Last week my first Trophy Theory column published, and from the moment I first proposed the idea, I’ve been pondering about writing a recurring trophy narrative without overly repeating myself or the column becoming boring. I’ve got a slew of ideas (thanks to those of you that have written to me. I’ll get to those ideas soon), but where do I go next? Are there building blocks that need to be set up to tackle future subjects, or can we jump right into the deep end? As I deliberated over which aspect of PlayStation trophies to visit next, NieR: Automata dropped this one right in my lap.
There’s no delicate way to say this, so let’s just get it out there: NieR: Automata lets players purchase trophies using in-game money, instead of legitimately unlocking them (except that purchasing them is fundamentally part of the game, so is it technically a false unlock if the game itself is designed to allow you to do that very thing?). Unconventional as this intended feature may be, it’s baked into the game design, and is causing quite a stir among gamers. From trophy hunters to those that couldn’t care less about them, it seems everyone has something to say.
Let’s do a bit of housekeeping before I get to flinging my own opinion around, and then play Devil’s advocate to myself and argue the other side. I am only talking about in-game currency. Paying to override the unlock criteria for trophies with real world money would just be wrong (albeit a hilariously meta real world lesson about the true value of wealth. Sad). You need to have beaten the game three times. At around 25 hours for a first playthrough, the time investment is clearly already there, so this isn’t allowing people to just quick grind and bypass all of the trophies. There’s still dedication to the game involved.
Record of Accomplishments
Trophies are more than just a number. They are a record of accomplishments. They chronicle how I have spent my time gaming, and the things that I have done. This is why I’ll never purchase a game like Hannah Montana just for some quick and easy trophies to pad my numbers, but if I get into talking about that too much here, what will I talk about in a future Trophy Theory? The point is that each trophy unlocked highlights certain skills and feats completed in games.
By being able to purchase trophies, doesn’t that defeat the very purpose? I’ve looked over NieR: Automata’s list, and it doesn’t seem too hard, but if I have the trophy unlocked for something like riding an animal for five kilometers, either I have actually done that, or I’ve saved up the cash to purchase it. If something is so much of a grind or a high difficulty that players may opt to purchase it instead, at that point why bother even making a trophy for it? The NieR: Automata trophy list is no longer a record of your specific accomplishments. It’s just a testament that you played the game a lot.
If they want to hand someone a Platinum, they ought to just make story trophies and something that says “Play for 75 hours” or “Earn X amount of gold.” Why bother tasking players with anything else, particularly when many people are already surmising that you can just backup your save, unlock a few trophies, sync them, load previous save and repeat, which would save a ton of grinding time, as the most money you would need to earn is enough to buy the most expensive trophy unlock? It just seems a bit arbitrary, but then again, there are those out there who think that very thing of the entire trophy system, so what do I know?
Known Quantities
The trophy world already has some tough trophies with exploits that make them far easier. These known quantities are understood within the trophy community, and while an exploit or a later patch may frustrate players who feel they got it the “right” way (I totally did the Watch Dog’s drinking minigame before it got patched to be easier), it’s still generally accepted as the means to earn the trophy was present within the game without the need for outside hacks (or money, if things ever went down that road). Hell, even online trophy boosting is a major part of many trophy hunters’ routines. Who actually got 10,000 genuine kills in Resistance 2 multiplayer?
Wouldn’t the fact that this is a known quantity for NieR: Automata make it entirely fair game for the trophy list? Every NieR: Automata player has access to the same methods, and this isn’t giving anyone an outside advantage like real world money would, so where’s the problem? Technically you could just add a parenthesis descriptor to each trophy saying something like “80% of all archives found (or purchased using X amount of gold after three playthroughs).” Suddenly the option to purchase these trophies doesn’t seem so bad, just because the description of the accomplishment was updated to reflect what the accomplishment may be.
It seems I’m still at odds with whether I agree with this decision or not. At face value, I don’t. But knowing the deeper trolling, meta nature of the original NieR, some of this makes a bit of sense. I mean, the first game did make you watch as your actual save file was brutally deleted at the end, showing you everything you’ve done to that point vanish into the ether piece by piece. This could be something else like that; a talking point that ties into how NieR plays itself out into the real world.
What do you think? Is NieR: Automata implementing its purchasable trophy unlocks well behind a gate of a lot of time and grinding? Or is it setting a bad precedent despite what it may be trying to do as a social commentary? I should add that NieR: Automata was reviewed very highly by us and is one to definitely check out if you are curious, despite its trophy controversy, which admittedly may be the very thing that the game’s director, Yoko Taro, was going for all along.
We’ve reached out to the NieR: Automata team for comment about this trophy decision and will update if we hear back.
I want Trophy Theory to be a conversation. This shouldn’t be me talking at you. It should be a discussion about trophies and everything that comes with it. I want your suggestions for what you want to talk about or see on Trophy Theory. Have a question for the Trophy community that you want to discuss? Throw your ideas into the comments below, email me, or tweet me. You may see your suggestion tailored into a future Trophy Theory.
Essential Reading:
- Trophy Theory: That First Bronze Trophy
- 5 Dormant Films With the Potential to Become New Games
- Charting the Evolution of Guerrilla Games
Nier: Automata info dump
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Everything You Need to Know
For Nier fans, Automata has been a long time coming. But Platinum’s sequel is almost upon us and rest assured, we’ve covered all bases ahead of its NA launch on March 7 (March 10 for Europe).
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What is Nier: Automata?
Nier: Automata (or NieR: Automata) is the follow-up to Square Enix’s underrated RPG gem. It’ll pick up the story strands from the game’s fourth ending (more on that later) and is considered a spinoff of the core Drakengard series.
Production began in earnest two years ago and now, Automata is on the verge of its international launch.
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What’s the Story?
Earth has fallen, and with the remnants of humanity now housed up on the moon, a fleet of android soldiers known as the YoRHa unit -- one headed up by protagonist 2B -- is dispatched onto the field to do battle with those pesky mechanical organisms.
Here's the official logline:
"Invaders from another world attack without warning - unleashing the machine lifeforms. To break the deadlock, a new breed of android infantry is sent into the fray: the YoRHa squad. NieR: Automata is a fresh take on the action role-playing game (RPG) genre that gracefully blends mesmerising action with a captivating story."
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A World in Ruins
Said to take place around the year 12,000, Nier: Automata promises a captivating story set within a largely uninhabited world. But there's beauty to be found in this apocalypse.
Here's what Square Enix Marketing Lead Francis Santos had to share:
“The world is in ruins, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t hidden caches strewn across the harsh, dystopian landscapes. The game is open world, and with double jumps, mid-air dashes, and super speed, 2B can reach heights and treasures that no mere human ever could.
“Mankind has fled to the moon… but life is not completely gone. Yes, don’t forget about the wildlife that inhabits Earth! Using special items to lure them, you can mount creatures to traverse the world and even attack your foes until they’re scrap metal.”
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How Does it Play?
It's a third-person action RPG in which you control a battle-ready, emotionless android called 2B.
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Almost Titled Nier: Android
According to Game Director Taro Yoko, Platinum almost settled on the title Nier: Android, before ultimately changing the subtitle to Automata.
"Because it’s a story about androids, I wanted to call it Nier: Android. Obviously Google’s for the trademark [on Android] and we were worried about it. There was no title fixed by the time E3 came, so we had to do the presentation without."
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How Long is Nier: Automata?
Depending on your playstyle, Series Director Yoko Taro estimates Automata lasts for around 25 hours in total, while completionists can take anywhere between 55 to 60 hours to discover all of the various nooks and crannies.
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Gone Gold “Long Ago”
Turns out Nier: Automata has been in the can for a while, after producer Yosuke Saito noted that the action RPG went gold “long ago.” It’s officially locked in for launch across February 23 in Japan, March 7 in North America, and March 10 in Europe for PlayStation 4.
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Glory to Mankind
Here, you'll get an extended look at 2B, 9S and A2 in action, along with “their battle to reclaim the machine-driven dystopia overrun by powerful machines.”
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A Taste of What’s to Come
In anticipation of release, you’ll be able to find a demo build of Nier: Automata on PlayStation Store (North America, Europe). At roughly 4.5GB in size, it’ll chronicle the story of androids 2B and 9S as "they try to reclaim a machine-driven dystopia overrun by powerful machine lifeforms."
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PS4 Pro Vs. Standard PS4
Curious to know the major differences between Nier on PS4 and Pro? Allow Square Enix to clue you in:
"If you’re a PS4 Pro owner, NieR: Automata will run at 1080p/60fps, complete with improved lighting & shadows. On a standard PS4, it will run at 900p/60fps."
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Extended Gameplay Demo
In the latest episode of PlayStation Underground, the folks over at PlayStation Blog sat down with members of Square Enix to present a 29-minute demo of Nier: Automata.
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Even More Gameplay
Because sometimes a 29-minute long demo isn't enough, there's also an extended gameplay video that spotlights Nier: Automata's many features.
Here's an overview:
- 11:54 to 23:10 – Demo Gameplay
- 24:17 to 34:22 – Sub-Quest and Bug Explanation
- 35:53 to 50:44 – Plug-In Chip Explanation
- 50:44 to 58:04 – Collaboration Weapons Gameplay
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Platinum Doubles Down on Quality
In light of Scalebound's cancellation back in January, Platinum released an official statement in which the developer doubled down on its commitment to "high-quality games."
"Going forward, we will strive to continue delivering high-quality games to you, starting with NieR:Automata in March, and including products like GRANBLUE FANTASY Project Re:Link and LOST ORDER [both only confirmed for Japan so far] in the future.
"We will keep working hard to meet your expectations and we look forward to your continued support!"
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Quirky to the Core
Maintaining the quirky spirit of the original, Square has fully embraced Nier: Automata's status as a genre oddity, as evidenced by the recent pre-order video.
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Cheeky Controversy
Following the launch of January's demo, Yoko Taro tackled the recent 'butt' controversy surrounding the character of 2B. As it happens, it turns out the image in question was Photoshopped, leading Taro to claim that:
"Due to the 2B butt controversy, many outrageous drawings are being made. Collecting them to share individually is a pain. It would be great if we can group them together to make it easier to distribute them every week."
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A Delightful Soundtrack
If you played the original Nier, you'll be pleased to hear that Emi Evans and composer Keiichi Okabe are joining forces once again for Automata's soundtrack.
You can get an early sample of that haunting score here.
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Nier Remaster Not Off the Table
Can Automata generate enough interest in a PS4 port of the original Nier? It's not off the table, it seems, with Producer Yosuke Saito noting that “there is a very high possibility if Nier: Automata sells like hotcakes, yes.”
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PC Port Inbound; Xbox One Up For Question
Despite the original Nier launching fro Xbox 360 back in 2010, so far Automata remains exclusive to PS4 and PC. When quizzed about why this is, Producer Yosuke Saito noted:
“The main reason for this is that the Japanese market for Xbox One is not strong, so the decision was made to focus on PlayStation 4 rather than to split our efforts across two platforms. The biggest benefit to developing on one platform is that we did not have to split our time, allowing us to focus more on the quality. It is not about whether one platform is better than the other, it’s that from a development point of view were can devote more time to one platform.”
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Trophy List
In anticipation of Automata's launch, Exophase has uncovered the RPG's official Trophy list, which you can find through here.
News of Nier's accolades came hand-in-hand with a new gameplay trailer, one designed to spotlight weapon types, combo system, and battle mechanics.
“The game will feature four weapon types available to protagonist 2B (small swords, large swords, spears and combat bracers) that can be switched mid-combo to maximize 2B’s range of abilities and effectiveness. Players can also unlock a diverse arsenal of weapons and upgrades to the player’s Pod support system to enhance their gameplay.”
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Going Broke, the JRPG Edition
In previewing the current slate of JRPGs, our own Cameron Teague pinpointed the many Japanese role-playing games set to reduce his wallet to a dusty old husk. Nier: Automata was once such JRPG that made the cut.
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Black Box Edition
Priced at $189.99, Automata's Black Box edition comes packing the following odds and ends:
- A sleek black Collector’s Edition box housing the below exclusive content.
- The Nier: Automata game.
- Exquisitely crafted YoRHa “2B” Figurine.
- Hardback 64-page artbook detailing the stunning artwork and illustrations from the game.
- Exclusive steelbook case featuring artwork from renowned Akihiko Yoshida (Final Fantasy XIV / Bravely Default).
- Hauntingly beautiful soundtrack containing 13 live recorded songs from Nier and Nier: Automata, composed by veteran Keiichi Okabe from Monaca, Inc. (Tekken / Drakengard / Nier).
- All Day One Edition digital content, including: Machine Mask Accessory, Grimoire Weiss Pod, Play System Pod Skin, Retro Grey Pod Skin, Retro Red Pod Skin, and Cardboard Pod Skin.
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Day One Edition
Bundling together six pieces of exclusive digital content, Nier: Automata's Day One Edition ($59.99) includes:
- The Nier: Automata game.
- Six pieces of exclusive digital content, including: Machine Mask Accessory, Grimoire Weiss Pod, Play System Pod Skin, Retro Grey Pod Skin, Retro Red Pod Skin, and Cardboard Pod Skin
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Our Review
No word yet on when Automata's review embargo lifts, but we'll update this gallery if and when Square Enix nails down a concrete date.