NieR: Automata

The majority of critics overwhelmingly praised the story of NieR: Automata for its depth, complexity, and thought-provoking nature. Critics like Attack of the Fanboy and GameCrate highlighted the engaging narrative with multiple endings and philosophical themes that delve into society, gender, and relationships. The story was commended for its ability to keep players guessing and impressed by its creativity, as mentioned by Attack of the Fanboy. The narrative was also lauded for its exploration of existentialism, humanity, trust, and identity, as noted by Cheat Code Central and Game Over Online. The game's ability to tackle heavy themes while maintaining a sense of whimsy and playfulness, as observed by Easy Allies, was also a standout feature that resonated with many critics. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, some critics did point out certain drawbacks in the story of NieR: Automata. GameCritics mentioned that it took too long for the story to become engaging, while Worth Playing expressed a minor complaint about the setting feeling predictably grim. Additionally, Slant Magazine noted that while the game delves into deep questions about humanity and free will, some moments and motivations felt unexplained or half-baked. These criticisms suggest that while the majority of critics found the story to be captivating and profound, there were some instances where the narrative may have faltered in terms of pacing or clarity. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the story of NieR: Automata is a standout feature of the game, with its intricate plot, engaging characters, and thematic depth resonating with players. Critics like RPG Site and God is a Geek praised the intelligent and engaging storytelling, while Game Revolution highlighted Director Yoko Taro's distinct style that created a unique and unpredictable world. The narrative's ability to raise existential questions, explore the nature of humanity, and offer multiple perspectives through its branching storylines was widely appreciated by reviewers. Despite some minor criticisms, the general sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many critics considering NieR: Automata's story to be a standout achievement in video game storytelling.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of NieR: Automata, highlighting its fast-paced combat, diverse gameplay styles, and seamless genre blending. Arcade Sushi commended the combat engine for its deadly grace and exhilarating encounters, while Attack of the Fanboy appreciated the depth and challenging enemy encounters that kept the gameplay exhilarating. CGMagazine described it as a master class in game design, blending various genres like action, platformer, bullet hell, and RPG seamlessly. The combat was lauded for being well-polished, fast-paced, and incorporating bullet hell aspects that suited the game, as noted by COGconnected. On the flip side, Game Informer criticized the lack of meaningful progression and variety in abilities, stating that the tactics remained largely the same throughout the game. They mentioned that the different weapons and visual effects didn't justify the ability to switch between them. GameCrate also pointed out that while the action was polished and thrilling, the RPG elements could feel stale, and the need to replay the campaign multiple times could be repetitive. Despite some minor frustrations like control issues and repetitive hacking mini-games, GameSpew acknowledged that the combat in NieR: Automata was fast-paced and smooth, offering character customization through the chip plug-in system. Overall, the consensus among critics leans heavily towards the positive side, with many praising the game's fluid combat mechanics, diverse gameplay styles, and customization options. Hardcore Gamer highlighted the combat as one of the game's strongest points, offering a variety of gameplay styles and customization options that added depth and strategy to the experience. USgamer appreciated the dynamic and engaging gameplay that combined bullethell chaos, swordplay, and arcade-like elements. TheSixthAxis commended the great combat system with swift, stylish, and satisfying attacks, as well as a unique upgrade system. Despite some criticisms regarding repetition and lack of variety in certain aspects, the overall sentiment suggests that NieR: Automata's gameplay is a standout feature that captivated and engaged players across various genres and styles.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of NieR: Automata are varied but generally positive. Many critics praised the game for its unique and memorable art direction, diverse environments, and stunning character designs. CGMagazine highlighted the stellar art direction that compensated for any graphical limitations, with unforgettable world design featuring diverse locations like amusement parks and ruined cities. GameCrate also commended the stylized and memorable graphics, mentioning the thoughtfully designed environments and steady frame rates. RPGamer specifically pointed out the high quality graphics with detailed art direction, stylish character designs, and smooth combat animations that enhanced the overall experience. On the negative side, some critics pointed out issues with the graphics of NieR: Automata. Metro GameCentral described the graphics as low tech and weak, not considering visual design a strong point of the game. Push Square criticized the game for being rather ugly with poor performance, despite acknowledging strong character designs and creative imagery. Worth Playing mentioned noticeable hitches, slowdowns, and pop-ins during exploration, detracting from the overall visual experience. These criticisms highlight issues such as bland textures, occasional frame drops, and technical shortcomings that some critics found distracting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that NieR: Automata excels in its artistic direction and character designs, creating a visually stunning and unique world for players to explore. Despite some technical limitations and occasional graphical issues, the game's strong artistic direction, diverse environments, and memorable character designs were widely praised. Critics like Game Over Online and Hardcore Gamer lauded the bizarre and unique visual design, while Easy Allies and RPGamer emphasized the game's strong artistic direction compensating for any technical shortcomings. While some critics noted specific flaws like bland textures or occasional frame drops, the majority of reviewers appreciated the game's visual style and immersive world design, making NieR: Automata a visually captivating experience for players.

The Sound Design and Music of NieR: Automata has received overwhelmingly positive praise from the majority of critics, with many considering it a masterpiece. Critics such as CGMagazine, Easy Allies, GameSpew, and RPG Site highlighted the multi-layered, emotional, and evolving score by Keiichi Okabe as a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience. The haunting vocals by Emi Evans, as mentioned by DarkStation and RPGamer, were also noted for their seamless integration into the game's atmosphere. The dynamic and versatile nature of the soundtrack, as described by GamingTrend and TheSixthAxis, was appreciated for adapting to different scenarios within the game, effectively eliciting emotions and enhancing the overall themes. While the overwhelming sentiment towards the Sound Design and Music of NieR: Automata is positive, there were a few criticisms raised by some critics. Metro GameCentral pointed out weak voice-acting as a downside, detracting slightly from the otherwise excellent soundtrack. Despite this, the stellar voice work and animation mentioned by NZGamer added personality to the machines and explored philosophical themes, balancing out any shortcomings in voice-acting. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Sound Design and Music of NieR: Automata is a masterpiece that significantly contributes to the game's immersive experience. Critics such as PlayStation LifeStyle, RPG Fan, and The Jimquisition praised the soundtrack for seamlessly integrating into gameplay and enhancing the tone of the game. The emotional and eerie score, as noted by Attack of the Fanboy, and the epic and beautiful musical score, as highlighted by Game Rant and USgamer, were commended for setting the mood perfectly and adding depth to the post-apocalyptic world. The majority of critics agreed that NieR: Automata's Sound Design and Music stand out as one of the best in gaming, with its intricate details and emotional impact leaving a lasting impression on players, making it a must-experience for any gaming enthusiast.

The voice acting in NieR: Automata received a lot of praise from the critics. Arcade Sushi commended the well-voiced characters that brought memorable eccentricities to life, while NZGamer highlighted the stellar voice work that added personality to the machines and explored philosophical themes. RPG Site also appreciated the voice acting, mentioning how it elegantly conveyed relationships and emotions, with clever audio mixing for mechanical characters adding depth to the performances. Worth Playing added that the voice acting was quite good and complemented the music and overall experience. On the other hand, there were some mixed opinions regarding the voice acting in NieR: Automata. Metro GameCentral described the voice acting as mostly awful, which stands in contrast to the positive feedback from other critics. COGconnected noted that while the voice work for key characters was great, the majority of NPCs were not voiced. This lack of voice acting for NPCs may have impacted the overall immersion and depth of the game, as highlighted by COGconnected's opinion. Overall, despite some differing opinions on specific aspects of the voice acting, the general consensus among the critics seems to lean towards the positive side. Critics like New Game Network and PSNStores praised the fantastic voice acting that brought out the weirdness and contributed to the overall experience of the game. The majority of reviewers appreciated the voice acting for key characters, the emotions conveyed, and the overall impact it had on the storytelling and player immersion. While there were some criticisms regarding the lack of voice acting for NPCs and a negative opinion from Metro GameCentral, the overall sentiment suggests that the voice acting in NieR: Automata was a strong aspect of the game that enhanced the gameplay experience for most critics.

In terms of the technical performance on the PS4 platform, several critics noted some positives. Cheat Code Central highlighted that NieR: Automata runs at a smooth 60 FPS, providing a seamless experience during gameplay. PSNStores also mentioned that while there were some frame drops on PS4 Pro, it did not significantly impact the overall enjoyment of the game. Additionally, Worth Playing pointed out that the game performed well during important moments like boss battles, showcasing smooth gameplay. On the flip side, there were several negatives mentioned by critics regarding the technical performance on PS4. Arcade Sushi, Attack of the Fanboy, and XGN all noted occasional frame rate drops, which could disrupt the player's immersion in the game. RPG Fan encountered glitches that caused the game to get stuck, highlighting potential technical issues that could affect the gameplay experience. Push Square criticized the poor performance of the game, frequently slipping from its 60 frames-per-second target, which could be frustrating for players. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of NieR: Automata on various platforms leans towards a mixed bag. While some critics like COGconnected and Easy Allies mentioned that minor technical issues like frame rate hitches or rough textures did not significantly impact gameplay, others such as Push Square and RPG Fan highlighted more severe problems like glitches and poor performance that could hinder the overall experience. It is worth noting that some critics, like TheSixthAxis and USgamer, mentioned technical shortcomings but indicated that they did not drastically affect the enjoyment of the game. The varying opinions suggest that while NieR: Automata may have some technical issues across different platforms, the impact on the overall experience can vary depending on the player's tolerance for such issues.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Replay Value of NieR: Automata are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics highlight the game's multiple endings, alternative routes, and hidden content as significant factors contributing to its replayability. Critics like Attack of the Fanboy, Game Over Online, and Video Chums emphasize how the game encourages players to explore different perspectives and storylines through multiple playthroughs. The inclusion of side quests, character customization options, and diverse gameplay scenarios, as mentioned by COGconnected and GameCrate, further enhance the replay value by offering new experiences and challenges each time. On the other hand, some critics express concerns about the repetitive nature of certain aspects of the game, particularly during subsequent playthroughs. Game Informer criticizes the repetition of story moments and encounters, stating that revisiting familiar situations does not add enough new information to keep the experience fresh. Similarly, GameCritics and Wccftech mention that the additional routes and playthroughs can feel too similar to the main route, potentially limiting the game's replay value for some players. The need to replay the campaign multiple times, as highlighted by GameCrate, can also be seen as a drawback for those who find the repetition tedious. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that NieR: Automata offers substantial replay value through its multiple endings, alternative routes, and hidden content. Critics like Hardcore Gamer and RPGamer praise the game for encouraging players to delve deeper into the world and uncover its secrets through various gameplay styles and customization options. While some critics acknowledge the potential for repetitive elements in subsequent playthroughs, the majority appreciate the game's innovative storytelling, diverse narratives, and engaging side quests that make revisiting the game a rewarding experience. The game's ability to continuously subvert expectations, offer surprises, and provide new perspectives with each playthrough, as noted by USgamer and The Jimquisition, further solidifies its reputation as a title with high replay value that caters to players seeking a rich and immersive gaming experience.