NieR:Automata

NieR:Automata is an action JRPG developed by PlatinumGames, published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC. It is the second game in the NieR series, an indirect sequel to NieR, and is set in the year 11945, during the 14th Machine War.

An expanded edition of the game, entitled NieR:Automata Become As Gods Edition released on June 26th, 2018 for the Xbox One. The edition included the 3C3C1D119440927 DLC expansion along with other DLC items.^[1] The same edition released February 26th, 2019 on PlayStation 4 and PC, renamed NieR:Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition. It also includes a set of PS4 avatars and dynamic themes.^[2] A new edition of the game, ported by Virtuos, was released on the Nintendo Switch under the title NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition in October 6th 2022. This edition includes the aforementioned DLC and a brand new exclusive 6C2P4A118680823 DLC consisting of cosmetics.^[3]

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a, an anime series adaptation, was released on January 7, 2023.

Story

Demo 120161128

2B, supported by 9S, is sent to the Factory to eliminate their target. After making her way through the facility and being attacked several times by Goliath wheels, 2B makes her way out of the facility without having found her target. 9S informs her that there is another facility across the bridge, but that it's unusual for command to get the location of a target wrong. 2B then tells him that they weren't wrong, as she is attacked by Goliath.

A fight ensues, leading to 9S joining the fight, only to be slammed off his flight unit by Goliath. When Goliath is down, 2B makes her way to the top of him to find a mortally wounded 9S. He implores 2B to leave him to finish the mission and destroy the target. 2B hesitantly complies and takes his flight unit to defeat Goliath. After the target is destroyed, 2B and 9S reunite, only for three more Goliaths to appear and attack them. 2B and 9S are forced to detonate their black boxes in order to destroy the Goliaths, but their fates are left unknown.

NieR:Automata

The events of the 14th Machine War unfold through three main characters' perspectives, 2B, 9S, and A2, all of whom fight as the last remnants of human civilization against otherworldly invaders. The battle is not so black-and-white, however, as the androids begin to question their own motives and the world in which they inhabit whilst being thrown into difficult situations and moral dilemmas.

Chapters

See also: Chapter List (NieR:Automata)

Each chapter contains multiple sub-chapters, with some only revealed after multiple playthroughs. They can also be replayed via the Chapter Select menu, which is unlocked after completing either Ending C or Ending D.

Endings

See also: Ending (NieR:Automata)

NieR:Automata has a total of 27 endings that are obtainable upon completing specific conditions. 26 are in the base game (Endings A-Z) and 1 is in the DLC (Ending ◬).

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
◬

flowers for m[A]chines

Narrated from 2B's perspective.

Following his brother's defeat, Eve goes berserk and attacks 2B and 9S. Eve uses the lifeforce of the remaining machine lifeforms connected to the network to continue his onslaught. 9S hacks into Eve to make an attempt at removing his object control function. During his time inside Eve, 9S is infected by Eve's corruption but ultimately succeeds in eliminating Eve's object control function. When 9S reaches the end of Eve's labyrinth, he sees a giant house containing figments of Eve and Adam sitting across each other. The imaginary Eve talks to the imaginary Adam and wishes to go someplace with him.

Eve kneels before 2B in defeat, calling out to his brother. 2B stabs him in the head, killing him.

At the end of A-route, while attempting to disconnect Eve from the network to stop him from receiving more energy, 9S's data is corrupted. After the final battle with Eve, 9S gradually transforms. Seeing no other choice, 9S asks 2B to finish him off, reassuring her that his backup data at the Bunker can always be uploaded to a new body again. 2B protests, pointing out that although it's true, it comes at the cost of himself at the very moment they are talking, but eventually gives in and carries out his wish. Holding 9S's corpse in her arm, 2B breaks down, crying that "It always...ends like this...". However, the machines' data transmission around the battlefield soon starts resonating with each other, and 9S intact consciousness is regenerated via the network.

A-route ends with 9S - now in a giant machine body - holding 2B in his hand while she narrates:

"What is it that separates machines from androids like us? The machine has gained emotion...Consciousness. The final screams they summon on the edge of death...They still echo within me."

or not to [B]e

Narrated from 9S's perspective.

During the time 9S is sent back to Bunker for a complete data overhaul following the battle with Adam, he finds a glitch in the Bunker network. Becoming suspicious, 9S stops all of 2B's and his data synchronization and investigates around. He discovers a crucial information: The Council of Humanity is established AFTER the foundation of YoRHa, not the other way around. The Commander meets him outside and confesses that humanity has been indeed long extinct: the Council of Humanity is only created to maintain the android's morale and gives them a purpose in life. She adds that he can do whatever he wants with that information. 9S then heads to Earth to support 2B in the final battle with Eve.

B-route ending is identical to A-route, except this time the two girls in red appear to witness 2B strangling 9S to death, and at the end instead of 2B, it is 9S who narrates:

"And so, the final battle with Adam and Eve came to an end. This battle will likely have a great effect on the outcome of the war. 2B and I-our battle will continue for some time to come. But that's another story for another day"

During the end credit, 9S can't bring himself to tell 2B the truth about humanity and ultimately decides to keep it from her.

meaningless [C]ode

Choosing A2 will yield this ending.

A2 decides to battle 9S and near the battle's end, she cuts off his arm and hacks into his mind with Pod 042's assistance. While navigating the mind of 9S, Pod 042 continuously warns A2 that the chances of removing the corruption plaguing 9S are slim at best. A2 suggests she has a plan but Pod 042 strongly advises against harm against YoRHa units it supports, with A2 expressing admiration at the pod's loyalty. After discovering a slumbering 9S at the end of the labyrinth, A2 tells Pod 042 to take care of 9S while she tries to accomplish one more thing.

The body of 9S is lifted away from the site by Pod 042 per A2's instruction. His condition following the structure's destruction is unknown. As Pod 042 leaves with 9S's body, A2 walks towards the pillar of light and hears the laughter of children. She severs the functionality of the structure, causing it to crumble and returning her to reality. A2 mentions that she never realized how beautiful the world was, proclaiming to "everyone" that she is coming. As A2 reaches her hand out to the sky, she perishes within the crumbling structure's decline and debris.

In the aftermath of the credits, the debris from the destruction of the structure is seen throughout the area. A lone moose stares at 2B's sword impaled on a rock, hanging on which is 9S's backpack.

chil[D]hood's end

Choosing 9S will yield this ending.

9S fights A2 with severe malice and is almost overpowered by her. A2 hesitates as she recalls 2B's request and is impaled by 9S's sword. A2 falls to the ground in a pool of her own blood while 9S falls right beside her, impaling himself on 2B's sword. He dies while attempting to get 2B's sword out of his torso but to no avail.

In his final moments, 9S recounts his past and his prior objectives. Feeling a sense of loss over his functions, he is beckoned by Adam to join him and Eve on their Ark. Realizing that the girls in red have decided otherwise in ending humanity, 9S is given the choice of going with the machine lifeforms in the Ark. If he doesn't, before finally shutting down 9S will look up to the sky and say his last words: "So that's where you were...2B".

the [E]nd of YoRHa

After getting endings C and D, the credits will start to flicker giving an opportunity to get this ending. The player must make it through credits, but any answer in the end will get the ending. The Pods start rebuilding 9S, 2B, and A2 with all their past memories intact.

A deactivated A2 sits on the edge of an open window while a dove is perched next to her.

mission [F]ailed

Acquired after hacking the machine in "Battle of attack units(?)" in B route and failing to restore fatal injury by waiting the time limit.

YoRHa could not stand up to the might of the Goliaths: now their extinction is only a matter of time. It seems that mankind will never regain its former glory.

hun[G]ry for knowledge

Acquired by neglecting the mission as 9S at the beginning of NG+. https://youtu.be/FIdUgX4TAbk

9S was last heard to say: "I can't control my curiosity about machines anymore. I'm leaving so I can study them as much as I want!" ...He was never heard from again.

a mountain too [H]igh

Acquired by leaving the area with Goliath in the city, abandoning the mission. https://youtu.be/CQCHV53VEXU?t=11226

2B and 9S chose to abandon their mission, allowing the machines to wreak destruction upon the city ruins and Resistance camp. The extinction of YoRHa is also surely a matter of time.

no [I] in team

Chapter 08-1_2, acquired after defeating Adam in the town, not approaching 9S, and running away from him.

9S waited for several decades for 2B to return. ...But she was never seen again.

bad [J]udgment

Chapter 09-01_3, acquired by killing the pastor.

In a sudden fit of temper, 2B wiped out the machine lifeforms, and no peace was born that day.

aji wo [K]utta

Acquired by eating a fish. https://youtu.be/8viBVcMrfxI

Having consumed the mackerel, it didn't take long for the android's bodily fluids to congeal. Muscle rigidity and paralysis soon followed. "It was good though," the android thought as consciousness faded. "Exquisite even. No wonder humans used to eat them..."

[L]one wolf

Chapter 10-02, acquired by running away from sphere boss fight OR in chapter 10-01_3 by running away instead of saving the refugee camp.

Fed up, 2B left the camp to its fate and decided to...go fishing? Yeah, that's it! Fishing! With a smile on her face, she packed up and headed for the coast. Ten years later, 2B would find herself hunted by both machine lifeforms and YoRHa assassins—a life she seemed to enjoy more than her previous one.

break ti[M]e

Acquired by running away from burning Pascal village.

A2 suddenly felt like taking a little stroll. Though the walk gave her a sense of peace and fulfillment, Pascal's village had been reduced to rubble when she returned.

[N]o man's village

Acquired by killing peaceful village members.

A village of peaceful machines was wiped out through the actions of one deranged android. Thus did the peaceful machines go extinct. Their village is now a haunted, forbidden place. Those who wander too close can hear the mad sounds of an android's laughter.

just y[O]u and me

Acquired by leaving the operational area from the battlegrounds on route C.

Some YoRHa units abandoned their mission, the operation failed, and every android met their demise. ...Well, except for the really selfish ones. They were fine.

corru[P]tion

Chapter 11-06, acquired by dying from the virus (takes a long time, but the contamination level jumps to 90% when you reach the bridge).

The virus reached 2B's central nervous system. She soon lost all sense of reason, and ended up roaming the ruins until her power failed.

[Q]uestionable actions

Acquired after losing 2B on the C route (3rd lap), by not going to 2B as 9S and leaving the place.(?)

9S suddenly lost interest in 2B. No one knows why—he just didn't care anymore.

mave[R]ick

Chapter 14-05, acquired by attacking peaceful robots near pascal.

A2 had a "bright" idea that involved destroying every machine in sight. Pascal could only watch in astonishment.

city e[S]cape

Acquired by abandoning Devola and Popola protecting you while you are hacking the tower.

Of course, Devola and Popola died. Their lifeless bodies were found shortly thereafter, each clutched tightly in the other's arms.

fa[T]al error

Acquired by removing the OS chip. https://youtu.be/gRqBcR05iDk

Caution: Handle With Care!
Removal of the OS chip will result in death!

deb[U]nked

Use self-destruct while in the bunker.

By self-destructing at the Bunker, the entire structure ended up exploding in a spectacular fashion. But hey, it sure did look pretty from Earth! Somewhere in the depths of space, the Commander still floats about with a stern look on her face.

reckless bra[V]ery

Chapter 17-01, acquired by waiting until Devola and Popola are exhausted in the scene where you hack the tower.

9S decided not to hack the Tower in order to help Devola and Popola. It was a nice thought, but they all ended up getting killed anyway.

broken [W]ings

Acquired by dying in the first mission.

The YoRHa force was annihilated... And earth went on to become a paradise for the machines.

time to rela[X]

Acquired by not helping 2B as A2 when they meet at the commercial district near full virus contamination.

A2 suddenly felt like taking a little stroll. And though the walk gave her a sense of peace and fulfillment, 2B's body had been consumed by the machines when she returned.

head[Y] battle

Acquired by failing to destroy the detonating Emil's head during Emil's Determination.

The Emils caused their fusion reactors to go out of control, turning the planet into a dead chunk of rock, tumbling through the vast vacuum of an uncaring universe.

over[Z]ealous

Acquired by killing Pascal after saving him.

A2 destroyed Pascal. Pascal's death led to the collapse of his village and its residents going out of control, resulting in the elimination of all androids on Earth.

[◬]

Acquired by playing through Plato 1728's memories. After the ending credits, the player will be offered a choice to save their game to receive this ending.

No in game description.

Characters

Name	Description	Voice
2B	Female battle-type android created by humans who fled to the Moon to avoid extinction by the Machines. She has a serious and reserved personality. The first playable character and protagonist of Branch A.	[JP] Yui Ishikawa [EN] Kira Buckland
9S	Male scanner-type android who fights by hacking, however, is still able to keep up with other close-range attackers. He has a gentle and kind personality. The second playable character and protagonist of Branches B and D.	[JP] Natsuki Hanae [EN] Kyle McCarley
A2	A prototype model android that was created in order to implement superior android models. She doesn't like to speak and often keeps to herself. The final playable character and protagonist of Branch C.	[JP] Ayaka Suwa [EN] Cherami Leigh
Pod 042 & Pod 153	Accompanying support units of YoRHa. They provide support with long-ranged attacks, analysis of situations, enemies, etc., and mobility. Their names are read as "Pod zero-four-two" and "Pod one-five-three".	[JP] Hiroki Yasumoto & Kaoru Akiyama [EN] DC Douglas & Abby Trott
Adam	A silver-haired young man whose identity is shrouded in mystery. He has a cool-headed temperament but can take merciless action for the sake of his objective.	[JP] Daisuke Namikawa [EN] Greg Chun
Eve	Adam’s younger twin brother. He’s more simple-minded and doesn’t put much deep thought into things.	[JP] Tatsuhisa Suzuki [EN] Ray Chase
Pascal	A pacifist machine lifeform. He is highly intelligent and has an interest in the history of both humans and bio-machines.	[JP] Aoi Yuki [EN] Alexis Tipton
Commander	The calm and composed commander of the YoRHa units and director of the orbital satellite known as the Bunker. There is some connection between her and A2.	[JP] Chiaki Kanou [EN] Colleen O'Shaughnessey (uncredited)
Emil	A strange head found inside a machine lifeform who sells wares to the player. While he has high magical power deep inside him, he has lost a significant portion of his memory from a distant past.	[JP] Mai Kadowaki [EN] Julie Ann Taylor
Devola & Popola	Old-model androids who reside in the Resistance camp. They feel a great sense of responsibility for the mistakes made by their sister models in the past. They act as support for 2B and 9S.	[JP] Ryoko Shiraishi [EN] Claudia Lenz
Operator 6O & Operator 21O	Communication operators of the Bunker, who provide YoRHa units with information analysis and messages from the commander. 6O is friendly and personal, whereas 21O is more serious.	[JP] Keiko Isobe & Meari Hatsumi [EN] Cassandra Lee Morris & Connor Kelly-Eiding
Anemone	A leader of the Resistance, who landed on Earth before the YoRHa units. She has a steadfast personality and cares for her friends. She is a returning character from the YoRHa stage play.	[JP] Meari Hatsumi [EN] Erica Lindbeck
Red Girls	A program projected by the network server of the machine lifeforms.	[JP] Jouji Nakata [EN] Darin De Paul

Gameplay

The gameplay is a hybrid between NieR/Drakengard and Platinum Games' style of gameplay (i.e. Bayonetta)

Some elements from Nier to appear are multiple weapon types, projectile attacks, and dodging. Some enemies are able to fire orbs, similar to the previous game.

New features include gliding, using multiple weapon types without switching weapons, sprinting, and the removal of spells from the previous game.

DLC

The first, and initially only, downloadable content for Automata titled 3C3C1D119440927 was released on May 2nd, 2017, and includes new quests, items, costumes from previous NieR titles and a small story detailing the events of the machine lifeform Plato 1728.

The second, released exclusively for The End of YoRHa Edition for the Nintendo Switch, titled 6C2P4A118680823, was released alongside the game, featuring multiple cosmetics including some inspired by NieR Reincarnation.

Development

The development of the story first began in May of 2012 when Yoko Taro teamed up with DearStage to create an idol group called "YoRHa". He created a detailed background story for the group that was published with their first and only single CD release of the songs composed by MONACA, "Normandy" and "Guadalcanal". Yoko Taro later wrote a stage play of the same name, "YoRHa", which had three significant runs:

YoRHa Ver.1.0 - October 2014, DVD released February 2015
YoRHa Ver.1.1 - May 2015
YoRHa Musical Ver.1.2 - February 2018

NieR: Automata was announced on June 16, 2015, at E3 along with a teaser trailer. New environments and the protagonist, 2B, were shown.

A demo was released on December 22nd, 2016 on the PSN store. On February 23rd, 2017, the game is released in Japan, followed by North America on March 7th, 2017, and PAL on March 10th, 2017.

Reception

NieR: Automata received "generally favorable reviews", according to review aggregator Metacritic, scoring 84/100 (PC),^[4] and 88/100 (PS4).^[5]

Most critics praised the “smooth and awe-inspiring” combat,^[6] while the Slant community agreed that the game has a unique take on storytelling, leading to a very entertaining experience.^[7]

Trivia

Some characters from the original NieR appear in Automata, but not as primary characters. These are revealed to be Emil, Devola and Popola.^[8]
The name of the demo, 120161128, refers to the Holocene Calendar reading of the date of its release - November 28th, 12,016 HE. The Holocene Calendar takes into account historical events of both the BC and AD eras of the Gregorian Calendar and merges them into an era known as the Human Era.
The game is said to take place sometime after Ending D of NieR but is not directly after the events of the first game.^[8]
The tattoos that appear on Eve's body form the symbol of the Cult of the Watchers from Drakengard. The significance of this is not yet known. However, the founder of the Cult, as well as the significance of the Cult's symbol, are both references to the biblical story of Adam and Eve.
Like with Ending D from the original NieR, there is a player choice that will lead to the deletion of all save files.
The Celestial Alphabet displayed at the end of the teaser trailer spells out "ningyou hito kikai" which is romanized Japanese for "dolls humans machines". Along with the events of the main game as well as the 3C3C1D119440927 DLC, it can be inferred that "dolls" refers to androids.
The story takes place approximately three years following the plot of Yoko's stage play, "YoRHa".
- YoRHa Intro Summary (by Fire Sanctuary): During the 14th Machine Armament War in the year 11,941AD, humans are near extinction. With the invasion of the “Living Machines”, humanity had no choice but to abandon the planet, taking refuge upon the Moon. Their only hope lie in an armada of specially configured androids called “YoRHa”. Programmed with human emotions and feelings, they descend upon the surface of the planet to combat the ceaseless onslaught of the Machines.
- With the destruction of YoRHa No1 in the descent to the planet, No2 assumes command over all units… however reluctant and unsure of her own abilities. She remains this way throughout the entity of the play; she keeps her black “visor” on the longest…only taking it off in the final scene when she faces the machines on her own.
- No2, after witnessing the destruction of her unit and the last of the Resistance, a failed YoRHa expedition hundreds of years before her time, is alone among a cold, unfeeling world ruled by machines.
Saito conducted a NicoNico livesteam to promote Automata which addressed whether fans believed Yoko's early claims that it would have a happy ending. 79.9% of viewers voted "There's no way that's true." As the chat exploded with laughter at the result viewing, Saito chided them to believe in Yoko.
NieR:Automata is the first NieR game released on Nintendo hardware.
Ending D and the events leading up to it in Automata are a reference to Childhood's End, a 1953 sci-fi novel by Arthur C. Clarke.