NieR: Automata follows the story of two unlikely androids who have been tasked with preserving what remains of planet Earth. The world has become inhabitable for human life, forcing humanity to leave and seek shelter on the Moon until the androids make the planet hospitable once more. 2B and 9S regularly risk their lives as they journey forward, but their reasons for doing so are sometimes questionable.
As androids, 2B and 9S do not function exactly as humans do. They utilize plug-in chips to enhance their offensive and defensive skills, but some choose not to. These exceptions may prefer making use of NieR: Automata's "Self-Destruct" feature instead of upgrading an android's hardware, an ability that functions exactly how one would expect.
The Purpose Of Self-Destruct
Though some would argue the Self-Destruct mechanic to be somewhat of a useless action, it can sometimes mean the difference between life and death depending on when it's used. When activated, it will unleash a devastating A.O.E. attack and severely hurt surrounding enemies. Its usage can be extremely risky in close-quarter combat, but that seems to be the point of it. It allows for one last hurrah before accepting defeat while also granting the player a semblance of hope.
Some would assume that NieR: Automata's Self-Destruct feature would immediately kill their character, but this isn't the case. Though it leaves the android with a small amount of health, the damage can be remedied if the player is fast enough. The only real thing Self-Destruct affects is the garments worn by the android who activates it. 2B and 9S will have several pieces of their outfit removed upon using the ability, but 2B will be left the most scantily clad. It's undoubtedly a strange mechanic to include in a game, but fans of Yoko Taro's previous work will expect nothing less.
How To Self-Destruct
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Activating Self-Destruct can be done quite easily by holding down the R3 and L3 buttons for two seconds. It is important to note that doing so will leave the player open to attack, so it might be best to first attempt its activation in a secluded area with few enemies. Once the two seconds have passed, the android will explode and collapse to the ground, losing some items of clothing in the process. They will stand up shortly after but will be left vulnerable for a few moments. The enemies surrounding the android will receive heavy damage, but those who survive will have the chance to take advantage of the android's weakened state and destroy them.
A2 is unable to activate the Self-Destruct feature and instead enters into Berserker Mode when the R3 and L3 buttons are held. Instead of exploding, she will adopt a more ethereal appearance and gain, and each attack will deal a larger amount of damage. No cosmetic alterations are associated with Berserker Mode, but its activation retains similarities to the Self-Destruct animation.
NieR: Automata is available to play on the Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
