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NieR: Automata allows extensive free-roaming and side-quest completion between main story missions. Many activities might seem missable on your initial playthrough. Even after seeing the credits for the first time, the game is far from complete. Accessing post-game content 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 related to 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 confrontation. While referred to as playthroughs, these are often considered chapters due to their individual narrative focus.
After seeing the credits at the end of a playthrough, save your game. Load this save to begin the next section, playing as a different character. The final playthrough involves multiple character switches; its completion unlocks Chapter Select for that save file.
How Chapter Select Functions In NieR: Automata
Access the Chapter Select menu in two ways:
- From the main menu of your save file upon loading the game.
- From any access point within the game world.
This menu lets you select any chapter to load, retaining all aspects of your profile (weapons, level, items). 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 chosen chapter. Always save at an access point before switching chapters to preserve progress; otherwise, any gains (levels, items) made in the current chapter will be lost. Chapter Select is ideal for completing all content and exploring different choices to obtain all endings.
