Early reviews for NieR: Automata are coming in, and its lowest score is a 90

By now, it's common knowledge. 2017 has been absolutely fantastic in the early going on the game release calendar. Resident Evil 7, Nioh, Yakuza 0, Gravity Rush 2, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Halo Wars 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild have strained the cash flow of gamers everywhere, and we might just be getting started. NieR: Automata is looking like the next game to join the ever growing line of stellar game releases this year if its early reviews are any indication.

Although it is a small sample size, both Metacritic and Open Critic have received 6 Critic reviews a piece, and although a few overlap, the early consensus is consistent. The game's lowest score is a 90, with Metacritic averaging a 94, and Open Critic a 93.

The question is, how exactly are these reviews getting out ahead of the embargo? Well, it looks like these outlets have been purchasing the Japanese version of the game (which is already out to the public) with their own money, which comes with English voice overs and text.

This past week, we just got two Game of the Year contenders in Horizon: Zero Dawn and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and if these scores keep up, we might have three in a week's time. That said, once again, this is just a handful of reviews, so the likelihood of the number staying where it is isn't very high, but it's unlikely that the game is going to be a complete bust either. When all is said and done, we may very well be putting 2017 in the pantheon of great gaming years alongside 2007 and 1998.

Sources: [Metacritic, Open Critic]