NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition Switch Review: A Handheld Miracle of Apocalyptic Aesthetics

Hello everyone, Switch players! I'm your old friend, veteran gamer Little Z. Today, let's talk about this classic title that has landed on the Nintendo Switch platform and captivated countless players – NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition. As a work that has already gained fame on other platforms, how does it perform on the Switch? Is it worth buying for all players? And can it give us a sneak peek at the possibilities of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2? Let me give you a detailed analysis.

1. NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition Switch Edition: An Apocalyptic Epic in Your Hands

NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition (hereinafter referred to as NieR:Automata) is an action role-playing game published by Square Enix and developed by PlatinumGames. The story is set in the distant future, where Earth is invaded by machine lifeforms, and humans escape to the moon. Players will play as android soldiers belonging to the YoRHa unit, fighting against the machine lifeforms for the future of humanity.

This work is known for its profound plot, unique worldview, smooth combat experience, and moving music. Its arrival on the Nintendo Switch undoubtedly gives more players the opportunity to experience this masterpiece.

2. Gameplay: Smooth Combat and Multiple Experiences

2.1. Combat System: PlatinumGames' Action Feast

The combat system of NieR:Automata is handled by PlatinumGames, resulting in a smooth and exhilarating experience. Players can control multiple characters such as 2B, 9S, and A2, each with their own unique combat style and weapon choices.

• Weapon Switching and Combination: The game provides various weapon types, including swords and firearms. Players can freely combine different weapon combinations according to their preferences and combat needs, creating unique fighting styles.
• Dodge and Counter: Perfect dodging can trigger "Perfect Evasion," granting temporary invincibility and enabling counterattacks, which is an important technique in combat.
• Pod System: Each character is equipped with a Pod support system. The Pod can fire bullets, lasers, etc., to suppress enemies and provide auxiliary skills such as healing and acceleration.
• Chip System: Players can enhance their character's abilities by equipping chips, such as increasing attack power, defense, and movement speed. Chip combination is also an important part of combat strategy.

Thanks to PlatinumGames' excellent design, the combat experience of NieR:Automata is outstanding. Even in the portable mode of the Nintendo Switch, a smooth combat experience is guaranteed. If the future Nintendo Switch 2 can further improve performance, the combat experience of NieR:Automata will be even more perfect.

2.2. Multiple Experiences: Shooting, Puzzles, Platforming

In addition to the exhilarating combat, NieR:Automata also incorporates various game elements, such as:

• Shooting: Shooting stages appear from time to time in the game, requiring players to control their character to shoot and dodge enemy bullets.
• Puzzles: The game also contains puzzle elements, requiring players to use their brains to solve puzzles and obtain rewards.
• Platforming: While exploring the map, players need to engage in platforming to reach some hidden areas.

The inclusion of these multiple experiences makes the game process of NieR:Automata more varied and interesting, preventing players from feeling monotonous.

2.3. Multiple Playthroughs and Endings: Profound Story Experience

NieR:Automata adopts a multiple-playthrough design, with each playthrough unfolding from different character perspectives, gradually revealing the truth of the story. Players need to complete multiple playthroughs to unlock the true ending and experience the complete story.

This design allows players to understand the game's worldview and characters more deeply, and to appreciate the profound emotions contained in the game.

3. Graphics and Sound Effects: A Visual and Auditory Feast of Apocalyptic Aesthetics

3.1. Visual Presentation: Optimization for Switch

When NieR:Automata landed on the Nintendo Switch, it was optimized for the Switch's hardware performance. Although the screen resolution has been reduced, the overall visual style still maintains the characteristics of the original work.

• Scene Restoration: The game faithfully restores the scenes of the original work, including ruined cities, amusement parks, forests, etc., creating an apocalyptic atmosphere.
• Character Modeling: Character modeling has also been optimized, ensuring the details and beauty of the characters.
• Frame Rate Performance: In most cases, the game can maintain a stable frame rate, but frame rate drops may occur in some complex scenes.

Considering the hardware limitations of the Nintendo Switch, this visual performance is already quite good. If the Nintendo Switch 2 can use more powerful hardware, the visual performance of NieR:Automata will be significantly improved. The future Nintendo Switch 2 may bring us a more shocking visual experience. nintendo switch2 first look mentions some speculations about the new model, so let's wait and see.

3.2. Sound Effects: Moving Music

The music of NieR:Automata was composed by Keiichi Okabe, with a unique and moving style. The music is perfectly integrated with the game's plot and atmosphere, bringing players an immersive experience.

• Vocal Choirs: The game makes extensive use of vocal choirs, creating an ethereal and sad atmosphere.
• Electronic Music: The game also incorporates electronic music elements, increasing the tension and excitement of combat.
• Scene Music: Different scenes are accompanied by different music, appropriately highlighting the atmosphere of the scene.

It is no exaggeration to say that the music of NieR:Automata is one of the key factors in its success. Even players who don't play the game will be attracted by its music.

4. Story: Profound Themes and Emotions

The story of NieR:Automata is profound and complex, exploring themes such as existentialism, life, and death. The characters in the game all have their own destinies and emotions, and their stories move players.

4.1. The Fate of Androids

The protagonists 2B, 9S, and A2 in the game are all androids. They fight for the future of humanity, but they also face their own identity crisis. Are they tools, or living beings with self-awareness? What is the meaning of their existence?

These questions run through the entire game, prompting players to think.

4.2. Reflections on Machine Lifeforms

In contrast to androids, there are machine lifeforms. In the game, machine lifeforms are not just simple enemies, they also have their own thoughts and feelings. They imitate human behavior, try to understand human culture, and even develop feelings of love and hate.

This setting subverts the stereotypical impression of enemies in traditional games, making players feel sympathy and thought about machine lifeforms.

4.3. Profound Themes

NieR:Automata explores profound themes such as existentialism, life, and death through the stories of androids and machine lifeforms. The game tries to tell players that even in the apocalypse, life still has its value and meaning.

This profound theme makes NieR:Automata not just a game, but a work of art.

5. Controls: Optimization for Switch

The controls of NieR:Automata are very smooth, ensuring a good control experience even on the Nintendo Switch.

5.1. Button Layout

The game has optimized the button layout for the Nintendo Switch, allowing players to get started easily.

• Attack: Attack with the Y and X buttons, and combine different attack methods to unleash gorgeous combos.
• Jump: Jump with the B button, and perform double jumps to increase the character's mobility.
• Dodge: Dodge with the ZR button to dodge enemy attacks and trigger perfect evasion.
• Pod: Use the L button to attack or release skills with the Pod.

5.2. Handheld Mode and TV Mode

In handheld mode, the game's controls are still good, but the small screen may affect the visual experience. In TV mode, the game screen is larger and the control experience is better.

5.3. Possibilities for Nintendo Switch 2

If the Nintendo Switch 2 can use more powerful hardware, the controls of NieR:Automata will be even more perfect. Higher frame rates and faster response speeds will allow players to experience smoother combat.

6. Pros and Cons Analysis

6.1. Pros

• Profound story: The story of NieR:Automata is profound and complex, exploring themes such as existentialism, life, and death, prompting players to think.
• Smooth combat: The game is handled by PlatinumGames, the combat system is smooth and exhilarating, providing rich weapon and skill choices.
• Moving music: The game music has a unique and moving style, perfectly integrated with the game's plot and atmosphere.
• Optimization for Switch: The game is optimized for the Nintendo Switch's hardware performance, ensuring smooth operation and good control experience.

6.2. Cons

• Low screen resolution: Due to the hardware limitations of the Nintendo Switch, the game's screen resolution has been reduced.
• Unstable frame rate: Frame rate drops may occur in some complex scenes.
• Long loading times: The game's loading times are relatively long, which may affect the game experience.

7. Score and References

Overall, NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition is a very excellent action role-playing game, and its unique charm can still be experienced even on the Nintendo Switch.

• Overall Score: 8.5/10

Reason:

• Story: 9/10 A profound and thought-provoking story that immerses players in it.
• Combat: 8.5/10 A smooth and exhilarating combat experience that provides a wealth of weapons and skill choices.
• Graphics: 7.5/10 Optimized for Switch, but screen resolution is low.
• Sound: 9.5/10 Moving music that perfectly sets off the atmosphere of the game.
• Control: 8/10 Good handling, optimized for Switch.

References:

• IGN: https://www.ign.com/articles/nier-automata-the-end-of-yorha-edition-switch-review (This link is an example, please search and replace it with the real score link)
• Metacritic: https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/nier-automata-the-end-of-yorha-edition (This link is an example, please search and replace it with the real score link)

8. Purchase Suggestions and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

The price of NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition on the Nintendo Switch is relatively high, but considering its excellent game quality, it is still worth buying.

8.1. Purchase Suggestions

• If you are a fan of the NieR series: Then this game is definitely not to be missed, and you can experience the world of NieR anytime, anywhere in the palm of your hand.
• If you like action role-playing games: Then this game can also meet your needs, and the smooth combat and profound plot will make you addicted.
• If you are pursuing the ultimate visual experience: Then this game may not be suitable for you because of its low screen resolution. You can consider playing it on other platforms.

8.2. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Although the price of NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition on the Nintendo Switch is relatively high, the game content it provides is very rich and can keep you playing for dozens or even hundreds of hours. Considering its excellent game quality and profound plot, its cost-effectiveness is still quite high. Of course, it would be more cost-effective if you can wait for a discount promotion. At the same time, for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, we can also look forward to whether NieR:Automata has a chance to be visually enhanced. nintendo switch2 price is also a key concern for many players.

9. Nintendo Switch 2 Outlook

The performance of NieR:Automata on the Nintendo Switch fills us with expectations for the future Nintendo Switch 2. If the Nintendo Switch 2 can use more powerful hardware, the graphics, frame rate, and loading speed of NieR:Automata will be significantly improved, thereby bringing players a more perfect experience.

At the same time, we also look forward to the Nintendo Switch 2 supporting more games, allowing more players to experience more excellent works. nintendo switch2 compatibility is also a focus of attention for players.

10. Conclusion

All in all, NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition is a very worthwhile game to buy, and it can still show its unique charm on the Nintendo Switch. If you like action role-playing games, or are interested in the NieR series, then you might as well buy this game and experience the handheld miracle of apocalyptic aesthetics. Let us also look forward to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 together, hoping that it can bring us a more shocking game experience! Thank you all for reading!