TL;DR
- Complete your first playthrough for Ending A with strategic weapon collection
- Route B adds new perspectives and unlocks 15 Nightmares content for weapons
- Collect all 33 weapons before final boss to access Endings C and D
- Never overwrite your pre-final boss save to preserve multiple ending access
- Ending E provides brand-new narrative content for dedicated players
Nier Replicant continues the tradition established by Yoko Taro’s previous works, featuring multiple narrative conclusions that collectively reveal the complete story. These endings aren’t merely alternate outcomes but rather layered perspectives that deepen your understanding of character motivations and the game’s complex themes. The emotional impact builds progressively as you uncover each new layer of the narrative.
Unlike many games where additional endings require full replays, Nier Replicant employs a chapter-select system that lets you resume from key story points. This design significantly reduces repetition while maintaining narrative coherence. Understanding this structure early helps you approach the game with the right mindset for maximum enjoyment.
The connections between Nier and Drakengard series create a rich lore foundation, though knowledge of previous games isn’t required to appreciate Replicant’s self-contained narrative. The multiple endings serve as the primary vehicle for exploring this depth.
Your journey toward Ending A represents the baseline experience—complete the main storyline on your initial playthrough. This conclusion provides the foundational narrative that subsequent endings will expand upon and recontextualize.
Strategic preparation during this first route can dramatically reduce your overall completion time. Focus on acquiring weapons from side quests and exploration, as these will carry forward to subsequent playthroughs. Many players underestimate the importance of early weapon collection, leading to unnecessary grinding later.
Essential first-playthrough activities include completing the ‘A Bridge in Peril’ quest for the Fool’s Embrace weapon and ‘The Ballad of the Twins’ for the Fool’s Lament. These specific weapons are easily missed and required for later endings.
Time investment during Route A typically ranges from 25-35 hours depending on completion level. Rushing the main story might save time initially but will cost you more hours in subsequent routes due to missing weapons.
Beginning your second playthrough transports you to the second act’s midpoint, introducing new narrative dimensions through additional cutscenes and dialogue subtitles from previously silent perspectives. These revelations fundamentally alter your understanding of key story moments.
The newly integrated 15 Nightmares content—previously paid DLC in the original release—becomes accessible through the left-most bookshelf in your character’s home. This addition provides three combat arena sequences that reward essential weapons for progression.
Strategic approach to 15 Nightmares: Complete the first two arena sets during Route B, but consider postponing the third challenging set until Route C/D when your character is stronger. You receive the third weapon before the final battle, making the completion optional for weapon collection purposes.
Common Route B mistake: Players often overlook the new subtitled dialogue, missing crucial narrative context. Pay close attention to these additions as they provide the foundation for understanding later endings.
Accessing Endings C and D demands completion of the game’s most significant requirement: collecting all 33 available weapons. This collection spans multiple playthroughs but becomes permanently accessible once obtained.
Weapon collection strategy: Focus on Route B for maximum efficiency. By your second playthrough, you should have acquired approximately 28-30 weapons, leaving only the most elusive few for final collection. Our Weapons Unlock guide provides detailed acquisition methods for every weapon.
The most critical technical consideration: Create a permanent save immediately before entering the final dungeon sequence. Never overwrite this save, as it allows you to reload and pursue both endings from the same point. Overwriting this save is the most common player error preventing full completion.
For Ending C: Defeat the final boss with all weapons in your inventory. For Ending D: Make a different choice during the climax sequence. The specific nature of this choice becomes clear when you reach this story moment.
The newly introduced Ending E represents significant additional content exclusive to this version of Nier Replicant. This conclusion provides fresh narrative material that expands upon the original game’s storyline.
Accessing this content requires completion of the previous endings and engages with new gameplay mechanics. The experience differs substantially from previous conclusions, offering both closure and new beginnings.
Without revealing specific narrative details, prepare for gameplay segments that diverge from established patterns. This ending incorporates elements that will feel familiar to players who experienced Nier: Automata’s multiple endings.
Post-completion, players can continue exploring the world with their complete weapon collection and character progression. Many choose to engage with additional side content or pursue completionist objectives using our Complete Guide for comprehensive gameplay optimization.
Action Checklist
- Complete first playthrough while collecting accessible weapons
- Play Route B, noting new cutscenes and completing 15 Nightmares arenas 1-2
- Collect all 33 weapons using weapon guide reference
- Create permanent save before final dungeon, never overwrite
- Complete Ending C, reload save, complete Ending D
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Nier Replicant Guide: How To Unlock All The Endings (Spoiler-Free) Complete guide to unlocking all Nier Replicant endings with strategic weapon collection and route optimization
