15 Best Nier: Automata Endings & How To Get Them

Nier: Automata has as many endings as there are letters in the English alphabet. For a video game, that is a ton of endings. However, some are definitely better than others. Some of these endings are unlocked just by leaving a boss fight, which is obviously more of an end-game scenario disguised as an ending.

Some endings are a must-get as they are actual endings to the whole story. Others are just kind of creative, silly, and worth seeing anyway. There are many guides to see how to get all the endings, but if you want our advice, these endings are the best and worth getting. It can be hard to rank such a mix of heartbreaking and hilarious endings, but we'll do our best

Updated June 18, 2022, by Hilton Webster: Nier: Automata is one of those games that comes around once in a while and takes on a personality far beyond that of its own release. It is such a potent game, that despite being part of a series has such an incredible impact on you regardless of your knowledge of the original. Though with the Nier: Replicant remake/remaster being more easily accessible than the original was, it's easier to see what joins the two, like the many endings. Though multiple playthroughs are required for the true ending, plenty of them are jokes, or even a little heartbreaking in their own right.

15 Ending W: Broken [W]ings

A flight unit at the beginning of the game flying into the city

Most games would try to ease you in at the very beginning, giving you something familiar to gather your bearing before throwing you into the deep end. Nier Automata isn't that, putting you immediately into a ship bullet-hell followed by mech battles. It's a dazzling opening, and pretty indicative of the rest of the game. It's also pretty easy to die here and get yourself an early ending.

During the opening flight segment, simply die. The Yorha force is defeated, and Earth is left to the machines as a paradise. To be honest, it might not even be the worst reality in the context of things, but for a first playthrough might be a bit...unsatisfactory.

14 Ending I: No [I] In Team

During your first playthrough, the biblically inaccurate Adam and Eve become the focus of Earth's anguish, the means of the machine's growth and proof that they evolve. They taunt 2B and 9S constantly, that they are lesser as recreations in the image of humanity, but nothing more than dolls. With the kidnapping of 9S, 2B shows no hesitation in coming to his rescue, making reams of what remains of Adam.

But what if she just...walked away? What if she decided the mission was done with Adam's defeat and left 9S there? Just walk away after defeating him to get this ending and the knowledge that 9S would wait for all eternity for 2B if that's what it took, all for her to never come back.

13 Ending V: Reckless Bra[V]ery

Devola and Popola preparing to fight in front of the tower

It feels good to be the hero. To think that one little action and a bit of courage can set the world right after eons of wrongs. Devola and Popola are actually from the original Nier, though who's to say if their appearance here are truly the same individuals? But regardless, they make the incredibly selfless decision to hold back the machine onslaught so 9S can get a chance to access the Tower. But playing the hero is a nectar so sweet.

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If you instead choose to help fend off the machines with Devola and Popola, you'll quickly learn that the machines vastly outnumber you, and in time overrun you. The ending offers you the consolation of staying behind being a novel idea, but not one that actually makes a difference.

12 Ending G: Hun[G]ry For Knowledge

Close-up of 9S with two swords floating behind his back

Immediately after completing your first playthrough as 2B, you can jump right in again but as 9S this time. At first, it might seem like the same thing in a different skin, but 9S has his own unique quirks, and the story starts to separate in time. But starting in the factory in a new area, maybe that hunger for exploration might get the better of you.

9S has a mission, and that's to pilot his flight unit and meet up with 2B to assist in her mission. Yet there is a treasure chest right ahead. And then there's a crane arm you can climb. Oh, and then a platform to jump onto. Ah, but now 9S has strayed too far afield, his exploratory senses having taken him into a world all of his own. In truth, it's actually pretty easy to get this ending if you walk just bit too far of course.

11 Ending Z: Over[Z]ealous

Pascal surrounded by broken machines in his village

The world of Nier Automata almost feels like a test. Like you're being told to look at this world as viewed by the main characters and see it as they see, but to check for the cracks in the consistency. Machines are mindless monsters overruning Earth. And yet, Pascal is a master of speaking and has made a village of peaceful machines. He's a frequent appearance, though his most important ones are with A2.

In the final playthrough of the game, A2 makes her way to the resistance camp early on, only to find Pascal being attacked by other machines. It's an odd sight to her, but she gives Pascal a chance to speak anyway despite her instinctual hatred. He begs for mercy, that he wishes only for peace. There's a right choice here, but feel free to act out. A2 destroys Pascal, and all the androids on Earth with it. A little restraint goes a long way.

10 Ending N: [N]o Man's Village

Unfortunately for a lot of endings, you need to steel your emotions. That is definitely true for ending N, where you have to kill every machine in Pascal's peaceful village.

This cruel ending is on the list because it is a good challenge for players. Also, the in-game text for the game is pretty haunting. It says, "A village of peaceful machines was wiped out through the actions of one deranged android. Thus did the peaceful machines go extinct. Their village is now a haunted, forbidden place. Those who wander too close can hear the mad sounds of an android‘s laughter."

9 Ending T: Fa[T]al Error

This is one of the easiest endings to get in the game since it can be done at almost anytime. Basically, it is just getting rid of an item in your inventory. However, you are an android and that item is basically essential to your function.

Despite that, the game gives you the option to remove the OS chip and even make it sell-able. If you remove it from your inventory or sell it, you get ending T since it renders you non-operational. Fun!

8 Ending U: Deb[U]nked

A fun mechanic of the game is that you can self destruct anytime. You are left with fewer clothes and one hit point, but it sure is fun! In fact, the developers thought so as well and gave 2B a ton of power over the Yorha base.

If you choose to self-destruct in the Yorha space bunker though, you will get more than you bargained for. Instead of having fewer clothes and one hit point, you get ending U. The game text says, "By self-destructing at the Bunker, the entire structure ended up exploding in a spectacular fashion. But hey, it sure did look pretty from Earth!"

7 Ending A: Flowers For M[A]chines

Ending A is pretty basic, but a must if you want to eventually get to the more gritty endings. All you have to do is beat all the main story quests for the first time. You know, like any ordinary game.

If you are unfamiliar with Nier though, do not think ending A is the end-end. By getting this ending, you have unlocked the chances to get endings B, C, D, and E. That part of what makes it get on this list. It unlocks the possibility for other endings and to go further into the story.

6 Ending B: Or Not To [B]e

After getting ending A, you are bound for ending B, which will unlock ending C and D which will eventually unlock ending E. Unfortunately, it's a lot like ending A content-wise. The way to ensure that you are on the right path, watch to after the credits to see if there is a preview at the end that depicts what's to come in the second half of the game.

However, it is necessary to get the other endings. Getting it is as easy as getting ending A though. All you have to do is beat the main story again.

5 Ending K: Aji Wo [K]utta

Ending K has made it on this list since it's basically become a meme just due to how weird it is. You can access this ending by completing a quest for an NPC named Jackass. Jackass sends you an email and you meet her near the desert. All you need to do is find a mackerel along the way to ensure that you can complete this ending without issue.

You find out that she wants you to eat a mackerel. She has heard it can kill androids and wants to see what happens if you eat it. Well, if you eat it, you die and you get ending K. Turns out Jackass was right.

4 Ending Y: Head[Y] Battle

Do you want to fight a secret boss? Of course you do! Not only do you get to fight Emil, but you also can get access to ending Y which blows up the entire planet. Which pretty much makes the rest of the plot null and void.

To get this, you need to receive the quest "Emil's Determination." It takes a lot of work to get this quest. You need to complete the quest "Emil's Memories" and find all the weapons and upgrade them to their maximum level. Once you do that, you can get the quest by talking to Emil in the shopping center. To get the Y ending, you need to let him self-destruct in the fight. Make sure to save before the fight!

3 Ending D: Chil[D]hood’s End

To get this ending, you need to have already completed endings A and B. Unlike A and B, this ending comes further down the linear story. If you thought the first half of the game was depressing, you had another thing coming.

You are given a choice in the final fight between playing as A2 or 9S. To get ending D, you have to choose 9S and beat A2. You are also offered a dialogue choice in this ending. You will need to pick "I'll stay" instead of "I'll go with you."

2 Ending C: Meaningless [C]ode

Like ending D, this ending is unlocked in the second half of the linear story after you get endings A and B. However, instead of choosing to play as 9S in the fight between A2 and 9S, you pick A2 instead and beat 9S.

Ending C, sees A2 pretty much giving up on everything to be with those who have been killed in the war. While they are in a minority, there are some players think this ending is even better than ending E.

1 Ending E: The [E]nd Of Yorha

Ending E is what most fans claim is the best ending. In this ending, all the characters are restored and you get the choice to delete your save file so you can help other players get this ending. It's considered the best because you bring everyone back to life and you unlock a difficult fight scene against the game credits.

To get this ending, you first need to get ending C or D which you unlock in your third playthrough of the game. You need to get C or D again except this time you'll be prompted to fight the credits. You will definitely want to be connected to the PlayStation network for this by the way.

NEXT:Games Where Your Choices Have Actual Consequences