For years now people have been crying out for a Switch version of, well, every game ever made. But Nier: Automata has been cried out for more than most—and Square Enix is finally delivering the goods on October 6. I've been playing Nier: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition (a fitting name for what is likely the final port of the game) for the last couple of days, and I'm glad to report that it fits Nintendo's console like a glove. There's very little I can say about Platinum and eccentric masked visionary Yoko Taro's wild fever dream of an action game that hasn't been said already, but here are the basics if you're unfamiliar with it.
Approximately 10,000 years in the future, in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Earth, an endless war is being fought between alien-controlled machines and human-built androids. In Automata you play as one of these androids: an advanced combat model, 2B, sent from humanity's refuge on the Moon to the planet's surface to embark on dangerous combat and recon missions. The game mixes the kind of deep, theatrical combat typical of Platinum with RPG elements, quirky characters, evocative storytelling, philosophical musings on life and death, haunting music, stunningly varied environments, and a melancholy ambience.
But you probably already know that. Nier: Automata was a smash hit for Square Enix, having shipped over 6 million units since it first launched in 2017. The game has previously appeared on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, but now it's time for Nintendo fans to get a taste of the action. Diving straight into the technical side of things, the Switch version of Nier: Automata runs at 1080p/30fps docked and 720p/30fps in handheld mode. The idea of such a slick, flowing action game being locked to 30fps might be disappointing, but Virtuos—the developer behind the Switch port—has done a great job making it run smoothly.
I don't know whether it's consistent frame pacing, artful use of motion blur, or some combination of the two, but Nier looks and feels surprisingly great at 30fps on Switch. The visuals are lovely too, especially considering the limited processing power Virtuos has to work with on this increasingly outdated console hardware. There's some shimmering, jaggies, and pop-in, but the scale and beauty of the world and the fine detail of the characters and enemies have been carried over brilliantly. For the best image quality, play it in handheld mode on a Switch OLED. The deeper blacks and vivid colours give it a visual boost.
Motion controls have been implemented on Switch too. Detach your Joy-Cons and you can swing your weapon with one and dodge with the other. If you're playing with a Pro Controller, swiping it to the side also initiates a dodge. Some might get a kick out of this, but I opted out of the motion controls almost entirely. They're fun in short bursts, but a bit too gimmicky and imprecise for an extended play session. Square Enix also says that there are some interesting uses of the touchscreen too, but all I've found so far is rubbing the screen to make 2B pet her Pod—which you could do on PlayStation by swiping the DualShock's touchpad.
Naturally, this edition of Nier: Automata comes bundled with all the DLC released thus far, as well as some Switch exclusive costumes—including a neat yukata/kitsune mask combo. It's a hefty package, runs great, looks nice, and being able to hang out with 2B and the gang without being sat at a desk or in front of a console is a strong selling point. If you've yet to experience the singular magnificence of Nier: Automata, this is the perfect excuse to dive in. It's not the best-looking version of the game (that crown still belongs to the PC version), but the sublime art direction transcends its lower resolution and occasional muddy textures.
