NieR: Automata - All Playable Characters

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• All Playable Characters In NieR: Automata

• How To Switch Characters In NieR: Automata

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, the game boasts multiple endings, some more detailed than others. Accessing certain endings requires playing as a specific character and completing particular actions. Here's a breakdown of the three playable characters and how to switch between them.

All Playable Characters In NieR: Automata

The story centers around 2B, 9S, and A2. 2B and 9S are partners and, depending on playtime per playthrough, will likely dominate screen time. Each character possesses a unique combat style, adding depth and replayability even with identical plug-in chips. All three are playable, but character switching isn't always straightforward.

How To Switch Characters In NieR: Automata

Character selection isn't free-flowing in the initial playthrough. The character assignments are:

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

Completing a main ending unlocks Chapter Select mode, enabling character selection. This mode allows 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, 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, allowing you to level up all three characters' shared experience towards the maximum level.