NieR Automata: Endings list NieR Automata guide, tips

Last update: 30 August 2021

This page of the NieR Automata game guide contains a list of all 26 game endings. You'll learn about the main groups the endings fall into, their specific requirements, and how to unlock the secret Y ending, which requires defeating a strong, hidden boss.

• General information about the endings
• Ending A - flowers for m[A]chines
• Ending B - or not to [B]e
• Ending C - meaningless [C]ode
• Ending D - chil[D]hood's end
• Ending E - the [E]nd of yorha
• Ending F - mission [F]ailed
• Ending G - hun[G]ry for knowledge
• Ending H - a mountain too [H]igh
• Ending I - no [I] in team
• Ending J - bad [J]udgement
• Ending K - aji wo [K]utta
• Ending L - [L]one wolf
• Ending M - break ti[M]e
• Ending N - [N]o man's village
• Ending O - just y[O]u and me
• Ending P - corru[P]tion
• Ending Q - [Q]uestionable actions
• Ending R - mave[R]ick
• Ending S - city e[S]cape
• Ending T - fa[T]al error
• Ending U - deb[U]nked
• Ending V - reckless bra[V]ery
• Ending W - broken [W]ings
• Ending X - time to rela[X]
• Ending Y - head[Y] battle
• Ending Z - over[Z]ealous

General information about the endings

The endings in the game NieR Automata can be divided into three categories. 5 of them are the main endings, that is, the ones that appear upon completing Routes and meeting any additional requirements. These are endings A, B, C, D and E. A separate trophy can be earned for each of them.

The next 20 endings are minor endings which you can unlock as you progress through the game. You can usually obtain them by failing to meet particular quest objectives. For example, you can get a mini-ending if you kill allies or ignore a message asking for help. Each time, the game will display a short comment related to the ending, and once you return to the main menu, you will be able to continue the game from the latest save. We advise you to save the game before unlocking each additional ending in order to lose as little progress as possible in a given quest.

In addition to the main and minor endings listed above, there is also a major hidden ending Y that involves facing off against a very strong boss. We have included it in the following table.

Each ending you obtain is saved on your current save file. You can check the unlock status of the endings in the save game selection menu - they are displayed in the Endings section. Each ending is symbolized by a different letter of the alphabet.

You don't have to worry about missing certain endings. Once you have completed all 17 chapters of the game for the first time, you will unlock the Chapter Select option which will be accessible from the main menu and the pause menu.

The Chapter Select option lets you replay chapters whenever you want. Keep in mind that any progress towards unlocking endings is retained. You can obtain any endings you've missed by replaying chapters and particular game sections.

Ending A - flowers for m[A]chines

This is one of the main endings. You will unlock it by fully completing Route A, i.e. the 10 chapters in which you play as 2B.

Ending B - or not to [B]e

This is one of the main endings. You will unlock it by fully completing Route B, i.e. the 10 chapters in which you play as 9S.

Ending C - meaningless [C]ode

This is one of the main endings. You will unlock it by fully completing Route C and D (they are played in parallel) and siding with A2 at the end of Chapter 17.

Ending D - chil[D]hood's end

This is one of the main endings. You will unlock it by fully completing Route C and D (they are played in parallel) and siding with 9S at the end of Chapter 17.

Ending E - the [E]nd of yorha

This is one of the main endings, and it can be described as the true ending of the campaign. In order to unlock it, you must first unlock endings C and D. Once the credits start rolling after seeing the second ending (C or D), you must agree to the pod's request (pictured above) and take part in the fights during the end credits.

We described the whole process step by step on the Route C and Route D Endings page of our guide.

Ending F - mission [F]ailed

Can be unlocked in: chapter 01-03, Route B.

During Chapter 1, while playing as 9S, there will be a section where you will have 3 minutes to restore the damaged Android's systems. You just have to ignore the option to interact with the white squares and wait three minutes.

Ending G - hun[G]ry for knowledge

Can be unlocked in: chapter 01-01, Route B.

Once you take control over 9S for the first time in Chapter 1, walk to the end of the crane pictured in the screenshot above. After a while, you will receive a warning, after which you will unlock the ending.

Ending H - a mountain too [H]igh

Can be unlocked in: chapter 05-02, Route A or Route B.

During the first visit to the Machine Village in Chapter 5, you will receive a message about the attack on the City Ruins. You have to ignore the option to return to the ruins and choose the second exit from the Machine Village (pictured above), which leads to the Amusement Park. After a while, you will receive a warning and the ending will play.

Ending I - no [I] in team

Can be unlocked in: chapter 08-01, Route A.

During Chapter 8, you must defeat the boss in the Copied City. After the fight, you will find yourself in the spot from the screenshot above. Don't walk up to 9S to start the cut-scene, just leave him to him fate by heading in the opposite direction.

Ending J - bad [J]udgement

Can be unlocked in: chapter 09-01, Route A.

You must reach the Abandoned Factory in Chapter 9 with the intention of meeting Pascal. In order to activate the secret ending, attack any of the neutral machines in the first room of the factory.

Ending K - aji wo [K]utta

Can be unlocked in: chapter 06-01, Route A or Route B.

When Chapter 6 starts, you should receive an email from Jackass (Jackass: Fish) and you can meet her at the Desert Camp. Jackass will give you the Mackerel. You can find it in your inventory in the Caught Fish section and once you select it, choose to consume it to fatally poison your character.

Ending L - [L]one wolf

Can be unlocked in: chapter 10-01, Route A.

When you arrive at the Resistance Camp in Chapter 10, it will be under attack by hostile machines. Instead of taking part in the fight, quickly head back to the camp's exit, ignoring 2B's warning.

Ending M - break ti[M]e

Can be unlocked in: chapter 14-03, Route C/D.

During Chapter 14, while playing as A2, you will be told to head to Pascal's village without delay. Instead of following the path leading to the village, go in another direction, for example, to the Amusement Park. You will initially receive a warning from the pod and if you continue heading further away from your destination, the ending will play.

Ending N - [N]o man's village

Can be unlocked in: chapter 07-01, Route A or B.

Once you reach Chapter 7 during 2B's or 9S' campaign, you can visit the Machine Village again. You will unlock the option to attack and eliminate the machines from Pascal's village. You need to destroy all of the machines using this method to unlock the ending. If the ending doesn't play, then search for any machines you might have missed at the entrances to the village and on small platforms accessible by ladders.

Ending O - just y[O]u and me

Can be unlocked in: chapter 11-03, Route C/D.

In Chapter 11, you will arrive in a location where 2B lands in heavy armor in the City Ruins after completing a flight using the Flight Suit. You must ignore the objective to destroy the machines from the ruins and head in the opposite direction, i.e. to the Abandoned Factory. You will receive a warning (pictured above) and after a while the ending will play.

Ending P - corru[P]tion

Can be unlocked in: chapter 11-06, Route C/D.

In the final part of Chapter 11, you will control 2B while she is infected. Head towards the mall (the quest objective) in order to speed up the infection process, but stop just after crossing the bridge (pictured above) and let the infection reach 100%. Don't go any further to avoid triggering the cut-scene with A2, because then you will miss the chance to get the ending.

Ending Q - [Q]uestionable actions

Can be unlocked in: chapter 11-07, Route C/D.

You can unlock the Q ending soon after obtaining the P ending described above. Once you complete the section with 2B, you will take control of 9S. Don't run to the mall to find out what happened to 2B, just head in another direction, e.g. to the Resistance Camp or the Flooded City. You will receive a warning about deviating from the path and soon after the ending will play.

Ending R - mave[R]ick

Can be unlocked in: chapter 14-05, Route C/D.

In the final part of Chapter 14, while playing as A2, you will reach the Abandoned Factory. After entering the first room from the screenshot above, attack any of the neutral machines.

Ending S - city e[S]cape

Can be unlocked in: chapter 17-01, Route C/D.

This ending can be obtained during the failed first attempt to break into the central Tower in Chapter 17. Devola and Popola will show up to help 9S during combat. Instead of attempting to hack the tower, start moving away from it (and from the fighting twins). You will receive a warning (pictured above) and an ending will play.

Ending T - fa[T]al error

Can be unlocked in: chapter 01-05 and all subsequent ones.

This is an unusual ending, because it can be obtained by "shutting down" the Android you are controlling by removing their operating system chip. To do this, you need to open the Skills menu, then select the Destroy Chip option. Find the OS Chip at the very top of the list of installed chips, select it and confirm your choice to remove it.

Ending U - deb[U]nked

Can be unlocked in: chapter 01-05, Route A or Route B.

To get this ending, 2B or 9S need to self-destruct during one of your stays in the Bunker (on the space station). You must hold down the L3 and R3 sticks(keep both analog sticks pressed) and wait about 2 seconds for the countdown to end. The exploding Android will also destroy the Bunker.

Ending V - reckless bra[V]ery

Can be unlocked in: chapter 17-01, Route C/D.

This ending can be obtained during the failed first attempt to break into the central Tower in Chapter 17. Devola and Popola will show up to help 9S during combat. Instead of hacking the tower, join the twins and take part in destroying the endlessly appearing machines. Fight until enough time passes and the game will play the ending concerning the failed Tower infiltration attempt.

Ending W - broken [W]ings

Can be unlocked in: chapter 01-01, Route A.

You can unlock this ending at the very beginning of the campaign, i.e. during the first Flight Suit section in Chapter 1. You must deliberately destroy the Flight Suit you are controlling. To do this, allow the enemies to hit you and make sure to position yourself in the line of fire of large red streams of energy (example in the screenshot).

Ending X - time to rela[X]

Can be unlocked in: chapter 11-06, Route C/D.

You can unlock this ending as soon as you first take control of A2 in Chapter 11. YoRHa soldiers will appear in 2B's location (pictured above). Don't fight, just move away from this area, leaving 2B to her fate.

Ending Y - head[Y] battle

This is the most elaborate of the game's additional endings.. It doesn't have to be unlocked at a specific moment, although you will need to meet several requirements and be well-prepared before you will be able to obtain it. This is because the ending requires you to win a level 99 boss fight. Here's how you need to prepare to obtain this ending:

1. Complete all the Routes and try to reach at least level 90. The closer you get to level 99, the better your chances of winning. Trying to obtain this ending while your character is too weak can lead to a very quick death. For tips on how to earn experience points, check out the XP - how to collect? page. In short - it's a good idea to seek out opportunities to eliminate golden opponents, complete as many quests as possible and to take part in battles with increasingly powerful opponents in optional arenas (they require one of the DLCs).
2. Get all the weapons (except for Emil's Heads - this is the reward for defeating this ending's boss) and upgrade them to the highest level 4. A list of the available melee weapon types can be found on the List of weapons page, and you can find information on how to upgrade them to Level 4 on the Level four weapons - how to obtain? page. Unfortunately, you will need a very large amount of crafting ingredients.
3. Meet Emil the Merchant who, starting from Chapter 7, travels through the City Ruins. You can find out how to initiate the first conversation with this character on the Emil's Item Shop sidequest description on the City Ruins page in the chapter discussing the game's sidequests.
4. Complete the Emil's Memories quest for the trader. You will be able to start this quest in the abandoned shopping center adjacent to the Forest and Castle and we described it in the chapter discussing the game's sidequests. You need to find all the flowers in order for Emil to give you the key to the hideout under the mall (pictured in the screenshot above).
5. Talk to Emil after completing the Emil's Memories quest. You need to find out where he lives.

If you have done all of the above, use the Chapter Select option to go to Chapter 7 in Route B - it is important to be playing as 9S and that the machine invasion has already occurred in the City Ruins.

Get to the central part of the ruins. Your destination is a large crater, specifically the water-leaking hole marked on the screenshot. You can get there by jumping on the platforms, dashing and launching yourself from the pod. You will find a hidden elevator that leads to the caves under the city.

While exploring the caves, you can attack the encountered machines or completely ignore them. Finally, you need to reach the final section and you will need to freefall in the location from the screenshot.

Explore an even lower part of the caves - fighting against the new (stronger) machines is, once again, optional. In the end, you need to reach the entrance to Emil's hideout pictured in the screenshot. If you have met all the requirements described above, it will be open. Otherwise, it will be locked. Make sure you've fulfilled all the requirements.

Here's what you will need to do at this point:

1. Enter the Emil's house location and search around for the mask which you will need to steal. Go back to the mall (there is a new elevator at the lowest level of the caves) and tell Emil about the theft.
2. Once again visit Emil's house in the caves, use 9S' hacking ability on the chest and steal the mask again.
3. Expect to meet Emil soon after the theft. The fight will begin and Emil will turn out to be a very strong level 99 boss. Defeat him to obtain the Emil's Heads unique weapon. You need to upgrade it to level 4.
4. Go back to the mall where a new side quest should appear - Emil's Determination. To complete it, set out to the desert.
5. In the desert, you will need to face the Emil Clones boss. Not only will you have to defeat the boss, you have to let Emil's head self-destruct. Just in case, you should manually save your game before initiating the fight (e.g. at the Access Point in the desert).

Ending Z - over[Z]ealous

Can be unlocked in: chapter 14-01, Route C/D.

At the very beginning of the chapter, you will be able to save Pascal from the machines and talk to this NPC. During the conversation, you must select the dialog option to destroy Pascal (pictured above).