NieR Automata: Chapter 1, Route B - walkthrough NieR Automata guide, tips
NieR Automata: on this page you will find walkthrough for the 1st chapter of Route B - Prologue and Factory
Last update: 19 August 2021
This page of the NieR Automata game guide contains the walkthrough of Chapter 1 during Route B. Our guide describes how to hack opponents and objects from your surroundings, how to help 2B defeat the Engels goliath, and more.
- Route B - basic information
- Prologue - machine controls
- Breaking Through - using the Flight Suit
- Defense System - hacking enemy defenses
- The Engels boss
- Rescuing 9S
- Reboot - visit to the Bunker
Route B - basic information
You can only access Route B after completing the 10 chapters of Route A. After you watch the end credits, create a save file as the game suggests that will confirm your accomplishments, that is, one that has ending A on the list of unlocked endings.
You can now select Continue from the main menu and then load the save file where you completed Route A. You will need to complete 10 more Chapters, but you will be playing as 9S in Route B (he previously was 2B's AI partner) and the events that occur in selected chapters are different. In some chapters, the changes are minor, but in others (including Chapter 1 described here), you will take part in completely new events.
If you would like to import your progress from Route A to Route B, check out the Route B - what can be transferred? page in our guide.
Prologue - machine controls
The introduction to the Route B campaign is very unusual because you must initially control a machine. Your job is to try to revive the other machine. Go to the opposite end of the starting area. Take one of the buckets that you will find there.
Fill the bucket by standing in the spot with the flowing substance.
On the way back, take the longer route, because the robot you control might trip over small obstacles on the ground and roll over, forcing you to refill the bucket. Reach the other robot with a full bucket to complete this section.
Breaking Through - using the Flight Suit
You will play as the character called 9S for the first time. Initially, you will work alone, but in later chapters he will join forces with 2B and it's 2B who will then become the AI-controlled partner. Do not forget to do two basic things:
- Select a melee weapon for 9S - this character can use only one weapon, since the heavy attack activation button is replaced with hacking (you will learn how to use it in a few moments). All weapons acquired in Route A have been transferred to Route B.
- Set pod programs - All pods and programs acquired in Route A have been transferred to Route B.
Immediately, you will have the chance to unlock the hidden ending G. You must ignore the quest objective and run to the end of the crane's arm (pictured above). Unfortunately, upon restarting the game, you will have to repeat the prologue with the robot.
To progress forward, follow the mini-map directions to reach the Flight Suit. Interact with it to begin the (long) flight section.
The Flight Suit is used the same way as during Route A, so you can shoot regular projectiles as well as rockets (which are optimal for disposing of large groups of enemies due to the long cooldown) and you can also dodge in mid-air.
Defense System - hacking enemy defenses
Soon your quest objective will be updated and icons marking 4 defense system locations will appear - you can visit them in any order. Machines, miniguns mounted on walls and giant streams of red energy will impede your progress towards the systems (avoid them by flying close to the walls).
For the first time, you'll learn about hacking, which is 9S' unique ability. You can hack enemy machines and selected devices by holding the Triangle button.
The hacking mini-game has different difficulty level versions. Expect that hacking more elite enemies will trigger more difficult versions of the mini-game. The general rules are always similar - you must destroy the black sphere or spheres. Here are some quick tips:
- avoid being hit, because after a few hits you will fail the mini-game and lose some health points,
- in many mini-games, the game will require you to destroy black objects in order to disable the force field around the black sphere,
- you can treat white objects as cover, but avoid coming into contact with orange objects.
For more tips and information on this 9S skill, check out the Hacking page in our game guide.
The hacking game is a little different when hacking devices connected with the current quest objective. During these, the screen will resemble an obstacle course - you need to quickly destroy the black blocks and pave your way to the sphere at the very end of the "race" path. You will need to destroy the black sphere before time runs out. Some offshoots are dead ends, so try to plan your route a little bit in advance.
Repeat this pattern with the other three defense systems. Hacking each of them is best dealt with once you have disposed of the nearby machines.
Destroying the defense systems will initiate another "regular" flight. From now on, you can use hacking in all battles, although of course you can also use the standard Flight Suit weapons.
Finally, you will reach the cut-scene depicting the encounter with 2B near the Buzzsaw machines she defeated. After listening to the conversation, you will have to complete one more flight through the tunnels filled with opponents.
The Engels boss
You can attack the goliath you know from Route A with the Flight Suit gear, but we also recommend weakening the boss by hacking. Stand in spots that trigger the triangle icon to appear. Each mini-game that you complete correctly will take away a significant chunk of the boss' hit points.
More weak points that give the opportunity to start hacking can appear not only above the head, but also above the upper limbs of the giant. Always take the opportunity to hack in and easily weaken the boss.
You're not limited to just one hack and you can make multiple attempts to break into the big machine.
However, expect that further hacking attempts may result in an increased level of difficulty of the mini-game. In the more difficult variants, focus on destroying the black targets as soon as possible to avoid being shot at by the black spheres for too long. You can destroy certain projectiles in mid-air to avoid getting hit.
Rescuing 9S
A new unique section will occur after 9S takes serious damage. You will find yourself back in "virtual reality". There is an opportunity to unlock the hidden ending F - you have to give up trying to save 9S and wait until the allotted time has elapsed. Unfortunately, you will then need to repeat the entire prologue (you can not save the game during it).
If you want to save 9S, then keep reaching the white squares and hold the Triangle button to get more of the android's systems back up and running. You have 3 minutes to do this and it's a very long time as this section can be completed in about 40 seconds.
The second part of this section requires you to control the pod itself to destroy approaching machines. You shouldn't have any major problems with that. Just try not to miss too often so that too many machines don't have enough time to spawn.
While protecting 9S, you can also focus on hacking machines. This is a good idea, because you will only need to complete the easier versions of the hacking mini-game here. Defend yourself until the cut-scene showing the charge detonating and destroying the goliaths plays.
Reboot - visit to the Bunker
The first visit to the Bunker from 9S' perspective won't be particularly surprising. You must first go to 2B's room to meet her - hold the Triangle button and adjust the basic settings.
Then make your way to the command center to talk to the Commander. Do not forget about the option to save your game for the first time since taking control of the Flight Suit. In order to proceed to Chapter 2, reach the hangar to enter the Flight Suit and depart for the City Ruins.