Gaming

NieR: Automata (Switch) review: A smooth(er) operator

Experience 2B in handheld

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Five years ago, Nintendo launched the Switch. The handheld console ushered Nintendo fans into a new generation of gaming. However, despite the promise of a fresh start for Nintendo, the Switch never looked like a proper contender against the beefy graphics of a PC or a PlayStation.

Around the same time, a new sci-fi game, called NieR: Automata, quietly made waves. Though it wasn’t an instant hit from the first day, the title eventually made its way into the annals of gaming history as an enthralling experience for sci-fi fans. That said, as a notable title released in 2017, it still wasn’t anything you’d expect on the Nintendo Switch. Shows how little we knew back then.

Now, the Switch is home to a surprising variety of capable ports such as Apex Legends, DOOM, and The Witcher 3. Impressively, each title works surprisingly well on the handheld console. If you haven’t had enough of big titles on the console, make way for — you guessed it — NieR: Automata.

Just like old times

The title’s port is action-packed from the get-go. Instead of just the base game, players will enjoy The End of YoRHA Edition which includes all additional downloadable content. It’s a great deal for the price you’re paying for.

Now, whether you’re playing docked or handheld, NieR: Automata plays as it was back then. The port does not cut content. If you’ve played the game before, it’s the same game. However, if it’s your first time playing the title, you’ll enjoy the game as if you bought it back in 2017.

Regardless of where you find yourself, here’s a refresher for the game’s plot: Almost ten thousand years into the future, the world has been taken over by a race of anthropomorphic robots. Aided by 9S (an android modeled after a boy), 2B is on a mission to take the planet back and fight the robots.

Rather than a straightforward RPG shooter, NieR: Automata mixes and mashes different mechanics into a wonderful postapocalyptic package. From an open-world exploration stage, players can find themselves thrust into 2D platformers and bullet hells in a single chapter. Not one stage feels out of place or overstays its welcome.

A compromise for graphics

As you might expect, the Switch port does compromise on a few technical aspects to get the game running on the console. However, it’s a good compromise.

From the first chapter, you’ll notice a difference in display quality compared to more robust consoles. However, it’s not just a matter of the hardware being unable to run the game. There are some downgrades. For example, texture quality is considerably lower compared to the original games. Rocks look chunkier, and foliage is sparser. At the very least, you won’t see it as much if you’re playing in handheld mode.

To compensate for the drop in texture quality, the Switch port has more antialiasing. Despite the less organic textures, edges are smoother. It’s a welcome addition to the Switch, which often does terribly with tearing for games with larger resolutions.

Additionally, NieR: Automata handles framerates a lot better than the original versions. Years ago, the title, amid all the fanfare, did not come off as the most polished game due to framerate stutters happening throughout the entire game. Now, the Switch port feels right. Though the port is locked at 30fps, the lack of any substantial framerate drops makes for a more immersive experience compared to one that tries and fails at pushing things to 60fps.

All in all, porting NieR: Automata is an impressive feat. For a title over five years old, the Switch port still feels fresh and right at home with the rest of the console’s library of games.

NieR: Automata The End of YoRHA Edition is now available for the Nintendo Switch, selling at US$ 39.99 through the Switch store.

Gaming

Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.7 available on March 24

Featuring Hollow Champions tournament, new Agents

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Version 2.7 of Zenless Zone Zero will become available on March 24 across platforms. Called “Champions Never Fall to the Past”, the update features the Hollow Champion competition and new agents.

The Hollow Champion competition sweeps across New Eridu — hosted by TOPS — spreading excitement as far as beyond the city center.

Competitors can take home high-stakes rewards, including the rare Porcelloy W-Engine. The tournament’s scale draws not only familiar allies, but even several unexpected participants.

There’s the Public Security’s Metropolitan Order Division, aside from the Cunning Hares and Sons of Calydon. It is said that the Calydon’s Sweepers will also step into the competition.

New Agents emerge

Furthermore, among the figures emerging from the shadows is the infamous Black Wolf Romeul. In battle, Romeul can activate a Corruptive Barrier for increased CRIT Damage Resistance and Interruption Resistance. This also causes opponents to continuously lose HP.

To break through this barrier, teams must be capable of delivering sustained Anomaly damage. This adds a new tactical layer for those wanting to challenge him.

Moreover, Cissia of the Metropolitan Order Division will also enter the race. As an S-Rank Electric Attack agent, Cissia gains three stacks of Venom upon entering battle.

Each stack deals Electric damage, while temporarily increasing her own CRIT Rate. The Venom gradually dissipates over time, but Cissia can also generate additional stacks through her EX Special Attack. As the stacks accumulate, she may expend them with her Basic Attack, Serpent’s Kiss.

Joining Cissia is the Angels of Delusion lineup, captained by their dancer, Nangong Yu. The S-Rank Ether Stun Agent enhances her team’s Anomaly Buildup Rate against Stunned enemies.

During combat, she automatically regenerates Downbeat over time. Additional Downbeat is also restored whenever a squad member inflicts Anomaly on enemies.

Once the Downbeat is sufficient, she can unleash powerful charged attacks to extend the enemy’s Stun duration. This is while her own Stun and Anomaly buildup accelerates. Meanwhile, her Ultimate can activate Ether Veil: Delusion Reprise to boost the squad’s entire Attack.

Proxies can unlock an exclusive faction wallpaper after collecting all members of Angels of Delusion. In addition, S-Rank Ice Rupture Agent Yidhari and Electric Attack Agent Seed will also return to Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.7.

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Gaming

Infinix expands SEA footprint with more official MLBB tourney partnerships

Infinix becomes MPL Indonesia, MSL Thailand official partner

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Infinix has announced a landmark expansion of its partnership with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Esports.

As part of the strategic move, Infinix is now the official partner of various MLBB tournaments across Southeast Asia.

The smartphone brand is now the Presenting Partner of the MLBB Professional League (MPL) Indonesia, as well as the Titling Partner of the MLBB Development League (MDL) Indonesia.

Infinix also strengthens its regional footprint further as the Official Sponsor of the MLBB Super League (MSL) Thailand.

These partnerships build on successful collaborations with the Philippines and Malaysia, deepening Infinix’s commitment to the region’s most competitive markets.

Next-level fan, community engagement

As an official partner, Infinix will deliver comprehensive end-to-end support for the tournaments. This includes supplying tournament-grade hardware and executing localized fan engagement initiatives.

Infinix’s AIoT devices are also going to be on display at the tournaments. Moreover, their flagship regional esports IP, the Infinix Campus Cup, will bring the competition to campuses with offline matches played on Infinix gaming phones.

Uniting Southeast Asian markets

The 2026 MLBB Tournament Series officially kicks off on March 20, with the brand powering the opening matches of MPL Philippines and MSL Myanmar as their Official Gaming Phone.

On March 27, Infinix will debut its presence at MPL Indonesia Season 17, followed by the opening of MDL Indonesia three days after.

As a presenting partner, Infinix will also crown the MPL Indonesia season champions with the “KINGFINIX” title.

The regional expansion continues on April 3 with the start of MPL Malaysia and MPL Cambodia. Infinix’s strong presence across the region then culminates with MSL Thailand on April 18.

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Gaming

Valve is embroiled in a lawsuit with New York over loot boxes

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Valve has been embroiled in an odd war as of late. A few weeks ago, the New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the gaming company for allegedly encouraging children to gamble through loot boxes primarily found in Counter-Strike 2. Today, Valve is fighting back by declaring how little its loot boxes have to do with gambling.

For years, governments have had a problem with loot boxes. To them, the mechanic makes it too easy for gamers to fall into a gambling addiction. In essence, loot boxes are earnable packs that contain a single or a number of random items that the player can use for their game. Most of the time, these items are purely cosmetic and don’t give a gameplay advantage.

Like Blizzard before it, Valve is also defending its loot boxes as non-essential to how players engage with their games. “There is no disadvantage to a player not spending money,” their statement reads.

Additionally, Valve says that their loot boxes are no different from Pokémon cards and Labubu blind boxes. As such, the company is also defending their users’ right to transfer obtained items to other users, as with two players trading cards or Pop Mart figurines.

Now, these items have monetary value in the market. In the same way, a rare Counter-Strike 2 skin can fetch thousands of dollars. However, Valve says that they are already proactive in shutting down accounts made only to gamble and avoiding pro-gambling businesses.

Valve is capping off its statement by saying that the NYAG is forcing the company to collect more information from its users, especially those using VPNs to prevent being located in New York. The company says that it will continue to protect user data, despite the demand.

SEE ALSO: Valve is delaying the launch of the Steam Machine

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