Endings of Nier Automata: Complete Guide to A–E

Introduction — a hook

The endings of Nier Automata remain one of gaming’s most talked-about narratives: layered, emotional, and mechanically unique. Whether you’re replaying to see Ending E or approaching the story for the first time, understanding how the multiple endings work, which choices matter, and what each conclusion says about identity and sacrifice will make your experience richer. This guide walks you through Endings A to E, explains how to unlock them, highlights secrets and collectibles, and offers interpretation tips so you can appreciate Yoko Taro’s bold storytelling.

How Nier Automata’s endings work: routes, replays, and structure

Nier Automata doesn’t treat endings as isolated outcomes. Instead, the game is structured into routes: Route A (Ending A), Route B (Ending B), and Route C (leading to Endings C, D, and E). This means multiple playthroughs are part of the design. The narrative gradually reveals new perspectives by repeating events from different characters’ viewpoints. Knowing the structure helps you plan replays and understand why the game forces repetition to unlock the “true” ending.

Key terms and LSI keywords to remember: multiple endings, Route A, Route B, Route C, Ending A, B, C, D, E, true ending, alternate endings, replay.

Ending A and Ending B — basics, how to get them, and what they reveal

Endings A and B are the first two conclusions most players encounter. They cover the initial arc and provide the first emotional punches.

• Ending A (“Flowers for Machines” spoiler-light): Earned by completing Route A, playing as 2B. This ending wraps up the first major sequence and leaves questions about machine consciousness. To get Ending A, simply finish the main story as your first playthrough. It includes an emotional encounter and a poignant epilogue.
• Ending B (“Orphaned Maiden” spoiler-light): Achieved by completing Route B, which retells the early story from 9S’s perspective and shifts enemy behaviors and narrative hints. Ending B requires you to complete the route that starts after a specific mid-game event; it reveals new details and deepens the mystery around the machines and android command.

Tips for A and B:

• Play carefully: Route B changes enemy AI and introduces hacking segments that highlight the machine lifeforms’ thoughts.
• Collect intel and pod programs that enhance combat and give lore context; these unlockables enrich later endings.

Route C and Ending C — divergence, decisions, and a major turning point

After finishing Routes A and B, Route C begins. This route merges perspectives and leads to several diverging endings depending on player actions. Route C forces you into a different rhythm: familiar scenes from a third viewpoint and emergent choices that feel like they change the entire story.

How to reach Ending C: Complete Routes A and B first. Then play through Route C until a major branching sequence near the end where a choice (and later events) determines whether you get Ending C or advance toward D/E.

What Ending C delivers:

• A bittersweet resolution that explores memory, grief, and the nature of conflict between androids and machines.
• Story beats that set up the emotional sacrifice required for subsequent endings.

Examples and tips:

• Example: Key conversations in Route C change how characters respond in the final battles. Save often if you’re chasing alternate outcomes.
• Tip: Keep an eye on inventory and pod upgrades—these matter less narratively but can influence a player’s ability to reach later endings by surviving crucial sequences.

Endings D and E — the divergent finale, requirements, and the unique final act

The endings that truly define Nier Automata’s legacy are D and E. Both come from the climactic sequence near the end of Route C, but they differ drastically in tone and mechanics.

• Ending D: Often called one of the “alternate” endings, Ending D results from a specific player choice during the final confrontation. It concludes with a tragic, character-focused resolution that reinforces themes of loss and repetition. Getting Ending D is satisfying but also intentionally hard-hitting emotionally.
• Ending E (the “true” ending): True ending isn’t just narrative—it involves gameplay and a meta moment. To reach Ending E you must perform a distinct sequence that triggers cooperative mechanics, including an online element that represents player solidarity. The finale culminates with a scene that asks the player to make a meaningful decision affecting saved data—a bold, controversial design choice that ties into themes of sacrifice and connection.

How to unlock Ending E (step-by-step, spoiler-sensitive):

1. Complete Routes A and B first.
2. Play through Route C and choose the option that would otherwise lead to Ending D (this purposely sets the stage).
3. During the final sequence, follow the on-screen prompts; a multiplayer-inspired event will occur that requires you to accept help from other players or give help yourself.
4. When prompted, the ending will present a radical choice with real mechanical consequences. Making the emotionally ‘right’ choice requires understanding the game’s themes and often a willingness to sacrifice your own saves for the sake of others.

Tips for D and E:

• Back up your save if you want to experiment. Ending E asks for a lot metaphorically and mechanically; if you want to see every ending without permanent loss, create backups before the final act.
• Pay attention to NPC dialog and machine songs. Small lines that felt like fluff earlier suddenly matter at this point.

Secrets, alternate endings, and collectibles that matter

Beyond A–E there are multiple brief endings and optional outcomes during the game tied to side quests and hidden choices. Some are humorous or deliberately obtuse; others deepen lore.

• Side quest endings: Certain NPC arcs have multiple conclusions depending on how you resolve their problems. These contribute to the sense of a living world and can subtly alter character fates.
• Pod programs and secret areas: Collecting pod upgrades and finding hidden terminals yields combat advantages and additional lore that informs your interpretation of each ending.
• Alternate endings (Easter eggs): Some endings are unlocked only through specific, often strange actions—feeding into Yoko Taro’s penchant for meta commentary and player experimentation.

Tips for hunting secrets:

• Talk to NPCs multiple times; many reveal new dialogue after story beats.
• Complete side quests thoroughly; some side quest outcomes affect later scenes.
• Explore optional dungeons and backtrack after major events to see new machine behavior or items that can influence endings.

Interpreting the endings — themes, symbolism, and what they mean

The endings of Nier Automata are not just plot endpoints; they are thematic essays about memory, consciousness, duty, and empathy. Yoko Taro uses gameplay as a narrative tool: repetition, deletion, and cooperation all become metaphors for the story’s philosophical questions.

Core themes to watch for:

• Identity and memory: Several endings examine how memories define selfhood. Machines adopting human-like rituals or androids experiencing grief raise questions about what makes someone “alive.”
• Sacrifice and solidarity: Ending E, in particular, forces players to confront community and self-sacrifice. The mechanical cost of the choice mirrors the emotional cost portrayed in the story.
• Cycle of violence: Many endings emphasize repetition—how cycles persist until something changes, often at great cost.

Tips for deeper reading:

• Revisit key scenes after each ending — new lines of dialogue will have different resonance.
• Listen to the soundtrack while reflecting on character arcs. The score often cues emotional beats tied to specific endings.
• Read developer interviews and community analyses—but keep your own emotional reading. Part of Nier Automata’s power is personal interpretation.

Common mistakes and tips for completing every ending

Players often make a few predictable mistakes when aiming for all endings. Avoid them to save time and frustration.

• Not finishing Routes A and B first: The game requires these for Route C content. Skipping them makes you miss story-critical context.
• Overlooking side quests: Some side content tweaks dialog and provides clarity on motivations that matter in later endings.
• Not backing up saves: Ending E’s mechanics can be permanent—back up if you want to experiment safely.
• Ignoring the hack sequences: Hacking segments are optional to master but they reveal machine perspectives that are crucial to thematic comprehension.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many endings are there in Nier Automata?

There are five major canonical endings labeled A through E, plus a handful of minor alternate and joke endings tied to side content. The A–E endings are the ones that shape the primary narrative arc.

2. Do I need to replay the game to see all endings?

Yes. The game is designed around multiple playthroughs: Routes A and B reveal different perspectives, while Route C branches into endings C, D, and E. Replaying is integral to experiencing the full story.

3. Is Ending E the “true” ending, and is it required to finish the story?

Ending E is widely considered the true or most complete ending because it resolves the game’s primary themes and includes the final meta sequence. It’s not required to reach earlier conclusions, but it’s designed as the thematic culmination.

4. Will I lose my save if I choose Ending E?

Ending E includes a mechanically risky choice that can affect saved data. If you want to preserve your progress, make a backup save before the final sequence. The intention is to make the sacrifice meaningful, but backups let you explore without permanent loss.

5. Are there any spoilers I should avoid before playing?

Yes. The endings are best experienced with minimal prior knowledge. Spoilers about Ending E, the final choice, and the fates of key characters can diminish the emotional impact. If you’re new to the game, consider playing through Routes A and B before reading deeper analyses.

Short conclusion

The endings of Nier Automata are more than just multiple conclusions; they form a mosaic that questions what it means to be alive, to remember, and to choose. From the initial emotional lilt of Ending A to the communal, sacrificial finale of Ending E, each conclusion offers distinct narrative payoffs. Whether you want to unlock every ending for completion or savor each route slowly, play with intention: collect pod programs, complete side quests, and be ready for a finale that asks you to act as much as it asks you to feel. In the end, the endings invite you to reflect on empathy, cycles of conflict, and the cost of hope in a world that refuses easy answers.

End of guide to the endings of Nier Automata.