Unlock NieR: Automata Chapter Select by achieving a true ending to revisit chapters and finish missed side quests.
For players returning to NieR: Automata in 2026, the game still rewards exploration across its desolate, machine-filled world. Between main story missions, the title often allows free roaming, and many side quests are easy to miss during a first run. Some tasks disappear after story progress shifts, so seeing the credits for the first time can create the impression that all remaining content has been locked away. In reality, the first credits mark only one part of a much larger narrative structure. The Chapter Select feature, which becomes available after achieving one of the game's true endings, lets players revisit earlier sections under the same save profile and clean up missed content. This guide explains how the mode is unlocked, where it can be accessed, and what carries over when jumping between chapters. Light spoilers follow regarding the game's structure.
Why the First Credits Are Not the End
NieR: Automata's story is split into multiple routes, and the community often calls each route a chapter because each one tells only a portion of the overall narrative. The first route follows 2B, the second shifts perspective to 9S, and the final route moves between multiple characters before reaching the decisive confrontation. Because of this structure, content that appears missable during the first playthrough can often be completed later through Chapter Select.
| Route | Main Perspective | Role in the Story |
|---|---|---|
| First | 2B | Establishes the core conflict and world |
| Second | 9S | Adds new context, gameplay details, and reveals |
| Third | Multiple characters | Builds toward the true ending choices |
How to Unlock Chapter Select
To unlock Chapter Select, players need to achieve one of the true endings. This requires completing all three routes and making a choice during the final confrontation at the end of the third route. After the credits roll at the end of any route, the game should be saved and that same file loaded again to start the next section with the next character. The final route has the player switching between multiple characters, and finishing that route unlocks Chapter Select for that save file.
It is worth repeating that saving is important. After any route's credits, players should save immediately and then load that file to continue the larger story. Without doing so, there is no way to reach the true ending state that enables Chapter Select. Some newcomers confuse the three routes with traditional chapters, but the feature does not unlock after just one story section. Full completion of all three routes is required.
Where to Access Chapter Select
Once unlocked, Chapter Select can be opened from two places:
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The main menu of the save file when loading into the game.
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Any access point in the world.
From this menu, players can choose any chapter in the game and load into that part of the main story. The system is designed to make cleanup convenient rather than forcing a full restart from the beginning.
What Carries Over When Using Chapter Select
Chapter Select preserves many aspects of the player's profile. Weapons, level, and items all carry over, which means returning to an early chapter does not strip away late-game progression. If a chapter was played by multiple characters, players can also choose which character to use when loading that chapter.
However, some restrictions apply:
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Completed side quests cannot be done again, no matter which chapter is loaded.
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Progress made during a chapter is not automatically carried over to another chapter.
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Before jumping to a different chapter, players should save at an access point.
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Any levels gained or items found during an unsaved chapter session will be lost if the player moves on without saving.
These rules make Chapter Select a useful tool for filling gaps, but they also punish players who forget to save before switching chapters.
Why Chapter Select Still Matters in 2026
As of 2026, Chapter Select remains one of the most efficient ways to revisit key moments in NieR: Automata. Completionists use it to mop up side quests, collect missed items, and pursue different decisions without starting a new save from scratch. The feature is especially valuable for obtaining every ending in the game, since many endings require revisiting specific chapters and making alternate choices.
For new players and returning fans alike, the system removes much of the frustration tied to missable content. Once the true ending has been reached, the entire story becomes a navigable timeline. The only requirement is to respect the save system, because unsaved progress can vanish when a new chapter is loaded.
🎮 In short: finish the three routes, unlock Chapter Select, save at access points, and use the menu to clean up every side quest and ending available in the game.
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