Automata-LodMod

Automata-LodMod is a DLL wrapper that can install several graphical enhancements in NieR Automata, helping to improve graphics quality as well as reduce some annoying graphics bugs.

It was created to help address the annoying "LOD switches cause AO to appear through walls" bug that the 2021 update added, but over time it has come to include much more:

LODMultiplier: Helps reduce model replacement and AO issues (should help greatly with the AO-through-walls bug introduced in 2021)

ShadowModelHQ: enables real-time shadows based on HQ models of objects (for example, tree shadows can be swung with a tree)

ShadowModelForceAll: allows smaller models, such as stones/grass and other objects, to cast shadows (e.g.: https://slow.pics/c/GIa50v0A click on image to compare)

DisableManualCulling: Disables culling triggers used by the game to hide models/geometry, which significantly reduces the number of objects that pop up/close.

DisableVignette: allows you to turn off the vignette effect on the screen (this affects only the in-game 3D view, the 2D menu uses the vignette texture instead, you can use ChaserJZX's Grid Vignette and Bunker Grain Removal mod to remove it).

SkipIntroMovies & SkipBootingScreens: working as you expected, should allow you to load into the game much faster.

AOMultiplier: Allows you to increase AO resolution from the default quarter-screen resolution to full resolution, which greatly reduces flicker/flicker.

(The setting to disable AO in the game is now really functional, it had no effect previously, which is useful if you want to replace it with a third-party shader)

ShadowResolution / ShadowDistance: Allows you to change the resolution of shadows and increase the distance between shadow cascades, which allows you to significantly improve the quality of shadows. (example: https://slow.pics/c/5P0FgpPz, click on image to compare)

ShadowFilterStrength: changes the strength of the side filter used for shadows, so that the shadows can be sharpened/softened as desired.

CommunicationScreenResolution: The resolution of the 3D character renders displayed by your capsule can be increased, which improves the quality a little.

HQMapSlots: (not recommended, see the Known Issues section) increases the number of high-quality card slots used by the game, greatly improving the quality/distance of remote locations (although unfortunately, there are many problems with this now...), examples: https://slow.pics/c/Yd1UnR29, https://slow.pics/c/nKwmWW7K (click on image for comparison).

MovieMultiplier: lets you use movies larger than 1080p (1440p/4K verified), best controlled by movie mods (LodMod will download overrides from any LodMod.ini found in game subfolders, such as data\movie\LodMod.ini, LodMod_MovieSample.ini - INI example for 4k movies, feel free to include in your mods!)

EnableH264: adds support for the H264 codec for movie files, improving their quality and reducing file size!

TranslateEnable: translates some encoded Japanese texts, in retail builds it's mostly error dialogs, but in debug builds it can also translate most (~80%) of the Japanese debug menu, making them much more accessible.

FixJapaneseEncoding: Converts Japanese Shift-JIS text to UTF8. In the retail version, this mainly affects error messages, but in debug builds, it can fix the debug output in any connected debugger.

If you already have performance issues, this mod may not be for you, although if you want to use it only for non-graphical enhancements (improved movie support / translation / etc.), all graphical settings can be easily disabled in LodMod.ini.

It is also worth trying the SpecialK global lighting settings, they can significantly improve performance. You can also downgrade the 2017 build for some performance/latency improvements.

# Installation

Download the latest ZIP file from the files section

Extract xinput1_4.dll and LodMod.ini next to NieRAutomata.exe

(If you are playing with NA 2017, rename xinput1_4.dll to xinput1_3.dll)