NieR: Automata stands out as a truly unique gem in the gaming world, and any review of it should strive to capture its essence. As I grapple with this task, one question looms large: how does one do justice to such a magnificent creation without diminishing its brilliance?

Perhaps I should begin by acknowledging that if you consider yourself a gamer, if the title "Gamer" holds any significance in your life, then you owe it to yourself to experience this game. It's as simple as that.

But for those seeking a deeper dive into my thoughts, I welcome you to join me on a journey through my reflections.

Firstly, as someone who has played tens of thousands of video games, I hold my own standards for what defines a game. I am not swayed by hype or the opinions of others; my judgment is based on a deep understanding of games and their potential impact.

When a game like NieR: Automata emerges, it becomes a standard bearer for decades to come. It transcends the typical boundaries of a video game and stands as a masterpiece in its own right. It should not be compared to anything else; it existed as a concept before it became a game, and that concept continues to resonate, whether you are actively playing the game or not.

The game starts off with a great homage to the typical shoot-em-up arcade style games. And quickly leaves it in some one-dimensional alley.
Bam!
All the way to the big lasers killing off teammates, until there's only one paradigmatic hero - You!
And You! are the game the creator plays.
And You! will be the main goal of this game's creator for the duration of your playtime.
Welcome to NieR: Automata. Get trolled hard.

It will get to you.
It will make you feel.
It will make you depressed. A lot.

That is, as long as you're mature enough to understand why. The beauty of it is that you needn't discuss it with others.
All that you need to do is simply experience it. You're not simply playing a game here, you are experiencing it. The mere joy of gaming. The mere essence of gaming. It's here, folk. Use it!

People say that beauty is subjective, but for me beauty is ethereal.
It is the prevalent beauty of the game's ability to rekindle your imagination.
For me it clicks. And I've experienced so many games that I consider myself perpetually grumpy. Nothing's amazing anymore, or if it is - it's short lived. When you combine that with my elitist/snobbish outlook, the fact I've played best of the best of games, and top it off with my unforgivable demands - it's a hard bargain that'll make me really enjoy a game.
I love the fact that Nier Automata urges you to think and rethink. It is something that happens passively. Not the story that does it for me, it is the atmosphere. Keeps you longing for that unattainable distance of metaphysical longevity even when it's guarded by nihilist walls of nothingness. And you constantly feel like the end boss is hidden in plain sense. And that's Yoko Taro. He's playing 4D chess against the player, and instantly wins.
Why?
Well, partly because of game's beautiful aesthetics and marvelous atmosphere.
Partly, because of abundant philosophical concepts written on those empty walls.
You will congenially take the great ghost of nihilism by hand, and the two of you will run around like Robin Hood and Little John.
NieR: Automata will make you rethink your very own existence, several times over.
You will question how you'd like/want to live your life.
You will question everything, and nothing.
And it will keep you puzzled, making you sway in deep thoughts of your own introspection.
But, is this game for just about everyone? Hell, no.
Here it stands within a reason "Do not throw your pearls to pigs".
Game's art.

A random person would say that this is a typical action RPG. The controls and mechanics during Melee combat definitely feel that way. Nothing about this game's intrinsic mechanics stands out as unique or never-seen-before.
I know of at least twenty similar aRPG, some dating from PS1 era.
The camera will change its focused perspective based on the area you are visiting. And it is pleasant. This adds to the overall artistic expression, too.
I can't recommend this game enough, but at the same time I can't recommend it to the people who are afraid of abstract concepts. I also can't recommend it to the people who aren't imaginative or fastidious. If you don't find yourself being absorbed in deep thoughts, if you lack the wit of a mind, imaginative perception, or if you're just someone who'd like to kill some time - kindly pass this game. It's not for you. Go away.

The way this game played with me as I interacted with it, convinced me to add a particular step... an addition to my scrutinized standard™ for defining what I suffer a game should be.
Or, at the very least, what it ought entertain harmoniously. Call it Nen's consolidation or Nen's amalgamation, but if it doesn't meet my standards in a very particular way - it's only downhill from there. There's no cure. Only the grim judgement.
I think there's just one more game that made me do that, and it was El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron. I can clearly see similarities in camera movement between these two, and some of the art choices.

If you care about the gaming the way I try to, then you will surely admit that gaming is a pure art form. And I don't just mean about the effort put behind the game's creation, no. I actually consider the entirety of the gaming world in itself.
For me, that is art. We all experience it somewhat differently based on our beliefs, teachings, and backgrounds.
Yet, I can't shake off the feeling that not every game can be called art. Sad.
Skyrim, for instance, isn't art for me. Mods and the community behind, as well as what players achieved over the time - now that is art. But...to even plague my thoughts with a comparison of these two feels like I did a great disservice to all the artistic value that NieR: Automata is enriched with. It just shows what a marvel a game can be when you have developers behind actually caring for the atmosphere, story, progression, and even finalization.
Good God! The amount of layers this game interacts with you is astonishing. You will interact with it whether you keep playing it, or taking a break.
The seamless musical progression from a regular fight into asteroid-esque "hacking" scene with the 8Bit addition is the stuff of dreams for any old school gamer. It feels like a home. It's cozy. I like it. I like it a lot.

To me, this game feels like one of those unique, Mint+ vinyls that you'd play only on a special occasion, fearing that its fragile case might get damaged. It remains among my favorites, and I'd want to preserve it as much as possible.

I'm still playing this game in my mind.
From my perspective, this game should be like one of those obligatory literature subjects you get to learn.
Be advised to not play this game languidly. As a player, You! want to remain receptive to things and ideas that might contradict your own.
Remain glued to this story, so that you can recognize all the finesse.

I'd say "Play it", but that'd be a terrible understatement.
"Do Experience it" is the keyword here.

Thanks