NieR: Automata Review

Combat: PlatinumGames at Its Best

NieR: Automata's combat is fluid, fast, and deeply satisfying. 2B's sword combos can be mixed between light and heavy attacks for different combo routes, while Pod support drones provide ranged firepower that can be manually aimed or set to auto-attack. The game seamlessly shifts between ground combat, aerial juggling, and full bullet-hell shooter sequences during certain boss fights — each mode feels natural rather than jarring. The Chip system provides meaningful passive customization without excessive build complexity.

Narrative Structure

Route A follows 2B and 9S fighting machines across a ruined Earth, uncovering the history of the android-machine war. It is a compelling action game story. Route B replays these events from 9S's perspective, adding hacking sequences and new dialogue that retroactively changes the meaning of scenes you witnessed in Route A. Route C delivers revelations about the nature of the conflict's participants that are among the most emotionally devastating in game history. The game earns every moment of its conclusion.

World and Atmosphere

The post-apocalyptic Earth is melancholy and evocative — abandoned amusement parks, flooded cities, desert wastelands with rusting machine infrastructure. The machine lifeforms (your enemies) are fascinating: they develop culture, religion, relationships, and existential crises that make them sympathetic in ways that complicate the war narrative. The OST reinforces every environment's emotional register perfectly.

Verdict

Essential. NieR: Automata is one of gaming's most important works — commit to all three routes.

Pros & Cons