Nier Automata Walkthrough: Complete Routes, Bosses & Tips

Intro: If you picked up NieR:Automata and felt overwhelmed by its layered story, multiple routes, and bullet‑hell combat, this nier automata walkthrough will guide you step-by-step. Whether you want to finish Routes A–E, collect every weapon, beat the hardest boss fights, or chase that platinum trophy, this guide breaks down the journey into clear actions, examples, and practical tips. Expect help with side quests, pod programs, hacking minigames, save points, and New Game+ strategies.

Why follow this NieR:Automata walkthrough?

This guide focuses on clarity and player decisions. It respects the game’s narrative twists (Yoko Taro’s voice) while giving actionable advice for gameplay: when to upgrade, which side quests to prioritize, and how to survive machine lifeform encounters. Use this walkthrough to reduce backtracking, finish challenging boss fights, and unlock all key endings and achievements.

Overview of Routes and Endings (Routes A, B, C, D, E)

NieR:Automata’s structure is what makes it unique. You don’t just replay; the story changes perspective and meaning across multiple routes.

• Route A: Play as 2B. This covers the initial arc and most early side quests.
• Route B: Replay many events from 9S’s perspective; hacking sequences expand here.
• Routes C & D: The story diverges drastically and delivers key narrative revelations. Your choices determine which of the two you get first.
• Route E: An extra ending unlocked through specific actions, requiring New Game+ and cooperative online mechanics.

Tip: Completing the main objectives in Routes A and B before deep-diving into side quests usually preserves crucial story beats. Save often at save points before major boss fights and choice moments.

Route A Walkthrough: Key objectives, boss fights, and collectibles

Route A introduces you to combat, pods, and most basic side quests. Focus on the following sequence to move efficiently through the early game.

• Complete the opening training missions to unlock pod programs and basic weapons.
• Head to the City Ruins and clear key machine lifeforms. These early boss fights teach you timing and dodging in a bullet hell system.
• Collect essential weapons from story bosses and search chests in the Resistance Camp and Factory areas for crafting resources.

Major boss tips (Route A):

• Goliath-class enemies: Circle strafing and short bursts of heavy attack work best. Save a pod charge for stagger windows.
• Beasts and animal-like machines: Use quick slashes and evasion. Many are weak to hack damage or pod flame programs.

Example: When fighting a heavily armored machine, target weak points revealed after a heavy slam. Parry when possible and use ranged pod fire to break armor segments.

Tip: Pick up side quests near the camp early; they often reward useful weapons and pod program upgrades that make the rest of Route A smoother.

Route B & C Walkthrough: 9S perspective, hacking, and pivotal choices

Route B retells parts of Route A but from 9S’s viewpoint, introducing hacking mechanics and adding depth to previously seen scenes. Route C is where the narrative turns dark and the stakes heighten.

• Hacking minigames: Learn the patterns: stay calm, prioritize system cores, and deploy virus when swarms overwhelm you. Hacking is a mix of puzzle and action; practice in side dungeons to improve.
• 9S combat tips: He is faster but less durable than 2B. Use hit-and-run tactics and your pod’s seeker programs.

Key choices: In Routes C and D you will face decisions that change how the story reads. Keep a save slot before each major choice so you can pursue the alternative and capture all endings for trophies.

Example: A choice near the end of Route C/D looks irreversible—it’s often best to explore both options across playthroughs rather than trying to anticipate moral outcomes on your first pass.

How to get Route D and the secret Route E (Endings D & E)

After finishing C or D, you need to play again to see the alternate branch. Route E requires specific acts near the climax and a willingness to engage with the game’s multiplayer element.

• Route D: Typically arrives as the counterpart to Route C depending on a late-game decision. If you pick one action, you’ll get D; pick the opposite and you’ll get C.
• Route E: Unlocked after certain endings and often needs New Game+ to trigger. Expect a narrative-heavy finale that asks for player sacrifice and may use global data to resolve.

Tip: Keep an eye on your quest log and save often. Some endings are time-sensitive or require you to finish side quests first. If you’re chasing achievements tied to endings, consult your quest list before the final fight to avoid missing content.

Side quests, collectibles, weapons, and pod programs

Side quests and collectibles are crucial for weapon hunting, unlocking pod upgrades, and achieving 100% completion. Here’s how to approach them efficiently.

• Prioritize side quests that reward weapons: Some NPCs give rare weapons or blueprints. Example quests in the Resistance Camp and the Desert lead to unique drops.
• Collectibles: Chips, weapons, and data logs are scattered. Use the map and scan frequently. The scanner helps reveal hidden chests in ruins and on map edges.
• Pod programs: Balance your loadout. Equip supportive programs for boss fights (auto-heal, shutdown immunity) and offensive pods for crowd control.

Tips for weapons and upgrades:

• Level up weapons as you find crafting parts. Some weapon types scale differently; try a variety of swords, spears, and combat bracers to find what fits your playstyle.
• Use chips to modify attacks instead of stacking purely defensive chips. Offensive builds speed up fights and reduce resource consumption.

Boss fights, combat mechanics, and hacking strategies

Bosses in NieR:Automata combine soulslike melee with bullet hell and shooter elements. Understanding mechanics will shift hard fights into manageable patterns.

• Learn attack tells: Most bosses telegraph heavy attacks with wind-ups. Use that moment to dash or parry.
• Use pod charges strategically: Pods are DPS and utility. Save burst attacks for stagger windows after breaking armor.
• Hacking bosses as 9S: Some encounters become mini hacking stages. Target the core while avoiding red lines and spawn waves.

Example boss strategy: Adam and Eve fights require alternating between dodging bullet patterns and closing in to break their shields. Use a balance of ranged pod fire and quick melee combos; when they split, focus on the smaller targets first to reduce pressure.

Combat tip: Equip the “avoidance boost” pod program if you struggle with bullet hell. Switch to “virus” and “surround” programs for hacking sequences to handle swarms and protect the hacker.

Map navigation, save points, and quality-of-life tips

NieR:Automata has sprawling zones with hidden paths. Efficient navigation saves time on multiple playthroughs.

• Save frequently: Use save points before major fights and difficult puzzle sections. Keep multiple save slots for branching choices.
• Fast travel & map markers: Mark points of interest mentally: the Resistance Camp, City Ruins, Desert, and the Amusement Park. Many side quests require backtracking across these zones.
• Inventory management: Sell redundant items and keep weapon inventory tidy. You can reclaim broken weapons later, so plan which archetypes to carry into a New Game+.

Tip: Use New Game+ to carry over weapons and levels for tackling hard achievements and the late-game content in Routes D/E.

Practical examples and recommended play order

To minimize repeat grinding and to maximize story impact, try this order:

1. Complete the main story in Route A while doing only essential side quests that reward gear or story context.
2. Play Route B to get 9S’s view and complete hacking-related side content.
3. Complete remaining side quests, then proceed through Routes C and D to experience the narrative branches.
4. Finish all major trophies/achievements in New Game+ and push for Route E if you want the full narrative closure.

Example: If a side quest unlocks an emotional scene connected to a main character, do it before the Route C/D split to appreciate the full impact.

FAQ — Common questions about this walkthrough

Q1: How many playthroughs do I need to see every ending?
A1: Expect at least three playthroughs to see all major endings if you plan carefully: A (2B), B (9S), and then C/D/E across subsequent New Game+ cycles depending on your choice timing. Some players use multiple save slots to branch without full replays.

Q2: When should I do side quests to avoid missing content?
A2: Do side quests that reward weapons, pod upgrades, or critical story fragments before finishing Routes C/D. Keep an eye on NPC dialogues; some quests expire after story milestones.

Q3: How do I beat the hardest boss fights?
A3: Learn patterns, upgrade weapons, and use pod programs for survivability. For bullet hell phases, prioritize dodging and chip loadouts that boost invincibility frames. Use ranged pods to punish bosses during recovery frames.

Q4: What are the best pod programs and weapon types?
A4: Your best pod programs depend on your playstyle. “Shield” and “auto-heal” help beginners; “virus” and “seeker” favor aggressive players. Use a mix of light and heavy weapons: light for combos, heavy for stagger. Try spear or sword combinations to balance range and damage.

Q5: How do I unlock Route E and the final secret ending?
A5: Route E unlocks after specific actions in previous endings and typically requires New Game+. You must follow particular narrative steps near the end of Route D and be willing to engage with the cooperative online prompt when it appears. Keep a save before the final sequence so you can experiment if needed.

Conclusion

This nier automata walkthrough is built to help you experience the game’s full range: from Routes A through E, through side quests, to the toughest boss fights and collectible hunts. Remember to save often, experiment with pod programs, and use New Game+ to finish trophies and hidden endings. Above all, enjoy the world Yoko Taro crafted—its emotional payoff grows with each route and collectible you uncover.

Good luck, android. Bring 2B, 9S, and A2 home, and don’t forget to explore every side quest, weapon, and pod upgrade along the way.