2017's JRPG hit Nier: Automata has achieved the seemingly possible task of launching on the Nintendo Switch with the experience intact despite a few visual cutbacks. For those not in the know, Nier: Automata is the follow-up to Nier: Replicant, but even though the stories have lots of connections, Automata is enjoyable as a standalone experience.
Like its predecessor, Nier: Automata has many secrets and mysteries to uncover to grasp the storyline and access areas and items that appear impossible in one playthrough. One of the game's more puzzling elements is the seemingly impossible to open chests in Nier: Automata.
How To Open Chests In NieR: Automata
Nier: Automata has multiple endings and alternate outcomes where areas and items will only become available after completing the first ending in Nier: Automata. This design also applies to the chests in the game found as soon as 2B arrives in the city ruins. Unfortunately, 2B cannot access the chests because she lacks the hacking skills required to open them.
Only in a second playthrough - route B - can the chests be opened because now, they are playing through the game as 9S. 9S can hack chests after the player has completed a mini-game. The mini-games are like old-school bullet hell shooters with 8 Bit-style sound effects and music.
How To Easily Beat The Hacking Mini-Games
The hacking mini-games can seem more challenging than the main combat. However, struggling players can lower the difficulty to Easy mode will help, thanks to the plug-ins exclusive to it. Moreover, no associated achievements connect to Nier: Automata's difficulty level. So it won't hurt a trophy hunter's chance of getting all the trophies/achievements on the PS4 and Xbox One.
There is no shame in switching to Nier: Automata's Easy mode to gain access to the following plug-ins. Especially if they are proving too repetitive and difficult, but hankfully, there is an easy workaround to defeat the hacking games by using the following instructions:
- During the second playthrough, find an item vendor in Machine Village.
- Purchase 1 Auto-Evade from the Item Shop for 500G.
- Purchase 1 Auto-Fire from the Item Shop for 500G.
- Access the in-game menu and select Skills.
- Select Plug-In Chips.
- Select Set Type A.
- Select Customize.
- Players can now customize the rate of automatic fire and auto evade to their liking.
Using the above method works for bullet hell-style mini-games and will make short work of the enemies. In addition to the above plug-ins, the player may want to consider purchasing the Item Scan Chip to reveal the locations of the chests on the map.
NieR: Automata is available now for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.