If I Hate Anime, will I enjoy Nier: Automata?

[lusca_bueno]

It is very tropey, indeed. If you don't like anime, and you also teach philosophy, maybe there's really not much to be experienced that you haven't already, I mean... I did like the existentialist theme the game presents, but it's nothing ground breaking that will impress someone that isn't fond of the artistic expression the game tailors or can't stand the anime tropes it will put you through.

But give it a chance, really, the only way you'll know if you like it is by playing it. It's definitely on the top games of the generation to me.

 

[Dogui]

Also, people saying "I hate anime but love Nier" probably just hate the anime stigma and are afraid of being connected to it, while they would probably like a lot of anime stuff actually :p

 

[Xavi]

Only one way to know OP.

 

[mangdo]

Nier is one of the most beautiful games out there period. It's more JRPG than anime...

 

[SolidSnakeBoy]

1. I think we shouldn't equate stilted dialogue and tropey-ness here with Anime. They are not synonyms, but Anime do often have them. Watch better anime to wash that stigma: Run With the Wind, Mob Psycho, Ping Pong the Animation, etc.

2. Nier: A is an amazing action game with a truly interesting meld of gameplay and themes. It has a very satirical approach to dogmatic philosophy, without abandoning philosophical thought. I rarely am moved by games these days and Nier: A left me shook in a way I had not experienced since Journey on the PS3. Stick with it, at the very least you will get some fairly epic set pieces. I will not disagree that it has some stilted dialogue and acting, thankfully it is a game about robots so it doesn't particularly detract the arc here.

 

[OmegaDL50]

Also, people saying "I hate anime but love Nier" probably just hate the anime stigma and are scared of being connected to it, when they would probably like a lot of anime stuff actually :p

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This sounds more like a personal problem. Kind of reminds me when folks felt overly self conscious of playing certain games or mediums of entertainment targeting an younger age group and thinking because they enjoy them it somehow has reflects poorly on their personal image, like they need to consume games with dark, edgy, or super realistic art styles in order to justify feeling "Mature" or like an "Adult"

I remember folks did this years ago in regards to Nintendo games and as of recently the same "stigma" seems to paint in a huge brush Anime in a negative context as a whole, which is again nothing more then a generalization considering vast amount of sub-genres considered.

The short end of is play what you like, if you enjoy it, there is no justification of needing to do mental gymnastics or conform your beliefs of a specific bandwagon because a particular medium has ties to specific genres or style of art, or tropes. Soon enough you become old enough to the point of not giving a fuck about what others think on the content you consume and being able to enjoy it, that or just ultimately become bitter and jaded.

 

[Kevin Shields]

I still have to go through thread but a lot of responses asked for what I don't like about anime... "Hate" may be strong, but I have never finished a game with anime leanings or a jrpg that I can think of... mostly silliness, female sexualization, corny dialogue. I didn't mean to offend the genre, it's just I have t found something in the genre I enjoy

I will say Metal Gear Solid is closest I've come to enjoying that type of game and I did enjoy them although some of the typical anime stuff did turn me off. So someone mentioning that makes me think I can enjoy Nier

 

[Kudo]

should I continue? Again, don't like final fantasy, xenoblade, chrono trigger... I always give up on all of them!

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No, you won't like Nier: Automata.

 

[chanman]

If you can get through Midnight in Paris, you will be fine. :)

 

[wolfshirt]

Yeah definitely

You may not appreciate it the same way JRPG or Anime fans do, but it's an astounding Sci-Fi story that can only be told in a video game.

 

[Swiggins]

What're your thoughts on existentialism?

 

[808s & Villainy]

Anime is a medium. They can drastically differ. Specifically what anime do you hate or what do you hate about the ones you've disliked?

Yeah, but you never see it outside the menus and cutscenes that you can toggle. The actual writing and story of the game is just standard 90's upbeat fantasy adventure.

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So Japanese artist and Japanese writers...yet somehow it's not anime?

 

[chrisypoo]

I hate anime, can confirm that Nier Automata was overrated trash tier story telling with pretty fun gameplay.

 

[Diogo Arez]

Don't think so, I haven't watched an anime outside of Dragon Ball in several years and still loved the game, it's quite tame in comparison to other games

 

[Jeb]

Sure, you shouldn't prevent yourself from enjoying things for superficial reasons.

Be open to trying things and you might find yourself getting into new styles and genres.

I wasn't into anime or turn based rpgs and Persona 4 became my favorite game if all time, I wasn't into medieval settings nor difficult games and now Dark Souls is tied for my favorite game of all time, I wasn't into puzzle games and now both Portal 2 and Ghost Trick are tied for my third favorite game of all time.

Step outside your comfort zone, you might be surprised.

If you already tried some of it and enjoyed it, then that is a really good sign to continue.

 

[Deleted member 42641]

Seems like kind if a dumb generalization to put on japanese games, especially if you played the opening and liked it.

Nier 100x smarter than a lot of western titles that think they are

 

[oliverandm]

Don't care for anime, but I really enjoyed the game!

 

[Capra]

So Japanese artist and Japanese writers...yet somehow it's not anime?

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What about Chrono Trigger exemplifies the tropes typically associated with "anime?"

When people like the OP who haven't watched anime talk about "anime," from my experience they're referring to the mainstream perception of Japanese animation as if it's a genre, with all the tropes associated with the most infamous examples. I guess my confusion is that I don't see much of a difference between CT and a western '90s adventure movie or tv series.

 

[AlexBasch]

Enjoy the trophy for looking up her skirt.

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I needed a quick achievement for the Xbox Game Pass rewards program. Thank you so much

 

[Wein Cruz]

Lol nier automata is the quintessential nihilistic anime trope in game form.

 

[zoabs]

When I played Nier Automata I disliked almost every anime I gave a chance. And honestly the first two play throughs' cutscenes and dialogue except for some moments of promise were grating and over-the-top like a lot of anime confirming my fears.... but the gameplay and music were good enough to get me through it.


The third playthrough however was fantastically directed and acted. 9S in particular did a phenomenal job and I was genuinely REALLY impressed.

So yes, OP, even if you don't like anime, give it a shot.

 

[DeadeyeNull]

Probably not. It's not super anime, but it does have some of the tropes and feel of anime here and there. It might be easier to help if you mentioned things you do like

 

[Kevin Shields]

Maybe? I found it a little frustrating on the character development front, but it more than makes up for it with how it immerses you in its world - which evokes feelings of games like Ico, or The Last Guardian, with its melancholic ruined landscape more than it does Final Fantasy and the like.

If you think you'd enjoy something in the realm of post-apocalyptic future sci-fi, then I think you'd feel right at home. The soundtrack is gorgeous and memorable, the lore is rich with plenty of backstory, and the gameplay mechanics (which at times feel a little superficial) are stretched to accommodate some pretty interesting ideas and themes towards the end.

I'd say give it a shot. FWIW, I wouldn't consider it very anime at all, except, maybe on the character front, but the game held my attention all the way to the end.

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Yes! The Ueda games made me feel I may like this. Shadow of the Colossus is my favorite game of all time!

 

[Alek]

I'd really say that it depends what you dislike about anime. It's typically not anime in artstyle or tone, but it does feature a fair number of anime tropes in terms of how characters are depicted, and it's overall narrative.

I didn't play all of it though.

 

[Deleted member 14377]

I think it's good even if you don't like anime as long as you understand anime tropes, because the game does make use of them at times to subvert expectations.

To me Nier is to 'anime' video game as something like Cowboybebop is to anime. And what I mean by that not a 1:1 comparison, but more like... most people who don't like anime still fuck with Bebop.

 

[lightchris]

Also, people saying "I hate anime but love Nier" probably just hate the anime stigma and are afraid of being connected to it, while they would probably like a lot of anime stuff actually :p

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That's what I feel too. Nier is "anime" in more ways than just art style.

In the end it's unlikely for the OP to enjoy the game if he doesn't enjoy any other JRPGs. Unlikely, but not impossible: Maybe this is the kind of anime he will enjoy.

 

[Andvari]

I'm not a fan of Anime at all but I loved Nier Automata.

 

[LProtagonist]

It depends on what you hate about anime.

 

[Vonocourt]

Lol nier automata is the quintessential nihilistic anime trope in game form.

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I'm not very well read, but Ending E seems like the opposite of nihilism.

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

What does "hating anime" even mean lmao.

Just play the damn game if you're interested in it.

 

[Zukkoyaki]

It depends on what it is about anime that you don't like.

That said, Automata is anime af.

 

[Kevin Shields]

What're your thoughts on existentialism?

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Teaching it tomorrow! Weird coincidence. Kierkegaard has been my homeboy since I was in high school!

 

[Korigama]

With such a vague question that doesn't specify what it is that you hate about anime (that also assumes that entire medium is all the same), it's not really possible to give a proper answer. If you already just don't like JRPGs, then I'd say it likely won't change your mind.

 

[Swiggins]

Teaching it tomorrow! Weird coincidence. Kierkegaard has been my homeboy since I was in high school!

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You may enjoy Nier Automata.

 

[Tochtli79]

No interest in Japanese RPGs or anime,

don't like final fantasy, xenoblade, chrono trigger...

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OP you are crushing my spirit with this post

 

[Deleted member 79058]

It's good, but you'll cringe when you see the size of the girl's skirt. Nice legs though.
And you probably don't hate anime, you just never found something good to watch. I'm not a big anime/manga fan as well, but I love JoJo, Berserk and Hokuto no Ken. Junji Ito's stories as well.

 

[Wein Cruz]

I'm not very well read, but Ending E seems like the opposite of nihilism.

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And that ending somehow invalidates the themes present throughout the entire game? Because it doesn't.

 

[Smoshow]

If you are liking it so far just keep playing.

 

[Vonocourt]

And that ending somehow invalidates the themes present throughout the entire game? Because it doesn't.

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Who said anything about invalidating? Those themes throughout the game feed into the E, which is commonly accepted as the true ending.

 

[CobaltBlu]

Maybe. I don't like anime usually but I enjoyed it.

 

[Spiderhead]

No reason to hate anime, but like any fanbase they can be dreadful to be around. Keyword is "can".

Nier Automata is a great game and I'm not all that into anime.

 

[mikeys_legendary]

Well, its not anime at all. It's a video game. Its on game pass and you've downloaded it, so why ask? Just play it and if you don't like it, there are many other games on Game Pass to play.

It has a very Japanese style, if thats what you mean.

 

[Jmdajr]

hahaha amazing

yeah, but i actually don't think you will

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😆😅🤣

Anyhow...


Play Yakuza 0 instead. And laugh.

 

[Kevin Shields]

OP you are crushing my spirit with this post

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lol, sorry! I tried I really have. Several hours in each until I finally swore off trying jrpgs for a good 2 years. This one would be my next shot.

 

[Kewlmyc]

I wish people would detail what they don't like instead of just saying they don't like "anime". Shit's so broad nowadays, it's actually super hard to know what someone means.

Like people who say they hate "anime" but love Guilty Gear or something.

 

[Sakon]

big lol @ ppl acting like this game isn't anime af.

Don't let that discourage you, though. Game is totally unique, you might still like it!

 

[Manmademan]

I finished the game but have long since stopped watching anime because of cringe worthy tropes and they are all over this game.

Kind of a chore, and hard to say I enjoyed it. I didn't like the Original Nier either, but this one wasn't as bad.

 

[SolidSnakeBoy]

big lol @ ppl acting like this game isn't anime af.

Don't let that discourage you, though. Game is totally unique, you might still like it!

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I think using an umbrella term as "anime af" is pretty non-descript. Its like calling something "movie af" because most popular movies are trash like Transformers. Ultimately it's not the medium's fault for poor writing and tropes.

 

[Deleted member 68874]

No

 

[KrillinLikeAVillan]

Hmm, that's a tricky one since that game somehow manages to be super anime and super not anime at the same time weirdly enough, it's a really good game for what it's worth.