A2

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

A2 is a rogue prototype YoRHa android, the sole survivor of a test run for the YoRHa project. She is an obsolete attack android who often acts alone. She is first encountered by 2B and 9S during their missions. Later, after a logic virus attack corrupts nearly all YoRHa units, A2 discovers 2B, who is infected with the logic virus. 2B asks A2 to take her place, and A2 mercy-kills her. This act is witnessed by 9S, who swears revenge on A2. A2's story is explored in the third playthrough, where she begins empathising with the Machines. She arrives at Pascal's village after its destruction and finds the aftermath, including the suicide of the village's machine children. She can choose to either wipe Pascal's memory, kill him, or leave him. She eventually enters the tower separately from 9S, where with the help of Pod 042 and Pod 153 she learns the truth about YoRHa and the Machine Network. Inside the tower, she encounters 9S. In the final confrontation, 9S, now insane and infected with the logic virus, challenges A2 to a fight. If the player chooses A2, the outcome varies by ending: in Ending D, she fights and kills 9S, then sacrifices herself to destroy the tower; in Ending E, she saves 9S and they escape together.

In Their Own Story

A2 is a rogue prototype android, the sole survivor of a test run for the YoRHa project. She is an obsolete attack android who often acts alone. After a logic virus attack corrupts nearly all YoRHa units, A2 discovers 2B, who is infected with the logic virus. 2B asks A2 to take her place, and A2 mercy-kills her. This act is witnessed by 9S, who swears revenge on A2. A2's story is explored in the third playthrough, where she begins empathising with the Machines. She witnesses the destruction of Pascal's village and the suicide of the village's machine children. She can choose to either wipe Pascal's memory, kill him, or leave him. She eventually enters the tower alongside 9S, where they both learn the truth about YoRHa and the Machine Network. In the final confrontation, 9S, now insane and infected with the logic virus, challenges A2 to a fight. If the player chooses A2, she saves 9S and sacrifices herself to destroy the tower.

Reader's Guide

A2 is one of three protagonists in Nier: Automata, and her gameplay is distinct from 2B and 9S. She can sacrifice health to briefly boost her attack power. She is an obsolete attack android who often acts alone. Her story is primarily told during the third playthrough of the game. Key moments in her story include: mercy-killing 2B, witnessing the destruction of Pascal's village and the suicide of the machine children, and her final confrontation with 9S. The player can choose to play as A2 in the final battle, leading to an ending where she saves 9S and sacrifices herself to destroy the tower.

Did You Know?

• A2 is the sole survivor of a test run for the YoRHa project.
• A2 mercy-kills 2B after 2B is infected with the logic virus.
• A2 can sacrifice health to briefly boost her attack power.
• A2 can choose to wipe Pascal's memory, kill him, or leave him after his village's children commit suicide.
• In the final confrontation, if the player chooses A2, the outcome varies: Ending D sees her kill 9S and sacrifice herself, while Ending E has her save 9S and escape together.

Origins and Development

Development on this action role-playing sequel commenced in 2014 under the guidance of series creator Yoko Taro, who returned alongside producer Yosuke Saito and composer Keiichi Okabe. The project was a collaboration between Square Enix and PlatinumGames, marking the latter's first foray into creating such an expansive open-world environment. This partnership presented significant challenges as the studio adapted to new technical demands while striving to honor the legacy of the 2010 original Nier game. A key objective was refining the combat mechanics while maintaining narrative faithfulness to its predecessor. Character designs were spearheaded by Akihiko Yoshida, renowned for his contributions to the Final Fantasy franchise, ensuring a distinct visual identity for the android cast. The localization process was handled by 8-4, the same team responsible for the original title's translation, preserving the unique tone of the source material.

Narrative Structure and Themes

Set in the year 11945 AD within an alternative timeline connected to the Drakengard universe, the story unfolds amidst a brutal proxy war between alien-created Machines and human-crafted androids. The narrative is deeply non-linear, requiring multiple playthroughs to fully reveal its complex layers and branching outcomes. Players primarily control three distinct protagonists: 2B, a stoic combat unit; 9S, an emotional scanner; and A2, a rogue prototype who operates independently. Although the androids are prohibited from possessing emotions or true names, they exhibit unique personalities that drive the plot forward. The story explores profound philosophical questions regarding the value of life and the motivations behind violence. With twenty-six different endings ranging from five main conclusions to numerous game-over scenarios triggered by specific failures or actions, the game emphasizes consequence and perspective.

Combat Mechanics and Progression

The gameplay blends traditional role-playing elements with fast-paced hack-and-slash combat, allowing players to mix light and heavy attacks into fluid combinations. Each protagonist possesses unique abilities; for instance, A2 can sacrifice health to temporarily boost offensive power, while 9S utilizes hacking to disable enemies. Players are assisted by a customizable flying Pod that provides ranged support, from simple gunfire to heavy hammer strikes. Progression is managed through an experience system that enhances stats like health and defense, alongside a chip customization mechanic that alters abilities or the user interface. If a character dies, they respawn at a save point but must return to their fallen body to recover lost items and experience. Successfully repairing this corpse summons it as a temporary ally, whereas failure turns it into an enemy. The game also dynamically shifts genres, incorporating shoot 'em up sequences and text adventure segments that alter the camera perspective.

Release History and Cultural Impact

Announced at E3 in 2015, the title initially launched for PlayStation 4 and Windows before expanding to Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in subsequent years. While critics widely praised its storytelling, music, and character depth, the PC release faced significant backlash due to technical issues that remained unaddressed until 2021. Despite these hurdles, the game achieved massive commercial success, surpassing sales expectations with over ten million copies sold worldwide by February 2026. Its narrative influence extended beyond the digital realm, inspiring stage plays and novels that further expanded the universe. The game also featured downloadable content and crossover appearances in other titles, cementing its status as a modern classic. Although some visual and technical flaws were noted upon release, the overall reception highlighted its innovative approach to genre blending and emotional storytelling.