NieR:Automata™

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 42,765 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
NieR:Automata™ Game Cover
Hands down, one of the smartest action titles Platinum Games has ever put out, with a rousing score and some of the best narrative ideas I’ve seen in a videogame.
Starting at $23.65Buy now
Get on Steam

In NieR: Automata, players control combat androids fighting to reclaim a post-apocalyptic Earth from machines. The game features action-packed combat, a deep and engaging story, and multiple endings based on player choices. With its stunning visuals and immersive soundtrack, NieR: Automata offers a unique and unforgettable experience for fans of action RPGs.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 42,765 reviews
story8,970 positive mentions
optimization558 negative mentions
  • story21,718 mentions

    The story of *Nier: Automata* is widely praised for its depth and emotional impact, exploring complex themes such as existentialism, identity, and the nature of humanity through the perspectives of androids in a post-apocalyptic world. Players often highlight the game's unique storytelling approach, which requires multiple playthroughs to fully appreciate the narrative's intricacies and character development, making it a compelling experience that resonates long after completion. However, some critiques mention that the gameplay can feel repetitive and that certain side quests detract from the overall narrative flow.

    • “The story is absolutely beautiful, the game looks visually great and the combat is very fun.”
    • “Nier: automata is a masterpiece that masterfully blends its unique, captivating storyline with innovative gameplay.”
    • “The story is a rollercoaster of emotions, exploring existential themes, the nature of consciousness, and the price of war.”
    • “I did not care for the story.”
    • “I saw pretty much every plot twist coming a mile away.”
    • “The story of your first playthrough is nothing to write home about, but people praise the 'full/true' story.”
  • music9,651 mentions

    The music in "Nier: Automata" is widely praised as one of its standout features, with many reviewers calling it a masterpiece that enhances the game's emotional depth and atmosphere. Composed by Keiichi Okabe, the soundtrack is noted for its dynamic nature, seamlessly adapting to gameplay scenarios and evoking a range of emotions, from melancholy to exhilaration. Overall, the music is considered integral to the game's storytelling, making it a must-listen even outside of the gaming experience.

    • “In my opinion, the best selling point is the music, the animations, but above all the way the story is told.”
    • “The music gives you chills, has an amazing story that tears your heart out, and the combat can be quite satisfying.”
    • “Nier: Automata is breathtakingly beautiful and profoundly sad, with one of the greatest soundtracks in the history of video games.”
    • “The environments are ugly, the music is generic, and all the characters are stale.”
    • “The music makes me depressed.”
    • “The soundtrack is terrible and doesn't match the gameplay at all.”
  • gameplay8,329 mentions

    The gameplay of *Nier: Automata* is characterized by its dynamic blend of genres, seamlessly transitioning between hack-and-slash combat, bullet hell mechanics, and platforming elements, which keeps the experience fresh and engaging. While many players appreciate the fluidity and variety of combat styles, some criticize the repetitiveness and simplicity of certain mechanics, particularly during multiple playthroughs. Overall, the gameplay is generally well-received, with a strong emphasis on customization and strategic depth through the use of plug-in chips, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more challenging or complex combat system.

    • “Nier: Automata is a crazy, beautiful, and highly entertaining journey full of nutty ideas and awesome gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, the story is gripping, and the graphics are stunning.”
    • “Nier: Automata excels in its gameplay, offering a seamless blend of hack-and-slash combat, RPG elements, and bullet-hell mechanics.”
    • “The second playthrough is way too similar and boring; it adds new random story cutscenes here and there (with bad pacing and loading times!) sprinkled in between gameplay without any reason for why we see them now.”
    • “If the gameplay is overall boring, you have ever-changing camera angles and the game doesn't let you finish the side quests to learn more about the world, then it's hard to chore through the same story over and over again just for bits and pieces of new information.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly boring.”
  • graphics4,109 mentions

    The graphics of Nier: Automata have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the game features a unique art style and beautiful character designs, the overall graphical fidelity is often considered dated, especially for a title released in 2017. Some players have experienced performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly on the PC version, which is seen as poorly optimized compared to its console counterparts. However, the game's aesthetic and atmosphere, combined with its compelling story and soundtrack, often overshadow these graphical shortcomings, making it a memorable experience for many.

    • “The graphics of this version are understandably better than that of the Switch.”
    • “The graphics are so gorgeous that I thought my monitor got an upgrade to 4K, even though it's still in full HD.”
    • “Graphically, 'Nier: Automata' does not aim for photorealism, but its artistic direction is impeccable.”
    • “The graphics are outdated if we go by today's standard, but remember this was released years ago and if we go by the standards back then, this is definitely top tier.”
    • “The graphics seemed like a game from 2007, the prologue was insanely difficult to complete in the first try, gameplay felt basic and mid at max.”
    • “The graphics are not top of the line for the time (2017), but the art style and level design made me stop and stare at open vistas countless times during my playthrough.”
  • emotional2,174 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Nier: Automata" is widely praised, with players describing it as a profound and heart-wrenching experience that often leaves them in tears. The game's narrative intricately weaves themes of existence, identity, and the nature of humanity, resonating deeply with players and prompting intense emotional responses. The haunting soundtrack further amplifies these feelings, making the journey through its multiple endings not just a gameplay experience, but an emotional rollercoaster that lingers long after the game is completed.

    • “The choices you are forced to make during the game are extremely heart-wrenching, but trust me, it’s worth it.”
    • “The story is an emotional rollercoaster, and the soundtrack—a stunning blend of orchestral and choral pieces—amplifies every moment, making it hit you right in the feels.”
    • “Nier: Automata is a masterpiece that will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride.”
    • “Insanely boring storyline, no character development at all.”
    • “Plus the second play-through barely updates the story, you just get a little bit of additional info on the boring story you've already heard.”
    • “Mediocre will either tell good stories but boring gameplay, or fun gameplay but a boring story.”
  • optimization1,753 mentions

    The optimization of "Nier: Automata" on PC has been widely criticized, with many users reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some players have managed to achieve stable performance through community mods like "far," the game is still considered poorly optimized out of the box, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Overall, the lack of official patches and support from the developers has left the community to address these issues themselves, which detracts from the game's otherwise acclaimed narrative and gameplay.

    • “Performance: stable 60fps.”
    • “I recommend using the FAR/Special K mod to enhance the experience as it adds several quality of life fixes and performance improvements as well as allowing higher framerates and resolution for the game to run at.”
    • “Despite the performance hiccups, it is one of my most memorable experiences in gaming.”
    • “It has poor optimization; it's really bad and it can't be stable at 60 fps even with a mid-range PC.”
    • “This game is so poorly optimized it's unreal.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized for PC, even fan fixes cannot fix this game!”
  • grinding673 mentions

    The aspect of "grinding" in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly when it comes to leveling up, farming materials, and completing side quests. While some appreciate the option to purchase missed achievements to alleviate the grind, others feel that the repetitive nature of tasks and the need for multiple playthroughs to unlock all endings can detract from the overall experience. However, some players also note that the engaging story and combat mechanics can make the grinding feel less burdensome, especially for those who enjoy exploring and completing side content.

    • “All I can say without spoiling anything is thank god the grind isn't as tedious as Replicant's.”
    • “It's not very grindy, as long as you pick up every item you come across on the ground.”
    • “You have great fighting skills from the start and level them up to do more damage as you go along, so you're not grinding to stay alive.”
    • “The game is grindy for sure, but I can't complain much since I've invested 15 hours into it.”
    • “The only thing levels do is seem to gatekeep bosses behind grinding enemies for hours, which isn't easy to do because the overland map isn't exactly full of enemies to grind on.”
    • “The gameplay can get a bit tedious and repetitive after a while, but there's still fresh things to enjoy.”
  • atmosphere673 mentions

    The atmosphere of *Nier: Automata* is widely praised for its haunting beauty and emotional depth, enhanced by a phenomenal soundtrack that complements the game's narrative and environments. Players appreciate the richly detailed world, which evokes a sense of melancholy and nostalgia, drawing them into its post-apocalyptic setting filled with engaging characters and lore. Overall, the combination of immersive sound design, artistic visuals, and a compelling story creates a uniquely atmospheric experience that resonates deeply with players.

    • “The atmosphere, the music, the colors, the voice lines (better choose Japanese) create a breathtaking experience.”
    • “The combination of atmospheric environments, stunning character design, and a haunting soundtrack creates an unforgettable atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The music, atmosphere, and story are high points of this game, creating a deeply immersive experience.”
    • “Maybe the game's creative atmosphere, aesthetics, and the 4th-wall breaking easter eggs cater to some, but I personally got bored and dropped it.”
    • “Beautiful artwork but dull color palette which I get the purpose of as it sets the appropriate mood, but it also gets boring to see the same scenery and dull atmosphere all the time.”
    • “The open world has decent atmosphere but adds little to the experience, mainly providing spaces for the developers to place side-quest givers.”
  • character development603 mentions

    Character development in "Nier: Automata" receives mixed reviews, with many praising the depth and emotional arcs of characters like 2B, 9S, and A2, particularly through side quests that enhance their backstories. However, some players feel that the main characters could have been developed further, citing instances of shallow interactions and forced character growth. Overall, while the character designs are widely appreciated, the narrative's complexity and philosophical themes often overshadow the character development, leading to a varied reception among players.

    • “The character development throughout the game is amazing!”
    • “The character development is beautiful, the level of detail they put into the functionality of the design of the flight units is also notable.”
    • “The story is emotional and thought-provoking with excellent character development.”
    • “The pacing is terrible too; route C/D in particular progressed way too fast for any meaningful character development and just feels forced.”
    • “Character development doesn't seem justified beyond their generic anime tags.”
    • “The bad dialogue really makes the characters completely unlikeable, except the pods, which are robot servers with supposedly no personality, yet they managed to be more interesting characters than the entire rest of the cast.”
  • stability466 mentions

    The stability of the PC port of Nier: Automata has been widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and graphical glitches that significantly detract from the gameplay experience. While some players have managed to enjoy the game without major issues—often thanks to community mods like FAR—others have found it nearly unplayable due to persistent technical problems. Overall, the consensus indicates that the game remains a buggy and unoptimized experience on PC, particularly for those without high-end hardware or the willingness to troubleshoot extensively.

    • “I wholeheartedly enjoyed the gameplay, boss fights, visuals, soundtracks, and the fact that there were no glitches commonly associated with games of this size.”
    • “The game is gorgeous, and with the new patch they've released, it runs great.”
    • “This game is very well developed with no glitches that I could find through the like 45 hours of playing this game.”
    • “Saving bug which deletes your saves completely, and I got a bug that freezes and crashes the game as you bring up the saving menu... which pulled me back several hours of gameplay.”
    • “The game is very buggy and unfinished, and you need a mod to play it properly.”
    • “Game freezes after 20 minutes.”
  • replayability413 mentions

    Nier: Automata is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, primarily due to its multiple endings—26 in total—that encourage players to explore different narrative perspectives and secrets. The game’s New Game Plus mode and various side quests further enhance its replay value, making it a compelling experience that rewards players for multiple playthroughs. While some players note that replayability may diminish after achieving all endings, the overall consensus is that the game offers significant content and depth that keeps players engaged.

    • “With multiple endings that offer new perspectives and insights, Nier: Automata encourages replayability and rewards players for delving deeper into its narrative.”
    • “The game's replayability is further enhanced by its new game plus mode, which allows players to carry over their progress and discover additional secrets that may have eluded them on their first playthrough.”
    • “The multiple endings and hidden secrets make Nier: Automata highly replayable.”
    • “Overall it is pretty short if you stick to the main quest, but it offers replayability in unlocking the other endings (which I almost certainly won't do).”
    • “The multiple endings provide a depth that encourages replayability, offering new perspectives and revelations with each playthrough.”
    • “The game's multiple endings add to the replayability and encourage multiple playthroughs to fully understand the story.”
  • humor392 mentions

    The humor in the game is a blend of dark, absurd, and self-aware elements, often juxtaposed with its serious themes, creating a unique emotional experience. Players appreciate the quirky character interactions, funny side quests, and unexpected joke endings that provide comic relief amidst the game's heavier moments. Overall, the humor is well-integrated, enhancing the narrative while also delivering memorable and often hilarious moments.

    • “It's a really somber, often sad game at times, with its dreary post-apocalyptic settings and the horrible things the characters go through, yet it also has so many weirdly funny and cute moments to balance it out.”
    • “The storyline is also well-rounded - serious, emotional, and funny at times.”
    • “The humor in the game is just about perfect.”
    • “It is full of bugs that are not fixed, which is painfully obvious from the very beginning. It's frustrating and unnecessarily unfunny, seemingly on purpose. It insults me by suggesting a pad as the primary way of playing, and it does not even properly support keyboard and mouse.”
    • “Seriously, this port is so bugged it's not funny.”
    • “Not funny.”
  • monetization24 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over microtransactions and perceived cash grabs, particularly regarding DLC and advertising practices. Some users feel misled by marketing that promises uncensored content, only to find it altered post-purchase. Conversely, a few players appreciate the absence of microtransactions, highlighting a return to more traditional gaming experiences.

    • “This is much better than many 'modern' games that focus on visual effects and monetization.”
    • “Great game without any microtransactions.”
    • “It reminds me of the old games before games started being butchered up with microtransactions and incomplete messes.”
    • “The lack of satisfactory answers to the questions that have emerged among Steam customers and Xbox Game Pass subscribers, coupled with uncertainty regarding the company's intellectual property monetization policies, do not help players stay calm.”
    • “Quest design ripped from MMORPGs, microtransactions straight from TCGs, endless lists of season passes, and just a general fear of anything you could call unique design.”
    • “What is really upsetting is the audacity the developers had releasing a DLC before even fixing this piece of shit PS4 cash grab port.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy NieR:Automata™

Play time

34hMedian play time
37hAverage play time
21hMain story
61hCompletionist
9-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 307 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News