NieR: Automata Got More Beautiful 4 Years After Release

When NieR: Automata debuted on PC in March 2017, it very quickly became clear that the game's PC port left quite a bit to be desired in terms of technical condition. Then, almost immediately, modders rolled up their sleeves and got to work, the results of which we've seen over the past few years. Only now, however, has one of the most important and eagerly awaited mods been completed - NieR: Automata's HD Texture Pack by GPUnity.

The mod, created by user GPUnity, is available on NexusMods. HD Texture Pack for NieR: Automata was developed across nearly 4 years, and its first version was released in January 2018. However, only yesterday, on May 8, 2021, the mod received its final update, emphatically highlighting the completion of work on the HD texture pack. We can admire the effects in the above video, made available by the mod's creator.

However, it is worth noting that to work properly NieR: Automata's HD Texture Pack requires FAR (Fix Automata Resolution) by Kaldaien. This mod fixes many of the game engine's shortcomings that caused performance and resolution problems. Thanks to FAR the game looks nicer, while running smoother and more stable. HD Texture Pack in combination with FAR are a mix that will finally enable Automata to shine on PC, something that simply wasn't possible before.

NieR: Automata has been stirring up a lot of excitement in recent weeks, even though it's been over four years since its PC release. All because the release of a new edition (NieR: Automata Become As Gods, containing all DLCs) as part of Xbox Game Pass on PC. Initially, it seemed that the version available on Game Pass works better than the one available on Steam, leading to Automata being review bomber on Valve's platform. An investigation conducted by Digital Foundry testers, however, showed that these are just appearances and Automata from the Game Pass doesn't work (or look) any better, but... the snowball was already rolling.

It all ended with a promise to release an update for the Steam version of NieR: Automata, which Platinum Games made in the first half of April, this year. The announcement finally put an end to a month-long affair and everything seemed to be back to normal - there was no update, and players are relying on mods, joined yesterday by the final version HD Texture Pack mod.

In all this confusion, however, it is worth remembering that NieR: Automata is a really good action RPG that takes us into the distant future, showing humanity as a shadow of its former power - exiled from Earth by an alien civilisation, hiding in lunar bases and desperately trying to reclaim their former home. The player is then sent on a mission to reclaim the planet from the enemy, controlling a female-android created on the moon, sent to the post-apocalyptic surface of what was once humanity's homeworld.

NieR: Automata is available on PC (on Steam or Xbox Game Pass), PS4 and Xbox One, as well as on their next-gen counterparts as part of backward compatibility.