Game Overview:

Nier:automata is an open world, action-RPG game developed by Platinum Games the creators of Bayonetta and Metal Gear Rising. The story takes place on earth where an extra-terrestrial force has unleashed a ruthless army known as the “machine lifeforms”, driving mankind into exile on the moon. Android 2B, one of the latest infantry models of the newly formed organization called “YoRHa,” is plunged into a bitter war to reclaim the planet.

The game received critical acclaim for its storytelling, music, and gameplay innovation. It earned multiple prestigious awards, including Best Score/Music at The Game Awards 2017, and was nominated for the RPG Game of the Year.

Nier:Automata explores deep philosophical themes including existentialism, artificial life, war, and conflict. The game tackles complex topics such as the nature of emotions and relationships through non-human characters, while examining fundamental questions about consciousness and what it means to be human.

The game carries a PEGI 18 rating for intense violence, strong language, and mature themes. Players should be aware that despite its anime-inspired aesthetic, the content is intended for adult audiences.

Analysis Overview:

For this review, we have processed over 46,000 public user reviews collected from the game's initial release until now. The top 5 most commented user tags of NieR:Automata are: Rich Story, Great Soundtrack, Action, Atmosphere and Open World. Let’s see what the review say.

Rich Story

a) Story Structure & Depth: 45% of reviews | Score: 9.2/10

"Everything that lives is designed to end”. This is more than just a tagline - it represents the intricate narrative structure that defines NieR: Automata's storytelling approach. The game employs multiple playthroughs, typically 3-5, that progressively reveal new story layers, with each iteration providing different character perspectives and plot revelations. While some reviews note initial confusion or slow pacing, the vast majority praise how subsequent playthroughs transform seemingly simple plot elements into a complex, interconnected narrative. The story spans 26 possible endings, labeled from A to Z, though the reviews indicate that reaching ending E provides the most complete narrative experience. This unusual structure allows the game to deliver a rich, layered story that evolves significantly beyond its initial premise about androids fighting machine life forms.

b) Emotional Impact & Engagement: 35% of reviews | Score: 9.4/10

How can a story about machines evoke such profound human emotions? The review data overwhelmingly indicates that NieR: Automata's narrative consistently triggers strong emotional responses from players. Numerous reviews describe experiencing tears, heartbreak, and emotional investment in the characters' journeys, with many noting they couldn't stop thinking about the story long after completion. The narrative tackles themes of existence, purpose, and humanity through its android and machine characters, creating what reviewers describe as an emotionally charged experience that ranges from moments of hope to deep despair. While some found the emotional elements overwhelming or melodramatic, the majority praise how the story builds genuine emotional connections with its characters despite - or perhaps because of - their artificial nature.

c) : Character Development : 20% of reviews | Score: 8.9/10

The story centers on androids 2B, 9S, and A2, whose complex relationships and personal journeys drive the narrative forward. Multiple playthroughs allow players to experience events from different character perspectives, adding depth to their motivations and relationships. Supporting characters, including machine lifeforms, receive substantial development through side quests and main story events. While some reviewers note that character development starts slowly, the majority praise how characters evolve throughout the story, particularly during later playthroughs. The interplay between android and machine characters allows the story to explore questions about humanity and consciousness through their interactions and growth.

The three core elements of NieR: Automata's storytelling work together to create a uniquely compelling experience. The multi-playthrough structure provides the foundation for delivering both emotional impact and philosophical depth, as each new perspective adds layers of meaning and connection. Though these elements could potentially clash or feel disjointed, the review data suggests they instead complement each other, with the emotional aspects making the philosophical themes more relatable and the structural complexity allowing for deeper exploration of both.

Great Soundtrack

a) Overall Quality : 45% of reviews | Score: 9.5/10

"Worth buying just for the music alone" appears repeatedly throughout the reviews, underscoring how the soundtrack stands as a masterpiece in its own right. The reviews consistently praise it as among the best video game soundtracks ever created, with numerous mentions of it deserving the Best Score at the 2017 Game Awards. The composition, led by Keiichi Okabe and his team, features over 40 distinct tracks that reviewers consistently rate as exceptional, with virtually no weak entries. Many players report purchasing the soundtrack separately to listen outside the game, indicating its strength as a standalone musical work. The universal praise extends across different player preferences and backgrounds, with even those who typically don't pay attention to game music noting its exceptional quality.

b) Emotional Impact and Atmosphere: 30% of reviews | Score: 9.3/10

"Can't listen to the soundtrack without wanting to cry" reflects how deeply the music affects players emotionally. The soundtrack evokes a wide range of feelings, from melancholy to excitement, with reviewers frequently mentioning getting goosebumps with the music. The compositions use a unique artificial language that combines elements of various world languages, creating an otherworldly yet emotionally accessible sound. Players specifically praise how each area's music perfectly captures its intended mood, from the haunting Amusement Park theme to the melancholic City Ruins tracks. The emotional impact appears to be long-lasting, with many players reporting that they continue to feel moved by the music long after completing the game.

c) Technical Implementation: 15% of reviews | Score: 9.2/10

How does music become an integral part of gameplay? The soundtracks, in Nier:Automata, employs a sophisticated dynamic layering system where each track has multiple versions, quiet, medium/dynamic with vocals, and 8-bit, that seamlessly transition based on the player's actions and location. This technical implementation creates a deeply immersive experience where the music responds organically to gameplay. Reviews particularly praise how the transitions between different versions of the same track feel natural and enhance the overall gaming experience.

d) Story Structure & Delivery: 10% of reviews | Score: 9.4/10

Where does NieR: Automata's soundtrack stand in gaming history? Reviewers consistently rank it among the greatest video game soundtracks ever created, frequently comparing it favorably to other highly regarded game scores like Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, and The Witcher 3. The compositions are often compared to high-quality orchestral works and film scores, with some reviewers placing it on par with composers like Hans Zimmer. Many players indicate that this soundtrack surpasses even the highly regarded music of the original NieR game, suggesting a significant achievement in game music evolution.

The soundtrack of NieR: Automata represents a remarkable achievement where technical excellence meets emotional resonance. Its overall quality is reinforced by its sophisticated dynamic implementation, which in turn enhances its profound emotional impact. When players make comparisons, they consistently place it among the greatest game soundtracks ever created, highlighting how each aspect - from composition to implementation - works in harmony to create a uniquely compelling musical experience.

Action

a) Combat System: 45% of reviews | Score: 8.5/10

“Combat is silk smooth" Similar descriptions echoes throughout hundreds of player reviews discussing NieR: Automata's combat system. The game features a fluid, fast-paced combat system that combines hack-and-slash mechanics with bullet hell elements. Players can utilize different weapon types and combinations, creating varied movesets and combat styles that remain engaging throughout multiple playthroughs. While some reviewers note that the combat can become repetitive or feel button-mashy on lower difficulties, the majority praise its smooth animations, responsive controls, and satisfying feedback. The system incorporates both melee and ranged combat through the Pod system, allowing players to chain together complex combinations of attacks.

b) Genre Hybridization: 30% of reviews | Score: 8/10

How does a game seamlessly blend multiple genres into one cohesive experience? NieR: Automata achieves this through its dynamic perspective shifts and gameplay variations. The game frequently transitions between third-person action, top-down shooting, side-scrolling platforming, and bullet hell sequences. These transitions serve both mechanical and narrative purposes, keeping the gameplay fresh while maintaining flow. Many reviewers specifically praise how naturally the game switches between these different styles, though some mention that certain segments, particularly hacking sequences, can become tedious. The variety in gameplay styles helps prevent monotony while adding depth to the overall experience.

c) Accessibility vs Depth: 25% of reviews | Score: 8/10

NieR: Automata strikes a careful balance between accessibility and complexity in its action elements. The basic combat system is described as easy to learn but offers additional depth through its chip system, weapon combinations, and difficulty options. Players can customize their experience significantly, with some noting that higher difficulties transform the game into a challenging action experience while others appreciate the ability to focus more on the story. The game's multiple playthrough structure introduces new mechanics and perspectives gradually. Some reviewers mention a steep initial learning curve, particularly during the unskippable prologue, but most agree that the systems become intuitive with time.

NieR: Automata's action elements are built on three interconnected pillars. The core combat provides the foundation, while the genre hybridization keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging across multiple playthroughs. These elements are tied together by an accessibility system that allows players to engage with the action at their preferred level of challenge, from story-focused to intense action gameplay.

Atmospheric

a) Visual/Environmental Design: 45% of reviews | Score: 9/10

The game presents a post-apocalyptic setting through a distinctive visual lens that blends desolation with beauty. The environment features abandoned cities reclaimed by nature and varied locations from eerie amusement parks to mysterious forests. While some reviewers note dated textures and technical limitations, the art direction receives consistent praise for creating memorable vistas and maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. The muted color palette and occasional performance issues on PC are mentioned as minor drawbacks, but they rarely detract from the overall visual impact. Dynamic camera angles and seamless transitions between different gameplay perspectives add to the environmental storytelling.

b) World/Setting Atmosphere: 30% of reviews | Score: 8.8/10

The ruined Earth of NieR: Automata presents a haunting vision of humanity's absence. The game creates a distinct melancholic mood through its portrayal of a world where nature has reclaimed civilization's remnants. Reviews consistently highlight how each area tells its own story through environmental details. The atmosphere shifts naturally between moments of quiet desolation and intense action. Players often report spending time simply exploring and absorbing the ambiance of different locations. While some note that certain areas feel empty or limited by invisible walls, the overall world-building successfully maintains its somber yet captivating atmosphere throughout the experience.

c) Emotional Impact : 25% of reviews | Score: 9/10

The atmospheric elements combine to create a deeply affecting emotional experience that resonates with players long after completion. Reviews frequently mention how the game's atmosphere contributes to feelings ranging from melancholy to wonder, often within the same area or sequence. The blending of music, visuals, and narrative creates moments that many players describe as powerful enough to bring them to tears. The game's atmosphere supports its philosophical themes about existence and humanity, though some note that the emotional impact can feel overwhelming at times. Notably, players often describe finding beauty in the game's darker moments, suggesting a carefully crafted balance in its emotional delivery.

These categories show how NieR: Automata's atmospheric elements work together to create a uniquely memorable experience, with each aspect supporting and enhancing the others. The data suggests that while individual components might have minor flaws, their combination creates an atmosphere that consistently exceeds the sum of its parts.

Open World

a) World Design & Aesthetics: 35% of reviews | Score: 8.5/10

"The world is vast, beautiful and perfect to explore!" This sentiment echoes throughout numerous reviews of NieR: Automata's post-apocalyptic setting. The game world showcases diverse environments ranging from desolate cityscapes and abandoned factories to lush forests and haunting amusement parks. Each area features distinct visual themes and atmospheric qualities, enhanced by dynamic music that changes based on location and story progression. While some players note that certain areas can feel empty or sparse, this design choice appears intentional to reinforce the game's post-apocalyptic narrative. The environmental storytelling is particularly praised, with ruins and remnants of civilization scattered, to create a sense of history and mystery.

b) Content & Exploration: 30% of reviews | Score: 8/10

Does Nier:Automata’s world encourage exploration? The review data strongly suggests it does, with numerous reviewers highlighting the rewarding nature of venturing off the beaten path. The game world is packed with side quests that consistently tie back to the main themes and expand the game's lore. Players report discovering hidden weapons, secret bosses, and meaningful narrative content in tucked-away corners of the map. While the world isn't as expansive as some modern open-world games, reviewers frequently praise its density and thoughtful design that encourages exploration without becoming overwhelming. The addition of fast travel later in the game helps the occasional tedium of backtracking.

c) World Size & Structure: 20% of reviews | Score: 8.5/10

The soundtrack's structural elements demonstrate sophisticated integration with the game's systems and narrative. Each character and team possesses unique musical themes that reflect their personalities and backgrounds, while different locations feature distinct atmospheric compositions. The implementation of vocal tracks at key story moments receives particular praise, with reviews noting how lyrics change to match story developments and character choices. The music system creates dynamic variations during the Rites, with the intensity and instrumentation adapting to match the action. Several reviews highlight how the soundtrack includes multiple versions of key pieces, including acoustic variations performed by in-game characters, adding depth to the world-building.

d) Technical Implementation: 15% of reviews | Score: 8/10

What technical challenges impact the open world experience? The data reveals a mixed but mostly positive picture of NieR: Automata's technical implementation. The seamless transitions between areas and varying camera perspectives receive particular praise for their smooth execution. However, PC players frequently mention the need for community mods to address performance issues and resolution problems. The in-game map system draws criticism from some players for being confusing or difficult to navigate, particularly early in the game. Despite these technical problems, most reviewers indicate that any issues don't significantly detract from the overall experience, especially once fast travel becomes available and players become familiar with the layout.

NieR:Automata Review