NieR: Automata

About NieR: Automata

NieR: Automata dropped in February 2017 from PlatinumGames and Square Enix for PlayStation 4 and PC. You play as androids 2B, 9S, and A2 fighting machine lifeforms that drove humans to the Moon. The setting is a ruined Earth where a constant war rages between synthetic soldiers and their mechanical foes. This action RPG mixes hack and slash combat with deep narrative elements. It asks heavy questions about existence while delivering fast-paced fights. The game arrived nearly seven years ago yet still feels fresh in its design choices and storytelling approach.

Gameplay

Sessions involve switching between two androids as you clear zones filled with enemies. You dodge, parry, and unleash combos using melee weapons or ranged attacks like guns and homing missiles. Combat feels snappy because your character moves quickly through open areas. You can customize loadouts by equipping different programs to change stats or add effects. A typical hour includes fighting waves of robots, solving environmental puzzles, and checking data logs. The game occasionally shifts perspectives to show the same events from another character's viewpoint. Boss fights require pattern recognition since your attacks need precise timing to break their defenses.

What Players Think

Critics and players rate this title highly with an IGDB score of 88 out of 100 based on 1457 ratings. The community describes the vibe as intense, atmospheric, or strategic depending on the playthrough. Most users spend a significant amount of time exploring every nook and cranny to find all endings. Average completion rates vary wildly since many players hunt for specific secrets. Review snippets often mention how the story catches you off guard near the end. Some players report feeling emotional weight during certain plot twists while others focus on mastering the combat system. The mood shifts from chaotic action to quiet reflection as the narrative progresses.

PlayPile's Take

This game is worth your time if you enjoy long stories with tough battles and want to see multiple endings. You need to spend roughly 25 hours to finish the main route but aim for 40+ for everything. The price on Steam fluctuates but rarely exceeds standard new release costs. There are no multiplayer features so expect a solo experience focused on narrative delivery. PlatinumGames delivers a title that challenges players emotionally while testing their reflexes. Do not skip the credits scene as it contains crucial context for the entire journey.

Storyline

The distant future… Invaders from another world attack without warning, unleashing a new type of threat: weapons known as “machine lifeforms.” In the face of this insurmountable threat, mankind is driven from Earth and takes refuge on the Moon. The Council of Humanity organizes a resistance of android soldiers in an effort to take back their planet. To break the deadlock, the Resistance deploys a new unit of android infantry: YoRHa . In the forsaken wasteland below, the war between the machines and the androids rages on. A war that is soon to unveil the long-forgotten truth of this world...