Discover Emil's profound narrative in Nier Automata, from collecting Lunar Tears to battling the level 99 boss. Uncover secrets through Emil's Memories quest and earn exclusive rewards like Emil's Hands weapon.

In the vast, post-apocalyptic world of Nier Automata, few characters capture the essence of Yoko Taro's unique storytelling quite like Emil. What begins as a simple encounter with a cheerful mask merchant evolves into one of the game's most profound and emotionally charged narratives. This mysterious character, who first appeared in the 2010 game Nier, returns with a story that connects the two games in ways that only become apparent to those willing to dig deeper into Automata's rich lore.

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The journey to understand Emil begins with completing the main story at least once, unlocking 9S as a playable character. After finishing 'The Forest Kingdom' quest, players must speak with Pascal about A2 before traveling to the City Ruins' desert entrance. There, they encounter Emil driving in circles, setting in motion the chain of events that leads to the 'Emil's Memories' quest. This optional content reveals layers of backstory that enrich the overall narrative experience.

Players soon find themselves searching for five Lunar Tears scattered across different locations. Each tear holds significance in Emil's past, and collecting them requires exploring diverse environments from the Shopping Mall to the Flooded Coast. The search takes players through:

  • Shopping Mall: Behind escalators near main entrance

  • Park Ruins: Right of central path near vending machine

  • Forest Area: Cave near waterfall south of Center access point

  • Desert Area: Cave accessible from hill near Desert: Camp

  • Flooded Coast: Mud platform at southern end of coast

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Upon collecting all five tears, Emil rewards players with the Elevator Key, granting access to his underground residence. The true challenge begins when players, as 9S, steal one of Emil's masks from his house. This act triggers Emil's transformation into a level 99 boss who unleashes devastating attacks including laser beams, spinning maneuvers, and explosive head projections. The battle demands precision timing and strategic positioning, with many players finding success by staying close to Emil to avoid his long-range arsenal.

For those struggling with the encounter, hacking provides an alternative approach, though many find traditional combat more manageable. The Bullet Rupture ability proves particularly effective against Emil's explosive head attacks. Players around level 70-85 stand the best chance, though higher levels naturally make the fight more manageable. The battle's climax occurs when Emil enters critical condition, spinning rapidly before unleashing his ultimate Ray of Death attack.

Victory against Emil rewards players with the Naughty Children trophy and Emil's Hands weapon, concluding one of Nier Automata's most memorable side stories. This encounter exemplifies PlatinumGames' mastery of blending intense action with deep narrative elements, creating an experience that remains etched in players' memories long after the credits roll.