NieR Automata. What in the actual F?

[ibex333]

So I bought NieR Automata many years ago, but was too lazy to try it. Now I finally got around to it, and I don't understand why there's so much praise and hype around this game. Perhaps, I dont understand something here.. Maybe I am not a "true otaku" or a real fan of JRPGs... But I am not about to redo huge segments of the game just because the devs in their infinite wisdom decided that it's wrong to save wherever I want to. The game is just.. TOO DAMN HARD.

I did some research, and it deems like there's apparently a whole NieR series.. or universe... created by some Japanese writer. There's apparently other older NieR games that one MUST have played to truly "connect" with the newer NieR games. Supposedly my mind is just too limited to truly really "get" it all.

I keep dying on "normal" and its extremely frustrating. I am not good at dodging all those plasma balls the robots shoot and I just don't get how to properly avoid those giant construction machine arms. They keep killing me.

I think my main source of frustration is the actual controls/camera. Also I hate how the game is just so intricate and sophisticated. Theres an actual dedicated button for switching targets! And if you don't target the flying enemies for example, you wont even be able to hit them! Come on.. Can't my character select targets automatically?!

At first, I tried playing with mouse/kb. But the game was clearly intended for consoles only, despite the PC port. So I switched to the controller. But playing with the controller after mouse/kb is just so clunky. So slow, so uncomfortable. How are people even able to enjoy this game at all given all the major issues and frustrations I listed? Maybe I have to be some kind of a console/controller "pro" to enjoy this?

 

[aigomorla]

lolz... you tell me another game that gives you an achievement for trying to look up 2B's skirt 10 times.

No but seriously, i loved Nier.
The sound track is awesome.
It was one of the first RPG's Square threw out with that kind of combat system in a RPG, which got imported to the Final Fantasy series later on.

The game does have horrible camera controls, but you get used to it like Final Fantasy series after a while.
And yes you need to use a controller for this game.

 

[Zenoth]

I never played it, only heard about it, seen some gameplay clips and obviously seen the 2B character's "popularity" rising some years back (going in other games as a 'Guest' type character for example).

From what I heard the gameplay wasn't exactly the main reason as to why it 'worked'. I don't think I need to delve into more details.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

I would say git gud, but the game isn't hard on normal. 10/10 game, my favorite thing released in 2017. You don't have to play Drakengard 1 or Nier Gestalt / Nier Replicant before and I honestly think it's better to play Automata before Replicant/Gestalt since you'd have a lot of Automata's plot spoiled by playing Replicant/Gestalt first.

 

[quikah]

yeah, I never understood the hype either. I played it for about 8 hrs, but just found it boring, so quit.

Controls seemed fine to me. Story was interesting, but the gameplay just didn't grab me.

 

[aigomorla]

I don't think I need to delve into more details.

ROFL... Rule 34 of the internet?

Although if i had to have a overpowered android body guard, 2B or A2 would definitely be one of my first picks.

 

[WhiteNoise]

Bought it, played an hour, refunded it. I too never understood the hype.

 

[gorobei]

the crew at LoadingReadyRun did multiple streams of Automata, to some degree you need to be a bit of a weeb to get some of the stuff it is poking at. it's claim to fame is that it is a multi layered meta game where you go thru 8 or 10 replay/newgame+ for different unlock storyline and endings.

the project lead designer is going for some high level commentary on gaming/life and each of the gameplay modes is meant to twist the genre. it has 3d platformer, 2d platforming, overhead shooter bullet hell, 3d fps, and some fighting game modes.

there is some neat story progression stuff and unlocking the endings tries to twist your noggin with the new perspectives. but if you dont latch on to the premise, it is very easy to bounce off of and never want to touch again.