11 Hardcore games like NieR:Automata™ that you should try

The resemblance to NieR:Automata™ is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is combat and visuals: magic-based combat.

It comes from the same genre as NieR:Automata™ and shares dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds fantasy world and single-player focus. They part company on setting and combat: this one brings magic-based combat and historical setting.

Shelved next to NieR:Automata™ for good reason: punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. The common ground extends to single-player focus and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is progression and setting: historical setting and co-op play.

Shelved next to NieR:Automata™ for good reason: dark, oppressive atmosphere, melee combat and fantasy world. The common ground extends to single-player focus and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is game mode and setting: multiplayer gameplay and 3D presentation.

Shelved next to NieR:Automata™ for good reason: strong narrative focus, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to single-player focus and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: a cyberpunk setting and pixel art.

Genre puts it alongside NieR:Automata™, and so does punishing difficulty, melee combat and an anime aesthetic. Both also lean on a third-person camera and single-player focus. The distance is in progression and game mode — its own ground is multiplayer gameplay and skill tree progression.

On paper it is what NieR:Automata™ is — punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The common ground extends to fantasy world and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is game mode and setting: co-op play and skill tree progression.

It comes from the same genre as NieR:Automata™ and shares punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. They part company on tone and setting: this one brings loot and gear systems.

It comes from the same genre as NieR:Automata™ and shares punishing difficulty, melee combat and an anime aesthetic. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is cozy, relaxing feel.

Genre puts it alongside NieR:Automata™, and so does punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world. The common ground extends to a third-person camera and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and tone: magic-based combat and a top-down view.

What it holds in common with NieR:Automata™ is shape: deep RPG systems, punishing difficulty and open world exploration. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and visuals — its own ground is fighting mechanics and skill tree progression.