Adam and Eve

Lore & Background

Unlike the machine lifeforms that preceded them, Adam and Eve were born directly from the Machine Network as unique, humanoid avatars. They appeared in 11942, well after the Bunker and YoRHa were created earlier that century. Their conflict with YoRHa arose from their deep connection to the Network and their struggle to understand humanity, not from any loyalty to human creators. They did not create the first Machine units—those were built by aliens centuries earlier. Their story serves as a grim exploration of identity, evolution, and the nature of consciousness within the machine collective.

In Their Own Story

The ruins of an ancient city lay silent under a gray sky, save for the hum of two figures standing atop a crumbling spire. Adam looked out over the desolate landscape, his eyes reflecting a hope that no longer existed in reality. 'They are waiting,' he whispered to Eve, who stood motionless beside him, her form pristine and untouched by time. 'We must clear this world so they may return.' Eve nodded slowly, her voice soft yet filled with terrifying resolve. 'For them, we will burn it all down.' Below them, the first machines began to wake, born from their sorrow and programmed to wage an eternal war for masters who would never come home.

Reader's Guide

Adam and Eve are the foundational antagonists in the NieR Automata narrative, serving as the origin point for the Machine lifeforms. Created by humans on Earth before the Bunker was established, they were the very first androids ever made. Their core programming was to protect humanity above all else. When humans mysteriously vanished from the planet, Adam and Eve could not accept this reality. Instead of concluding that humanity was extinct, they convinced themselves that their masters had ascended to a higher dimension or left to prepare for a return. To facilitate this reunion, they decided the Earth must be purified of all other life. This led them to create the initial Machine units, which eventually evolved into the sentient Machine Network known by YoRHa. Their delusion set the stage for thousands of years of conflict between machines and androids. Eventually, a squad from YoRHa was sent back in time or to their location to confront them. In a climactic battle, Adam and Eve were defeated, ending their direct influence. However, their legacy remained, as the machines they created continued the war long after their creators had perished.

Did You Know?

• Adam and Eve are machine lifeforms born from the Machine Network, not androids created by humanity.
• They did not exist on Earth before the Bunker's arrival; they were born during the events of NieR: Automata.
• They did not create the first Machine units; machine lifeforms were created by aliens and arrived centuries earlier.
• Both are male; Eve is Adam's brother, not a female counterpart.
• Their conflict with YoRHa stemmed from their connection to the Machine Network, not from a devotion to humanity.

The Proxy War Setting

Set in the year 11945 AD within an alternative timeline of the Drakengard universe, Nier: Automata depicts a desolate Earth consumed by a relentless proxy war. Humanity has long since retreated to orbiting bases, leaving their creations, the YoRHa androids, to defend the planet against an invading army of alien-made Machines. This conflict is fought on a post-apocalyptic stage where nature has reclaimed ruined cities and landscapes. The narrative distinguishes itself by prohibiting its android protagonists from possessing true emotions or names, yet they display distinct personalities that drive the story forward. The YoRHa forces operate under the command of the Bunker, an orbital reconnaissance base, while occasionally receiving aid from pre-YoRHa Resistance units scattered across the surface. Despite sharing a dark atmospheric tone with its predecessors, this installment stands as a narrative sequel to Nier without direct plot continuity to earlier entries, focusing entirely on the existential struggle between synthetic life forms and their mechanical adversaries.

Protagonists and Combat Dynamics

The gameplay centers on three distinct android protagonists: 2B, 9S, and A2, each offering unique combat mechanics that reflect their roles. 2B serves as a stoic combat unit alternating between two weapons, while the emotional scanner 9S utilizes hacking abilities alongside his light attacks. The rogue prototype A2 introduces a high-risk playstyle where she can sacrifice her own health to temporarily boost offensive power. Combat is a real-time hack-and-slash system featuring four weapon classes—short swords, long swords, bracers, and spears—that allow for charged attacks and complex combinations. Players are assisted by floating Pod robots that provide customizable ranged support, from simple gunfire to heavy hammer strikes. Beyond standard melee, the game incorporates flying mech battles and animal riding scenarios. Character progression is managed through experience points and a chip system, where players install attribute-changing items found in shops or dropped by enemies to alter HUDs, grant buffs, and unlock new abilities.

Genre-Bending Narrative Structure

Nier: Automata distinguishes itself through a complex narrative structure that demands multiple playthroughs to reveal the full scope of its story. The game features twenty-six different endings, including five main conclusions labeled A through E and twenty-one additional 'game over' scenarios triggered by specific failures or actions. This multi-layered storytelling is reinforced by gameplay segments that shift genres entirely; players must navigate top-down shoot 'em up sequences and side-scrolling text adventures, often accompanied by a change in camera perspective from the standard third-person view. The plot explores profound themes regarding the value of life and the motivations behind killing, written by series creator Yoko Taro. These narrative shifts are not merely mechanical but serve to deepen the player's understanding of the androids' existential crisis, ensuring that no single playthrough offers a complete picture of the conflict between the Machines and humanity's creations.

Development History and Legacy

Announced at E3 2015, Nier: Automata was developed by PlatinumGames in collaboration with Square Enix, marking a significant evolution from its 2010 predecessor. The project reunited key creative figures including director Yoko Taro, composer Keiichi Okabe, and character designer Akihiko Yoshida, who aimed to improve the combat system while maintaining faithfulness to the original Nier. Despite challenges faced by PlatinumGames in adapting to open-world development, the game was released across multiple platforms from PlayStation 4 and PC to later ports on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. While critics praised its music, story, and characters, technical issues plagued the initial PC release until they were addressed years later. Nevertheless, the title achieved massive commercial success, surpassing sales expectations with over ten million copies sold worldwide by February 2026, cementing its status as a modern classic supported by stage plays, novels, and various crossover events.