9 /10 17

NieR: Automata stands as one of the most ambitious action RPGs ever created, where director Yoko Taro’s unconventional narrative design merges seamlessly with PlatinumGames’ signature combat excellence. The Become As Gods Edition consolidates the base game with previously released DLC costumes and items, offering new players the complete experience without fragmentation. This 2017 masterpiece explores themes of consciousness, purpose, and existential dread through the lens of androids 2B, 9S, and A2 fighting to reclaim a machine-infested Earth. Readers will discover how Automata transcends typical action-RPG conventions by weaponizing storytelling itself, forcing you to replay scenarios from different perspectives that completely reframe earlier events with devastating emotional impact.

How to Play NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition

Combat centers on fast-paced melee and ranged weapon switching with stunning animation quality. Players progress through multiple playthroughs, each revealing hidden narrative layers and mechanical depth unavailable on first completion. The game seamlessly blends third-person action combat with bullet-hell shooting segments, side-scrolling sequences, and arcade mini-games, creating genre-bending variety that prevents fatigue across 50+ hours of content.

1. Controls – Fluid controller-based combat using light and heavy attacks with seamless weapon swapping. Learning curve is gentle for action newcomers but rewards mastery with complex combo mechanics and evasion timing.
2. Progression – Complete story campaigns with three playable characters (2B, 9S, A2), each with unique playstyles and narrative perspectives. Multiple endings unlock new game plus modes with additional content and mechanical depth.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Mix melee attacks, ranged pod attacks, and special abilities. Hacking mini-games (9S) and different combat speeds keep gameplay fresh throughout. Chip system allows weapon and ability customization.
4. Tips – Unlock higher difficulties after first playthrough. Pursue side quests for character development and lore depth. Don’t skip cutscenes; narrative is integral to gameplay experience and philosophical themes.

Who Should Play NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition

This title appeals to players seeking narrative-driven experiences with substance and emotional weight. Players wanting philosophical depth blended with satisfying combat mechanics will find Automata deeply rewarding, though patience with unconventional storytelling structures is essential for full appreciation.

• Story-First Gamers – If you prioritize narrative and character development, Automata’s multi-layered storytelling rivals prestige television and cinema in thematic complexity and emotional devastation.
• Action Combat Enthusiasts – PlatinumGames fans will appreciate the tight controls, fluid animations, and satisfying hit feedback that makes combat engaging across dozens of hours.
• Philosophy and Sci-Fi Fans – The game explores consciousness, free will, and meaning in post-apocalyptic settings. Expect Nietzschean philosophy, existentialism, and emotional gut-punches about purpose and sacrifice.
• Skip if – You dislike replaying content or require traditional linear narratives. Automata demands three major playthroughs and uses repetition as thematic storytelling device, which frustrates players preferring one-and-done experiences.

NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition Platform Performance

The Become As Gods Edition delivers consistent 60fps performance on modern consoles with visual clarity intact. PC requires patches for optimal stability. Nintendo Switch version prioritizes portability over graphical fidelity while maintaining gameplay integrity and emotional impact.

NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition System Requirements

PC specifications accommodate modest gaming rigs but recommend higher-end hardware for optimal visual presentation and stable frame rates. Storage requirements are substantial due to high-quality assets and cutscene libraries. DirectX 11 compatibility ensures broad hardware support across gaming generations.

Similar Games to NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition

Games sharing Automata’s blend of philosophical narrative, action combat, or unconventional structure offer similar satisfaction levels. However, few games match Automata’s integration of story and gameplay as seamlessly or ambitiously, making it genuinely unique despite spiritual cousins in the action-RPG space.

• Bayonetta Series – Same developer (PlatinumGames) delivers signature combat fluidity; lacks Automata’s narrative depth but offers pure action excellence.
• Persona 5 Royal – Philosophical themes about identity, rebellion, and meaning; slower-paced JRPG with turn-based combat but equally strong character writing.
• Final Fantasy VII Remake – Narrative deconstruction of gaming tropes; blends action combat with character-driven storytelling, though less experimental structurally.
• Gravity Rush Series – Unique gameplay mechanics and emotional storytelling; smaller scale but shares philosophical existential questions about existence and purpose.

NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition vs Competitors

Automata stands apart in metacritic consensus and long-term cultural impact. While competitors excel in specific areas (Persona’s social links, FF7R’s spectacle), none match Automata’s seamless fusion of story-gameplay integration or willingness to deconstruct medium itself for thematic purposes.

NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition Story and World

Humanity has fled to the moon, leaving androids to fight machine lifeforms for Earth’s reclamation in the year 11945. The narrative explores whether androids can achieve consciousness, sacrifice meaning, and whether victory justifies cost. Without spoilers: the game’s structure itself becomes thematic commentary on player agency, replayability, and what it means to complete a game. Yoko Taro constructs a tragedy operating on multiple narrative wavelengths simultaneously—surface-level action plot, character relationship drama, philosophical meditation on existence, and meta-commentary on gaming as medium. Tone shifts from hopeful to devastating to absurd to transcendent, often within single scenes.

NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition Multiplayer and Online

Automata features asynchronous multiplayer elements rather than traditional co-op or competitive modes. Messages, bloodstains, and item ghosts from other players create shared world feeling. Single-player campaign remains focus with seamless online integration enhancing solitary journey without requiring live multiplayer participation or frustrating connectivity issues.

• Asynchronous Co-op – Request companion androids controlled by AI echoes of other players; helps during challenging combat sequences without real-time multiplayer pressure.
• Community Features – See player bloodstains at death locations; receive messages from other players offering guidance or commentary on encounters.
• Arena Battles – Single-player combat challenges against increasingly difficult enemy combinations; optional endgame content for mastery-seeking players.
• Cross-Platform – PC and console players share asynchronous community features; no cross-play matchmaking needed for online elements.

NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition DLC and Expansions

The Become As Gods Edition includes all previously released cosmetic DLC from original 2017 launch and subsequent content drops. These mostly comprise costume variations and pod skins without gameplay-altering mechanics. New game plus and challenge modes provide substantial post-launch content without paywall gatekeeping.

• Revealing Outfit – Alternative costume for 2B; purely cosmetic with no mechanical changes or story impact.
• Destroyer Outfit – Combat-themed alternative costume reflecting different character thematic expression through visual design.
• Pod Skins – Retro grey, red, and cardboard aesthetic pod variations; nostalgic nods to series history and design philosophy evolution.
• Free Updates – Patches address PC stability, camera improvements, and minor balance adjustments; development concluded but community support remains active.

NieR: Automata Become As Gods Edition Community and Support

Community remains vibrant years after launch, with active forums, thriving Discord communities, and regular content sharing across Reddit and specialized forums. Developer support continues through periodic patches. Modding community on PC extends content lifespan through texture improvements and balance modifications.

• Official Community – Square Enix maintains forums and social media channels for player discussion, fan art sharing, and developer updates.
• Reddit and Discord – Subreddit r/nier contains 200k+ members with lore discussions, fan theories, and community events; multiple Discord servers provide real-time community engagement.
• Mod Support – Steam Workshop enables community-created texture packs, balance mods, and quality-of-life improvements; Nexus Mods hosts extensive modification library.
• Updates and Patches – Regular stability updates and occasional content additions; developer roadmap remains transparent about long-term support plans.