Nier: Automata ballooned to 366GB on Steam following latest language update

PC players looking to revisit or install Nier: Automata, the acclaimed action RPG developed by Platinum Games and published by Square Enix, have been met with an unexpected and massive storage requirement following a recent update. As reported by GamesRadar+, the game’s install size on Steam has ballooned from its original 50GB requirement to a staggering 366.56GB. This drastic jump represents a septupling of the storage demand for a title that, until now, had been relatively consistent in its technical footprint.

Update details

The file size surge follows a minor patch released on November 6, 2026. According to the official update notes, this patch was intended to add support for Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean languages. Despite the significant increase in required drive space, the actual patch download size for users is reported to be a much more reasonable 8GB. Early analysis of the game post-update confirms that the content remains entirely unchanged, with no new gameplay, assets, or levels added to the experience. The update appears to function solely as a localization patch, making the sudden storage bloat a technical anomaly rather than an intentional addition of new features.

The mystery of the file size

As of this writing, there has been no official statement from Square Enix or Platinum Games explaining why the installation footprint has expanded so aggressively. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Steam store page still lists the original system requirement of 50GB of available space, directly contradicting the actual 366GB demand encountered during the installation process. Community members and players active on Steam discussion forums have speculated that the issue may stem from an error involving the game’s DLC footprints, potentially causing files to be accidentally duplicated during the update process. The lack of clarity has left many wondering if this is a simple coding oversight or a unique technical glitch involving how Steam manages the updated language files.

Why it matters

For the average player, this massive storage requirement presents a significant practical barrier. Many users will find themselves unable to play the game without clearing hundreds of gigabytes of additional space, a hurdle that is particularly frustrating given that the core game remains identical to the version players have known for years. As there is currently no official acknowledgment from the publisher or developer regarding this file size explosion, it remains unclear whether a hotfix will be issued to correct the error. Players who are planning to reinstall or update the game are advised to verify their available disk space before proceeding. Until an official explanation or a corrective patch is provided, keeping a close watch on official developer channels or community Steam discussions is recommended for those hoping to resolve the issue and regain their lost drive space.