I finished the game last week. I've had time to think about it and read the thread/additional material. I also started a second playthrough because of the added context from endgame/additional material (wiped first save, will complete platinum on second playthrough). Out of the crazy 1st quarter with a bunch of well-received games, I went with Automata because it was most likely to provide a unique experience out of the list. I'm happy I went with this choice.
Now that Im approaching the end of route A again, I still feel that the pacing is kind of off for some parts in the middle. However, route A feels significantly better with context, which allow for a lot more details to stand out. Now knowing how the story plays out exactly, I am even more interested in how the game could have turned out if it took an approach more similar to Odin Sphere. It would also provide a means to add play time to A2 and just place it before route A/B. It definitely felt like certain things were not included due to funding, so that cant be helped. That being said, the pacing outside of the middle part of A and a very small part of C was solid.
The game was mostly subtle about presentation and were not too heavy handed in its dialogue, which helped a lot considering the mood for latter parts of the game. Scenes were able to retain a sense of tension because they didnt suffer from overdramatizing, which is something thats unfortunately common. Route C was really spectacular in execution, in that everything felt like the proper length and nothing felt too short or drawn out.
I really enjoyed the end game for the story, in that the stakes are entirely personal. Having personal stakes during the end game is common, but its generally encompassed in the big picture goal, and often align so the end goal is still the more important part of the two. For automata however, the final conflict are entirely personal ones, and it suits the narrative in this game a lot better. When done well, the resolution to these types of conflict carry a lot more emotional weight.
Music was great for pretty much the entire game, and really enhanced many scenes. In its entirety, it left an impression on me that is as strong as the one from Xenoblade.
The gameplay was very well done, and for the most part the perspective/genre switching was very fluid. There are issues with individual enemys designs, in that they are far too simplistic (extremely small moveset being the biggest problem). This was detrimental to 1v1 engagement, most noticeable in the final fight. However, if the game isnt treated as a standard action game, I think its a tolerable flaw, as the game is just a lot of fun to play (I dont think there is another game where running/platforming around is this enjoyable). The final segments of route C were not particularly difficult on any difficulty setting, but it was extremely well presented and very engaging and fun.
As for hacking, while I dont really have a problem with the mini-game, I wished that the default option isnt insta-kill, but take over instead, with insta kill being either low chance or requires multiple hacks to obtain. Additionall, I think the EMP/corruption mechanics could have been used a bit more though, as it was more or less really only relevant in one instance. Failed hacking resulting in corruption would have been more interesting than just more damage sustained.
And finally, if nothing else, Automata is absolutely spades in style, and I hope that recovery animation becomes a thing. The actions and movement are just pleasing to look at (I really like the recovery on sword heavy hold whiff). This game absolutely stands out as a unique experience, much like when souls first took hold. The reception to Demons/Nier as compared to DS1/Automata is also similar (although Demons was more well received comparaitively).
