NieR: Automata is one of my favorite games this generation. Heart-rending tragedy and endearing comedy haunt Yoko Taro’s universe and the memorable characters that inhabit it. The incredible soundtrack, the synesthetic marriage of well-designed gameplay elements, everything comes together so coherently — so brilliantly — that I still find myself thinking about the game in some way on a daily basis.

Oh hey, now there’s even more…

This week brings us a new paid DLC titled “3C3C1D119440927” that’s available for the PlayStation 4 and Steam for $13.99. While that title may be a mouthful, you can actually split it up into what the DLC contains: three costumes, three coliseums, one dream, followed by the date 09/27/11944. What’s that date all about? (It’s a secret.) The other bits are more self-explanatory.

Those of you who’ve explored the game previous have probably noticed machine lifeforms guarding elevators around the world — areas you can’t access until you buy the DLC. There’s three of them, and beyond each one is a different coliseum that has a different theme when it comes to the challenges therein. One will have you fight waves of enemies with various handicaps, such as the inability to use your Pod or “the floor is lava.” Another will have you use 9S to hack into machine lifeforms to use to fight others. Yet another includes more basic challenges, but what awaits you at the paramount is a challenging gauntlet where you’re down in one hit. Oh, and there’s a battle against some guys in suits you might have heard about.

There’s also a bunch of vanity items such as costumes from the original NieR, and the ability to dye 2B and A2’s hair different colors. (No 9S?)

Once you’ve snooped around each coliseum, you’ll be able to check out another point of interest that will lead you to the self-contained story in this DLC.

Our video overview of the DLC’s content should give you an idea of what to expect:

Personally, I feel that a game’s hardest encounters can bring out the best and worst of combat design. The higher level challenges that this DLC will bring will definitely test you, and thanks to Platinum’s action expertise, they feel exhilarating even if you’re getting your ass kicked over and over. If there’s one complaint I had, it’s that 9S’s dungeon isn’t really fun, as you’ll be hacking into machine lifeforms that are quite unwieldy compared to their android enemies. A few times was enough for me.

The standalone story included here adds an extra layer of depth to the world that is devilishly playful with your expectations. It’s also relatively spoiler-free as far as the main game’s story goes, so you won’t have to worry too much about this DLC compromising your journey through Automata’s five major endings. I do have to wonder if there’s more being set up here though; I’m definitely down for more.

I know everyone’s situation is different, but the $14 price tag here feels a bit heavy for what’s on your plate in comparison to other titles. Granted, if you’re nuts about this game like I am, you’ll likely find it worthwhile, but others may want to hold off for a sale. Personally, I was happy to see that the many different cosmetic options were all included in one package rather than buying them piecemeal with the tax to boot.

Either way, I’d definitely recommend checking out 3C3C1D119440927, as it continues what makes NieR: Automata a great game.

VERDICT

• Self-contained story that fleshes out even more of the main game’s tragic universe without compromising the “main” story.
• Challenges that’ll bring out the best in the battle system.
• Despite a heavier price tag, all the cosmetic stuff can all be obtained in this package, not a mess of piecemeal purchases.
• 9S’s dungeon is a nice idea, but I didn’t really find it fun.

 
Disclaimer: A PlayStation 4 (digital) version of NieR Automata and its “3C3C1D119440927” DLC was provided to Nova Crystallis by Square Enix (the publisher.)