Best NieR: Automata Side Quests Worth Completing This Playthrough

A montage of NieR Automata characters exploring ruined cityscapes and lush data streams, hinting at the game’s side quest depth

Side Quest Highlights for NieR Automata This Run

NieR Automata rewards curiosity with pockets of meaning tucked away in the world. The side quests aren’t just errands they’re compact stories that deepen the themes of memory humanity and choice. Whether you are chasing lore twists or testing your combat loadout these optional tasks can redefine how you experience the game during a single playthrough.

In this guide we spotlight quests that stand out for their narrative weight clever design and rewarding mechanics. You’ll find a mix of lore rich investigations challenging combat chains and exploration oriented hunts. Each pick offers a distinct flavor and a tangible payoff for players who take the time to wander beyond the central path 🎮

Top side quests worth tackling

Lore heavy investigations that drop logs fragments and ambient storytelling. These little missions turn the world into a conversation about what it means to live write and remember alongside your android protagonists.
Combat challenge threads that push your build in new directions. Expect tighter arenas and unique enemy sets with meaningful rewards that help you fine tune your approach for tougher encounters.
Character arc side stories centered on relationships within the squad and the wider machine life. These moments land emotionally and often shed light on decisions made in the main questline.
Exploration oriented hunts that reward you with rare items and a deeper look at the world’s ruins and relics. They encourage revisiting areas you may have breezed past earlier.
Hidden narratives and epilogues that expand lore and occasionally unlock unique cosmetic or weapon rewards. These are the kind of surprises that make a second pass feel fresh.

Why players keep coming back for these

Community sentiment tends to center on how these quests slow the pace just enough to study the world’s contradictions. Fans celebrate the balance between sorrow and hope that these stories convey and many praise the way a handful of tasks transform ordinary locales into memorable vignette moments. The mood shifts from adrenaline to reflection and back again in a way only this game can pull off 🎧

Players often point out that the best side quests feel like tiny windows into the human side of machines delivered with care and artistry.

Update coverage and how it affects side quest access

Over the years the title has benefited from patches and platform updates that refine quest tracking and fix edge cases that could block completion. PC players in particular have enjoyed improvements that address widescreen compatibility and controller versus keyboard experiences making it easier to follow complex quest lines. Beyond fixes, updates have occasionally added cosmetic rewards that give an extra nudge to explore every corner of the map.

Modding culture and how it shapes the experience

The PC modding scene keeps NieR Automata feeling vibrant long after launch. Popular mods focus on stable widescreen support and UI tweaks that help you keep tabs on quest objectives without burying them in menus. Texture enhancements and quality of life improvements let players savor the environments and details that side quests rely on. It’s a testament to how community passion sustains a game long after the initial playthrough 🎮

Developer commentary and design philosophy

PlatinumGames and director Yoko Taro have long emphasized that side content is not filler it is a designed mechanism to explore empathy memory and identity. The team aims to reward curiosity and encourage players to wander through a world that treats every choice as meaningful. That mindset shines in these optional stories where small actions leave a lasting impression on the overarching narrative.

For players who want a comfortable desk setup while they deep dive these quests this handy accessory is a solid companion during long sessions. It’s a practical reminder that even a quick detour into a side tale can be a rewarding part of the journey.

Gaming Mouse Pad Custom 9x7 Neoprene with Stitched Edge