In the world of action RPGs, Nier: Automata stands out for its unique blend of storytelling, gameplay mechanics, and philosophical themes. Among its many trophies and achievements lies one that’s particularly infamous: the What Are You Doing? achievement, often referred to by fans as the Perv achievement. This optional in-game achievement has stirred equal parts humor and curiosity among players, primarily because of how it’s earned and what it represents. While many achievements are tied to combat or exploration, this one dives into cheeky territory, reminding players that Nier: Automata is as quirky as it is deep.
Understanding the Perv Achievement
The What Are You Doing? achievement in Nier: Automata is awarded for repeatedly trying to look up protagonist 2B’s skirt. Yes, you read that right. This is not an achievement tied to skill or game progression, but rather to the player’s persistence and perhaps curiosity. It’s earned through a simple act that requires more than one attempt and results in a humorous reaction from the game itself.
How to Unlock It
To unlock the Perv achievement:
- Control 9S during a segment where he is following 2B.
- Angle the camera to look up 2B’s skirt repeatedly.
- After doing this around 10 times, the game awards the achievement titled What Are You Doing?
2B will sometimes react with a swat or change in posture to block the view, adding an in-game acknowledgment of your actions. This dynamic creates a fourth-wall-breaking moment that is humorous and awkward in equal measure.
Why This Achievement Exists
Yoko Taro, the director of Nier: Automata, is known for his unorthodox approach to game design. He enjoys playing with expectations and isn’t afraid to inject humor or strange behavior into otherwise serious storylines. The Perv achievement is a perfect example of this. While it might seem out of place in a game that explores deep existential questions, it fits into the broader theme of breaking conventions and surprising players.
Balancing Humor and Respect
While some may find the achievement amusing, others might question whether it’s appropriate. The achievement doesn’t encourage objectification as much as it acknowledges the behavior in a humorous and slightly scolding way. It plays into the medium’s interactivity by observing and reacting to the player’s actions, making it a subtle form of commentary on voyeurism and control within games.
The Trophy’s Impact on the Community
Over the years, the What Are You Doing? achievement has become a running joke within the Nier fanbase. Players often bring it up in discussions and memes. It has become a hallmark of Nier: Automata’s willingness to lean into the absurd and unexpected, all while making a point about the relationship between the player and the game world.
Reactions from Players
- Humor: Many players share clips or screenshots of their attempt to unlock the achievement, often with laughter and playful embarrassment.
- Curiosity: For new players, discovering the achievement by accident leads to confusion and amusement.
- Discussion: Some players use the achievement to spark deeper conversations about gender portrayal in games.
Regardless of viewpoint, the Perv achievement remains one of the most talked-about minor trophies in modern gaming.
Other Notable Trophies in Nier: Automata
While the Perv achievement garners attention for its awkward humor, Nier: Automata features dozens of other achievements, many of which are tied to critical story events or challenging gameplay mechanics. Here are a few:
- The Minds That Emerged: Awarded for completing all endings (AE).
- Fighting’s Not the Only Thing We Do: Earned by completing all quests.
- Final Words: For listening to all the pods’ ending messages.
- Machines vs. Machines: For using the hacking mechanic to control enemy units and complete battles.
These achievements reflect the variety and depth of the game, from emotional narrative moments to mechanical mastery.
Buying Achievements in the Game
Interestingly, Nier: Automata includes an in-game system that allows players to buy achievements from a special vendor after completing the game. This includes the What Are You Doing? trophy. This design choice is rare and shows how Yoko Taro challenges traditional notions of player accomplishment. It also offers accessibility to completionists who may struggle with certain gameplay elements or prefer not to repeat actions like this one.
Ethical or Convenient?
The ability to buy achievements raises debates within the gaming community. Some players appreciate the option, especially for harder or more tedious trophies. Others feel it cheapens the experience. For Nier: Automata, though, it fits the game’s broader theme of questioning norms and offering multiple paths to a goal.
Interpreting the Message Behind the Achievement
Although the Perv achievement is light-hearted, it fits into the game’s larger narrative about observation, identity, and morality. The act of looking where one shouldn’t and being acknowledged for it touches on the boundaries between character and player. In a game where androids question their programming and selfhood, this small trophy becomes part of a larger conversation about agency and intent.
It also offers a moment of levity in a game otherwise filled with loss, war, and philosophical introspection. By including this moment, the developers remind us that games can explore heavy themes while still having fun along the way.
The What Are You Doing? or Perv achievement in Nier: Automata is a unique example of how video games can use humor, discomfort, and interactivity to surprise players. It may not be central to the plot, but it’s undeniably part of what makes the game memorable. Whether seen as a joke, a bit of player commentary, or a nod to gaming culture, this trophy encapsulates the quirky heart of a game that dares to be different. In the landscape of gaming achievements, it stands alone not for the difficulty it requires, but for the reaction it evokes, both from the game and the players who earn it.