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NieR: Automata's captivating storyline unfolds over three distinct playthroughs. While the initial two playthroughs share some content, the third playthrough reveals additional narrative depth, ensuring that the story continues to evolve even after the first credits roll.
Completing all three main playthroughs is essential, but the game offers numerous endings, ranging from detailed to brief. Some endings require specific actions and characters. Here’s a comprehensive look at the three playable characters and the process for switching between them.
All Playable Characters In NieR: Automata
The narrative of NieR: Automata centers on three main characters: 2B, 9S, and A2. 2B and 9S operate as partners and receive the bulk of the screen time, depending on your progression through the playthroughs. Each character boasts a unique combat style, enhancing the gameplay experience even when using the same plug-in chips across all three playthroughs. 2B, 9S, and A2 are all playable throughout the game, though switching between them isn't always straightforward.
How To Switch Characters In NieR: Automata
During your initial playthrough, character switching isn't an option. The character you control in each playthrough is predetermined:
- Playthrough 1 - 2B
- Playthrough 2 - 9S
- Playthrough 3 - 2B/9S/A2, with the story dictating when you switch between them.
Upon completing one of the main endings, you unlock Chapter Select mode, which allows you to choose your character. This mode enables you to revisit any of the game's 17 chapters. In many chapters, the numbers on the right side of the screen reflect the status of side quests, indicating whether they are completed or incomplete. If a character is associated with any numbers during a chapter, you can opt to replay that chapter as that character.
In the later chapters, particularly during playthrough 3, some segments are restricted to specific characters, and this cannot be altered. Through Chapter Select, you can switch characters at any point, but you must also navigate to a part of the story where that character was originally playable. By saving before transitioning to another chapter, progress made in Chapter Select mode is preserved, allowing you to level up the shared levels of all three characters as you strive to reach the maximum level.
