NieR: Automata Review (Anarcanist)
NieR is a philosophical odyssey wrapped in a hauntingly beautiful dystopian world. They have crafted a story that doesn’t just ask, “What does it mean to be human?” but also forces the player to confront the cyclical nature of existence, despair, and self-destruction. It’s a game that lingers long after the credits roll—not just because of its gameplay, but because of its deeply unsettling truths.
At its core, NieR: Automata follows androids 2B, 9S, and A2 in their endless war against the machine lifeforms, a war waged in the name of humanity—despite the fact that humanity is long gone. The machines, much like the androids, strive for meaning, mimicking human behaviors, emotions, and even societies. They fall in love, build cults, wage wars, and pursue knowledge, yet they are doomed to follow the same self-destructive cycles that led to humanity’s own downfall. This is where the game truly shines: it does not simply explore the idea of artificial beings trying to be human, but rather highlights the inevitability of their suffering, mirroring the tragic history of their creators.
Each playthrough unveils new perspectives, forcing the player to reconsider everything they thought they knew. Just as the androids and machines question their reality, the game challenges the player to rethink their choices, morality, and even the very act of playing a game. NieR: Automata is not content with simply being played—it demands to be understood.
But understanding leads to heartbreak. The cycle repeats, the war continues, and the characters search for meaning in a world that denies them closure. The melancholic soundtrack reinforces this theme, its haunting melodies underscoring every moment of beauty and despair. The game’s final choice—whether to sacrifice or persist—leaves the player with a profound sense of both loss and hope, a testament to its masterful storytelling.
NieR: Automata is a rare experience in gaming, one that doesn’t just tell a story but makes you feel the weight of its message. It is a poignant, deeply philosophical work that explores the futility and beauty of existence. The machines sought to be human, but in doing so, they doomed themselves to the same fate. Perhaps that is the truest expression of humanity after all.