[S]kill Up's Review

https://youtu.be/-NiyfG8Ctbo

[A]utomata

From the unparalled ingenuity behind Drakengard comes a cleverly crafted, narrative-driven masterpiece with some pretty gratifying hack-and-slash mechanics thrown in for good measure. Set in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian universe, NieR:Automata's depiction of a desperate struggle between two polarizing yet parallel civilizations accompanied by its unadulterated socio-emotional ramifications make it more than just a game in many aspects.

While the core philosophy of NieR was never conceptualized to be what you would call psychologically 'fun'[www.neogaf.com]for the lack of better expression, Automata’s subversive narrative offers a fascinating critique on the meaning of God, existential dilemmas, and the issues and causes we fight for. Many of its notable moments come thematically drenched in inventiveness, obfuscating and challenging your own understanding and pre-existing beliefs. Its on-the-nose callbacks to the giants of philosophy may have been heavy-handed, but its world is nevertheless rich in mystery and lore.

NieR:Automata features an enthralling original soundtrack by Keiichi Okabe, complemented with innovative vocals by Emiko Rebecca Evans. Each piece consistently defies regular OST conventions by showcasing an ensemble of intriguing sonic literature that is specifically tailored for each sequence or corresponding environment.

https://youtu.be/Yy0aABj46YM
The Music of NieR[en.m.wikipedia.org]details how the songs were created by employing a fictional amalgamation of different traditional languages in cohesion with deep orchestral instrumentals. The product is an ethereal soundscape that delivers a theatrical energy in different settings/plot-specific moments whilst delivering an intrinsic touch of post-apocalyptic futurism.

Essentially, one could classify NieR:Automata as a technologically advanced spin-off to its equally enigmatic prequel. It features a standalone story that, whilst retaining some relevant intricacies to the original lore, doesn't require the player to have seen a single frame of Gestalt or Replicant to enjoy. However, there are callbacks that deepen your appreciation for what's on offer here if you've played the first game. Getting to the end by acquiring all the story endings is one ideal, uncovering the deeper secrets embedded within the game and following the characters' personalities as they weave into greater mythos are an entirely different endeavour altogether.

[M]echanics

Throughout your experience in NieR:Automata, you will be roaming a dense open-world at your own pace in search of machine lifeforms and other mission related NPCs in order to progress. To the conscientious eye, obscure themes can be discovered in side-quests, set pieces and small conversations with NPCs. Collectively, they hint at a vast backdrop of principles and identities baked into the world's anatomy. NieR:Automata's artistic direction breathes its own kind of personality and the vistas can be as breathtaking as they are sombre. From the overgrowth of the city ruins to the splendour of the amusement park, every location emanates an audiovisual distinctiveness that tells it own story.

Exploration, puzzle and platform elements can sometimes blend in real-time perspective shifts. During these sequences, the camera eschews its default third person perspective to pan around and showcase the world more broadly. From a flying camera to a side scrolling or even birds eye view of aerial combat, each angle further illustrates the depth and expansiveness of each map. Opting for this dynamic visual system complements the delicate balance of both the immediacy of close combat awareness and the fog of war obscuring what's to come.

Combat itself comes in the form of both melee and ranged weaponry. In a flurry of fluid and precise techniques, 2B is capable of wielding katanas, longswords and gauntlets to exceptional effect. Supplemented by a levitating pod that provides additional traversal/combat abilities, combat in NieR proves to be rather engaging and liberal as personalized combos can be pulled off with full player autonomy. At certain points, 2B would also pilot a weaponized YoRHa flight unit (essentially a miniaturized gundam-esque suit) for suborbital travel or as a means of quick ground-to-air transport. Weapons, plug-in chips (essentially passive skills) and enhancement consumables can be found and obtained along your playthrough, usually at NPC vendors, with the exception of some unique items that require some dedicated searching.

Machine lifeforms, which represent the YoRHa's primary "threat", can come in a multitude of shapes, sizes, configurations and are usually equipped with melee and/or ranged offensive paraphernelia. Each enemy design can be wildly unorthodox and can range from diminutive wind-up toys to towering behemoths. All machines, irregardless of physical stature, can be highly dangerous in especially in swarms. Analysing each machine's attack pattern, mastering the dodge/counter mechanics and leveraging weakpoints will be indispensible for avoiding damage and making the best of each scenario.

3C3C1D119440927[nier.fandom.com]

[F]AR

The Fix Automata Resolution (FAR)[wiki.special-k.info]mod features specific tweaks and features created by Kaldaien with contributions from various individuals. For years these tweaks were essential to fix various issues the Steam version of the game suffered from, and many of these improvements made their way into the game officially following a July 15, 2021 update.

With the current state of the game, FAR is no longer as essential though it still features improvements to the latest version of the game that some may find beneficial:

• Enables much faster loading times
  
• Can improve the frame pacing of the game and eliminate micro stuttering
  
• Further reduce global illumination in favor of performance
  
• Various other minor fixes and features