How hard is NieR: Automata to learn?
NieR: Automata is a D2 (Shallow): genre-shifting action that stays approachable throughout.
D2 · Shallow
NieR: Automata at a glance
- Depth · D2 Shallowhow hard to learn
- Pressure · P1 Tide Poolhow good you must be
- Currents · In the Flowhow the room treats you
Primarily single-player action RPG; the passive shared-world corpse system is co-operative in spirit, and the community is known for being thoughtful and spoiler-conscious.
For parents: M (17+) · Graphic violence, some sexual themes and suggestive character designs, and mature philosophical themes throughout.
Why NieR: Automata is a D2
The six-point rubric, scored 1 to 10 so higher means harder to learn. The breakdown is always shown so you can check the verdict.
Where NieR: Automata goes easy, and where it doesn’t
Easiest part to learn: the community and help around it (1/10). Steepest part: the depth you need up front (5/10).
JumpIntoGaming analysis, computed from the six-point rubric and approved by our team. No outside critic required.
Where NieR: Automata sits on the chart
NieR: Automata is a D2 (Shallow). Compare it with games at the same depth, or other Action RPG games we’ve graded.
Other D2 (Shallow) games
More Action RPG games
NieR: Automata: quick answers
How hard is NieR: Automata to learn?
NieR: Automata is a D2 (Shallow): genre-shifting action that stays approachable throughout.
Is NieR: Automata good for beginners?
Yes. It's a D2 (Shallow): learn a few basics and you're going.
Does NieR: Automata have a good tutorial?
The game teaches itself well as you go. We score its built-in onboarding 3/10 (higher means weaker).
How punishing is NieR: Automata for beginners?
Early mistakes sting a little but rarely set you back far. Punishment of early mistakes scores 4/10.
How long until I get the hang of NieR: Automata?
The core idea clicks almost immediately. Time to first “I get it” scores 3/10.
A benchmark on the chart
NieR: Automata is a reference point: a well-known game that calibrates the scale, so a D2 means the same thing everywhere. Our full training descent, the staged path that takes you from Surface to a game’s real depth, is reserved for underserved games that don’t already have a good guide. NieR: Automata has plenty.