NIER: AUTOMATA

Uncover the enigmatic sequel’s coolest secrets

STEP 1 TREAT YOURSELF TO AN ENGINE BLADE

I never go anywhere without a blade handy; you just never know when a Mafia boss is going to pop up and demand repayment. (I needed that top-of-the-range blender. For… medical reasons.) You’ll want to hook up Nier: Automata protagonist 2B with a big ol’ protective knife of her own – why not make it Noctis’ Engine Blade from Final Fantasy XV?

The secret weapon in question is found towards the endgame in the ‘Twisted Religion’ mission. As you escape from the Factory, head past the conveyor belt, up into the nearby tower (taking care to dole out hot, nasty murders to the enemies inside) and through the door on the left. Go left again and up the stairs, and you’ll find a break in the railings. Double jump out and left across the platforms to another tower, where you’ll find a chest containing Nocty’s special sword. (Oh, you are incorrigible.)

STEP 2 GO TOE-TOTOE (TWICE) WITH EMIL

Emil’s a moon-faced weapon boy after my own cold, dead heart: he loves a jolly ol’ punch-up. Back from the first game, he’s not spoiling for one fight… but two.

First, make sure you’ve finished Emil’s ‘Lunar Tear’ quest. Find him in the overworld and he’ll invite you to his underground gaff. Fancy. While you’re there, channel your inner ‘Doc Play Station one week before payday’ and start nicking stuff. Find him again in the overworld and he’ll lament the theft, then go back to his house for round two (you’ll need your white-haired pal 9S for hacking).

Emil will catch you red-handed as you leave, thoroughly ticked off to the tune of a level 99 boss fight. And if that isn’t enough for you? Collect and upgrade all weapons in the game to at least level four – it’ll unlock a side-quest to another unexpectedly emotional level 99 Emil boss fight.

STEP 3 TRIGGER THE BEST ‘JOKE’ ENDINGS

There are a whopping 26 endings for Nier: Automata. Yep, 26. That’s more endings than I’ve had successful surgeries! Some are good, some are bad, but most are just plain silly. Here’s how to get a few of my faves.

Instead of battling the machines trying to break through the gate on the way to Pascal’s Village, run away from the ‘operational area’ to trigger Ending L. You’ll need 2B’s ‘self-destruct’ function activated to see Ending U. Fight against, you know, every instinct in your body and set it off while inside the space-bound Bunker.

Ending K will play out if you do one of two things: fish at the coast and catch a mackerel to eat – or check your email. You’ll have a message from a resistance member named Jackass. Meet her at the Desert Camp and she’ll give you the fish, suggesting you scarf it down for “science”…