38 Narrative 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.

What brings it close to NieR:Automata™ is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and world. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: fighting mechanics.

If NieR:Automata™ worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, the same is here. The common ground extends to an anime aesthetic and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: fighting mechanics.

It shares the essentials of what NieR:Automata™ does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on visuals: this one brings fighting mechanics.

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.

On paper it is what NieR:Automata™ is — strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on game mode and visuals: this one brings multiplayer gameplay.

Shelved next to NieR:Automata™ for good reason: strong narrative focus, melee combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on single-player focus and a third-person camera. The distance is in setting and combat — its own ground is magic-based combat and 3D presentation.

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.

Same family as NieR:Automata™: strong narrative focus, a sci-fi setting and single-player focus. To that it adds 2D presentation. They part company on visuals and setting: this one brings cozy, relaxing feel and pixel art.

The thread back to NieR:Automata™ runs through deep RPG systems, strong narrative focus and melee combat. Both also lean on a third-person camera and single-player focus. The distance is in combat and visuals — its own ground is tactical combat.

It resembles NieR:Automata™ most in how it is built: deep RPG systems, strong narrative focus and open world exploration. The common ground extends to melee combat and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and combat: tactical combat and a first-person view.

Genre puts it alongside NieR:Automata™, and so does strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is tone and combat: skill tree progression.