Welcome to "A Beginner’s Guide to DrakeNier", a resource designed to support new players as they navigate the fascinating yet intricate worlds of Drakengard and NieR, creations of the renowned director Yoko Taro.

This guide does not aim to provide exhaustive explanations or detailed context but rather to equip you with the tools and direction to uncover the series’ depth on your own. By offering clear guidance and practical tips, this guide ensures that you can enjoy the process of piecing together the stories, themes, and connections that define the DrakeNier universe.

If you’re a more experienced player, feel free to leave feedback and help me improve this guide.

In Drakengard, Caim, a vengeful prince, forms a forbidden pact with a red dragon to survive a war against the Empire. Together, they fight to protect his sister, Furiae, the Goddess whose life sustains the world’s balance, as the Empire seeks to destroy her and unleash chaos.

PS2

In Drakengard 1, one of the series' most defining mechanics takes center stage: multiple endings. This core feature is unlocked by meeting specific conditions or completing particular missions. Each ending provides a unique resolution to the story, with some directly connecting to NieR and other titles in the saga, expanding the narrative universe.

Below is a list of the game's various endings, including their prerequisites and connections to other titles in the series.

• Prerequisites: This ending unlocks naturally without any specific conditions.
  
• Connections: Ending A serves as the direct starting point for the story of Drakengard 2.

• Prerequisites:
  
  1. Complete Ending A.
     
  2. Collect at least 50% of the weapons available in the game.
     
  3. Finish the new route unlocked after Ending A.
• Connections: This ending is not directly connected to other games.

• Prerequisites:
  
  1. Complete Ending B.
     
  2. Collect at least 75% of the weapons available in the game.
     
  3. Unlock and complete the additional route available after Ending B.
• Connections: This ending is not directly connected to other games.

• Prerequisites:
  
  1. Complete Ending C.
     
  2. Collect all weapons in the game (100%).
     
  3. Unlock and complete the final additional route.
• Connections: This ending is not directly connected to other games.

• Prerequisites:
  
  1. Complete Ending D.
     
  2. Finish the final special mission in the additional route, which features a unique battle style completely different from the rest of the game.
• Connections: This ending is directly connected to NieR.
  
• Notes: This ending was originally intended as a joke.

• Drag-On Dragoon Side Story: Drag-On Dragoon Story Side is a novelization of the first Drakengard. It seems to follow a branch similar to branch A.
  
• Drag-On Dragoon Magnitude "Negative": Drag-On Dragoon Story Side is a novelization of the first Drakengard. It seems to follow a branch similar to branch D.
  
• Drag-On Dragoon Official Guide Book: The Drag-On Dragoon Official Guide Book includes short novellas that expand on the backstories and perspectives of key characters.
  

Drakengard 2 picks up the events of Drakengard 1, expanding the story with a new protagonist, Nowe, and introducing narrative dynamics that enrich the world of the saga. Set 18 years after the first installment, the game delves into the consequences of past choices, creating new conflicts and alliances.

PS2

Below is a list of the game's various endings, unlike its predecessor, the endings of Drakengard 2 are not connected to other games.

• Prerequisites: This ending unlocks naturally without any specific conditions.
  
• Connections: This ending is not directly connected to other games.

• Prerequisites:
  
  1. Complete Ending A.
     
  2. Collect at least 60% of the weapons available in the game.
     
  3. Unlock and complete the additional mission accessible after Ending A.
• Connections: This ending is not directly connected to other games.

• Prerequisites:
  
  1. Complete Ending B.
     
  2. Collect at least 80% of the weapons available.
     
  3. Access and complete the new narrative path unlocked after Ending B.
• Connections: This ending is not directly connected to other games.

• Prerequisites:
  
  1. Complete Ending C.
     
  2. Collect 100% of the weapons available in the game.
     
  3. Unlock and complete the final additional route.
• Connections: This ending is not directly connected to other games.

Drag-On Dragoon 2 Side Story: Drag-On Dragoon Story Side 2 is a novelization of the first Drakengard 2.

Yoko Taro was involved in this project only as a video editor.

In a dying world, Nier searches for a cure to save his sister (or daughter) Yonah from a deadly illness. With the help of a talking book, Grimoire Weiss, he battles creatures and faces challenges in a desperate attempt to protect her.

• NieR Replicant (PS3, Japan Only, the protagonist is Yonah's brother)
  
• NieR Gestalt (Xbox 360 version, the protagonist is Yonah's father)

NieR Gestalt is the version of the game that arrived in Europe and North America under the title of NieR.

• PS3
  
• Xbox 360

In this game each ending provides a different perspective on the story, revealing new layers of the narrative.
Below is a breakdown of the game’s multiple endings and their prerequisites.

• Prerequisites: Complete the game’s main story.
  
• Notes: This is the default ending.

• Prerequisites:
  
  1. Complete Ending A.
     
  2. Start a New Game+ using the same save file.
     
  3. Finish the game while collecting all Key Fragments.
• Notes: Ending B introduces new cutscenes and dialogues from another perspective.

• Prerequisites:
  
  1. Complete Ending B.
     
  2. Collect all 33 weapons available in the game.
     
  3. Defeat the final boss again during the New Game+.
• Notes: This ending presents a pivotal moral choice.

Grimoire NieR: the book features illustrations and images, character profiles and concept designs, story digests with screen caps, play-by-play guides, weapons, short stories, and more.

NieR Replicant Drama CD: The Lost Verses and the Red Sky is a drama CD collection released in Japan. It narrates events both preceding and following NieR Replicant.


NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... (2021) is a modern remake of the original NieR (2010), featuring enhanced graphics, re-recorded voice acting, updated combat mechanics, and additional content, including a brand-new Ending E that expands the story.

Ending E in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... is based on the short story "The Lost World" from the book Grimoire NieR.

Prerequisites: Complete Ending C and D and start a new game.


https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/1113560/NieR_Replicant_ver122474487139/

Grimoire NieR: Revised Edition - a revised edition was released for "NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139..." with new novellas.

Drakengard 3 serves as a prequel to the original Drakengard, unraveling the origins of the Intoners, powerful songstresses who reshape the fate of the world. The game follows Zero, a renegade Intoner, on her quest to destroy her sisters.

PS3

Despite being a prequel, none of the endings in Drakengard 3 directly connect to Drakengard 1. The ending that ties into the first game of the series is instead found in the novel Drag-On Dragoon 3: Story Side.

• Prerequisites: Complete the game’s main story in Branch A.
  
• Connections: "Drag-on Dragoon Shi ni Itaru Aka" and "Drag-On Dragoon 1.3".

Prerequisites:

1. Complete Ending A.
   
2. Collect specific items and finish the missions unlocked in Branch B.

Prerequisites:

1. Complete Ending B.
   
2. Unlock and finish the missions in Branch C by fulfilling weapon collection and story requirements.

• Prerequisites:
  
  1. Complete Ending C.
     
  2. Collect all weapons in the game (100%).
     
  3. Finish the additional missions in Branch D.
• Notes: The final quest of Drakengard 3 for Ending D is a nod to the final quest of Drakengard 1 for Ending E, and it too stands out as being entirely different from the rest of the game.

• One's Prologue
  
• Two's Prologue
  
• Three's Prologue
  
• Four's Prologue
  
• Five's Prologue
  
• Zero's Prologue

• Drag-on Dragoon Utahime Five - Prequel to Drakengard 3.
  
• Drag-on Dragoon Shi ni Itaru Aka - Sequel to Drakengard 3, continues Branch A.

• Drag-On Dragoon 3: Story Side - Novelization of Drakengard 3. Connects Drakengard 3 and Drakengard 1.
  
• Drakengard 1.3 is a series of short stories that feature the cast of Drakengard in a standalone continuity set after Drakengard 3's Ending A.
  
• Drag-on Dragoon: Novel - Prelude - A set of short stories about the characters of Drakengard 3.

NieR: Automata is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity's remnants wage a proxy war against alien invaders and their machine army. The story follows 2B, a combat android, and 9S, a reconnaissance unit.

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/524220/NieRAutomata/


Prerequisites: Complete the first playthrough of the game.

Prerequisites: Complete the game’s second playthrough.

Prerequisites:

1. Complete the third playthrough, focusing on the events after the first two endings.
   
2. Make a critical choice in the final moments of the game.

Prerequisites:

1. Complete the third playthrough.
   
2. Choose the alternate option during the final decision sequence.

Prerequisites: Complete Endings C and D.

• mission [F]ailed
  
• hun[G]ry for knowledge
  
• a mountain too [H]igh
  
• no [I] in team
  
• bad [J]udgement
  
• aji wo [K]utta
  
• [L]one wolf
  
• break ti[M]e
  
• [N]o man's village
  
• just y[O]u and me
  
• corru[P]tion
  
• [Q]uestionable actions
  
• mave[R]ick
  
• city e[S]cape
  
• fa[T]al error
  
• deb[U]nked
  
• reckless bra[V]ery
  
• broken [W]ings
  
• time to rela[X]
  
• head[Y] battle
  
• over[Z]ealous

• NieR:Automata World Guide - Includes two short stories, concept art, maps, character biographies, etc. for the NieR:Automata.
  
• NieR:Automata Strategy Guide - Includes a Q&A with Yoko Taro, short stories, timeline, etc. for NieR:Automata.
  
• YoRHa: Normandy / Guadalcanal Booklet - Booklet included with YoRHa: Normandy / Guadalcanal CD that includes information about the Normandy and Gludacanal campaign.
  
• NieR:Automata - YoRHa Boys - Novelization of the YoRHa Boys stage play.
  
• NieR:Automata: Long Story Short - Novelization of NieR:Automata.
  
• NieR:Automata: Short Story Long - Novelization of the YoRHa 1.1 stage play, includes short stories from World Guide and Strategy Guide, and a new short story “Emil's Memories”.

• YoRHa Stage Play
  
• YoRHa Boys
  
• YoRHa Girls

YoRHa Stage Play's Versions Differences

Originally posted by u/Inmate7269:

This is A2's backstory set before NieR:Automata. It is the story of The Pearl Harbour Descent.

• YoRHa Ver. 1.0
  
  1. Discontinued DVD (Japanese only)
• YoRHa Ver. 1.05
  
  1. English Novella featured in NieR:Automata Short Story Long
• YoRHa Ver. 1.1
  
  1. Unreleased after its stage run
• YoRHa Ver 1.2
  
  1. Blu-ray - packaged with YoRHa Boys Ver. 1.0 (Japanese only)
     
  2. Stage musical
     
  3. Adapted into the manga YoRHa Pearl Harbour Descent Operation Record
• YoRHa Ver. 1.3a
  
  1. Genderbent version. All Male.
     
  2. Not "Canon" to the NieR:Automata timeline
• YoRHa Ver 1.3aa
  
  1. Blu-ray (Japanese only)
     
  2. Genderbent version. All Male.
     
  3. Anemone could not return and was replaced with Jackass.
     
  4. Not "Canon" to the NieR:Automata timeline

YoRHa Pearl Harbour Descent Operation Record - Adaptation of YoRHa Ver 1.2.

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a - It is an alternate universe adaptation of NieR:Automata, differentiated by various plot changes and original scenes added to the story. It has two seasons.



Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers - YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse - YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse is a storyline consisting of a series of three 24-man raids.

NieR Re[in]carnation takes place in "The Cage", a mysterious, towering structure filled with fragmented memories. Guided by the spectral Mama, a young girl explores its secrets, uncovering tales of loss, redemption, and the truth of her existence.

Android and iOS, but the game is no longer available.

• The Girl and the Monster
  
• The Sun and the Moon
  
• The People and the World

• YouTube playlist
  
• Unofficial Revival Project [nierrein.com]

• Drakengard Wiki [drakengard.fandom.com]
  
• NIER Wiki [nier.fandom.com]
  
• Fire Sanctuary [firesanctuary.com]
  
• This reddit post by u/PrsntDy_PrsntTm_HAHA
  
• This other reddit post by u/Inmate7269
  
• This other reddit post by u/Psychological-Sky284

• Drakengard
  
• NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…
  
• NieR Replicant Drama CD: The Lost Verses and the Red Sky
  
• Grimoire NieR
  
• Drakengard 3
  
• Drag-On Dragoon Utahime Five
  
• Drag-On Dragoon 3 Story Side
  
• Drakengard 3
  
• The Flame of Prometheus
  
• YoRHa: Pearl Harbor Descent Record
  
• NieR:Automata
  
• NieR:Automata - Short Story Long
  
• Nier Re[in]carnation
  
• NieR:Automata Ver1.1a