Topic: Nier Automata Worth Getting?

Hi guys. I read online that with the latest Switch 2 Update, the compatibility issue(s) has been fixed. Is Nier Automata worth getting/playing? I have heard of it but have never played it before. Thoughts and help appreciated

As someone who beat it somewhat recently, I'd say its absolutely worth getting. Highly recommended.

It has arguably the best, most unique plot in video game history (and one that takes full advantage of its chosen medium), and the gameplay is quite fun and exciting. Plus the Switch version is well optimised, and with the update it should run flawlessly on the Switch 2. So yeah, definitely worth getting.

It's one of the best Action RPGs ever made. Absolutely phenomenal experience from beginning to end, and has an insane score to boot.

The structure of it is a bit different, though, because you'll need to play through a variety of different routes to see the entire game. It absolutely is nowhere close to over the first time you hit a credit scroll. It's worth it, though. The true ending is a gaming core memory of sorts: I'll never forget it.

I think it’s worth it for sure, especially if you’re a fan of ARPGs. However, for a caveat, if you are one who doesn’t enjoy replaying games after you beat it the first time, I’d say to be hesitant on the purchase. If you want to see what the game truly has to offer story wise, multiple playthroughs are a necessity, but there are variations so that helps keeps things somewhat fresh.

The game will run at a higher frame rate and with significantly better visuals if you can play it on other consoles or PC, and that's something to consider if you've got access to them.

Still, if the Switch 2 is all you have, it's fine. As others have said, the main thing that it has going for it is the story, and the Switch port doesn't take anything away from that.

Just to offer an opinion somewhat on the other side, I was fairly disappointed in it, mostly from a gameplay perspective. I was excited about an RPG from Platinum, but it's not really an RPG. I didn't find it much different from Bayonetta. If you like action games, particularly by Platinum, you should like it. And the repeated playthroughs are pretty repetitive, but again, if you like action games, you'll probably be good with it. The story was definitely the best part.

It goes on 50-60% off sales somewhat often so you can play a classic for fairly cheap.

I think it's really worth it!! Yoko Taro did pretty well overall, and the game's fun comparing to a lot of his older games lol

Love the OST for sure... although I played this game on PC, and it's actually one of the game that really pushed me to upgrade my laptop back then. (I was playing games on GT 650M laptop for a while, until I upgraded to 1050Ti stuff to play this game and by now I'm on 3070 stuff so it's pretty safe)

My thoughts are mixed.

Personally I didn’t really like it. Combat was fun, and I especially appreciated how Platinum’s typical hack-and-slash gameplay was combined with RPG elements.

That said, I found the story and characters very bland, and really didn’t like that the game required a replay (not just that - a far inferior replay) to see the full story. Overall my memory of the game is it feeling tedious with few memorable missions.

Yet I’d still recommend it as it’s quite a unique experience and clearly a lot of other people manage to enjoy it. If you can get it for sub-£15 I’d say it’s worth a try.

Switch version runs great as well. Solid 30fps and looks pretty decent considering the power of the system.

I've never really understood the complaints that you have to replay the same things several times in this game. Sure, to get to the true ending you need to play three different routes, and the second route technically goes through the same events as the first one... But it's told from a completely different perspective, so the events of the first route are put in a new context, and you get new sidequests, new abilities, you have different discussios with NPCs than during the first route, etc. So it's never felt repetitive to me (and I've played through the game twice). And then the third route takes place after the first two routes, so it's all completely new stuff, no repetition whatsoever.

Also, one great thing about the Switch version is that it comes with exclusive alternate clothes for the main characters which are much less fanservice-y and more tasteful than their default ones, and you can change into them right after the intro section. So if you're someone like me who finds fanservice and panty shots stupid and distracting in a serious game like this one, the Switch version is superior to others. (And if you don't mind fanservice, you can just keep the default clothes on.)

The first Nier game is like that. You have to do multiple playthroughs to see different endings but there's very little variation between them until right at the end.

Except that you generally go to the same places and through the same story unless the final playthrough. The only real difference is the battle system which changes from action to a shmup. So if you don't care for shmups (which I don't), that makes the second playthrough even more annoying.

If you have to ask you will never know.

Yes, you should 100% play it. This is one of the best games I’ve ever played, easily.

Don’t quit after seeing the credits for the first time! This only signifies the end of the first act. It took me about 40 hours to reach the true ending

I don't care about shoot 'em ups either, and it's perfecty possible to play through the second and third route while still using the melee battle techniques of the first route and not using the shmup techniques, except for the handful of occasions where the story forces you to use them for hacking things. I get why people are annoyed by the shmup hacking sections (I am too), but thankfully most of them are completely optional.

@Polvasti That's true, but it was also the only thing that made the second playthrough any different than the first, so I battled that way just to mix things up a bit. And it's not like it's crazy bullethell shmup or anything. Just normal shmup.

And I'm not saying it's not a good game. I enjoyed it. I just wanted OP to get a different perspective on why it might not be the greatest game ever if they feel the same way I do/did about certain things.

@Xyphon22 I get what you're saying, and I don't disagree that those shmup sections can be quite irritating. Especially the one mandatory hacking quest towards the end of the game ("Soul Box") which can be really difficult for people who're not good at shmups. It took me something like 50 tries to get through that one short section, and I've seen a Youtube video of someone's playthrough where they actually had to call their brother and ask him to play that level for them, as they simply weren't able to beat it themselves.

So yeah, I agree that a few of the design choices in Nier: Automata feel questionable, even maddening. I still think it's one of the best games of all time despite these flaws, because its strengths are just so great.

Absolutely, but I would suggest playing a different platform.