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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, accessing certain endings requires playing as specific characters and completing unique actions. Below, we detail the three playable characters and the mechanics of switching between them.
All Playable Characters In NieR: Automata
The story centers around 2B, 9S, and A2. 2B and 9S are partners, and their appearances vary depending on the playthrough. Each character possesses a unique fighting style, offering diverse gameplay experiences even with identical 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 (story-driven character changes)
Completing a main ending unlocks Chapter Select, allowing character selection. Chapter Select enables revisiting any of the game's 17 chapters. Numerical indicators beside chapters represent completed/incomplete side quests. If a character shows a number for a specific chapter, that chapter can be replayed as that character.
Note that later chapters, particularly in playthrough 3, restrict character choices. While Chapter Select allows character switching, it also requires navigating to story points where that character was originally playable. Saving before chapter changes ensures progress carries over, allowing for leveling up all three characters simultaneously.
