Unveiling the Characters of Nier: Automata

Author : Henry Feb 11,2025

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NieR: Automata's narrative unfolds across three distinct playthroughs. While the first two playthroughs share some common ground, the third playthrough reveals significant story elements even after the initial credits roll.

Although the game features three main playthroughs, numerous endings await discovery. Some endings are more developed than others, and accessing certain endings requires playing as a specific character and completing particular actions. Below, we detail the three playable characters and the method for switching between them.

All Playable Characters In NieR: Automata

The core story of NieR: Automata centers around 2B, 9S, and A2. 2B and 9S are partners, and their screen time varies depending on the playthrough. Each character boasts a unique fighting style, ensuring a fresh experience even with identical plug-in chips across playthroughs. While all three – 2B, 9S, and A2 – are playable, switching characters isn't always straightforward.

How To Switch Characters In NieR: Automata

Character selection is predetermined during the initial playthroughs:

  • Playthrough 1: 2B
  • Playthrough 2: 9S
  • Playthrough 3: 2B/9S/A2, with the story dictating character changes.

Completing a main ending unlocks Chapter Select mode, allowing you to choose your character. Chapter Select lets you revisit any of the game's 17 chapters. Numbers displayed on the right side of the screen indicate completed or incomplete side quests. If a character has associated numbers for a chapter, you can replay that chapter as that character.

Note that some later chapters, particularly in playthrough 3, restrict character selection. While Chapter Select allows character changes, you must navigate to story points where that character was originally playable. Saving before changing chapters ensures progress carries over, enabling leveling up all three characters' shared levels towards the maximum.