Nier, Automata Game of the Yorha Edition - PlayStation 4

Nier: Automata and the rest of Yoko Taro's work are all something I've had a passing familiarity of since Drakengard, the Nier origin series, debuted in 2003. I remember seeing it at the store back then, but didn't buy it. Ditto with the original Nier; saw it at GameStop, groaned at the western style cover art (keep in mind this was back in 2010, when Japan was trying to make western appealing games that appealed to no one) as I placed it back on the shelf next to Dark Void. (Remember that one?)Now I find myself in 2014 and plunk down the cash for Drakengard 3, despite poor reviews, but alas it still sits in its shrink wrap in the backlog as I type this. 2017 rolls around and I hear how great Nier: Automata is and don't get around to buying it until April 2020.Now I regret all that wasted time.This game is amazing. From a story perspective, it's right up there with the heady themes of Metal Gear Solid 2 and other games of that sort of fourth wall-breaking, screw with the player, philosophical ilk. Multiple endings accessed through a number of "routes" during parts of the game where you think it's concluded. It hits themes of existence, free will, nihilism, et cetera.The music is phenomenal, pensive, sad and a bit left of center than a typical action RPG. Lots of vocals and great orchestration and melody. One of the best I've ever heard. It's fantastic.The graphics fit the title and complement the frame rate and action. Character designs are by the guy who worked on Final Fantasy Tactics, Bravely Default, and Octopath Traveler. Great designs and aesthetic sensibility.Gameplay is wonderful; Nier: Automata was developed by PlatinumGames, who has been one of my favorite developers since I played Vanquish back in the day. I think Nier dethrones Vanquish as my preferred Platinum title. The game is a fluid action RPG with the general hallmarks, leveling, and weapons systems inherent to those titles. Abilities are equipped via data chips and can be lost via multiple deaths for each android body you use. You also have a combat pod with long range armaments and associated abilities which ease your adventure. Nier also jumps back and forth through bullet hell shooters and text adventures. It's a very interesting concept.Nier: Automata really caught me off guard. I didn't expect this level of exceptionalism from this title. Everything from the plot, gorgeous musical score, and snappy-fun action RPG gameplay was, frankly, amazing. I'm totally gushing over this game, but it was disarming in how great it was and challenging it could be from a gameplay and intellectual level.This is what art in gaming is all about and I'm impressed that Square Enix has had the resilience to cultivate the crazy ideas that Yoko Taro has concocted and advance it by pairing him with PlatinumGames. I am thoroughly impressed by Nief and it has not left my mind in the week that its been since I beat it. I'm finding myself having trouble moving on to other games at this point.Definitely recommended. Close to perfection.

// Update:I now have finished the game and I must say, this game is absolutely astonishing. The story, although it feels like your run-of-the-mill post-apocalyptic setting, is put together very well. The game will especially make you care about the characters (read the in-game lore!). The music and especially the song Weight of the world / 壊レタ世界の歌 (Kowareta sekai no uta) is quite powerful, especially during the true ending. This song makes grown men, at the very least, weep when they hear it.I did mention 'true ending' because there are 26 different endings to the game + 1 from the DLC. Only the first five from the original 26, A through E (true ending), are the 'core' endings. You absolutely must get to ending 'E' just so you can repay 2B, 9S, A2 and Pascal for giving everything they had. It's the very least you can do for them!// Original review:I hadn't cared much for this game in the past, though I've seen and heard a lot of people give it so much praise so I had to just check it out for myself.The game's been great so far. I haven't finished it yet and barely scratched the surface of the story, but it's been engaging to me so far. Gameplay is hardly typical for an action-RPG, and the camera angles changing at almost every part of the story makes the game feel like a mash-up of a bunch of other genre rolled into one. It's refreshing to me, but I can see why some people think it's not for them because it can get too busy. The game has the typical RPG-grind --- XP, currency and items for upgrades. I'm still early in the game, so it doesn't feel too grind-y to me yet.The soundtrack is superb. I don't understand a lick of the lyrics' language, but I like it, lol.Control is pretty tight and highly customizable, just try not to press L3+R3 too much. The battles can be pretty simple, but some areas can be overwhelming that will require your attention and precise timing.The only thing I'd dock it for is the fact that you can't rock the DLC outfits with a fresh game. You actually have to finish the game, be at or above lv80, and complete the three arenas in the DLC. It's no easy feat.

To start off, when I originally played this on steam I'm pretty sure I got it as a deep discount sale item and put maybe 30 minutes or so into the game. Made me ponder, I probably pushed it aside for another main title release. Here we are 4-5 years later and I'm writing a review for the Playstation 4 version.The one thing I have to say upfront is this game; as you get through the first hour or two, it is very confusing and you don't quite understand what is going on. I can tell you that as you get through it all will be answered. Slight spoiler of how the game plays is that it has multiple endings meaning you go through a new game plus etc and new story plot will unfold. So do know that your first playthrough you won't uncover everything this game has to offer.With that out of the way, this game plays like an action-RPG, silky smooth animations. I'm thinking strongly of Devil May Cry or Bayonetta but you do level up and there are slots that you add stuff to buff your character. I'll let you see that for yourself when you play it.Play through the first few hours and the story will hook you. I now own this game on PC, PS4, and Switch. It's worth every cent. The cost of admission is worth the adventure you will endure!!!

I have only gotten up to the first boss fight, but I am captivated by how the game makes use of a variety of game play styles: one moment you are side-scrolling, the next you're in full 3D. You begin in arial combat and once you are on the ground, the game dips and sways between several aspects - keeping you on your toes. I am very happy with my purchase!