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NieR: Automata allows extensive free-roaming and side-quest completion between main story missions. Many elements might seem missable on a first playthrough. Completing the game's main storyline is only the beginning; accessing and completing earlier side quests requires finishing the game and utilizing Chapter Select. Here's how to unlock and use this feature.
This section contains minor spoilers related to achieving the true ending.
How To Unlock Chapter Select In NieR: Automata
Unlocking Chapter Select necessitates completing one of the game's true endings. This involves finishing all three playthroughs and selecting a specific ending during the final confrontation of the third playthrough. While referred to as playthroughs, many consider each a distinct chapter in the overarching narrative.
After viewing the credits at the end of a playthrough, save your game. Reload that save to begin the next section, playing as a different character. The final playthrough involves multiple character shifts; its completion unlocks Chapter Select for that save file.
How Chapter Select Functions In NieR: Automata
Access Chapter Select from two locations:
- The main menu of your save file upon loading the game.
- Any access point within the game world.
This menu allows selection of any game chapter to load during its corresponding story segment. Your profile's progress, including weapons, level, and items, carries over. When loading a chapter with multiple playable characters, you can choose which character to control.
Note that completed side quests cannot be replayed, regardless of the chapter loaded. Utilize save points when transitioning between chapters to preserve progress; otherwise, any gains (levels, items) made during a chapter will be lost. Chapter Select is invaluable for exploring all content and revisiting previous choices to obtain all available endings.
