NieR: Automata Hands-On Preview

The demo for Nier: Automata follows two androids, 2B and 9S, inside of a massive abandoned weapons factory that is now run by machines . The player takes control of 2B as she (do androids have genders?) travels through this factory on a mission to take out a Goliath-class weapon. Immediately upon playing this demo the familiarity of its predecessor is apparent. 2B has a floating mechanical companion that can provide fire power assistance as she battles the robotic enemies as they shoot the familiar orb projectiles. Nier was no slouch with a sword, but watching 2B in melee combat is truly a thing of beauty as she is able to dispatch her enemies by using her blades with the finesse of a ballerina trained by ninjas. The explosive action on screen is accompanied by a beautiful choral infused soundtrack, which was one of the more memorable aspects of the original.

The gameplay of Nier: Automata is very similar to Nier. The bulk of the demo plays like a beat 'em up action RPG, where 2B has a strong and weak attack that she can string together in combos and can jump and dodge, all while using the right bumper to provide support fire from her floating gun turret. Platforming is thrown into the mix, though nothing really too elaborate was encountered. There is a section of aerial combat that was actually quite fun and added some variety, and the scale of the enormous enemy that was fought in this dogfight fashion was an impressive spectacle to behold. While this was a sudden shift in play style the transition was seamless, suggesting that the execution of incorporating multiple game genres is improved this time around. The battle controls in Nier: Automata make combat as enjoyable to control as it is to watch.

NieR: Automata 's demo is finally running on our PS4 consoles, giving everyone a taste of PlatinumGames' signature action in a JRPG flavor. Not only it looks lovely and plays even better, it also comes with at least part of its promised PS4 Pro support.

Here’s a distinctive landscape! Rows and rows of nearly identical housing units stretch across the desert as far as the eye can see. To be honest, I’m not crazy about having to draw the same thing out over and over again like this in 2D, so I started making this piece by digitally placing models of the buildings in 3D space and painting over that. To keep it consistent with the overall game world, I brightened the scene up and toned the colors way down until it’s nearly monochromatic.

In all our previous projects, we sound designers made individual settings for echoes to fit the exact shape of each area in the game. However, since NieR Automata updates|https://nierautomatafans.com/: Automata takes place in a more open world, it would take a massive amount of work to do it that way. We’re aiming to cut down on all that effort while creating a realistic soundscape for the game by using a system that can manage echoes on the fly.
All that said, Nier: Automata is looking to be as equally impressive as its parent games. This series shines and maybe releasing earlier in the year will garner the attention Nier: Automata deserves. This is no JRPG newcomer; these games have been there the whole time and stand up to the best of them.


NieR: Automata was not playable at the show, but what was was showcased on stage was plenty to make it up for that. The return of beloved characters from the first game was great, but when we saw actual gameplay, many jaws drop


The producer also confirmed that the game would be PS4 Pro optimized, and confirmed than an Xbox One release was on the cards depending on how NieR: Automata sales fair from the game's launch early next year. From our time with the game, the action sequences look to have heavily improved, and Platinum Games will be banking on an enveloping storyline and smoother combat keeping fans hooked. While we have some concerns about large bland locations and a lack of cannon fodder enemy variety, it's clear that NieR: Automata looks like a marked improved on the original, and action RPG fans should consider the title when it eventually releases across the gl

As a series, it has managed to keep up with the times in good stride ( even if it got weirder along the way ). Nier and its predecessor Drakengard were both superb reflections of their time. Nier: Automata is already looking to address certain themes all too familiar for the times right now. Again, making a giant leap into the future, possibly to speak on what technology means for the world. How it shapes and effects our lives. It will be interesting to see where Automata goes because it will be the first game without human protagonist. Heroine 2B looks female, but like her counterpart S9 (looks male), they are both fully functioning machines. Not a single human thing about them, aside from looks (they both look dope). It will also be a game without blood, as far as what has been shown. Surprising as this series oozes blood; even the shades in Nier spouted fountains of gore. Yet even this design choice of focusing more on explosions than gore is important. Giving pause to thought, maybe Nier: Automata is saying something about our world in a clever way that is built into its world.