NieR Automata is a cultural phenomenon these days. It has a cult-like following; people worldwide are cosplaying as the characters from the game, and you can see it pretty much everywhere in the gaming world. All the “top 10” lists have this one in an extraordinary place. Why is that? Well, gamers love good storytelling and even better action, so here you have it! It’s not the first game in the series, but it perfected the world presented in the previous ones and created a complete and excellent science-fiction dystopia for all of us to enjoy!

But some years have passed since the release, and many players have already enjoyed a bit of NieR in their spare time. They have already seen the multiple endings, and NieR fans worldwide have played the whole series multiple times. So, to help you out in your spare time when you are waiting for the next game in the NieR series, whenever it may be, we have provided you with our top picks for games like NieR Automata. Each of those is a title that can rival the original, so be sure to check out what great games have prepared for you!

• Release Date: February 2017

• Developer: ​​PlatinumGames

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

• Meta Score: 90/100

Let’s start with the game in question – NieR Automata. There are many similar games (especially Drakengard games) to this title, but what made this particular game so famous worldwide?

Let’s start with a bit of lore. NieR Automata is a sequel to the original Ni, a spin-off, and a sequel to gems from the Drakengard series. It’s a bit complicated, but we will get there eventually. We are at war, created by humans fighting against alien-built Machines who try to destroy our world. You will step in the high heels of 2B, an Android with a scarf around her eyes. But she is not blind, as the fast-paced combat and intense battles in this action Role-Playing game prove. 2B is also accompanied by a scanner android 9s and prototype A2, a rogue machine that helps you in your devastating tactical attacks.

What made it an award-winning action RPG? Well, there are a couple of things the critics pointed to. First of all – the story. You can get quite a headache in this machine-driven dystopia overrun by android society, especially as an android. It’s a thought-provoking game about what it means to be a human and what it would be like living in this dystopian world, future-earth ruled by machines. It’s an original game, and people worldwide love its complexity and excitement.

Additionally, the action RPG elements made it one of the fantastic games of our times, with smooth and fast combat, limited but impactful development of the characters, and lots and lots of loot to scourge through. The quest to find games similar to this masterpiece will be challenging, but we are optimistic that we will find something you like.

• Release Date: PlayStation 4 April 2018, Windows January 2022

• Developer: Santa Monica Studio

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows

• Meta Score: 94/100

Let’s start with the obvious choice — God of War. What a game! Now available also for PC gamers, it’s been a wonderful and thrilling adventure through a majestic open world full of secrets, magical powers, and god arcs to explore.

So, what is this game all about? Well, it’s an epic tale of father and son roaming through the Norse mythical lands of Midgard, exterminating them all one by one. So, it’s pretty much what we have seen in classic God of War games; the only difference is the setting. This time, tales of Kratos revolve around the death of his wife and his son’s Atreus mother. As usual, she could not just let you mourn in peace; she had to send you on some quest to spread her ashes at the highest peak in the Nine Realms. Even after her death, she still managed to give Kratos some choirs.

Exploration of those beautiful places is being done through visual storytelling and dialogue with many famous Norse mythology characters like Freya, Thor, and many others. The beauty of this game is just incredible; even after so many years, it’s a polished and visually stunning look. Of course, getting to the highest peaks will be a challenging process, but with the combined efforts of father and son – you will be able to get there in no time!

The combat in this game is exceptionally well done. It’s not anime-style like in the case of NieR Automata, but rather a more intimate-the-shoulder look at what Kratos sees in front of him. In this game, you mainly develop your character and use the Leviathan Axe to throw at your enemies like Thor in Marvel movies. Additionally, you can craft equipment and discover the secrets of this fantastic world full of magic. 

The most similar elements between the two games are the thought-provoking plot and visceral fighting. In both cases, you get to experience many thought-provoking questions but also can have some “classic” gaming fun we all learned to love throughout the years. It’s deep, has excellent mechanics, and although it may be a bit slower than NieR games, it’s still a lot of fun. It's worth checking out!

• Release Date: February 2022

• Developer: From Software

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

• Meta Score: 96/100

Next up on our list is the one, the only Elden Ring. What can we say about this that wasn’t said before? Is it a perfect game? It’s pretty close to it, considering it has a 96/100 Meta Score. Is it similar to NieR Automata? Sure! It’s an action RPG with a fantastic story created by George R.R. Martin and Hidetaka Miyazaki. Is there a lot of exploration, dungeons to go through, side missions or two, and fighting for the future of humanity? Yep. So, it seems to be close to our beloved futuristic thriller, Nier Automata.

So, what’s it all about? Well, you play as Tarnished, a group banished from the Land Between. Now, you come back to become a demigod of those lands. This lady, Queen Marika, who used to rule the Land Between with an Elden Ring, was keeping everything in check. Then, for some reason, she decided to lose it all and destroy Elden Ring, creating a total war between her demigod children. You need to make it all good once again. To do so, you must find the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord. Seems like a straightforward thing to do? Well, no.

The most apparent thing when talking about games from From Software, like Elden Ring or Dark Souls, is the difficulty level of it. And this one is another story entirely. Just think about all the You Died memes on the internet. And then multiply it by 10,000. This is how many times you will die in this game.

When it comes to the gameplay itself, it’s a pretty well-produced title, with lots of spells, incantations, and legendary weapons you can use. When it comes to getting the best out of the Elden Ring, you can see it in many ways you can fight against big bad bosses. Of course, it can create additional issues, as you will not be able to decide which weird weapons to choose, but it’s a problem that’s great to have in the end.

• Release Date: October 2009

• Developer: PlatinumGames

• Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

• Meta Score: 88/100

Our next title is the famous Bayonetta. She’s sassy and powerful; she wears a lot of latex – it’s our favorite demon-fighting gal! Similarly to 2B from the NieR Automata, you get to fight against forces beyond our recognition, demons, angles, and all of it – with style!

What you can say about this game is that it’s fast-paced, fueled by rage and combos, and has an action-packed title, magic, guns, and plenty of other skills to help you progress further in the game. It’s a similar experience to what you may have seen in NieR Automata, but it's a lot faster and funnier.

Ultimately, NieR Automata is a rather serious game, with powerful machines telling powerful stories. Bayonetta is more relaxed and fun when it comes to taking itself seriously. Of course, there are challenges to fight through and emotional moments, but it’s a much more chill version of the world.

The game takes place in the fictional city of Vigrid in Europe. You are a witch who can shapeshift and use some pretty impressive weaponry. Of course, as it usually happens, you are tasked with saving the world, as all heroes do.

It is known for its high difficulty level, requiring players to master complex combos and dodge enemy attacks to survive. Bayonetta also features a unique Witch Time mechanic, allowing players to slow down time and execute even more devastating combos. If you played Devil May Cry, you probably played a bit of Bayonetta, to be honest. You have big guns, humanity at stake, revenge, fantastic music, and great power in one sassy body. What else can you want from a game in the end?

• Release Date: Nintendo Switch March 2021, Windows January 2022, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S January 2023

• Developer: Capcom

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

• Meta Score: 88/100

For example – maybe some giant monsters to hunt! Next on our list is Monster Hunter: Rise. If you want to play some excellent action RPG but are also a fan of killing giant monsters and bringing them to justice, you may be interested in playing some Monster Hunter. It’s one of the most popular games in gaming history, with millions of players worldwide. So, it must have something in it, doesn’t it?

Of course, it’s a Japanese-style game, so you will see lots of weird cat references, kawaii characters, and all of those known to most gamers. But that’s not the bread and soil of this game. That would be – hunting monsters. Each monster is different, so you will need to prepare for it accordingly. Each monster can also be trapped if weakened enough, so that’s another thing to consider.

Additionally, each monster can be killed by lots and lots of standard weapons like a sword or an axe, or something completely out of anime like an axe that is also a shield, but also a sword, but also everything else. Each monster can be sliced, so you can get all the necessary components to create even more powerful weapons and monsters. 

Additionally, the game can be played in a co-op mode, so, as you can imagine, it can bring lots and lots of potential, as working together and fighting giant monsters is why the gaming industry was created in the first place. So, if you want to have some NieR Automata-style fighting but also additional resource gathering from giant monsters – then Monster Hunter: Rise is the game for you!

• Release Date: April 2010

• Developer: Cavia

• Platforms: Nier Gestalt: PlayStation 3 (West only), Xbox 360; Nier Replicant: PlayStation 3 (Japan only), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows

• Meta Score: 68/100

Of course, we could not forget about NieR Replicant, the famous predecessor of the NieR Automata. Essentially, it’s a spin-off of the Drakengard series. The Earth is left in a state of decay, as thousands of years have passed since the events in the Drakengard game. You are trying to find a cure for an illness called the Black Scrawl. 

The game shows the world from many different perspectives, Yonah, whose daughter or sister fell terminally ill. Which one will it be – it depends on the version you are playing. Additionally, you are accompanied by Kainé and Emil, who are also trying to find the remedy to the disease, and a strange talking book called Grimoire Weiss. You are also looking to find out why those weird creatures called Shades appeared in your world.

When it comes to gameplay, it’s basically NieR Automata, a fantasy version. You have essentially two types of weapons – swords and spears that you can use as a main character. You mostly fight against robots, animals, and Shades. Additionally, you can use magic spells which are basically projectiles. You can get new spells by completing different battles.

Although the game did not receive lots of positive reviews at the beginning, the current version, Nier Replicant ver 1.22474487139, is usually the one that players recognize the most and cherish the improvements added to it. Especially with your choices matter to the story, the existential vibes of this title, and overall – the fantastic world of NieR is enough to convince us to recommend this one.

• Release Date: November 2016

• Developer: Square Enix Business Division 2

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Google Stadia

• Meta Score: 85/100

And “finally,” we have Final Fantasy XV. No, it's not the Final Fantasy VII remake or any other remake of this franchise, just a plain and understandable Final Fantasy XV. Our main character, with unique abilities, is called Prince Noctis. He and his three, well, friends would be too much, but associates are roaming the world of Eos to get back the Lucis throne to the righteous owner. 

Why is it similar to NieR Automata? Well, for starters, you have a pretty deep story, with a giant free open world to explore, engage in epic battles, and complete lots and lots of main or side missions on your way there.

Additionally, this game looks stunning, even after so many years. The world of Eos is a living and breathing one, so you can be sure that there will be some surprises awaiting you in this grandiose realm.

Other games on this list can tell you a story and present you with a beautiful world and fantastic battles, but here – you get to experience a part of a crazy-big Final Fantasy world. So, if you are a fan or would like to get into this experience, it’s a perfect way to start.

When it comes to combat, it’s pretty similar to what you may have seen in NieR Automata, with the only difference being that you can switch between your party members and use different skills if necessary. If you are not controlling them, they are guided by AI. 

There is a lot of sword fighting and magic in this game. The fighting system is called the Active Cross Battle, where you have different commands to select from, like “Attack” or “Defend.” There is a threat meter that is rising when approaching enemies. When it gets full, the battle starts. Noctis himself can do four actions during the battle, standard attack, defending, warping, and item usage.

So, if you want to get something like NieR Automata, but also – not quite, because of all the fantasy/team-fighting elements, this one is perfect for you! And, for all the fans of Final Fantasy games and those who would like to explore this world – it can be great fun. It's definitely worth recommending!

So here we are at the end of the road! As you can see, there are plenty of different games that you can enjoy in your spare time! From some simplistic fun in Bayonetta to more advanced Final Fantasy XV and even Elden Ring – all the games on our list are some of the most interesting action RPG games ever created. You can fight with magic technology, do powerful combos, and hunt giant monsters with your friends. Whatever you do – it will be epic, and we are already jealous of your endeavors.

Of course, those are just our picks; if you have something that you like that is also similar to NieR Automata, be sure to comment and let us know. There are lots of great titles here with even better price tags, so check it out! We felt, though, that games like Metal Gear Rising, for example, or God Eater are just too far off.

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