Automata Still Holds Up As One Of The Most Memorable RPGs

NieR: Automata is undoubtedly one of the most well-known and respected games to come out of Japan in the last decade, and it still stands out today among the best sci-fi RPGs of all time. Set on a corrupted Earth filled with ferocious and seemingly sentient machines, you take on the role of android 2B as you prepare to return Earth’s human masters back to the moon. That’s the basic premise, anyway, but the game is more than a simple robot-fighting story.

From its unique art style to its varied gameplay mechanics, NieR: Automata has a far-reaching appeal, but it’s one of those games that often ends up falling behind people. I’m here to tell you that you should not only play NieR: Automata as soon as possible, but also why it stands as one of the greatest RPGs on the market today, nine years after its original release.

7

It’s a genre matching game

From Soulslike to Platform Puzzler

NieR: Automata may present itself as a third-person action/adventure game, but in reality, it achieves much more than that. Some sequences play like 2D platformers, while others are more like isometric puzzle games. There are elements of parkour, arcade-style flying, Souls-like boss fights, and some shooting mechanics thrown in for good measure.

Despite this mishmash of things, the game is still very accessible and very easy to understand. In a way, it almost feels like an homage to the early game developers as you comically dodge floating objects and string together surprise counter attacks after dodges.

6

A Timeless Art Style

He still stands today

I don’t know if this term has been coined yet, but I think the best way to describe NieR: Automata’s art style is a ‘Cyber-Goth’ aesthetic. Combining elements of the classic Gothic style, such as clothing and weapons, with futuristic cyberpunk elements such as drones and mechs, creates a unique atmosphere that manages to distinguish itself from the usual sci-fi visuals.

Even though it’s been 10 years since its first release, NieR: Automata’s visual style still holds up very well and is immediately recognizable in a few screenshots. A combination of two distinct and different types works well because of how balanced it is and doesn’t depend too much on one or the other.

5

Essential Narrative

A Prophetic Prediction?

When NieR: The Story of Automata was first written, AI was still something confined to video games. Perhaps surprisingly, the developers saw ahead of the curve and used their knowledge of how AI systems work in this sci-fi story. While the concept of maid-like robot soldiers may seem far-fetched, the detached pseudo-sentience that animates and guides them is very much a reality today.

In addition to the themes of planetary destruction and human population collapse, the game puts a strong emphasis on machine intelligence and explores the boundaries between true consciousness and artificial intelligence. Not only that, but it does so in a memorable and hard-hitting way, complete with an orchestral score that is sure to stir the emotions.

4

Top-Tier Soundtrack

Time to Make a New Playlist

While I personally feel that nothing can hold a candle to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Grammy-quality soundtrack these days, NieR: Automata’s OST still holds the top spot on the list of all-time greats. The music in this game is more than simple background noise; it’s an upgrade in every possible way, and many of the game’s levels, locations, and cutscenes won’t feel the same without their tracks.

Not only do the songs help deliver emotional story beats, but the local tracks in different locations give them a unique vibe and atmosphere, further helping to differentiate each location. The soundtrack never feels overwhelming or overpowering, proving that, once again, balance is one of the keys to NieR: Automata’s success.

3

Global Appeal

It is not a place

NieR: Automata’s high-fidelity anime style doesn’t just appeal to Japanese audiences; the game was a huge success in the west as well. As of February 2026, the game has officially sold over 10 million copies worldwide, with the USA and Europe accounting for approximately 35% of sales – a much higher percentage than most games made in Japan achieve.

Very few games, especially from a then-unknown franchise, can pull off such numbers, and the fact that the game still sells significant copies each year is a testament to its longevity.

2

Replay Value

Layer Upon Layer

Although it may follow a limited narrative (with its famous twists), NieR: Automata has a lot of replay value. First of all, the slightly open world level design is designed in a Souls-like manner with low-level enemies respawning so you can easily farm XP. Then there’s the fact that there are multiple different endings to the story, the outcomes of which depend on the decisions you’ve made throughout the game, such as whether or not to attack passive enemies.

In addition, the story itself actually lends itself to a lot of gameplay similar to Clair Obscur and BioShock Infinite. Each subsequent play through reveals more details that you didn’t notice the first time, but which make perfect sense on the second play through.

1

Franchise Power

The Moon is the limit

It should come as no surprise that NieR: Automata set the series on a major upward trajectory. Square Enix followed up with NieR: Replicant in 2021, but the title managed to expand beyond the video game. In 2023, the anime series NieR: Automata Ver1.1a was developed by the prestigious A-1 Pictures. It’s no surprise, given the game’s rich world, that NieR: Automata’s characters and universe translate so well into different genres.

There are also a number of novels and novels set in the Nier universe written by Yoko Taro and Jun Eishima. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s even a stage play called it YoRHa Pearl Harbor Descent Record, which was later turned into a Manga. The franchise is now seen all over the world and has even been featured in crossovers with other popular games such as Overwatch, Stellar Blade, and Rainbow Six: Siege.

Released

March 7, 2017

The ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Mild Nudity, Strong Language, Violence

Publisher

Square Enix

Engine

Official Engine

Nintendo Switch release date

October 6, 2022