Discover Unplayable Characters in NieR: Automata
- By Mila
- Jan 27,2025
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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 not seen in earlier playthroughs.
Although the game features three main playthroughs leading to multiple endings (some more detailed than others), accessing certain endings requires playing as a specific character and completing specific actions. Below, we detail the three playable characters and the method for switching between them.
All Playable Characters In NieR: Automata
The core of NieR: Automata's story centers around 2B, 9S, and A2. 2B and 9S are partners, and their appearances will vary depending on the playthrough. Each character possesses a unique fighting style, adding depth to gameplay even with the same equipped plug-in chips. While all three are playable, switching isn't always straightforward.
How To Switch Characters In NieR: Automata
Character selection is restricted during the initial playthrough:
- 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 character selection. Chapter Select enables revisiting any of the game's 17 chapters. Numbers displayed to the right of the screen indicate completed/incomplete side quests. If a character shows numbers for a specific chapter, that chapter can be replayed as that character.
Note that later chapters, especially in playthrough 3, restrict character selection. While Chapter Select offers flexibility, it requires navigating to story points where the chosen character was originally playable. Saving before chapter changes ensures progress carries over, enabling leveling up all three characters' shared levels towards the maximum.
