NieR: Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition (PlayStation PS4)

NieR: Automata is a unique and captivating game that blends different genres to create a thrilling experience. The combat system is satisfying, and there are plenty of sidequests to perform along the way to make money for more upgrades and chips. The story is amazing and touches upon many elements of identity, theology, and philosophy. The game's world is stunning, with a futuristic dystopia that is both beautiful and desolate. The game's soundtrack is also highly praised for its unique vocals and intensity. NieR: Automata is described as an action RPG, but it's really an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink kind of game. In between hearty chunks of feel-good hack-and-slash, you’ll trade a fireworks display worth of projectiles with flying enemies, hack into robot mainframes, read a text adventure or two, and even brawl with a pair of psychotic twins. This radically changing gameplay makes for a thrilling roller coaster ride. Combat is the heart and soul of Automata, but there’s more to do than just stab robots and search for the truth. Fun money-making enterprises like fishing and hunting are available. Critics praised the game's story, themes, gameplay, and music. However, some reviewers found the story to be convoluted and difficult to understand. The game also drew criticism for some visual and technical problems. The PC release drew a mixed response due to technical issues that were not officially addressed until 2021. Overall, NieR: Automata is a criminally underrated JRPG hybrid with a passable story, unique storytelling structure, excellent gameplay, and an inspired soundtrack. It is a must-play for fans of action RPGs and those looking for a unique gaming experience.

For the price, you really can't go wrong. Easily 50 hours of fun. One of the best games ever made.The DLC is a download code but that only makes sense. The disc is probably a 25GB blueray. I know from playing the PC port of the vanilla game that was around 26GB to download. Then 45GB ISH when installed. Logically, much to some people's dismay, you will not fit anything extra onto an already crammed disc. The DLC however, is great!The theme you get with the game is nice and the avatar set is also nice. A neat bonus, nothing to write to the queen about though.I use a non Pro PS4 and the performance is acceptable. Only got this so I have a physical copy. Many frame drops but never becomes unplayable. If you don't care about physical media, and have a PC (there is no such thing as a PC that can run this game perfectly - Automata speedrunning community) that's decent. Get it on there instead for a much more enjoyable experience.Overall, for £30. Seriously worth a buy, you'd be insane not to honestly. Great graphics even though I notice the downgrade in quality from PC. The best soundtrack literally ever. Amazing gameplay, phenomenal story and writing.Keep in mind these are only my opinions.

I've heard some call this game a masterpiece, this is of course an overstatement.The 45min tutorial/intro introduces the player to a few different mechanics (combat, platforming, character mod chips, various locked camera angles that can be as creative as sometimes sitting). This intro isn't easy, there are no checkpoints and people will likely die at the boss several times.After this, you can get more into the meat of the game which takes place in a quite sizeable sandbox world. Big area's connected with passageways and some more linear area's.Visuals: 6/10I'll start with the visuals, the character design is great, but the robot enemies have be repetitive and lack variation. With environment, the area's do go for a reclaimed by nature type of beauty. In some area's with the right lightning, the game can look nice.But mostly, the visuals are kinda bad for a 2017 PS4 game, they look in many instances like a last gen game. Hazy/whitewashed distant assets like cliffs, trees with overexposure lighting in the sky above them. Bare grass textures with a few blades of actual grass. Some bland/empty buildings and colour palettes. I'm sure water has noise when looking at it.Animations for combat are excellent and quite cool looking.Sound: 9/10I'd rate this quite highly, mainly because of the music. It's lovely, envokes a sense of loneliness or at other times music fit for exploring an ancient civilization with an epic feel. Great stuff. The voice acting is fine, nothing to complain out.Gameplay: 7/10The gameplay is a mixed bag. The combat looks great but really there's not much to it, you button mash the same looking/skill set enemies, and try to evade their attacks. You can shoot them with your floating pod robot too. The bosses and one or two shmup throwbacks (think R-type) are interesting, and some battles are projectile based (like the recent Returnal).You mainly traverse the open areas and complete main and side quests, you can find items, be awarded some, buy different mod chips (that alter your skills and attributes), new weapons and some customizations.Some of the fixed camera angles and quest tracking with the very basic looking map, can make it a chore to take search some area's or focus heavily on side quests. Also the map design can be somewhat PS2/PS3 era in some area's. The only good thing of 2B can run incredibly fast as she's an android, and can double jump or glide with the help of your pod bot. This keeps alleviate some of the chore like/monotonous map design issues.There is also teleporter boxes for game save, fast travel and such.Regarding combat, the difficulty is a bit erratic (the intro may be too hard for some player's, some battles throughout can be easy or much harder despite leveling up and you don't want to be under leveled at a boss).Story: 8/10The storyline is pretty good, it tries to be thoughtful and interesting, and the character's (2B, 9S & 2A) are interesting/likeable enough. It should pique the player's curiosity enough to keep following it.Overall: 4/5Definitely not a masterpiece, but it's still quite a good game. And for £9 now, I think everyone should give it a go.If a new player goes into it aware:· It is a bit outdated in level/quest design.· Combat looks great but can be a bit repetitive.· Can be quite difficult at some points including the intro.They'll be more likely to stick with it past the intro, and reap the goodness that awaits underneath.