NieR:Automata™
Action
RPG
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Steam Trading Cards
Partial Controller Support
Steam Cloud
Remote Play on Phone
Remote Play on Tablet
Family Sharing

NieR: Automata tells the story of androids 2B, 9S and A2 and their battle to reclaim the machine-driven dystopia overrun by powerful machines.

Developers: Square Enix PlatinumGames Inc.
Publishers: Square Enix
Release Date: Mar 17, 2017
Price (USD): $39.99
Current Players: 1k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(90%)
thought-provoking story
beautiful soundtrack
fluid combat
unique experience
haunting atmosphere
multiple playthroughs
philosophical depth
side quests
difficulty balance
repetitive sections
technical issues
bland open world
Reviews for NieR: Automata are predominantly positive, with players frequently praising the thought-provoking story, haunting soundtrack, and fluid combat. However, some criticisms arise regarding the difficulty balance and the necessity of multiple playthroughs to fully appreciate the narrative. Technical issues on the PC version also draw criticism. Despite these concerns, the unique experience it offers ensures that players feel deeply impacted by its narrative and philosophical themes.

Positive Points

  • Many reviewers praise the game's thought-provoking story and philosophical themes, noting its exploration of existential questions and what it means to be human.
  • The game's soundtrack is frequently described as beautiful and haunting, complementing its atmospheric world.
  • Reviewers find the combat to be fluid and satisfying, with seamless blending of hack-and-slash mechanics and bullet-hell elements.
  • The character and art design, particularly of 2B, receive significant acclaim for their uniqueness and visual appeal.
  • NieR: Automata offers a unique experience with multiple endings that encourage replayability and deeper understanding of its narrative.
  • Negative Points

  • Some players find the game's difficulty balance to be poor, mentioning bosses and certain segments can be either too easy or overly punishing.
  • The forced replay of the second route (Route B) is often criticized as repetitive, potentially diminishing the game's pacing.
  • Several reviews mention technical issues on the PC version, such as performance problems and awkward keyboard and mouse controls.
  • The open world design is critiqued by some as being bland and lacking in detail, diminishing immersion.
  • Mixed Points

  • The narrative's reliance on multiple playthroughs is both praised for depth and criticized for redundancy.
  • Some players appreciate the philosophical depth, while others find it pretentious or shallow.
  • The side quests are seen as either enriching the story with lore or as tedious and repetitive tasks.
  • Common Themes

  • The emotional impact of the story resonates strongly with many players, with several mentioning it brought them to tears.
  • The art direction and music are consistently highlighted as core strengths that elevate the game's overall experience.
  • The game is often described as a unique blend of genres, combining elements typical of action RPGs, bullet-hell shooters, and hack-and-slash games.
  • Updated 6/22/2025, 12:01:31 AM UTC