Game Review – Nier: Automata – BECOME AS GODS Edition (Xbox One X)

Nier: Automata is an action RPG that was developed by Platinum Games and published by Square Enix, releasing in 2017. The events of the 14th Machine War unfold through three main characters perspectives, 2B, 9S and A2, whom fight as the last remnants of human civilization against otherworldly invaders.

Set in the year 11945 AD, the story revolves around a proxy war between the human-made androids and the machine army of invaders from another world. The “YoRHa” android forces are commanded from the Bunker, a reconnaissance base in orbit above Earth. They fight alongside the pre-YoRHa androids on Earth (known as the Resistance) to drive back the Machines.

The initial protagonist is 2B, a YoRHa combat android. 2B is accompanied by 9S, a male “scanner” android who displays more emotion than the other YoRHa units. Furthermore, the androids are supported by Pod 042 and Pod 153, floating box-like robots that act as ranged weapons. The first and second playthroughs follow the respective views of 2B and 9S during an initial invasion.

Players take the role of combat androids from the YoRHa units across an open world environment. The player can complete side quests for non-playable characters found throughout the world. Shops available in hub locations allow the player to purchase items, including consumables that recover health. Automata features 26 different endings; five main endings lettered A to E, and 21 additional endings lettered F through Z. Additionally, these additional endings act as game over events triggered by performing certain actions.

Combat is hack and slash action-based. At different points, the gameplay changes to reflect different video game genres, ranging from shoot ’em up to text adventure segments. As characters progress, they gain experience levels, increasing their health, defence, and attack power. Character customization is handled through Chips, items installed into the player characters that adjust some of their attributes.

Nier: Automata is a special video game. It’s the type of experience that gets better the more that you play it. I’ll be the first to admit that the story can be a little hard to follow at times. However, once you’ve played it to completion it’s straightforward. Witnessing all of the endings is essential. I felt underwhelmed after the initial ending. You must see them all to understand and appreciate the whole thing. I found the story to be compelling throughout. It takes a number of fascinating twists and turns.

The story deals with a lot of complex themes. It’s all about consciousness and how that is defined. For example, what does it mean to be alive? Additionally, what makes us human? It’s all very interesting to consider. As a species, we’re flawed. What would become of machines that learned from such flawed beings? I really enjoyed playing as each character and seeing things from their perspective.

I wouldn’t call Nier: Automata open-world, it’s more semi-open. Still, it doesn’t feel small in scale. There are plenty of side quests. Unfortunately, most of them are of the “fetch quest” variety. I’d say that they are worth doing because they all flesh out the narrative in some way. Although, locating them can often be a frustrating experience due to the lacklustre map that makes navigation difficult.

The gameplay is solid as hell. The combat is simplistic but it makes you feel like a badass ninja with only a few button presses.

Nier: Automata is a very Japanese game. I mean that in the best way possible. It embraces its zany style and it’s better for it. The soundtrack is unconventional at times but it just fits so well. The female character models were clearly designed with sex appeal in mind. Who doesn’t want to play as a sexy ninja from space? There’s even an achievement for attempting to look up the skirt of 2B too many times.

With this in mind, I cannot think of a single thing about the game that I didn’t like (Other than the issues mentioned). It knows exactly what it wants to deliver and it does it flawlessly. Also, it combines a number of different gameplay styles excellently. It’s polished to perfection, I didn’t experience a single bug. There is an ending where you literally battle the end credits in a bullet-hell scenario. It feels endless but you’ll receive messages and help from other players encouraging you to keep going, it’s awesome. To summarize,  Nier: Automata is one of the best and most unique games that I have ever played.