NieR: Automata has main story locations that are impossible to miss as you progress through the game. In addition to them, there are unusual locations that you can find by chance when wandering around the world. And there are also those that open during the completion of a side quest or after its completion. Such locations are easy to miss if you focus on the main plot. But many of them are of particular interest and will be remembered for a long time. I’ll tell you about several such locations in this article.
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Blue Oasis
The Blue Oasis is located near the Desert Center access point. You can find it yourself if you carefully explore the borders of the map, but you can get a mark by completing the side quest “Photographs” from a resident of the Resistance Camp.
In the center of the oasis there is a shallow lake with blue water, where a huge Beetle Fish lives. And on the territory of the oasis there is a chest that 9S can crack.
Oil oasis
The Oil Oasis is located at the Access Point Oil Field in a small enclave near the mountain range surrounding Desert Housing. At the center of this oasis is a black water oil lake where you can still fish. For example, I managed to catch a black carp (Koi Carp).
A place that is not required to be visited according to the plot, and the access point itself is not initially active because it is under attack from machines.
Emil’s heads
Near the passage to Desert Housing in the Desert you can find giant Emil heads.
They are always there and pose no danger. But when the side quest “Emil’s Determination” is activated, the heads begin to attack the hero, and if they win, the secret ending begins [Y] NieR: Automata head[Y] battle. Emil’s giant heads launch a thermonuclear explosion, as a result of which all life on the planet will be destroyed.
Sand Cave
There is an extensive cave system in https://gibsoncasino.co.uk/ the Desert. The Sand Cave. There are several entrances to the cave, as well as exits. The fastest and safest entrance is through the Desert Camp.
In the underground labyrinths you can find a new weapon – the sword “Black Promise” (Cruel Blood Oath). It’s behind a door that needs to be broken open. Therefore, it is better to go to the cave playing as 9S. You can also find a passage to one of the “Moon Tear” flowers, which is important for the side quest “Emil’s Memories”.
Flower glade
Upon completion of the side quest "Emil’s Memories" on the territory of the Abandoned Shopping Center, access to a secret place opens – the Flower Meadow, dotted with lunar flowers.
The place has special meaning for Emil. In the game Nier Replicant, the hut of the heroine Kaine was located there, and Emil, along with the heroes of the game, spent time there. Memories of these events are forever associated with this clearing, and it is they who help the hero continue the fight alone after the death of all his loved ones.
The second time the side quest “Collecting Souvenirs” leads to the clearing. Gathering Keepsakes). This time, among the flowers, you can say goodbye to the heroine 2B by installing a tombstone for her.
Emil’s house
Several more secret places in the game are associated with Emil: Emil’s House itself and the cave system that leads to it.
The entrance to the cave is through an elevator, which is located in one of the sewer pipes in the Ruins of the city (eng. City Ruins). The elevator button becomes active after a conversation with Emil, in which he invites the heroes to visit.
In the labyrinths of the cave on different tiers you can find guarded chests with loot, and 9S abilities are needed to crack them. At the bottom of the cave there is a bottomless blue lake where you can go fishing. Emil’s house is located deep in the cave. Its entrance is guarded by two medium bipedal machines with shields. It is a small hut filled with various items. On the grass near the hut you can find Emil’s mask and take it for yourself.
Crypt of the Forest King
On the territory of the Forest Castle, in the library area there is a large locked gate. Behind the door, guarded by a machine with a shield, is the crypt of the first Forest King.
The location can be accessed by completing the side quest "Treasure Hunt at the Castle". The quest is given by a bipedal machine (Weird-talking machine), which will appear at the statue next to the gate leading to Pascal’s village in the next chapter after the first meeting with the android A2.
The task requires you to find machine parts hidden in chests in the castle, which will turn into a key to a locked gate in the library.
Masamune Forge
There is another place on the territory of the Forest Castle, the existence of which can only be guessed by listening well to the sounds of the surroundings. This is Masamune’s forge.
Masamune is the only blacksmith in the game who can upgrade weapons to the maximum level. This is not necessary to complete the main plot, but if you want to watch the secret ending with Emil’s giant heads, you can’t do without it. One of the conditions for this ending is that the player has all the weapons available in the game upgraded to the maximum level.
Masamune’s Forge is located near the Forest Castle: Royal Chamber hotspot. One floor below the place. The entrance to the forge is blocked by a cube that needs to be moved aside.
To be honest, due to the backlighting in the scene, it is almost impossible to notice the cube, much less guess that it needs to be pulled. The sounds of a hammer hitting an anvil and tips on the Internet help you find the place first of all.
Underground Coliseums
In the game world there are three hidden battle arenas (Underground Coliseums), which are located in three different locations: in the Forest Zone, in the Flooded City and in the Desert. The coordinates of each arena come in the Mysterious Letter.
IN Underground Colosseum (Underground Colosseum) in the Forest zone there is a championship for the title of the most powerful car in the world. The entrance to the Colosseum is hidden under a waterfall and guarded by a gatekeeper machine. There is an administrator machine working below. To participate in the competition you must agree with one of the cars. They wait in small rooms. The machine that agreed enters the arena under the control of the android 9S.