NieR – Automata
Table of Contents
Game Description
If you love deep philosophy, hauntingly beautiful music, and fast-paced hack-and-slash action, NieR: Automata is an absolute masterpiece that you need to experience. Far from being a typical action game, this title is an emotional rollercoaster that uses the medium of video games to tell a story in a way that no movie or book ever could.
Developed by PlatinumGames and directed by the eccentric visionary Yoko Taro, it blends buttery-smooth character action with a profound, mind-bending narrative about what it truly means to be alive.
NieR: Automata – Game Details
| Feature | Details |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Developer | PlatinumGames |
| Release Date | March 17, 2017 (PC) |
| Genre | Action RPG / Hack and Slash / Sci-Fi |
| Platform | PC (Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch |
Glory to Mankind: Game Description
The story of NieR: Automata takes place thousands of years in the future. Earth has been invaded by powerful, otherworldly “Machine Lifeforms,” forcing the remnants of humanity to flee and take refuge on the Moon. To reclaim their home planet, humans deploy a squad of highly advanced android soldiers known as the YoRHa unit.
The Android Protagonists
You primarily experience the war through the eyes of two specialized androids sent to the surface:
- 2B (YoRHa No. 2 Type B): An all-purpose battle android who is calm, disciplined, and strictly follows orders, constantly reminding her partner that androids “are not allowed to have emotions.”
- 9S (YoRHa No. 9 Type S): A scanner android who is naturally curious, expressive, and emotional, tasked with scouting the battlefield and hacking into enemy networks.
As they fight across a desolate, beautiful open world—including ruined cities, vast deserts, and overgrown theme parks—they discover that the alien machines are starting to mimic human behavior, emotions, and societal structures. This flips their entire mission upside down, forcing them into a massive existential crisis.
Snappy PlatinumGames Action and Genre-Bending Play
The core combat is designed by the masters of the action genre, PlatinumGames. You can smoothly execute light and heavy attacks, dodge incoming strikes at the last second to trigger a slowdown effect, and fluidly cycle through a massive arsenal of small swords, greatswords, spears, and combat gauntlets.
What makes the game truly unique, however, is how it constantly shifts genres without warning:
- One moment you are playing a traditional third-person 3D action game.
- The next moment, the camera locks into a 2D side-scrolling platformer perspective.
- Suddenly, it shifts into a top-down bullet-hell twin-stick shooter as you hop into flying flight units.
The Legendary Multiple Endings Layout
You have not actually “beaten” NieR: Automata just because the credits roll for the first time. The game is famous for requiring multiple playthroughs to see the entire story.
- Route A lets you play the initial campaign as 2B.
- Route B lets you replay those same events from 9S’s perspective, introducing a unique rhythm-based hacking mini-game and completely new story cutscenes.
- Route C and D continue the story directly after the events of the first two routes, offering completely fresh gameplay segments, brand-new areas, and the true, emotional climax of the narrative.
What is System Requirement for NieR – Automata?
The game features highly artistic post-apocalyptic environments, smooth character animations running at a target 60 FPS, and massive, screen-filling particle explosions. The PC version scales well across a variety of hardware budgets.
Minimum System Requirements
- Operating System (OS): Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 (64-bit OS mandatory)
- Processor (CPU): Intel Core i3 2100 or AMD A8-6500
- System Memory (RAM): 4 GB RAM
- Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 (2GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon R9 270X (2GB VRAM)
- DirectX Version: Version 11
- Available Storage Space: 50 GB available space
Recommended System Requirements
- Operating System (OS): Windows 8.1 / 10 / 11 (64-bit)
- Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5 4670 or AMD A10-7850K
- System Memory (RAM): 8 GB RAM
- Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (4GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon R9 380X (4GB VRAM)
- DirectX Version: Version 11
- Available Storage Space: 50 GB available space (An SSD will help eliminate asset-streaming stutters as you run across the open world)
Common Questions About NieR: Automata (FAQs)
Q: Do I need to play the original NieR or the Drakengard games first?
A: No. While NieR: Automata is technically set in the same universe thousands of years after the events of NieR Replicant, the story stands completely on its own. New players can jump straight into Automata without feeling lost, though returning fans will spot plenty of fun lore callbacks and recurring side characters.
Q: What is the purpose of the Pod programs?
A: Your floating tactical Pod companion acts as your ranged weapon support. Beyond firing continuous laser volleys, you can equip custom “Pod Programs” that act as special cooldown abilities—such as summoning giant energy shields, launching homing missiles, or scanning the terrain for hidden items.
Q: How does the chip upgrade system work?
A: Androids don’t use traditional armor. Instead, you customize your stats by slotting Plug-in Chips into your internal memory. You can install chips to boost your attack damage, automate healing, or display UI elements like enemy health bars. If you die, you must return to your fallen body to reclaim your equipped chips, or risk losing them permanently.
Q: Is the PC version fully fixed and playable now?
A: Yes. While the initial 2017 PC release famously suffered from resolution bugs and stuttering issues, Square Enix released a massive definitive patch alongside the Become as Gods edition update. This completely stabilized performance and fixed frame pacing, making the game run beautifully without needing community mods.
Q: Can I play NieR: Automata on the Steam Deck?
A: Yes, the game is officially Steam Deck Verified. It runs incredibly well on the handheld console, easily maintaining a locked, fluid 60 FPS profile on a mix of medium and high graphics settings, making it perfect for portable play.
Final Summary
NieR: Automata is an absolute masterpiece of modern gaming. It perfectly balances adrenaline-pumping, multi-genre action combat with a deeply moving story that tackles complex philosophical questions about consciousness, purpose, and humanity. Backed by one of the greatest award-winning musical soundtracks in gaming history, it is an unforgettable experience that stays with you long after the final true ending.
