Set in the far future, NieR: Automata takes place after the fall of humanity at a time when Androids are at war with the machines. Over the course of the game, players will follow the story of the Androids through the eyes of 2B, 9S, and A2. As they do so, they can customize their appearances by changing outfits, using hair dyes, and even changing the skins of their Pod companions.
Outfits and accessories are purely cosmetic and have no bearing on stats, giving players the freedom to dress up the characters to their own tastes. Although some items were previously restricted to DLC or pre-order bonuses, they have been added to subsequent releases of NieR: Automata. There will be exclusive content, including outfits, for the newly announced Nintendo Switch version, The End of YoRHa Edition, which is set to release later this year.
How to Change Outfits in NieR Automata
Various types of clothing and accessories can be obtained by completing side-quests, purchasing from shops, or as items that are collected on the go. Accessories such as the Pink and Blue ribbons are awarded to the player for completing the side-quest, “Lost Girl,” which can be unlocked after first finishing the main quest, “Machine Trade.”
On the other hand, some can be more of a challenge to acquire. Completing the quest “Emil’s Memories” will take players across the map on multiple occasions to track down Lunar Tears, a flower that is important to Emil's past and links directly to the original NieR.
Furthering that connection are the Colosseum battles in which players can earn outfits worn by the main characters of the first game, but these fights are difficult, and it is recommended that players are level 80 or above before attempting them. 2B and 9S also have Heavy Armor that players can receive, but these are only granted after completing three playthroughs of the game and going through the credits.
After acquiring them, players will need to go into the Key Items tab in the menu, select the desired cosmetic item and click equip to implement the changes. This can be done for costumes, accessories, and hair dyes, as well as Pod skins and models.
Clothing will appear tattered over time as players take damage, but this can be prevented by purchasing a Dress Module from Emil, who roams the ruins after players first discover him. Emil will have different wares depending on the location in which players stop his traveling shop. The Dress Module can be purchased if players encounter him outside the Resistance Camp.
NieR: Automata is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and will be released on Nintendo Switch on October 6, 2022.
