NeverKnowsBest analyses the next game.

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A review and analysis of Nier Automata 5 years later. 

• 0:00 Introduction
• 4:12 Part 1 - a never ending spiral of life and death
• 22:08 Part 2 - brother... please start moving
• 46:55 Part 3 - remember your pain
• 1:05:34 Part 4 - what "we" believe

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Songs in the conclusion are grandma and kaine's theme form the first Nier. And don't ask for a video on Nier Replicant, it's not going to happen.

Gematsu reports that Nier: Automata has sales exceeding 5.5 million.

Total worldwide shipments and digital sales for NieR: Automata have exceeded 5.5 million units, Square Enix announced.

The game was last reported in December 2020 to have reached five million units.

[...]

Dualshockers interviewed Director Yoko Taro and Composer Keiichi Okabe about Nier: Automata:

NieR: Automata Interview — Yoko Taro and Keeiichi Okabe Talk 2B, Possible New IP, and Much More

DualShockers talked with Director Yoko Taro and Composer Keiichi Okabe about all things NieR: Automata, including plans for the future and more.

It’s been over a year since NieR: Automata released worldwide. Sice then, the game has sold millions of copies and has garnered a huge dedicated fanbase.

DualShockers has a chat with Director Yoko Taro and Composer Keiichi Okabe, at PAX East. We spoke about the game since its launch, the charm of protagonist 2B, creative decisions, as well as what’s in store in the future for Yoko Taro.

Jordan: It’s been a year since the release of NieR: Automata on PS4 and PC. Should we consider this a closed chapter or could we still see the game ported over to the Nintendo Switch or Xbox One? 

Yoko Taro: Since I’m an underling, I don’t have enough authority to decide what platform to release on. All of that would be decided by our Producer Mr. Saito. Please write in your article that everything in the world is being manipulated by someone in the background… like a dark background. You can’t see it, but those things happen in the background. [Editor’s note: you can imagine this said with a very ominous Yoko Taro voice]

J: NieR: Automata has been very successful on PC, but users are still experiencing some performance issues on the PC platform, and there has not been a patch since launch. Can PC players expect a patch that’ll fix some of the issues they’re having? 

YT: I actually receive this question a lot on my Twitter account as well. Please let everyone know to ask Square Enix instead of me.

[...]

Thanks Farflame!

Gamingbolt reports on rumblings from producer Yosuke Saito which hint at a possible sequel to Nier: Automata.

Nier: Automata was perhaps one of 2017's biggest surprises. It was an excellent game, perhaps one of the best of the current generation, and it also did much, much better commercially than most people had expected it to. It's no surprise, then, that there are rumblings of a possible sequel for the game, and these rumblings come from the Nier series' producer Yosuke Saito himself.

[...]

Pliny exhaustively examines Nier Automata (Spoilers ahead!) and compares it with Assassins Creed:

Nier Automata Is The Anti Assassins Creed: Or It's All About Perspective

Nier Automata is a ps4 console exclusive by a once revered developer in crisis whose previous two games were one of the worst reviewed in history and a game that almost single-handedly ruined a beloved Nintendo franchise.

Published by a company who has been more known lately for unrealistic sales goals and bloated development budgets than for the good games they’ve been releasing there were few reasons to expect it to be a success. But it was a success. The game has sold over 2 million copies and received near universal praise from players and critics alike. So.. why? Why was Nier Automata such a resounding success? Well that ends up being a lesson on scope, depth, having a focused vision and knowing what’s important and what isn’t.

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Thanks Farflame!

Charles Webb, Senior Writer at Hangar 13 Games, talks about Nier: Automata and humanity at Polygon:

Nier: Automata’s robots remind us that being human isn’t as great as it’s cracked up to be

The co-writer of Mafia 3 on Nier: Automata

Nier: Automata, an action RPG about weaponized fetish dolls, is one of the saddest games ever made. It is a tragedy riddled with dead parents, dead gods and the death of self. Yoko Taro, the game’s writer and director, has made a deeply anxious game about death.

[This article contains spoilers for Nier: Automata.]

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Fextralife reports that the creators of NieR: Automata want to make a sequel:

Creators of NieR: Automata Talks Sequel!

NieR: Automata – Future Prospects

During a panel interview at the Southeast Asian gaming convention: GameStart 2017, NieR: Automata‘s  Director ‘Yoko Taro’ and Producer ‘Yosuke Saito’ shared answers to a burning question that is on everyone’s minds. “Will there be a sequel?”

As reported by Duniaku Network,  the creators of NieR: Automata  fully expressed their desires for another NieR  title and stated that a lack of “funds” are holding that them back.

“Actually, we want to make NieR game. Only, we’ll actually do it if we get the funds from Square Enix.”  says Yoko Taro.

[...]

Thanks Farflame!

@GameRant NieR: Automata has done very well for Square Enix selling over 2 million copies. To celebrate the game is currently on sale on Steam and PlayStation Store.

About a month ago, Platinum Games co-founder Hideki Kamiya thanked fellow developer Yoko Taro for his work on Nier: Automata, as Kamiya-san went so far as to say that the title’s success effectively saved the studio. Now, the good times continue to roll for the company in addition to the team behind the action-RPG, as its publisher Square Enix has announced that the release has managed to sell over 2 million copies worldwide.

The financial figure not only covers digital purchases, but also physical units shipped to retailers around the globe as well, meaning that Nier: Automata went on to sell another million units since its last reportage of sales numbers back in May. So, in order to celebrate this particular feat, Square Enix is putting the game on sale through Steam and the PlayStation Store for 35%-36% off for gamers who have yet to experience it.

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PC Powerplay has reviewed NieR: Automata:

Review: Nier: Automata

Never change Yoko Taro, never change.

The camera in Mass Effect: Andromeda is sometimes a little weird in cutscenes, zooming in too close to see anything, or looking in another direction entirely. Nier: Automata, on the other hand has one of the best, most intelligent and intelligently used cameras we’ve ever seen in a game. A single move from the camera lets the player know what is coming next and prepare for that eventuality, not necessarily by showing the player what is coming, but simply by changing angle. Much like the original Nier, Automata is a deeply strange and melancholy mash of genres roughly placed under the umbrella of JRPG. While it definitely fits that mould, Nier: Automata is so much more. It’s something that could only exist in videogame form, and even then, it's something so idiosyncratic that it could only come from Japan. It’s the story of androids fighting robots on a future Earth. It’s the question of what it really means to be human. It’s a story of betrayal and redemption, hope, evolution and endless cycles of despair. It’s a third-person action game, a side-scrolling action platformer and a twin-stick shooter. It’s bullet hell meets gothic Lolita in the post-post apocalypse.

All in all it’s a hell of a thing.

[...]

Verdict:

Sometimes frustrating but always compelling, Nier: Automata is a wondrous and strange experience that could only ever be a game.

Score: 9/10

Dualshockers reports that NieR: Automata is a big success for Square Enix:

NieR: Automata Sold “Significantly Above” Plans; Square Enix has “Aggressive” Plans for the West

Square Enix CEO Yosuke Matsuda reveals that Yoko Taro's NieR: Automata did much better than expected, and talks about plans for the future.

Today Square Enix released the transcripts of the latest quarterly conference for investors, providing some interesting information about its business.

First of all, CEO Yosuke Matsuda mentioned that NieR: Automata was an earnings contributor in the past quarter (with Final Fantasy XV being the greatest contributor), generating sales “significantly above” the plans.

[...]

Thanks Farflame!

RPGFan has reviewed NieR: Automata:

NieR: Automata

"It's been a while since a game shattered my expectations to the extent that NieR: Automata has."

I didn't know what to expect when I first jumped into NieR: Automata. I had skimped out on the original NieR after hearing some less than stellar opinions on it from close friends, and Yoko Taro's past track record for games didn't leave me too eager to buy his next release. Yet there was a certain kind of magic to the game that was clear to see on the YouTube gameplay reveal video last October, and that made me want to take a chance with this game. A chance that I'm incredibly glad to have taken.
[...]
It's been a while since a game shattered my expectations to the extent that NieR: Automata has. Despite my initial reluctance, Automata has easily become one of my favorite gaming experiences in recent memory. The game could have taken so many wrong turns with the number of risks it took in terms of its storytelling, world building and gameplay, but instead it delivers on all fronts with such style and elegance that it's hard not to crack a smile at the sheer brilliance of it. Automata reaches for the stars, but unlike many other games that do the same, it actually achieves the greatness it sets out to attain. Now if you'll excuse me, I have two more save files to clear, and this game certainly isn't going to play itself.

Score: 95%

CogConnected has reviewed the first DLC of NieR: Automata:

NieR: Automata – 3C3C1D119440927 Review

It’s hard to tell these days whether a lot of DLC will be worth purchasing. Much of it comes across as something that should have been a part of the original package, or a trivial piece of digital content that isn’t worth the price. With NieR: Automata’s aptly titled 3C3C1D119440927 add-on, what you get feels a bit light, but quickly redeems itself by offering quality over quantity.
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If more hard-hitting story is what you’re after, then surprisingly 3C3C1D119440927 might just be for you. It will come across as just another arena mode for many, but there are enough little details layered in to make this combat-centric content worthy of any fan’s time. It’s a little pricey being over ten dollars, but I assure you that this one is definitely worth it. - See more at:

Score: 85/100

Thanks Farflame!

@PCGamesN Nier: Automata has received its first DLC, numerically titled 3C3C1D119440927, which adds three new colosseums.

The bulk of the content comes in the addition of three new colosseums to test your mettle on, as well as a brace of fresh sub-quests yielding various rewards. These include costumes from the previous Japanese release, NieR: Replicant, including the “Revealing Outfit” for 2B, “Young Man’s Outfit” for 9S and “Destroyer Outfit” for A2.

Records adding special music tracks to the player’s jukebox are also available, as well as new equipment and cosmetic accessories, including hairspray that allows you to change the color of 2B and A2’s hair. Players will also have the opportunity to battle Square Enix CEO Yosuke Matsuda and PlatinumGames CEO Kenichi Sato in epic boss battles via the DLC’s new colosseum challenges.

NieR: Automata will get the first DLC named '3C3C1D119440927' in May:

NieR: Automata - 3C3C1D119440927 DLC Gameplay

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Invaders from another world attack without warning - unleashing the machine lifeforms. To break the deadlock, a new breed of android infantry is sent into the fray: the YoRHa squad. NieR: Automata™ is a fresh take on the action role-playing game (RPG) genre that gracefully blends mesmerising action with a captivating story.

Thanks Farflame!

TrustedReviews reports that NierR: Automata is very succesfull right now:

NieR Automata manages to hit one million sales worldwide

Total shipments and digital sales of critically acclaimed RPG NieR: Automata have reached 1 million, Square Enix has announced.

Launching for the PS4 and PC earlier last month, the unusual RPG appears to have gone down a treat with gamers across the globe.

These sales figures are almost definitely an improvement over its predecessor, NieR, which managed to sell only 134,000 copies in Japan during its first seven months of release.

In comparison, Automata sold an impressive 198,000 units during its launch week alone in its home country. Positive critical reception alongside word of mouth appear to have helped international territories considerably.

Kirk McKeand scored NieR: Automata 8/10 in his review, praising its satisfying combat, brilliant soundtrack and compelling storyline.

“Despite some minor annoyances, NieR: Automata is brilliant. It strikes the balance between RPG and action game unlike anything else in the genre. It’s a game you kind of have to meet halfway, with a story that gets more complex and interesting the more you prod at it. If you’re willing to commit, though, you’ll be rewarded.”

RPGFan has reviewed the action RPG NieR: Automata:

NieR: Automata

In a year full of high-profile sequels and shiny new releases, NieR: Automata is a surprise. Sure, it's a sequel to a Square Enix published game, but the original NieR faired poorly in both sales and reception. We loved it here at RPGFan, and even awarded it an Editor's Choice. In fairness, NieR is a difficult game to get into — it plays awkwardly, looks stagnant, and won't suit everyone's tastes, but thematically, conceptually, and musically it's fantastic. It was entirely different to anything else on the market and is looked back on fondly by fans. NieR: Automata is the sequel we didn't expect we'd ever get. With Cavia, the developer behind the original game, now defunct, PlatinumGames has been handed the reigns with Yoko Taro still very much in charge of things. And boy, does it live up to the fans' high expectations.
[...]
NieR: Automata is a surreal and special game. It's a game that needs to be played more than once to really understand and appreciate everything it's offering. There's so much I can't tell you without ruining major parts of the plot, but as things begin to unfold, and as you reach your third and fourth playthrough, you'll start to understand what makes Automata such a wonderful experience. Its oddball tone won't always be for everyone, but if you're looking for a stellar action RPG with a provocative and thoughtful storyline, NieR: Automata should be the first and only game on your list.

Score: 92%

NieR: Automata will be released today. Here's the review from MMORPG:

The RPG Files: Nier: Automata Review

Nier: Automata may be the strangest game I’ve ever played. One moment, it’s an awe inspiring action game pitting sexy androids against arm flailing robots inspired by the latest trends in round-top garbage bins. In the next, you’re in a 2D side scroller, clashing axes on the back of a moving roller coaster. In another 10, you might just be playing a dual stick shooter against a giant oil-rig with saws for hands. Through it all, the story twists and turns taking you from one off the wall encounter to another, making for a decidedly off-kilter experience made all the better for its RPG elements.

[...]

Score: 7.5/10

Pros:

• Excellent, deep combat
• Movement is a joy
• Deeper, longer story than first appears
• Utterly compelling strangeness

Cons:

• Constrained open world
• Limited character customization/building
• Limited choices
• Bland sidequests

Like many other sites Gamerant likes NieR: Automata:

NieR: Automata Review

When Square Enix and Platinum Games first announced NieR: Automata, a very small but passionate fanbase took note – it was the unexpected sequel to a game in Nier that hadn’t performed particularly well in reviews or financially. Whatever it was, however – and a lot of it can be simplified as Taro Yoko’s combination of brilliant and odd – Nier garnered an unexpected cult following. Despite Nier’s failings, Square Enix evidently believed that the universe was worth exploring once more.

Enter NieR: Automata, a JRPG set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world where humans have been nearly eradicated by an alien race that let loose an army of destructive machines upon arriving on Earth. NieR: Automata is loosely based on its predecessors, including the Drakengard series, but it is designed to be an enjoyable, engaging experience for players who are entirely new to the NieR universe as well.

[...]

That vision includes less hand-holding than many RPGs provide these days, as side quests take some effort to discover at times and the map is only vaguely helpful, which is explained by a NPC character early as being the result of some atmosphere interference with the mapping satellites. It’s a clever explanation for a system designed to reward exploration and curiosity, and it works magnificently here, even if some of the side quest feel a little cut-and-dry. Those looking for The Witcher 3’s approach to side quests had best look elsewhere.

Ultimately, however, any of the shortcomings present in NieR: Automata are obscured by the haphazard genius of its barely-stitched-together post-apocalyptic world. The presentation, innovation, and unabashed love of the strange all coalesce into something that looks like what would happen if Hideo Kojima attempted to design a Final Fantasy, and as it turns out, it is something that needed to happen. In a year that has already seen huge releases like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Horizon: Zero Dawn, NieR: Automata has established itself as a must-play title worthy of being in the discussion with the other big titles as a contender for game of the year.

Score: 5/5

Some reviews for the upcoming Action RPG Nier: Automata:

We Got This Covered:

NieR: Automata Review

[...]

The amount of emotions that NieR‘s story was able to get out of me is particularly impressive when you consider that the entire cast is comprised of androids and robots. It’s strange to type this, but all of the characters are truly humanized by the time the game’s fifth main ending is seen (there’s 22 in total — although the majority are gag endings that are easily missed). It’s hard to speak about a lot of what this title does really well without spoiling it, but Automata fully embraces that it’s a video game. There are certain gameplay moments (including the incredible end credits) that are absolutely mind-blowing, and this isn’t because of a story twist, but rather due to how the game manages to connect players into the overall experience.

NieR: Auotmata isn’t without problems, but it’s also a truly groundbreaking game. It won’t push a single genre forward, but it has the potential to change the entire medium. It takes advantage of player interactivity in ways that I’ve never seen before in order to create an incredibly memorable experience that’s a joy from beginning to end. Anyone who’s interested in what gaming can do that books and movies cannot needs to experience Yoko Taro and PlatinumGames’ masterpiece.

Score: 5/5

Press-Start:

NieR Automata Review – A Truly Unforgettable Story

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Despite its issues, NieR: Automata is a game that we rarely have the privilege of experiencing. Auteur designer Yoko Taro successfully blends his oddball knack for storytelling, defying typical video game conventions in doing so. This leads to a truly unforgettable story, but the way in which it’s told and demands repeat playthroughs is bound to be lost on some part of NieR: Automata’s audience. Regardless, NieR: Automata blends strong action and RPG components into an atmosphere and game that’s well worth experiencing.

Score: 9/10

Attack of the Fanboy has reviewed NieR: Automata:

NieR: Automata Review

The original NieR was one that seemed impossible to ever get a sequel to, with it’s niche design and lukewarm reception seeming to spell the end for the Drakengard spin-off. However, here we are seven years later with a continuation, with director Yoko Taro teaming up with PlatinumGames to give the series a rebirth. It turned out to be one of the best team-ups imaginable, as the finished product eclipses the original in every way and ends up being a game with substantially higher appeal.

The Verdict

Nier: Automata takes fantastic action and RPG elements and blends them into a game world unlike any other, creating a truly memorable experience. The game continuously pleases and surprises with terrific gameplay that is constantly transforming, and a narrative that keeps you thinking and guessing. It has a lot to offer, and is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Score: 4.5/5

Gamespot reviewed the post-apocalyptic action RPG NieR: Automata:

The post-apocalyptic world of Nier: Automata thrives on its mysteries. Its ruined Earth setting is a playground of mayhem where fashionable androids lay waste to less sophisticated looking robots. Its premise of a never-ending war is initially straightforward. But if you know anything about the game's director, Yoko Taro, then you know to expect the unexpected. That includes everything from an unusual soundtrack steeped in vocals to a battle-hardened heroine who walks with the swagger of a supermodel. Automata also delivers a well-executed and refined combat system, the level of which alone makes Automata well worth the price of admission.

[...]

Thanks to Platinum Games' knack for riveting and gratifying combat, Automata is Yoko Taro's most exciting game to date. The combat mechanics click after hurdling a low learning curve, and the end result is a skillful dance where balletic dodges complement wushu-inspired aggression. Moreover, this multi-ending trip is generously peppered with surprises and revelations, as well as easter eggs that call back to the first game and the Drakengard series from which Nier spun off. It's a meaty, often exhilarating trek that showcases Platinum Games' and Yoko Taro's unique blend of genius.

Score: 9/10

The action game Nier: Automata will be released in two weeks:

NieR: Automata is coming to Steam on 17th March 2017!

The headline says it all really but we’re happy to announce that NieR: Automata will be released for PC on 17th March 2017!

@DSOGaming Nier: Automata has been delayed on PC with no new date being announced.

Whether this delay is due to console time-exclusivity deals or not remains to be seen. The point is that when this latest trailer was originally created, Square Enix planned to release the Steam version on March 10th. However, this is no longer the case. Moreover, and according to the latest press release, NieR Automata will be coming to the PC later this year.

"NieR: Automata, developed by SQUARE ENIX and PlatinumGames Inc., will release in North America on March 7 for the PlayStation® computer entertainment system and Steam® in 2017."

And that is that!

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@DSOGaming Nier: Automata has a new trailer.

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Watch the NieR: Automata “Glory to Mankind 119450310” trailer to find out more about androids 2B, 9S and A2 and their battle to reclaim the machine-driven dystopia overrun by powerful machines.

ChipCheezumLPs look at the Nier: Automata demo.

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Nier: Automata is an action RPG sequel to Nier, this time co-developed by Platinum Games and Square Enix. It'll be available on PS4 and PC.

@PCGamesN they show us a new trailer for NieR: Automata which highlights some easter egg weapons from other rpgs.

Besides reaffirming the Japanese console release date of February 23, the main draw of this trailer is that Nier:Automata will features some famous weapons from other Square Enix franchises. Noctis’ Engine Blade from Final Fantasy XV will be equippable, as well as the Cypress Stick from the Dragon Quest franchise. While the Engine Blade looks like your typical dieselpunk sword, the Cypress Stick causes slight graphical changes when equipped, with chests looking like the ones found in Dragon Quest and damage numbers using the Dragon Quest font.

While these are all great Easter eggs for JRPG fans, it still does not answer the question of when Nier:Automata is coming to PC. A demo is coming to console on December 22, but there has been no news if PC players will also get to play this snippet of the full game as well. Initial reports from Square Enix stated that the PC version was set to release on the same day as console, but that claim has since been taken back with no other information forthcoming.

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PC Gamer reports that NieR: Automata will be released in 2017 for the PC, but not on the same day as the console versions:

Nier: Automata has a new trailer, but no firm release date for PC as yet

Update: previous parallel release with PS4 was wrong, rep says.

The Square Enix rep who confirmed the PC release date would fall on the same day as the PS4 version in the West was unfortunately misinformed: officially, there's not yet a release date for Nier: Automata on PC, though it's definitely coming some time next year.

@DSOGaming they report that NieR Automata will be simultaneously released March 7th on PC and PS4.

PCGamer has revealed that NieR: Automata will be coming on the PC/Steam on March 7th. In addition, Square Enix released a new trailer for NieR: Automata that can be viewed below.

As PCGamer claimed, a Square Enix rep has confirmed that the PC release date will be the same as the PS4 date in the west. This basically means that NieR: Automata will be released on Steam on March 7th in North America and on March 10th in Europe and Australia.

NieR: Automata is an RPG tells the story of androids 2B, 9S and A2 and their battle to reclaim a machine-driven dystopia overrun by powerful weapons known as machine lifeforms.

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Yosuke Saito, producer of the upcoming PC JRPG NieR: Automata, reassures western RPG fans that a deeper RPG experience awaits, and it won't be just twitchy combat.

Before fans of dizzying combo strings and full screen special moves get too carried away, this is not a dedicated brawler. Saito is delicate in his attempts not to ostracise returning fans of the series. “The image I have is of a game 60 or 70 percent RPG and 30 or 40 percent action. [Automata] isn’t necessarily more action-orientated than previous games in the series, it’s just the action is better.”

My short hands-on demonstrates some progress with the hack-and-slashing element of Nier. Attacks have all the trademark flair associated with Platinum Games, with swordplay and mid air juggling aplenty. Even in isolated sequences of combat, Automata offers more visually exciting action than anything seen in the dull-looking original. While Automata has the spectacle of a traditional Platinum game, it doesn’t necessarily have the same level of challenge—Nier is still an RPG at heart, if you want it to be. 

The developers promise difficulty settings that will appeal to players who prefer either approach. Saito goes out of his way to make clear that progress through skirmishes can be achieved by levelling up your characters and assigning them greater skills, rather than forcing players to learn complex sets of inputs and attain perfect dodge and counterattack timing.

Read more.

Square Enix has released new character and location details for the upcoming sci-fi/post-apocalyptic ARPG NieR: Automata. It releases for PC and PS4 sometime in 2017. The cast of characters is fully detailed at the link.

Square Enix has updated the Japanese official website for NieR: Automata with new screenshots and details about the game’s recently announced characters and two of the game’s key locations: the Bunker and Resistance Camp.

Before anything, if you missed it, catch the game’s newly released Tokyo Game Show 2016 trailer here.