Unlocking and Using Chapter Select in NieR Automata

NieR: Automata offers players the freedom to explore its vast world and engage in numerous side quests, enhancing the gaming experience surrounding the main storyline. However, during your first playthrough, some content may appear challenging to access. It’s important to note that upon completing the game for the first time, you are only beginning the journey.

After the credits roll, a wealth of side quests from earlier chapters becomes available, allowing you to enrich your gameplay by revisiting previous events under the same save profile. This guide delves into how to activate and effectively utilize the Chapter Select feature.

***** This article contains minimal spoilers related to achieving the true ending of the game *****

Unlocking Chapter Select in NieR: Automata

The key to unlocking Chapter Select lies in reaching one of the game’s true endings. To achieve this feat, players must complete three distinct playthroughs and make a pivotal choice during the final showdown of the third playthrough. While the community refers to these playthroughs as individual chapters, they collectively convey the overarching narrative.

After witnessing the credits for the first time, it’s essential to save your progress and then reload that file to embark on the subsequent segment of the story. In the final playthrough, players will navigate various characters, and completing this section grants access to the Chapter Select feature linked to that save file.

Understanding Chapter Select in NieR: Automata

Access to the Chapter Select menu can be gained from two convenient locations:

The main menu of your saved game when loading up.
Any designated access point within the game world.

Once in the Chapter Select menu, players can choose any completed chapter to revisit during the main storyline. Importantly, all progress and attributes associated with your character—such as weapons, level, and items—will remain intact. Additionally, you can select the character to play within chapters that feature multiple protagonists.

Bear in mind that completed side quests cannot be retried, regardless of the chapter you load. If you decide to switch chapters mid-play, ensure you save your progress at an access point first. Neglecting this step could result in losing any progress made during that particular chapter, including gained levels and collected items. Chapter Select serves as a valuable tool for navigating the full breadth of content available, allowing players to explore alternate choices and achieve every possible ending.

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