Set in the far future, NieR: Automata takes place after the fall of humanity at a time when Androids are at war with the machines. Throughout the game, players will follow the story of the Androids through the eyes of 2B, 9S, and A2. As they do so, they can customize their appearances by changing outfits, using hair dyes, and even changing the skins of their Pod companions.

Outfits and accessories are purely cosmetic and have no bearing on stats, giving players the freedom to dress up the characters to their own tastes. Although some items were previously restricted to DLC or pre-order bonuses, they have been added to subsequent releases of NieR: Automata. There is exclusive content, including outfits, for The End of YoRHa Edition on the Nintendo Switch.

Updated July 22, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: There are several secrets and endings to discover in Nier: Automata as the game's plot opens up through repeated playthroughs. This includes cosmetics like accessories and outfits that can be equipped for 2B and her companions. This guide has been updated to include a cheat that unlocks all chapters and outfits, allowing you to access them from the start of the game.

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How to Change Outfits in NieR Automata

Nier Automata little sister machine rewarding 2B and 9S after the Lost Girl quest is complete

Various types of clothing and accessories can be obtained by completing side-quests, purchasing from shops, or as items collected on the go. Accessories such as the Pink and Blue ribbons are awarded to the player for completing the side-quest, “Lost Girl,” which can be unlocked after finishing the main quest, “Machine Trade.”

On the other hand, some can be more of a challenge to acquire. Completing the “Emil’s Memories” quest will take players across the map on multiple occasions to track down Lunar Tears, a flower important to Emil's past and links directly to the original NieR.

Furthering that connection are the Colosseum battles in which players can earn outfits worn by the main characters of the first game, but these fights are difficult, and it is recommended that players are level 80 or above before attempting them. 2B and 9S also have Heavy Armor that players can receive, but these are only granted after completing the game three times and going through the credits.

Nier Automata menu screen

After acquiring them, players will need to go into the Key Items tab in the menu, select the desired cosmetic item, and click equip it to implement the changes. This can be done for costumes, accessories, and hair dyes, as well as Pod skins and models.

Clothing will appear tattered over time as players take damage, but this can be prevented by purchasing a Dress Module from Emil, who roams the ruins after players first discover him. Emil will have different wares depending on the location in which players stop his traveling shop. The Dress Module can be purchased if players encounter him outside the Resistance Camp. The steps to equip new cosmetics and outfits are as follows:

  • Press start or options to pause the game.
  • Select Key Items
  • Select the desired outfits and accessories.
  • A privacy sheet will appear and the protagonist will change their appearance.

Unlock The Outfits Early In Nier: Automata

Nier Automata - 2B alternate armor

Thanks to a cheat hardcoded into Nier: Automata discovered by a modder named Lance "manfightdragon" McDonald. The cheat was revealed three years after Nier: Automata launched and was confirmed to be the title's final secret by Yoko Toro. Using the cheat unlocks all the chapters, outfits, accessories, and a debug mode early. Use the following steps to activate the cheat:

  • After defeating the Marx and talking to 9S during the “Inside the Factory” prologue mission.
Nier Automata - position 2B between the barrels to unlock the chapter select cheat
  • Have 2B stand between the two barrels in the now-empty boss room.

Don’t leave the area, as leaving will void your only opportunity to activate the cheat.

  • With 2B standing between the barrels activate the cheat using the following inputs:

On the PlayStation: Hold R2 then up, down, up, right, left, Square, Circle, Triangle, and Cross.

On the Xbox: Hold RT, then up, down, up, right, left, X, B, Y, and A.

  • The game jumps to the end and activates the items, accessories, armor, and the chapter selection feature.

Ensure you save the game and you can replay the game with unlocked items or restart from any chapter in the game.

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NieR: Automata Tag Page Cover Art
NieR: Automata
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10 /10
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Released
March 7, 2017
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Developer(s)
Platinum Games
Platform(s)
PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Genre(s)
Action RPG