Walkthrough and Side Quests for NieR Automata’s City Ruins

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If you’re playing NieR Automata, this page is for you. Here, you’ll find a detailed walkthrough of all the side quests available in City Ruins.

We’ll cover everything you need to know, including when each quest becomes available, what choices you’ll need to make, and what rewards you can expect for completing each mission.

  • Unlocking the City Ruins
  • The Weapon Dealer’s Request
  • The Supply Trader’s Request
  • The Manager’s Request
  • Resistance Disappearance
  • Robo Dojo – a set of quests
  • Retrieve the Confidential Intel
  • Machine Examination 1
  • Machine Examination 2
  • Speed Star
  • Photographs
  • Sorting Trouble
  • Sorting Trouble 2
  • Sorting Trouble 3
  • Parade Escort
  • Investigating Communications
  • Terminal Repairs
  • Camp Development
  • Anemone’s Past
  • Emil’s Item Shop
  • Amnesia
  • Wise Machine
  • Devola’s Request
  • Popola’s Errand
  • The Twins’ Request
  • Gathering Keepsakes

Unlocking the City Ruins

To unlock the City Ruins, you’ll need to complete the Abandoned Factory prologue and visit The Bunker for the first time. This happens in Chapter 2 of the campaign.

Note that not all quests will be available right away. Some will only become available later in the game or after meeting specific requirements.

The Weapon Dealer’s Request

Quest giver: Weapons Trader (Resistance Camp)

This quest is part of Chapter 2 of the campaign. To start it, you’ll need to meet the Weapons Trader at the Resistance Camp.

Quest description: After speaking with the NPC, examine the interactive objects nearby and offer your help. Your task is to acquire four Complex Gadgets by attacking the machines in the red-marked area of the City Ruins. You’re free to choose your method of attack. Defeated machines will drop the loot you need.

Once you’ve completed the quest and returned to the Weapons Trader, you’ll unlock access to his shop. You can also complete the quest after finishing the main tasks in Chapter 2 to receive the appropriate rewards.

Rewards for completing the quest:

  1. Unlocking the shop – Weapons Trader
  2. Beast Hide x5
  3. Crystal x5
  4. Rusted Clump x5
  5. 5000G
  6. 50XP

The Supply Trader’s Request

Quest giver: Supply Trader (Resistance Camp)

This quest is part of Chapter 2 of the campaign. To start it, you’ll need to meet the Supply Trader at the Resistance Camp.

The quest begins by talking to the Supply Trader and offering your help. The trader is looking for crafting ingredients – Broken Key, Small Gear and Broken Circuit. You can either go to a marked place on the world map or hand over the items that you have collected as random loot. Fight the machines in City Ruins and collect loot once you’ve defeated them. In return for providing the desired ingredients, the Supply Trader’s offer is expanded with various varieties of Plug-in Chips, which are described on the page Chips – how to install?. The rewards for completing this quest include expansion of the shop offer, Amber x2, Warped Wire x3, Medium Recovery x2, 3,000G, and 50XP.

The Manager’s Request

The Manager at the Resistance Camp provides this quest. You can only start it once you advance to Chapter 5. You need to find a ladder in the Resistance Camp that will allow you to reach the upper balconies. Go to the right and talk to the Manager to agree to search for the lost item.

You have to find the Rusty Music Box in the Amusement Park. If you haven’t unlocked fast travel yet, go through the sewers again. To find the item, you need to explore one of the side alleys in the Amusement Park. Look at the glowing loot next to the body. Once you have the music box, return to the quest giver at the Resistance Camp. Rewards for completing this quest include Anti Chain Damage 3 Chip, Medium Recovery x2, Animal Bait x5, Tree Seed x5, 3,000G, and 250XP.

Resistance Disappearance

A woman at the Resistance Camp provides this quest. You can only start it once you advance to Chapter 5. Talk to the woman and she will ask you to find her missing friend.

Use the ladder in the Resistance Camp to reach the upper balconies. You need to use the path shown in the picture, but the gate will only open after you complete the side quest The Manager’s Request. After passing through the gate, explore the next area of the Resistance Camp. Get to the next ladder and this time go down to the lower level. A new place to explore is shown in the above image.

The heroes have discovered the coordinates leading to a small area in the first part of the Desert Zone. Once you reach your destination, locate the passage between the rocks and deal with a group of machines. After the fight, examine the corpse propped against a withered tree to find the Memory Chip and a Man’s Journal. Return to the Resistance Camp with the recovered journal and talk to the Resistance Member about the woman’s disappearance to complete the quest. Completing the quest will reward you with Medium Recovery x2, Pearl x3, Pyrite x5, Max HP Up 3 Chip, 5000G, and 1200XP.

The Robo Dojo is a set of quests given by Father Servo in the City Ruins. The first meeting with Father Servo should appear in the City Ruins during Chapter 5. After you get close to Father Servo for the first time, he will attack you. Defeating Father Servo is best done when you reach a similar level. After you win the fight, you can talk to Father Servo and agree to another sparring session. Father Servo will request a Warped Wire as payment for the sparring. The rewards for completing the Robo Dojo White Belt quest include undisclosed items.

  1. Large Gear x3
  2. Counter Up (L) x1
  3. Auto-Heal 2 Chip
  4. Large Recovery x2
  5. 10,000G
  6. 2,560XP

The Robo Dojo is a series of quests in the game that involve fighting Father Servo. In the Brown Belt quest, players need to wait until the question mark icon appears in the same location. Father Servo is on level 30 and players are advised not to rush into the quest too early. The enemy does not have any problematic attacks, and after winning the fight, players will need a Memory Alloy and a Broken Circuit. They can either have them already or visit the marked areas on the map to defeat machines that will drop the ingredients. Completing the quest rewards players with Severed Cable, Melee Defense Up (L), Melee Defense 1 Chip, Medium Recovery, 3,000G, and 1,150XP.

In the Black Belt quest, Father Servo is on level 40, and it is better to wait for the final part of Route A before starting the fight. Father Servo’s hardest attack is the one where he rotates very fast while moving around the roof. Players should avoid him completely and wait until he finishes this attack. After defeating Father Servo, players will need Silver Ore, Pristine Screw, and Broken Batteries. Completing the quest rewards players with Broken Battery, Ranged Attack Up (L), Ranged Attack Up 2 Chip, Large Recovery, 5,000G, and 1,280XP.

The Red and White Belt quest becomes available after a while, and players are advised to complete it only after starting Route B (9S campaign). Father Servo will turn into a Goliath and will be on level 50. Starting the fight from a much lower level will require players to fight the boss for a very long time. 9S has hacking skills that can be useful in weakening the powerful machine. After defeating the coach, players will need Gold Ore, Filler Metal, Pristine Cable, and Large Battery. Completing the quest rewards players with Large Gear, Counter Up (L), Auto-Heal 2 Chip, Large Recovery x2, 10,000G, and 2,560XP.

  1. Full Recovery x1
  2. Ranged Defense Up (L) x1
  3. Stripped Screw x3
  4. Ranged Defense 3 Chip
  5. 5000G
  6. 1500XP

The Robo Dojo Red Belt quest is the most challenging quest related to fighting Father Servo. The enemy’s experience level will be as high as 60. It is recommended to start the quest during 9S’s chapters as part of Route B. This will allow you to hack Father Servo, which is the most effective method of weakening him, even if your character’s level is significantly lower than the boss’s. The boss’s smaller frame is deceiving, as he can perform very powerful attacks. You will need to focus on using flawless evasions and healing whenever necessary.

After defeating the final “variety” of Father Servo, he will attack you again, and will be even stronger in the second match. The easy part is that you won’t have to supply him with any ingredients afterwards.

The rewards for completing the Robo Dojo Red Belt quest include Memory Alloy x5, Powerup Part S x1, 10,000G, and 2000XP.

Retrieve the Confidential Intel


The Resistance Member in the City Ruins is the quest giver for Retrieve the Confidential Intel. This quest can be started during Chapter 5 when a marker with a question mark appears on the map of the City Ruins. The quest giver is in a small room on the roof of a low building, as shown in picture 2.

The task itself is not complicated or overly difficult. You will be asked to recover 3 missing Plug-in chips. All of them can be found in the city and marked with red circles on the map. Each time you have to fight a group of enemies, and after eliminating the last machine from the group you will automatically get the chip.

The only more problematic group is the one in the picture. These are high-flying machines. You can try to shoot them from a distance or use double jumps to reach the roof of the building. In both cases, watch out for heavy enemy fire.

After obtaining all the chips, return to the quest giver and hand them over. The task will not be completed immediately, as you must find the quest giver in the Desert Zone in the Desert Housing section, which is the one with the buried apartment buildings. Over the course of this conversation, you will meet a new NPC and officially complete the quest, but you will not receive any additional gifts.

The rewards for completing the quest include Crushed Nut x3, Large Recovery x1, Dented Plate x4, Skill Salve (L) x1, Large G Luck x1, A140: Gravity (one of the Pod programs), 5000G, and 800XP.

Machine Examination 1


The Wrecked Goliath in the City Ruins is the quest giver for Machine Examination 1.

In Chapter 5, after the attack of the machines on the city and the defeat of Goliath, players can start the mission by interacting with the wrecked Goliath in the marked location on the map. The quest requires a Pristine Screw for safe repairs, which can be obtained by defeating a smaller Goliath in the Desert Zone. Once the repairs are complete, players will receive a reward of 3,000G, 500XP, and the Engels 110-B Record 0005.

After completing Machine Examination 1, players will receive Machine Examination 2. This quest requires players to collect 4 Pristine Screws and 1 Large Gear. The screws can be obtained by defeating smaller goliaths in the 4 new red circles that appear on the map of the City Ruins. The Large Gear is rare, but can be obtained from the trader Emil or found in a locked chest in the City Ruins when playing as 9S. After delivering the ingredients, players must return to the wrecked Goliath a few times to complete the quest and receive a reward of 5000G, 750XP, Max HP Up 6 Chip, Fast Cooldown 6 Chip, and the Engels 110-B Record 0010 and 0020.

To start the Speed Star mission, players must wait for the flying machine in the marked location on the map to get close enough to the destroyed bridge fragment and quickly press the interaction button to start a conversation. Players can take part in 3 races against the machine and must reach the finish line first. If they lose, they can retry the race. Tips on winning the races include using the boost ability and taking shortcuts.

To move faster in the game, it’s recommended to install Moving Speed Up chips. You can get them from Emil or as loot/rewards. Use the R2 button to sprint as often as possible. Double jumps can help you reach higher shelves, but try to limit your time in the air and run instead. Completing the Photographs quest requires identifying locations from photos, which will be marked on the map. You have to visit Amusement Park, Desert Zone, and Forest Zone. Return to the Resistance Camp to complete the quest and receive rewards. Sorting Trouble quest involves a logic puzzle where you need to move large chests. Help the man in the Resistance Camp’s back area to complete the quest and receive rewards.

To complete the mission, follow these steps: move the left chest up, move the top chest to the right, and move the middle chest down. Once you do that, you will be able to reach the Package and also take the loot from the lower right corner of the warehouse. Return to the quest giver to receive your reward which includes Evade Range Up 3 Chip, Rusted Clump x5, Skill Salve (L) x1, Medium Recovery x1, 3,000G, and 350XP.

The Sorting Trouble 2 quest can be started after advancing to Chapter 12 (Routes C and D) where you control A2. To begin, head to the back of the Resistance Camp where you will find the quest giver, a Resistance Member. Help him by moving the right chest to the right, then move the top chest up, and finally move the left chest all the way down. Completing this quest will earn you rewards such as Elaborate Gadget x5, Full Recovery x1, Drop Rate Up 3 Chip, 5000G, and 1600XP.

To start the Sorting Trouble 3 quest, advance to Chapter 14 (Routes C and D) where you control A2. The quest giver, a Resistance Member, is not at the back of the Resistance Camp this time. Instead, talk to another Resistance Member who will inform you that the NPC is on an expedition in the Desert Zone and you need to check on him. Visit Desert: Camp and speak with Jackass to be sent to a warehouse in the City Ruins. Once you reach the marked location, climb to the roof of the building where you will find a man stuck in a maze. Move one of the chests to the right at the bottom of the maze and head towards the top right corner. At the top of the maze, move the first chest to the left and then the second one down. This will allow you to reach the Resistance Member. After exiting the maze, listen to the conversations with the man and Jackass and collect your rewards.

  1. Obtain 3 Machine Oil
  2. Get 3 Complex Gadgets
  3. Obtain A120: Repair, a Pod program
  4. Get 10,000G
  5. Earn 1,900XP
  6. Unlock an archive entry for Jackass’s Bomb Recipe

Parade Escort

The quest giver for this mission is a Machine Lifeform located in the City Ruins. You can initiate the quest after reaching Chapter 5 and after the machine attack on the city. Near the Amusement Park passage, you will encounter a machine disguised as a clown with balloons. Choose the top dialogue options and offer your aid in protecting the parade members.

This is a challenging quest that requires you to fight enemies at levels 32-35. It’s best to attempt it at the end of Route A or after starting Route B as 9S, where you can play as a high-level character and defeat enemies faster. You can also lower the difficulty level to attack enemies more aggressively. Revive another player and use powerful programs of multiple Pods to increase your chances of success.

Don’t wait for the parade members to reach subsequent enemy groups. Stay ahead of them and attack enemies before they engage with the protected machines. Even if all the protected machines are destroyed, you can still complete the mission and try again with the quest giver.

If you complete the defense mission successfully, the quest giver will inform you of another planned parade. However, you don’t have to defend the machines again. The mission marker appears after a while in the same spot where you started the quest. Talk to the machine again to learn about the change of plans and finally complete the quest.

Rewards for completing the quest:

  1. Obtain 3 Dented Sockets
  2. Reset 3 Chips
  3. Obtain 4 Dented Plates
  4. Receive an Impact Bracer (L)
  5. Get 1 Large Recovery
  6. Receive 10,000G
  7. Earn 750XP

Investigating Communications

The quest giver for this mission is Operator 6O in the City Ruins. It will become available when you reach Chapter 6 and roam around the City Ruins. The operator will contact you and ask you to investigate why communication was lost with one of the Access Points.

Quest description: Head towards the crater and jump back down to the cave you explored at the end of Chapter 5. You will encounter machines scattered around the Access Point, which you must defeat. Once done, listen to another conversation with the command to finish this short and simple quest.

Reward for completing the quest:

  1. Earn 320XP

Terminal Repairs

The quest giver for this mission is Operator 6O in the City Ruins. It will become available when you reach Chapter 6 and roam around the City Ruins. Operator 6O will contact you to start the quest.

Objective: Reach the designated Access Point in the City Ruins and defeat a group of machines. After the fight, repair the Access Point and receive rewards by listening to a new conversation and reading the email titled Operator 6O: Rewards!

Rewards for completing the quest include Simple Gadget x3, Medium Recovery x2, 3,000G, and 600XP.

Camp Development

Quest giver Anemone, who is located at the Resistance Camp, requests your assistance in regaining control of the forest so that the Resistance can set up a camp there. This quest becomes available after advancing to Chapter 7 and visiting the castle.

The task is to go to the Forest Zone, marked by a red circle, and defeat a group of machines (level 20) with a Goliath among them. Once the fight is won, report back to Anemone to receive rewards.

Rewards for completing the quest include Torn Book x5, Large G Luck x1, Medium Recovery x1, Natural Rubber x5, Down-Attack Up 3 Chip, 5000G, and 320XP.

Anemone’s Past

After completing the Camp Development mission, Anemone asks for your help in obtaining additional information about the android A2 encountered in the castle. Head to the Abandoned Factory and explore it to find traces of A2. Data chips A-E must be collected and examined to complete the quest.

Data Chip A is found in the round room near the entrance to the factory. Data Chip B is near the machine fight with a fixed bird’s-eye view. Data Chip C is located in a large shaft where the camera briefly returns to view from behind the character’s back. Data Chip D is on one of the balconies next to the “dead” machine, and Data Chip E is at the end of one of the metal balconies surrounding the huge silo.

To complete the quest, you need to return to Anemone at the Resistance Camp with all five chips. While on the way, you will overhear a conversation between A2 and someone else, and the quest will come to an end. Completing the quest will reward you with Simple Gadget x5, Powerup Part S x1, 10,000G, and 430XP.

Emil’s Item Shop is run by Emil, the trader located in different parts of the City Ruins. You need to stop her by firing at her with a Pod and then talk to her. Her inventory changes with each subsequent meeting, so stopping her every time is crucial. You might get unique crafting components, new weapons, or high-quality chips from her.

Amnesia is a quest available only in Route B, and the quest marker appears in the City Ruins. You need to explore the ruined skyscraper and find the Resistance Member who is standing at the window. You have to hack into the damaged Pod lying on the floor, and completing the mini-game will allow you to get the photo and start a new conversation with the woman. You then need to investigate the murder case and find the person in the red hood responsible for it. After questioning the NPC, you must reach the Desert Camp and talk to the Supply Trader to learn about Jackass. Finally, go to the first area of the desert and find the place where you can jump into the caves under the desert. Look around until you find Jackass.

To get the second photo, you need to return to where you started the quest, hack the pod, and complete another mini-game to re-question the Resistance Woman. You will learn the true identity of the quest giver and her motive for the murder. The quest will end after a while.

Upon completing the quest, you will receive rewards such as Tanning Agent x5, Melee Attack Up (L) x1, Offensive Heal 3 Chip, Ranged Attack Up (L) x1, A090: Wire (one of the Pod programs), 5000G, and 1300XP.

Wise Machine

The Wise Machine in the City Ruins can only appear during Route B. Although this quest is not official and has no name, it will have 3 unique markers on the map, and you can explore these places in any order. You will be able to play a few short scenes.

At point 1 on the map, you will find the radio tower. You need to climb the ladder to the top to encounter the Wise Machine. You will encounter the same machine in the next two locations. Any attempt to engage in dialogue with the machine will always fail. You need to hack the machine and complete a simple mini-game to learn its thoughts.

If you accidentally kill the machine, you will not fail this quest. Simply restart the game, and the machine should reappear in all 3 locations.

At point 2 on the map, you will find a high fragment of the damaged bridge. You can reach it by walking along the protruding large roots from the picture above.

At point 3 on the map, you will find the roof of a heavily slanted building.

After completing 3 mini-games and hacking the Wise Machine, it will decide to commit suicide by jumping from a great height, and this will end the side quest.

Devola’s Request

Devola in the Resistance Camp is the quest giver for this task. You can start this quest in Chapter 14 (Routes C and D), where you control A2. Devola and Popola are in the Resistance Camp. You can recognize them by their red hair and speak and trade with them.

The quest requires you to deliver Stripped Screw x5, Small Gear x5, and Machine Oil x1. You can start defeating machines in the locations indicated by the twins and collect the loot they drop, or immediately hand over the ingredients if you have acquired them before starting this quest.

Upon completing the quest, you will receive rewards such as Mushroom x5, Pure water x5, Ranged Defense Up (L) x1, Large Recovery x1, Melee Defense Up (L) x1, 3,000G, and 1670XP.

Popola’s Errand

Popola in the Resistance Camp is the quest giver for this task. You can start this quest immediately after completing the side mission Devola’s Request. Talk to the twins at the camp again.

Quest description: The objective of this quest is to gather keepsakes from fallen Resistance Members. You will need to explore various locations such as the Flooded City, the Amusement Park, and the Abandoned Factory to find their dog tags. After obtaining all three dog tags, you will need to defeat two Goliath Tanks in the Desert Zone’s largest fragment.

To start the quest, talk to the Resistance Member in the Resistance Camp during Chapter 13 (Routes C and D).

Rewards for completing the quest:

  1. Large Gear x3
  2. Moldavite x2
  3. Diamond x1
  4. 10,000G
  5. 2050XP

The Twins’ Request

Quest giver: Devola and Popola (Resistance Camp)

If you have completed Popola’s Errand, you can immediately start this quest by talking to the twins at the Resistance Camp.

Quest description: The twins will ask for Tree Sap x5, which you can obtain by either finding them in the location they indicate or by using Tree Sap from previous expeditions.

Rewards for completing the quest:

  1. Popola’s Booze x1 – a unique consumable item that restores 100% health and increases melee weapon damage by 50% for 30 seconds
  2. Dye x3
  3. Black Pearl x2
  4. 10,000G
  5. 2050XP

Popola’s Errand

Quest giver: Popola (Resistance Camp)

Popola will ask for Desert Rose x5, which you can find easily in the marked area of the Desert Zone. After giving the ingredients to Popola, you will need to talk to Anemone about the twins to complete the quest.

Rewards for completing the quest:

  1. Meteorite x2
  2. Gold Ore x2
  3. Meteorite Shard x2
  4. Full Recovery x1
  5. 5000G
  6. 2000XP

To attack the machines, focus on one at a time and attempt to disable its gun. You can also hack the tanks to weaken them faster, but be prepared for more challenging versions of the hacking mini-game. In between attacks, move quickly and dodge enemy fire by running and jumping. Once finished, search for the last Resistance Member’s body to obtain the Bloody Dog Tag. Return all the dog tags to the quest giver for rewards. Completing the Emil’s Memories side quest grants access to Emil’s hideout in an abandoned mall. Take the elevator to reach the “cemetery” where 9S can say goodbye to his lost companion. Rewards for completing the quest include Complex Gadget x2, Max HP Up 6 Chip, Full Recovery x1, Meteorite x2, 10,000G, and 1800XP.

FAQ

1. What is NieR Automata: City Ruins?

NieR Automata: City Ruins is a location in the popular video game NieR Automata. It is an abandoned city that has been taken over by robots. The city ruins are the main setting for the game’s story and the location of many of the game’s main missions.

2. What is a walkthrough for NieR Automata: City Ruins?

A walkthrough for NieR Automata: City Ruins is a guide that helps players navigate through the city ruins and complete the game’s missions. The walkthrough provides step-by-step instructions on how to complete each mission and includes tips and tricks to help players succeed.

3. What are some side quests in NieR Automata: City Ruins?

Some side quests in NieR Automata: City Ruins include the “Animal Care” quest, which requires players to feed and care for animals in the city ruins, and the “Sorting Trouble” quest, which requires players to sort items in a warehouse. There are also several other side quests in the city ruins that offer rewards and help players gain experience points.

4. How do I complete the “Emil’s Memories” quest in NieR Automata: City Ruins?

To complete the “Emil’s Memories” quest in NieR Automata: City Ruins, players must collect all of the memory fragments scattered throughout the city ruins. Once all the fragments are collected, players must return them to Emil, who will then reveal his true identity and give the player a special item.

5. What are some tips for exploring NieR Automata: City Ruins?

Some tips for exploring NieR Automata: City Ruins include using the map to navigate, taking advantage of the fast travel system, and using stealth to avoid enemies. Players should also be sure to search every nook and cranny for hidden items and complete as many side quests as possible to gain experience points and level up.

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