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NieR: Automata allows extensive free-roaming and side-quest completion between main story missions. Much of the game's content might seem missable on a first playthrough. Completing the main story reveals that the game is far from over; accessing and completing earlier side quests requires finishing the game and utilizing Chapter Select. This guide explains how to unlock and use this feature.
This article contains minor spoilers regarding achieving the true ending.
How To Unlock Chapter Select In NieR: Automata
Unlocking Chapter Select requires completing one of the game's true endings. This involves three playthroughs, culminating in a final choice during the third playthrough's ending sequence. While referred to as playthroughs, many consider each a "chapter" due to its self-contained narrative.
After viewing the credits of a playthrough, save the game and reload the save file to begin the next section with a new character. The final playthrough involves multiple character switches; its completion unlocks Chapter Select for that save file.
How Chapter Select Functions In NieR: Automata
Chapter Select is accessible from two locations:
- The main menu of the save file upon loading.
- Any access point within the game world.
This menu allows selection of any chapter within the game's main story. All aspects of your profile, including weapons, level, and items, carry over. When loading a chapter, you can choose the character, provided that chapter features multiple playable characters.
Completed side quests cannot be replayed, regardless of the selected chapter. Saving at an access point is crucial when switching chapters; failure to do so results in the loss of any progress (levels and items) made within the current chapter. Chapter Select is ideal for completing all content and revisiting choices to obtain every ending.
