You're enjoying NieR: Automata without any major plot details.
You're enjoying NieR: Automata without any major plot details.
I've heard positive feedback about NieR: Automata and have been wanting to try it for some time. While I generally don’t enjoy platinum titles (some of my favorites include Vanquish), I decided to give this one a shot thanks to its compelling narrative. After about ten hours, I’m roughly at the crater and the boss fight inside. I have mixed feelings about the game—some parts really appeal, while others feel repetitive. The PC version isn’t great, which is a separate issue. The story alone is engaging, but the excessive content can be overwhelming. I expected more dynamic combat with combos and variety, but it mostly offers simple sequences ending in a heavy finisher. In some cases, 9S cluttered the screen, making navigation difficult. I wish I could play without him, as he often distracts from the main experience. The visuals are also disappointing compared to what I expect after Resident Evil 7. Despite these flaws, I’m willing to keep playing because there’s still a lot of entertainment value. I’d prefer more action and less tedious side tasks. Or at least better storytelling. Please share your opinions on the game!
I tried just the demo—it showed me it wasn’t my usual style. But the music and story really caught my attention. I then watched another player’s performance on YouTube and purchased the soundtrack. It’s understandable why it can feel repetitive in many games.
It’s not about repetition at all; the timing feels off in some places. Much of the game is slow and pauses when you’re moving quickly. But there are moments that change things—shifts to side-scrolling, top-down shooters, or aerial sections—that add variety. I’m getting more comfortable with the experience. There are still engaging characters, like the forest animal enthusiast, even though their interactions aren’t always deep. The robots are charming and well-designed, making the character growth of 2B more noticeable. I’m a bit concerned about the direction the story is heading, but if it holds up, I’ll be surprised. One thing that bothers me is how the androids seem overly confident toward other machines. It might be central to the plot, yet their belief in superiority isn’t clear. This could relate to how each faction began. And the soundtrack is exceptional—definitely a reason it won top music awards at the last VGA.
I enjoyed it in the early sessions then I reached the machine village—it turned into one of my favorite games. The walking and grinding faded into something I can't describe clearly. It's a magical realm, a strange place, a melancholic one. I'm on my fourth playthrough now.
The game's design has an unusual structure. Unlike most titles that mark clear transitions between missions, here quests and events blend seamlessly. You often move from one activity to another without any warning or prompt. There are no on-screen messages or cutscenes signaling major story shifts, and sometimes you can simply exit the area. This made it difficult to understand whether I was on a main quest or not during the early stages. It's a unique experience that feels quite different from typical gameplay.
I began using it on my PC last summer. It wasn't playable unless I used 720p with high settings. I quit after the Amusement Park. I recently purchased it for the PS4, and it works much better.
the game offers a unique way of telling stories. it’s not linear, so you need to piece things together, similar to Dark Souls in its repetition. yes, the fetching and back-and-forth can be frustrating, but most quests provide an engaging narrative that enriches the world. it adds value, even though performance is lacking without the far mod. it also didn’t help that Squeenix never updated this game.
I reached the conclusion of path A. It seemed a bit predictable, or perhaps you could say it lacked excitement. There’s definitely something missing here. Of course, I’m aware there are alternative routes, and I’ve already begun on path B, which I’m really looking forward to exploring. Since I promised no spoilers, I’ll hold back further details, but those familiar with the game will recognize path B. I’m hoping the overall journey remains consistent from the start (I’ve reached the bunker so far). I believe this will be engaging as we fill in the gaps and develop the story further. Still, some boss battles stood out to me as particularly inventive. I haven’t played another title where you face a boss in complete darkness—only seeing the red light in its eyes—or amid a massive sandstorm, barely able to discern your opponent’s moves or position. And the line “we shall become as gods” really struck a chord! It was quite captivating!
[Spoilers for route A]: The emptiness came from the Adam and Eve narrative. It felt rushed; I longed for deeper insight into them. There were just a few key moments—birth, an alien ship battle, two boss fights. More encounters with them would be welcome. There’s still plenty to uncover, possibly in another path or even the YoRHa soldiers story. That part is definitely worth exploring.]
I tried the Japanese voice acting—it’s a big improvement! As expected. However, this game isn’t ideal for Japanese narration. The story is rich, but the subtitles are difficult to read due to font and color choices. There are also dialogue lines during fight sequences, which makes it even harder. If I want to increase difficulty, I have to focus on combat rather than reading. I read slowly, so sometimes I miss the end of a subtitle before it changes. Worse still, the voiceovers often arrive too late—characters start speaking and then the text pops up seconds later. It’s frustrating. Comparing it to the beginning of route B on YouTube, the English feels inadequate (Nii-chan). Maybe I’ll need to save separately and play through both versions. Have you tried the Japanese voice? What are your thoughts?
Oh no! Is this game ever going to finish? I just wrapped up my second run and began the third. WOW! All that time I invested seems to have been just a small part of it! And it's already passed 30 hours! HOLY BALLS! It keeps improving! The main storyline is becoming more engaging, it doesn't feel as scattered as before. It now feels like the true experience. This is really surprising. I'm not used to games needing this much time. Back when I played The Witcher 3, it took over 100 hours, and I haven't even started the expansions yet, but that was a different situation. Plus, with all the branching paths, it feels like multiple games are combined here. It reminds me of The Legacy of Kain in terms of storytelling, except everything is contained in one game. Also, since I started on the third playthrough, I understand why the first two were designed that way. Although it seems the first one had too little detail compared to route B, route B really brought me closer to 9S and made me care about him, which fits perfectly with what route C does. It's great writing! I just wish this game didn't take up all my free time...
I really attempted to enjoy Nier, but I couldn’t find an android with emotions or anything. That broke my immersion because they’re just code designed to function, not feel pain, sadness, or happiness—they’d only act if it seemed real. A friend who played the game said they’re meant to be so advanced that androids can mimic those traits, but I still struggled to play it.