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NieR: Automata's narrative unfolds across three distinct playthroughs. While the first two playthroughs share significant overlap, the third playthrough reveals a wealth of additional story content beyond the initial credits.
While completing the three main playthroughs is crucial, numerous endings await discovery, each with varying degrees of depth. Some endings require playing as a specific character and completing particular actions. This guide details the three playable characters and the method for switching between them.
All Playable Characters In NieR: Automata
The story centers around 2B, 9S, and A2. 2B and 9S, partners in the narrative, command significant screen time, depending on the playthrough. Each character boasts a unique combat style, ensuring a fresh experience even with identical plugin chips equipped across playthroughs. All three are playable, but character switching isn't always straightforward.
How To Switch Characters In NieR: Automata
Character selection isn't freely available during the initial playthrough. The character assigned to each playthrough is:
- Playthrough 1: 2B
- Playthrough 2: 9S
- Playthrough 3: 2B/9S/A2, with the story dictating which character is playable at any given time.
Completing a main ending unlocks Chapter Select mode, allowing character selection. Chapter Select lets you revisit any of the game's 17 chapters. Numbers displayed to the right of the screen indicate completed/incomplete side quests for each character. If a character has associated numbers for a specific chapter, you can replay that chapter as that character.
Note that later chapters, particularly in playthrough 3, restrict character selection. While Chapter Select enables character changes, you're limited to points in the story where that character was originally playable. Saving before changing chapters ensures progress carries over, allowing you to level up all three characters' shared levels towards the maximum.