes" and features a total of 26 endings (5 main and 21 "joke" endings which can be triggered by things like eating a poisonous fish that kills you). Route A tells the story from the point of view of android 2B. Then Route B tells the same story from the point of view of 9S, plus we are provided with more info on the machines' past and background. The final Route C takes place after Routes A/B and narrates the conflict between androids 9S and A2, where both try to end the war, leading to the final story endings. The game explores sci-fi themes such as planetary war, alien invasion, AI, robots, consciousness, self-awareness, etc. It's interesting and has its share of twists and turns, but it's a bit of a mess by the end.

    Nier: Automata is an open world game with main missions and side quests, where hack n' slash and old-school shoot-em-up mechanics are implemented. You are accompanied by flying pods that can shoot enemies or do special attacks. 2B and A2 are straight forward melee fighters, whereas 9S is more of a hacker because he is a support unit. Hacking enemies is presented as playing an old-school arcade shoot-em-up bullet hell mini-game, and successfully beating the mini-stage results in dealing damage to the target enemy. The bullet hell mechanic is allso present in the enemies where both minions and bosses attack you by shooting multiple spheres in patterns along with physical attacks. Not only that, but the game often changes camera perspective and at times turns from 3rd person view into a 2D side-scrolling platformer, a 2D top-down vertical-scrolling shoot-em-up, and a top-down 2D twin-stick shooter. Variety is the name of the game in Nier: Automata.

    There is also a DLC which lets you fight in an arena against the respective CEOs of the game's publisher Square Enix and the game's developer PlatinumGames. It's surely hilarious and breaks the fourth wall.

    The game's soundtrack is awesome. There are plenty of melodies and songs that I can't forget. It's easily one of the best videogame OSTs out there. And the english voice acting is good.

    Nier: Automata is not perfect, though. The enemy design is uninspired, with units looking like tin cans (at least these minions come in many shapes and sizes). The map isn't really a well designed open world like that of Horizon: Zero Dawn or other genre staples, more like a collage of different stages, and sadly there is an abundance of invisible walls. And then there are the performance problems. The engine used has optimisation issues that prevent the game from running smoothly. Whether on PS4, PS4 Pro or PC you can't lock at 60 fps and there is plenty of random stutter and hitches. Graphics look bland, and pop-in of geometry and shadows at close range is visible even to the untrained eye. And the latter half of Route C is filled with boring arena fights. All these negatives don't mean Nier: Automata is a bad game, actually it's a good one, but they prevent it from reaching greatness.

    Overall, Nier: Automata is a great game even if it has some flaws. I definitely recommend it to every gamer.    … Expand
  18. setuis
    Jul 10, 2018
    8
    The problem with nier automata was its release window. It was released very close to Horizon zero dawn and some players who finished dawn also purchased Nier, I was one of those people who need to go back to Nier as i had burnout on machine based combat when i first started to play it. I will currently rate it an 8 as it was overshadowed a little in the graphical area. I will come backThe problem with nier automata was its release window. It was released very close to Horizon zero dawn and some players who finished dawn also purchased Nier, I was one of those people who need to go back to Nier as i had burnout on machine based combat when i first started to play it. I will currently rate it an 8 as it was overshadowed a little in the graphical area. I will come back and edit this sometime this year.

    I would say the game has complexity , it has story lines it's just some buildings looked a little off putting, texture wise.    … Expand
  19. Tselel
    Mar 14, 2017
    8
    Story - The fact that it is a Yoko Taro game shows that if you want to see and know the whole story, you MUST finish it all and unlock all endings. The story can be generalized as follow; Earth is now dominated by "aliens" and the human race fled and is now living in the moon. The group of androids named "Yhorha" has the main task of retaking Earth and defeating the aliens in it. The mainStory - The fact that it is a Yoko Taro game shows that if you want to see and know the whole story, you MUST finish it all and unlock all endings. The story can be generalized as follow; Earth is now dominated by "aliens" and the human race fled and is now living in the moon. The group of androids named "Yhorha" has the main task of retaking Earth and defeating the aliens in it. The main protagonists of the game are 2B, and android whose unique trait is being calm, 9S, an android whose unique trait is showing more emotions compared to other androids and the third protagonist in the game is A2, a prototype android for 2B's class and whose unique trait is being solitary and prefers to work alone. These 3 are the main core of the game and Yoko Taro's Nier story. All i can say is I love the unique way of storytelling made by the developers in game in which more and more of the story is revealed the more you actually tried to unlock the other endings and at the end. All i can say is it is tragic, but satisfactory and good. A score of 9/10.

    Gameplay - Now this is where the second developer Platinum games forte. I can say it is one of their bests gameplay developed in their careers, it is better if not equal to Bayonetta's hack and slash gameplay and obviously better than the Revengeance gameplay. It's smooth and fast paced its awesome. In addition, other style of mini games was also included in game like the classic overhead shooter view, the 2-D side scroller gameplay, etc. Even though sometimes it becomes confusing because of how fast the game moves it is till great. Awesome job by Platinum Games. A score of 10/10 in this aspect.

    Graphics - The animation, character movement and character design are all awesome. The fan favorite of Cosplayers is 2B's Goth outfit and we wont ever forget her gorgeous and game changing sexy android butt. As well as other character's design like the Yorha's commander and A2. However, my issue is the color of the environment, its bland and lifeless, although i could see why they did that since its apocalyptic, it is still becoming boring if all you see in the environment are dominated by the colors black, white and yellow. Another issue i had is the enemy designs, it is pretty generic and lazily done. Though some are cute looking, nothing really out of all made me impressed. Therefore, a score of 7/10 deserves this spot.

    Sound - No need to say anything. GOTY when its comes to soundtrack and character voice. 10/10

    Average = 8.75

    Platinum games has now redeemed themselve and is back in the game with the release of this awesome game and Yoko Taro's unique storytelling added that cherry on top. This game is a recomended buy to anyone who misses the fast paced hack and slash game genre. Its totally worth it,    … Expand
  20. Jaosnow
    Apr 13, 2018
    8
    Beautiful game, good design of characters, awesome gameplay and amazing ost and sound mixing, howecer there are various problems with the level design and performancez specialy on the pc version
  21. mikepatyaev
    Aug 8, 2022
    8
    NieR Producer Yosuke Saito, director Taro Yoko and composer Keiichi Okabe return, teaming up with character designer Akihiko Yoshida and PlatinumGames to present the next entry in the saga – NieR: Automata.
  22. agent13
    Oct 8, 2018
    8
    i'm not really a fan of jrpg but this game is amazing, the music is one of the bests you have ever experienced in a video game combat and gameplay is ok graphics could be better story is good depite it's slow pace
  23. SOLIDSNAKEN64
    Oct 2, 2017
    8
    Nier Automata is one of the best JRPGs that I have played this generation. That being said there where some things that kept me from giving this a perfect 10. I had put about 35 hrs into this game and something kept pulling me back to play and finish as much as I could. The story is entertaining and develops a lot more towards the end of the game. The controls are tight and the battleNier Automata is one of the best JRPGs that I have played this generation. That being said there where some things that kept me from giving this a perfect 10. I had put about 35 hrs into this game and something kept pulling me back to play and finish as much as I could. The story is entertaining and develops a lot more towards the end of the game. The controls are tight and the battle system is well done. Music in this game is great, but by the end of it you are tired of hearing the same songs. The RPG element isn't that in depth, you have plug in chips that you can customize to add different upgrades to your character and you have two weapons that you can use at a time that can be upgraded through NPC traders. This game is great for what it is but ultimately I feel like this game could of been an epic masterpiece if the devs had done some things differently. The big gripe I had with Nier was the graphics! It was like PS2/PS3 graphics, cmon this is next gen step it up. Also I didn't like having to play the first half of the game twice, one time as B2 to and the second as 9S just to get to the second half of the game. Also the simple fetch quests can get tiresome, and they could of had more rememberable NPCs and side quest. Could also use more of a variety of enemies, but there are some fun boss battles. Anyways I enjoyed my time with Nier just not as good of a game as it could of been! If you own a PS4 or PC definitely a game you should check out and experience yourself.… Expand
  24. likevin96
    Dec 28, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Completion: Endings A, B, C, D, E and a few extra ones on normal difficulty. 85% quest .

    Pros:
    - Great character design
    - One of the most innovative stories in years that only works within the medium. However, the more surprising parts of the game are less exciting if you have already played the original.
    - Great characters and character development - definitely some of the best in the medium. 9S stands out in particular.
    - Ending E is incredibly powerful and greatly synthesizes many of the themes presented throughout the game.
    - The narrative associated with the side quests are astonishing in how thematically consistent they are.
    - Battle system is a huge upgrade from the original. Although this is one of Platinum's weaker offerings in terms of the actual depth of combat, it serves its purpose and looks great.
    - Incredible soundtrack and voice acting. Overall, the sound direction is superb. The final credits song is a stand-out and might be my best track of the year.
    - Bullet hell parts are fun and stand out since they're so uncommon in modern games
    - A lot of cool ludonarrative tricks. Every single part of the "game" is also part of the narrative.

    Cons:
    - Awful map system. Although they do contextualize it within the game, still feels lacking.
    - Many parts of the game feel repetitive - particularly Route B. Although this is partially intentional, it doesn't make it any less boring to play.
    - Route C is underwritten. The narrative would have been greatly bolstered by just a little bit more explanation of what was going on. This is more or less true throughout the entire game, but it is critically lacking here.
    - Side quests are simple fetch quests.
    - Weapon system is poor. Few if any weapons feel significantly different from each other (only 4 main categories) besides from appearance. For a 40 hour game, greater variation in weapon type or weapon movesets would be very much welcome. Same basic principle applies to the pod weapons.
    - Many janky parts such as the millions of invisible walls littering the environment.
    - Environments are ugly. Resemble a last-gen MMO.
    - Traversing the world is very annoying before you can fast travel.

    Final Word:
    NieR: Automata is a fantastic and unique experience, even more so if you have never played the original NieR. Although the combat and navigation can become repetitive and sometimes even frustrating, the incredible soundtrack, voice acting, lore, and narrative more than make up for it. Yoko Taro's voice truly shines through in this monumental title.

    True Score:
    8.6    … Expand
  25. kotymba
    Mar 7, 2017
    8
    I was skeptical before playing NieR: Automata. It looks like anime, which I'm not keen on. But a few hours in this game broke the ice in my heart. As all games it has some pros and cons. Obviously pros are challenging gameplay on hard, very impressive music and interesting story. And cons.. I want to warn you that I'm mean and jealous Sony fan. An when it was announced that this game willI was skeptical before playing NieR: Automata. It looks like anime, which I'm not keen on. But a few hours in this game broke the ice in my heart. As all games it has some pros and cons. Obviously pros are challenging gameplay on hard, very impressive music and interesting story. And cons.. I want to warn you that I'm mean and jealous Sony fan. An when it was announced that this game will be released on PC too, I felt upset. I have expectation that this IP become a new exclusive diamond on PS crown, but damn it Square Enix! Imho it will be cracked in a couple days after Steam release. Now I'm even regret about my Amazon order(… Expand
  26. Rebelllion
    Mar 7, 2017
    8
    Graphics are very subpar, game looks like it came out 10 years ago or more. Aside from the intro that will most likely cause a ton of frustration if you didn't play the demo, the game is great. At first I thought it would be nothing like the original Nier, but it definitely lives up to the name. Just very sad they completely copped out on the graphics.
  27. ikatyanman
    Mar 10, 2017
    8
    Story: 10/10
    good story
    multi ending system

    Sound: 10/10
    Best ost I've heard in a videogame in recent years.

    Gameplay: 10/10
    Fun and addicting.

    Replayability: 10/10
    26 endings nuff said.

    Graphics: 8/10
    better
  28. dr0nzer
    Apr 6, 2020
    8
    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... I'm sure I'll get it on my next playthrough.    … Expand
  29. marcelus
    Mar 17, 2017
    8
    A Yoko Taro with great gameplay. Maybe not the deepest Platinum Games combat system but the sum of all things makes a great product. The soundtrack by Keiichi Okabe with vocals by Emi Evans. The story which can be deep for fans but also can be enjoyed by newcomers on the first Route (Route A Ending). Maybe the fans wanted more screen time for old characters and the cameo of a special oneA Yoko Taro with great gameplay. Maybe not the deepest Platinum Games combat system but the sum of all things makes a great product. The soundtrack by Keiichi Okabe with vocals by Emi Evans. The story which can be deep for fans but also can be enjoyed by newcomers on the first Route (Route A Ending). Maybe the fans wanted more screen time for old characters and the cameo of a special one from a previous game but they game worth it every single penny. I would write tons of lines about NieR with spoilers and all...You'll know if you become Drag-On Dragoon | NieR fan as I am now. BTW those shooters parts...Yoko Taro...you did it! :)… Expand
  30. PurplePoodlez
    Mar 24, 2017
    8
    To start off this review I believe it to be of note that this is my first time ever experiencing a Platinum game. With that being said I must say I was very much impressed with this game. Nier Automata is a game that takes place in the distant future where you take the role of a character named 2b and fight through a seemingly endless wave of "mindless" robots to complete your mission.To start off this review I believe it to be of note that this is my first time ever experiencing a Platinum game. With that being said I must say I was very much impressed with this game. Nier Automata is a game that takes place in the distant future where you take the role of a character named 2b and fight through a seemingly endless wave of "mindless" robots to complete your mission.

    The story in Nier Automata isn't one your likely to forget anytime soon as it plays out similarly to something straight out of an anime. While you may like anime this type or story telling leads to some cliche character personality and behavior making my personal experience a little less enjoyable. Even so throughout the whole game i never once felt bored of the characters, yes they maybe a little cliche but its handled very well through great voice acting and seemingly perfect soundtrack execution. Throughout my experience with the story I can say that Nier provides a great sense of direction and gives a peculiar sense of wonder as you hope to discover a deeper truth as to why the machines on earth are acting the way they do.

    Game play feels very solid and smooth and gives a great sense of accomplishment when taking down a hard boss. Though combat is buttery smooth I feel like there too much to spam instead of having well timed dodges I found myself just kinda spamming the dodge button while being attacked by a boss or a handful of enemies. My problems with the combat is that even after 12+ hrs of game play i still find spam to be the most effective way to dodge and counter attack my enemies. Nier Automata's combat mechanics pulls straight from the books of a dark souls game, be it this game is more forgiving through your skill and upgrades, once you die you will lose them unless you go back to your body and retrieve your skill chips. This death system made me feel like I actually had something to lose if I died and provided me some great incentive to not just Rambo and die, but think about my next attack and if I should be saving my missile salvo for the next wave or use it now. Nier Automata's combat in game play I can say has given my the most fun I have had in gaming in awhile

    Other things to note would be the performance of this game and how the PC port doesn't seem to run smoothly and needs more optimization

    in conclusion I can confidently say that if you are not planing on picking Nier Automata up for your PC/console in the future that your are doing yourself a disservice    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best PS4 Game of 2017
6
#6 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017
6
#6 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 101 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 98 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 101
  3. Negative: 0 out of 101
  1. Gamers' Temple
    Aug 21, 2018
    95
    NieR Automata: Beyond Gods Edition was a total shock to me with how much I enjoyed it. It takes a very solid experience for me to enjoy an RPG lately and NieR grabbed me quite well from the beginning and kept me entertained throughout. It's the type of game where I want to do everything that I possibly can just to make the experience longer - a type of game I rarely find nowadays. I went into NieR Autamata with no expectations other than the good gameplay that I usually find from Platinum Games, I went away floored with a near perfect action game.
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  2. Power Unlimited
    Oct 19, 2017
    87
    NieR: Automata is not for everybody. In fact, the game looks to be aimed at the most refined fans of the medium by not caring about the regular gaming conventions, in the same way the works of David Lynch are perfect for the hardcore moviegoers.
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  3. games(TM)
    Jun 14, 2017
    80
    Melancholic, wistful and creative at every turn. [Issue#186, p.80]
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