()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()() ____ _____ _____________ _____________ ____________ |_ _| |_ _| | ___ ___ | | _________ | |_ _______ \ | \ | | |_| | | |_| | | |_| | | \ \ | \ | | | | | | | | \ \ | | \ | | | | | | | | / / | |\ \ | | | | | | | | / / | | \ \ | | | | | |_____ | |______/ / | | \ \ | | | | | ___ | | ____ _/ | | \ \ | | | | | | |_| | | \ \ | | \ \ | | | | | | | | \ \ | | \ \| | | | | | | | \ \ | | \ | | | | | | | | \ \ | | \ | _ | | _ | | _ | | \ \ _| |_ _\ |_ | |___| |___| | | |_________| | _| |_ _\ \_ |_____| |_____| |_____________| |_____________| |_____| |_____| ()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()() Nier FAQ (version 1.00) DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is meant for personal use only. You may host this FAQ on your own website if you so wish, don't bother asking me for permission--in fact, I'd rather you didn't. The latest copy of this FAQ will always be available at http://www.gamefaqs.com/ (c) Copyright 2009 by J.F. Fox __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Table of Contents ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ \_\ *Note: use the search function (ctrl+f) to jump to the desired section. Introduction.................................................[N-01] \--Game Information........................................[N-01A] \--Controls...............................................[N-01B] \--Premise...............................................[N-01C] \--Characters...........................................[N-01D] \--Contact Information.................................[N-01E] Walkthrough (Part One).......................................[N-02] \--Prologue................................................[N-02A] \--The Village............................................[N-02B] \--The Lost Shrine.......................................[N-02C] \--The Aerie............................................[N-02D] \--Seafront............................................[N-02E] \--The Junk Heap......................................[N-02F] \--The Aerie, Again..................................[N-02G] \--Facade...........................................[N-02H] \--The Barren Temple...............................[N-02I] \--Forest of Myth.................................[N-02J] \--The Haunted Manor.............................[N-02K] \--The Village, Again...........................[N-02L] Walkthrough (Part Two).......................................[N-03] \--The Haunted Manor, Revisited............................[N-03A] \--The Underground Facility...............................[N-03B] \--The Lost Shrine, Revisited............................[N-03C] \--The Junk Heap, Revisited.............................[N-03D] \--Facade, Revisited...................................[N-03E] \--Forest of Myth, Revisited..........................[N-03F] \--The Aerie, Revisited..............................[N-03G] \--The Shadowlord's Castle..........................[N-03H] \--Endings and New Game+...........................[N-03I] Sidequests (Part One)........................................[N-04] \--Village Sidequests......................................[N-04A] \--Seafront Sidequests....................................[N-04B] \--Facade Sidequests.....................................[N-04C] Sidequests (Part Two)........................................[N-05] \--New Village Sidequests..................................[N-05A] \--New Seafront Sidequests................................[N-05B] \--New Facade Sidequests.................................[N-05C] \--Wilderness Sidequests................................[N-05D] Weapons......................................................[N-06] \--One-Handed Swords.......................................[N-06A] \--Two-Handed Swords......................................[N-06B] \--Spears................................................[N-06C] Words........................................................[N-07] Items........................................................[N-08] \--Recovery Items..........................................[N-08A] \--Raw Materials..........................................[N-08B] \--Fishing Items.........................................[N-08C] \--Cultivation Items....................................[N-08D] \--Key Items...........................................[N-08E] Fishing......................................................[N-09] Downloadable Content.........................................[N-10] \--Quests..................................................[N-10A] \--Weapons................................................[N-10B] \--Costumes..............................................[N-10C] Cheats & Extras..............................................[N-11] Trophies.....................................................[N-12] Frequently Asked Questions...................................[N-13] Update Log...................................................[N-14] Acknowledgments..............................................[N-15] __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Introduction ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-01] \_\ Welcome to my FAQ for Nier. I realize it's not much to look at right now, but I sincerely hope you'll find some use for it as you play this wonderful, fun game. I will try my best to assemble all of the pertinent information regarding Nier in a clear, concise and organized manner. With luck, everything should be clear and easy to find. Again, I hope you'll find this FAQ helpful�and I also hope you'll have as much fun with this game as I've had. Current FAQ Status: This FAQ/Walkthrough is complete! And I did it in record time, too! Future updates will be limited to minor updates, corrections and/or revisions. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Game Information ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-01A] Nier is an action role-playing game, currently on the market in North America, Europe and Japan, on both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles. This FAQ is written specifically for the PS3 version of the game, but all of the information here contained should also apply to the Xbox 360 version, as both versions of the game are identical. The PlayStation 3 version of Nier released in Japan is slightly different than the normal version. Called Nier Replicant, it features a different protagonist: rather than play an old man and father, you play a younger man and brother. All of the dialog and story content, however, is identical. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Controls ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-01B] The controls are all very simple and self-explanatory, so I don't think there's much need to tarry too long on this. I will remind you, however, that you can customize the various bumper buttons (R1, R2, L1, L2 on PS3; RB, RT, LB, LT on X360) with different attacks. This can be particularly useful if, like me, you don't bother much with evading and would rather dedicate a second button to a third magic attack. Playstation 3 Controls: Left Analog Stick.....................Movement (walk/run) Right Analog Stick....................Camera Movement R3....................................Reset Camera D-Pad Up..............................Item Menu D-Pad Right...........................Spear Menu D-Pad Down............................Single-Handed Sword Menu D-Pad Left............................Two-Handed Sword Menu Cross.................................Jump (double jump) Circle................................Examine Square................................Attack Triangle..............................Special Attack L2....................................Defend R2....................................Evade R1....................................Cast Magic L1....................................Cast Magic Start.................................Skip Cutscene Select................................Expand Mini-Map Xbox 360 Controls: Left Analog Stick.....................Movement (walk/run) Right Analog Stick....................Camera Movement R3....................................Reset Camera D-Pad Up..............................Item Menu D-Pad Right...........................Spear Menu D-Pad Down............................Single-Handed Sword Menu D-Pad Left............................Two-Handed Sword Menu A.....................................Jump (double jump) B.....................................Examine X.....................................Attack Y.....................................Special Attack LT....................................Defend RT....................................Evade RB....................................Cast Magic LB....................................Cast Magic Start.................................Skip Cutscene Back..................................Expand Mini-Map __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Premise ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-01C] It is the distant future. Humanity's past glories are but a forgotten memory, its greatest achievements vanished into dust on the wind. The world that remains--a strange and savage place--is dying. The few humans who remain now live a medieval existence, eking out what sustenance they can from a harsh and unforgiving land. Dark, twisted creatures known as Shades roam the world, bringing with them terror and death. Fear and chaos rule each day. As it did yesterday. ...As it will tomorrow. In this world lives a modest, unassuming man and his young daughter. She has been infected by a deadly disease known as the Black Scrawl, and so her father has sworn to journey in search of a cure. The adventure that ensues will be beyond anything he has ever experienced. He will encounter Grimoire Weiss, an ancient book of almost unbelievable power who can use words as weapons. He will face off against Grimoire Noir, a supposed harbinger of the end times. And he will learn the truth behind both the legendary Sealed Verses, and the cursed Shades that hound his every step. As the world collapses into chaos around him, as his very mind betrays him, the man will press on with a single, dim light flickering in his mind: He will save his daughter. No matter the cost. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Characters ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-01D] The Father Strong, kind, and unwilling to abide cruelty of any kind. He has a single daughter, Yonah, with whom he is gentle and protective to a fault. Grimoire Weiss An ancient book that joins the father on his quest. Powerful and arrogant, he is quick to proclaim his mastery on any and all topics which present themselves. While he prefers to be called by his full and proper name of Grimoire Weiss, most refer to him simply as Weiss. Yonah A daughter who lives to please her father, even though her efforts often cause more harm than help. Due to her frail health, she spends most of her time at home. Kaine A human who has been possessed by a Shade. Vulgar, violent, and unpredictable, she is nevertheless a valuable companion on the father's quest. Some think her harsh exterior hides a shy, endearing side. Emil A companion who joins the father during his travels. He combats Shades with a powerful arsenal of magic. Shades Mysterious creatures that appear out of nowhere to prey on people and livestock. They come in a variety of types, each with its own unique set of attacks. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Contact Information ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-01E] For any questions, comments, and concerns, you may contact me via my email address ([email protected]) or attempt to reach me through the Nier 3 message board (either one) at GameFAQs.com. In general, I reply to any emails I get within two days, unless the email is asking for information that is clearly within the FAQ. __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Walkthrough (Part One) ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-02] \_\ Nier is a very straightforward game, so I sincerely doubt this is a walkthrough that any will need to follow straight-on-through. Rather, think of it more as a resource for those rare occasions when you cannot figure out where to go next or, in the first part of the game, want to know just how much story content you can pursue before reaching the point of no return. As per my typical style, I'll keep the walkthrough as brief as possible, and avoid as many spoilers as humanly possible. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Prologue ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02A] The Distant Past The prologue serves mostly as a tutorial to the combat mechanics of the game. Follow the prompts and kill all of the shades in the room. After a short cutscene, more shades will spawn for you to fight. You'll be forced to lose the fight and view another, rather cool cutscene. When it's over you'll be outside--for magic practice. Here, you'll fight a crazy-ton of shades. This is a good point to try and earn those 50 and 100-combo trophies. You'll level up very quickly and get a whole slew of awesome new spells to play around with, and you've got infinite magic power here, so just have fun. When you're done, a giant shade will spawn and it'll be time for your first boss battle. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| You'll want to clear out the tiny shades first. Once they're clear, you can fight the big boss however you want. I would recommend pulling back, as his ranged attacks are easy to avoid, but his melee attacks are not. For this fight you'll be stuck with only two magic spells--dark blast and dark spear. If you want to play it safe, you can slowly and steadily shave off the shade's HP with dark blasts. I would recommend, instead, that you use fully charged dark lance attacks (hold down the L1 button until you've conjured a full semicircle's worth of giant magic spears). Three or four fully charged magic attacks ought to be more than enough to take this boss out. Once you've dealt enough damage, the shade will slump down and a circular icon will appear over his "weak point." There are a number of symbols in the circle, representing the shade's remaining HP. You need to attack the weak point in the circle: once the words are gone, the boss will die. There's a catch, however--the circle is a "clock." You have until the hand rotates a full 360 degrees to obliterate the shade's remaining HP, otherwise the shade will recover a portion of his HP and you'll have to repeap the entire process. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Village ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02B] THE VILLAGE Now that the tutorial is over, you can finally start playing the "real" game. If you don't quite understand what the prologue has to do with the game proper, don't worry. You'll figure it out eventually. Anwyway, welcome to the Village. After you finish speaking with Yonah, go downstairs. Examine the glowing spots on the wall to retrieve some items and money. After you leave the house, head toward the fountain. You'll see a woman in red sitting down. Speak to her. Her name is Devola, and she is the woman you hear singing in the background. Don't ya' just love the music? After that brief conversation, head north to the building on the cliff--that's the library, and you'll need to speak to Devola's twin sister, Popola, inside. Popola is inside a room on the second floor. You'll notice that her exact position is marked on your mini map with a large red X. This symbol will always be present on the map over the location you are required to visit in order to advance the story. She will give you 1000 gold and instruct you to find three pieces of mutton for the item shop keeper, and also ask you to bring her three medicinal herbs. On your way out, you'll see Yonah standing in the library looking at some books. Speak to her, then leave the library. As soon as you exit the building, you'll be treated to a brief cutscene describing the post-post-apocalyptic setting. THE NORTHERN PLAINS First thing's first: the mutton. Leave the library and exit the Village through the Northern Gate. Welcome to the Northern Plains! The bridge is broken at the moment, so you cannot explore the whole area, but you also don't have to worry about running into any shades out here just yet. To get mutton, you'll have to kill some sheep. Remember to attack the sheep from either the front, or one of the sides, otherwise they have a nasty habit of kicking you. Their kicks won't cause any real damage, but it can be annoying. Once you kill and animal, appraoch the corpse until a harvest icon appears. Harvest the corpse, and you'll get an item. Sheep commonly drop mutton, but sometimes drop wool. There are also some goats in the area you can kill if you feel like it. Also keep an eye out for glowing lights on the ground--these are harvest points. You should be able to collect several medicinal herbs, and other items, while you're here. Once you've got the mutton and have done everything you want to do in the Northern Plains, head back toward the village. Near the exit, you'll be ambushed by a small group of (very weak) shades. Kill them and head back into the village. THE VILLAGE Head down to the market district (past the stone archway) and speak to the item shopkeeper. Once you've given him the mutton, you can speak to him again to purchase some medicinal herbs, if you didn't gather any from the harvest points in the Northern Plains, or elsewhere in the village. Once you've got the herbs, go back to the library and speak to Popola. Once you've done that, head back to your house. Go upstairs and speak to Yonah to advance to the next day. After speaking with Yonah some more, go back to the library to speak with Popola again. This time, she'll send you to the Northern Plains to kill some shades that have been attacking the men repairing the bridge. THE NORTHERN PLAINS Go to the Northern Plains. This is the very last time you'll be able to explore the Northern Plains without having to worry about hordes of shades roaming around, so if you want to stock up on goat and sheep parts, now is a good time. When you approacth the Bridge, a number of large shades will spawn. Despite the build-up, they're pretty easy to take out. Once you've killed them all, Nier will say so, and you'll be able to head back to the village to report to Popola. THE VILLAGE Into the library again, to speak with Popola. After checking in with her, go home. Go upstairs to Yonah's room and examine the empty bed. Then, back to the library. Go speak with Popola again to figure out what happened. Once you've realized what's happened, it'll be time to make your way to the Lost Shrine. Begin by heading to the Eastern Gate. You'll see an item on the ground just inside the gate, examine it to confirm your suspiscions and then exit the Village. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Lost Shrine ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02C] THE EASTERN ROAD The Eastern Road is a pretty small area, but it's got a fair number of goats and harvest points, which makes it very useful for harvesting quest items. you'll want to take the left path, up the mountain, to get to the Lost Shrine. Before you do so, however, I would recommend fully exploring the area to harvest as many items as you can. The right path leads to the desert, but you can't get there yet, so don't worry about it. Once you're done, head north. PATH TO THE LOST SHRINE Head straight ahead through the valley: there's been a rock slide, so you'll have to take the long way around. Climb up the ladder to your right to find the path. You don't have to worry about any shades in this area, and there's nothing to harvest, so just make your way down the trail as quickly as you can. When you get to the bridge and walk down it, the camera will zoom very far out, but you're still in control of your character. Go up to the main door and enter the Lost Shrine. THE LOST SHRINE The main floor is quite large, but there's really nothing to see here. Head up the large circular flight of stairs. Before you get to the second level, you'll pass by a small platform with a single box. Break open the box to find the Lost Shrine Map. Once you get to the second floor, you'll notice that the rest of the staircase is broken, so you'll want to find another way up. Head toward the outer edge of the temple. You should see a closed door and an open doorway. Head through the open doorways and follow that path until the end to grab the Bronze Key. Once you've got the Bronze Key, go back the way you came. Use the key to unlock the door, and make your way inside. You will have to fight your way through the rest of the rooms--each time shades spawn in a room, you'll have to defeat them all before you can open up the next door. Anyway, fight your way through all the rooms until you get to a ladder. Climb up the ladder and break open the box on the platform to obtain a new weapon, the Nirvana Dagger. Then, climb up the second platform to reach the third floor of the temple. Once again, you'll need to head to the rooms on the outer edge of the temple and fight your way through them. Remember to break open any boxes you may see to collect their contents--usually medicinal herbs. Eventually you'll see a large door leading outside. Go through it. You'll now have to navigate through a very short, very simple platforming sequence to get to the very top of the temple. Once you've reached the top, take the right path through the ruins until you get to a large blue block. Grab onto the blue block and move it forward toward the broken wall; then, move it to the right; finally, move it forward again. Move the block through the light, and once it's in the shadows again (even only partially) press it against the wall with the broken ladder. From the top of the block, you should be able to double-jump onto the ledge with the ladder. Keep going through the ruins until you see a pair of ladders leading down. There's the entrance to the final room of the temple, beyond the large doors. Remember to save at the mailbox before going inside. Once inside, head toward the barrier at the end of the room. Several shades will spawn to attack you, but you can ignore them. Attack the book in the red circle until a cutscene starts. You will now face a very large horde of shades while the great and powerful Grimoire Weiss illuminates your dark existence with his words. Eventually, Weiss will offer to help you. At this point, you need to examine the book to advance the plot. Until you do so, the shades will continue to respawn forever. After teaming up with Weiss, you'll still be on your own for a while. Fight off the horde of shades as best you can. Eventually, you will obtain your first Sealed Verse and be able to use the magic attack, Dark Blast. Once you've cleared out all of the shades, the two statues will come to life, triggering a boss battle. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Keep your distance from the two bosses and bombard them with dark blasts. Remember to tap the button instead of holding it: doing so will make your attacks more powerful, and let you move around more quickly, to better dodge the statues' charge attacks. Eventually, one of the statues will encase itself in a spherical shield: when it does so, ignore. Always focus your attacks on the unshielded foe. When you've dealt sufficient damage to the boss, it will collapse and a circle icon appear, the same as last time. Take it out, and you'll be treated to a short cutscene and earn your second Sealed Verse, emporing Weiss with the very useful Dark Lance magic spell. Now that you've got dark lance, use it on the unshielded boss to kill him. Now, it's one-on-one. But, oh, look at that. The second statue has summoned another horde of small shades to annoy you. Deal with them and attack the second statue the same way you did the first. When the damage circle appears, use your dark lance magic attack to land the killing blow. Once both bosses are dead, run up to Yonah to trigger a series of cutscenes. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Aerie ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02D] THE VILLAGE You are now back in the village. After speaking with Yonah, leave your house to start a short conversation with Weiss. You may now start some sidequests, should the need consume you. (Refer to the side quest section of this FAQ for further information). Go to the library and speak with Popola. She'll tell you to go to another village called the Aerie, to speak with its mayor. Exit the Village through the north gate. THE NORTHERN PLAINS The path to the Aeries lies in the southwestern corner of the Northern Plains, on the other side of the bridge. You'll notice that the plains are now infested with shades. You can fight them as you go, or not, it really doesn't matter. The entrance to the Aerie is rather odd: it looks like the entrance to a mine. THE AERIE As soon as you enter the area, head toward the small hut on the right for a (very short) spot of dialog with Weiss. Then, continue through the tunnel until you reach the village proper. Head down the bridge to the circular platform. A large number of shades will spawn and attack you--apparently, the Aerie is under attack. Kill them, and continue to the valley wall. You'll see a ladder on your right, leading up to another level. Climb it, then turn around and cross the bridge to the other side of the canyon. You'll see a hut up high on the right on the other end of the canyone. That is the mayor's house, your destination. Cross the bridge, fending off all the shades that spawn, and when you reach the other end climb up the ladder to your right. Go to the door of the house to speak with the mayor. After that elucidating conversation, it's time to go back the way you came. As you leave the village proper, be sure to save your game at the mailbox. When you reach the clearing at the exit, go inside the small hut and examine the flowers inside. This will prompt a cutscene introducing a new character, Kaine... and trigger a boss battle. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Kaine is very fast, and has some pretty mean attacks. She also happens to be very resistant to magic attacks, so you're going to have to melee it up, duel-style. Once you've lowered her HP a bit, she'll power up and start using some pretty heady magic attacks. You'll have to focus on dodging them, but the tactics to use are more or less the same: avoid her melee attacks, get behind her and start hacking away. Once you've dealt sufficient damage (when her HP is down to 25% or so) a giant shade will appear, interupting the duel. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Kaine, it turns out, isn't so bad after all: she'll help you kill the shade. Just don't expect her to be nice about it. This shade is a pretty easy kill: it has two attacks to watch out for. One is a shockwave attack--it raises an appendage and slams it down on the ground, releasing a massive shockwave you'll have to jump to avoid. The second attack is a scatter-shot ranged attack, which can either be blocked, evaded, or negated with dark blast magic attacks. I recommend keeping your distance from the shade so you can avoid its attacks, and damaging it with a constant stream of dark blast attacks. Eventually, a damage circle will appear on the shade's left leg. Break it, and the shade will retreat up the face of the cliff and spew a bunch of very odd, spherical quasi-shades onto the ground. The spherical shade things are pretty useless. Kill them or ignore them, it doesn't much matter. Just keep using magic attacks on the big mother shade. Eventually, a damage circle will appear over her other leg: break it, and she'll come back down. This third stage is identical to the first stage of the boss battle, only now the shade is enraged. The scattershot attack lasts much longer this time around, and involves a great many more magical projecticles, and the shockwave attack now unleashed multiple expanding waves as she pounds her fists onto the ground one after another. Keep attacking, and soon a damage circle will appear over the shade's head: break it to end the battle. View the scenes with Kaine, and then depart the Aerie. THE NORTHERN PLAINS Once you enter the northern plains, you'll be asked to make a choice. You can either choose to go back to Popola to check in, or you can go straight home to see your daughter. What you pick here doesn't really effect anything other than where the map marker will appear. You can see either Popola or Yonah no matter whom you choose. Speaking to Popola first will yield a very, very small amount of additional narrative; speaking to Yonah first will move the story along just a little bit faster. Since you'll have to speak to Popola after seeing Yonah anyway, I'd recommend going home to speak to Yonah first. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Seafront ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02E] THE VILLAGE Go home and speak to Yonah. It turns out she isn't feeling so well. Go to the library and speak to Popola: she'll tell you about a special fish that can be used to make a potent painkiller, and direct you toward the Seafront. To reach the Seafront, you'll need to exit the Village through the southern gate, which lies at the end of the market district. There are a number of quests in the market district that involve going to Seafront, so now might be a good time to get started if you haven't already. THE SOUTHERN PLAINS Occasionally, a very large "boss" shade will spawn in this first area of the southern plains. If it does, you should avoid it--it's much stronger than you at the moment. That does not mean you cannot kill it, however. By now you should have access to the Dark Hand magic attack. This is what you need to use. Run up to the shade and circle around behind it. You'll want to stay directly behind the shade and pound him with dark hand attacks until he dies. It can be very time-consuming, but odds are most of his attacks can kill you in a single hit, so it's your only option. Soon after you enter the southern plains, you'll see a guard being attacked by a number of shades. Kill all the shades to save the guard and then speak to him. He'll give you the one-handed sword, Moonrise. As per the usual, run around through the area gathering everything you can at all of the harvest points, and killing all the deer you find. Harvest them for venison, and the occasional antler. At the other end of the Southern Plains, you'll see a narrow path leading upward to a very creepy looking mansion. If you're short on cash, this area is a godsend. There is one giant spider lurking outside the gate to the mansion: knock it over with a dark hand attack, and then either keep using magic to attack it, or close in and chop it up with your sword. Watch out for it's wide-angle poison attacks. Kill it and harvest the corpse. Both the giant spider's common and rare drops can be sold for a good bit of money. You can enter the gate to the mansion and go inside the yard. Everything turns black and white inside, which is rather odd, but just go with it. Use the same strategy on the three giant spiders inside the yard, and harvest their remains. You can't do anything more here, so head back down the path and keep moving south toward the port city of Seafront. SEAFRONT There are no map icons in Seafront, so you'll have to figure out what to do all by yourself, which is what I recommend doing. There's some rather amusing dialog with Weiss. Eventually, Weiss will tell you exactly what to do if you ask him, or you can just listen to me. The man you need to speak to is the old fisherman, standing at the wharf looking out over the ocean, just beyond the fishmonger's stall. Speak to him, and he will give you a fishing pole and a lure. Rather than simply give you a fish, the old fisherman decides to teach you how to fish. Ignore everything he says. It's rubbish. Refer to the fishing section in this FAQ for details. Anyway, once you've got your fishing gear, head toward Seafront's largest beach, now marked with one of those handy red Xs on your mini-map. Start fishing. If you catch the fish, great. If you fail to catch the fish, and keep failing, you'll trigger a brief cutscene that is somewhat less amusing than it was intended to be, and recieve the desired fish automatically. On your way back to the city, you wil be accosted by an elderly woman. Speak to her to start a chain of sidequests to solve the "mystery" of Seafront. She wants you to pick up her mail, so run on over to the Seafront post office. Speak with the postman and he'll give you a letter for the old woman, as well as a letter for Popola back in the village. Remember, you can read any letter you recieve, even after you give it away, through the documents section of the main menu. Anyway, go back to the beach: the crone is no longer there. Take the other path through the cave up to the lighthouse. Go inside the lighthouse and start climbing. When you find the old bat, giver her the mail she so politely asked you to fetch. When you're done, you can leave Seafront through the exit in the north. THE SOUTHERN PLAINS Same as before, there's not exactly a lot to do here. Kill the giant spiders if you feel like it, and don't forget to collect whatever you can from any harvest points that you see. THE VILLAGE Go straight to your house and give the fish medicine to Yonah. Apparently, it works wonders. The following morning, head straight to the library to speak with Popola. She'll tell you to go and check out the Aerie again, but wants you to upgrade your weapon before you do. First, go to the tavern in the market district and talk to Devola. If you're short on cash, now's the time to start doing some sidequests. After you leave the tavern, head for the northern gate--it's off the the Junk Heap to upgrade your sword. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Junk Heap ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02F] THE NORTHERN PLAINS Head to the northwest area of the plains. Climb down the cliffs to the waterfall pond--that's the iron bridge you need to climb up. The wooden scaffolding on the side of the bridge has a number of ladders, so get climbing! If you're low on medicinal herbs, all of the boxes on the wooden platforms contain some, so stock up. Once you're on top of the bridge, follow it north to the chain link fence. Go inside to enter the outer grounds of the Junk Heap. There's a hut surrounded by pipes to your immediate left--go inside and speak with the two brothers. They'll agree to upgrade your weapon, but they don't have the material they need. They'll send you deep into the Junk Heap in order to scavenge up three pieces of titanium. THE JUNK HEAP You'll only have access to the first floor of the Junk Heap for now. Titanium is a rare drop, and only falls from the robots with the red lights on their heads. You may have to exit and re-enter the Junk Heap a couple of times to collect everything you need, depending on how lucky you are. The first floor is pretty straightforward, but there's a blue block very early on that you'll have to move to the end of the corridor in order to jump up onto the ledge. Anyway, once you've collected three titanium alloys go back to the forge and speak with Gideon. He'll upgrade your Nameless Blade, and then send you back inside the Junk Heap to look for his mother. This time you can access the elevators. The second elevator goes up to the second floor--there's really nothing there, but the robots that mob you can be useful for item-farming. The elevator you need to take is the very first one you see--just before the blue block. Take it down to the first basement level and fight your way past all of the robots until you get to a room with a turret that pops up out of the floor. After you destroy the turret, the doors will open, but your path is blocked by some wreckage! Examine the point of the floor where the turret was. A bomb should appear there very soon: toss the bomb at the wreckage to clear your route forward. You'll come to a mine-cart. Jump inside and examine it to begin a simple rail-shooting experience. Use your dark blasts to kill all of the enemies that swarm around you. You can move forward to speed up the cart, and move backward to slow it down. Try to take care of every single enemy here, they make for good XP farming. After getting off the mine cart, make your way to the robot ambush room. Kill all of the robots and both turrets. The way forward looks a bit tricky: you've got two doorways blocked by debris, and a chasm to get pass through. Use one bomb to blow up the immediate wreckage and toss another at the far wall to clear that path, too. Now you'll have to leap over the chasm. You'll have to double-jump carefully to land on the other side, but it's not too difficult. Save at the mailbox and break open the boxes for some medicinal herbs. You can go back the way you came if you feel you're not quite ready: run forward onto the large circular platform to trigger a boss battle. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| This giant robot is all head and hands. You won't be able to damage it for a while, so just sit tight. The boss will attack you with it's hands, by way of very slow moving lasers. Dodge the laser attacks and wait for one of the hands to "detach" from the head and hover just over your head. Now's your time to act! Run away from the hand's shadow, toward the edge of the palm. That way, you'll have time to escape before it slams down. If you run toward the shadow of the fingers or thumb, you'll be crushed. Once you've avoided the the giant metal slap, turn about and attack. I recommend using Dark Hand magic attacks, as they deal the most damage. The hand will retreat, and the next one will move toward you. Repeat the tactic. After the second hand retreats, the boss will go back to using slow-moving lasers. Just keep on doing what you've been doing. Once both hands have been destroyed, you'll trigger the second phase of the boss fight. The head will retreat and try to deal with you by sending wave after wave or robots at you. These are the same guys you've been ' fighting in the Junk Heap, so they shouldn't be any trouble at all. Once all the robots are dead, several turrets will pop up around the peripherary of the platform. Destroy them all to trigger the third and final stage of the boss fight. This bit is fairly simple: the boss will shoot a barrage of missiles from its eyes. You need to focus on avoiding those missiles. When all of the missiles are spent, the boss will lower its head and attack you with a mouth-laser. Grab a bomb from the spot where one of the turrets was, and lob it into the robot's mouth without getting hit by the laser. The boss will take damage, and raise up to fire more volleys of missiles out of its eyes. Keep dodging the missiles and tossing bombs in its mouth until it is destroyed. Once the boss is dead, you'll obetain the sealed verse, Dark Gluttony. Now, move across the only bridge and through the door for a short scene. Examine the corpse on the floor, and you'll be transported back to the two brothers' shop. Speak to Gideon, and either tell him the truth or lie to him--it doesn't really effect anything. Exit the shop for a small scene. Now, leave for the Northern Plains. The next time you visit the Junk Heap (in Part 1 of the game) you'll be able to upgrade your weapons as you see fit. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Aerie, Again ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02G] THE NORTHERN PLAINS As soon as you climb down from the bridge, you'll be attacked by a mob of shades. Actually, there are a lot more shades pretty much everywhere in the plains now. Fight your way toward the Aerie. If you feel like it, kill the wild boar near the cliff again to harvest some of it's valuable, erm... fleshy bits. Prepare yourself for some major combat, and head into the Aerie. THE AERIE Run into the clearing and help Kaine take care of all the smaller shades in the area. Once they're all dead, run through the tunnel, killing all of the shades that you encounter on the way. Examine the mailbox or not once you get to the village--you cannot save, either way. Run to the first large platform to trigger a scene and initiate the first half of a very cool boss fight. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| The strategy here is the same as the last time you fought this bad mother. Attack the feet, and watch out for the shockwave attacks. Once you've dealt enough damage, a damage circle will appear over the boss's leg: destroy it to trigger an epic scene. Yeah, that's the kind of fight this is gonna be. Cross the bridge to the other side of the canyon and climb down the ladder on the left. Move to the right side of the platform, killing all of the shades that appear in your way as you go, and then climb right back up another ladder. Cross the bridge to the Aerie's second large platform to begin the second phase of this boss battle. This taime around, you need to focus on the boss' giant tail. Fire dark blast and dark lance magic attacks at it until a damage circle appears. It will fire off those odd little spherical shades at you, but for now you can safely ignore them. Destroy the damage circle to trigger another scene. Then cross the bridge to the web of platforms lining the far canyon wall. This section is a bit like a 2D, sidscrolling shooter. The objective is fairly simple: move from the right side of the screen to the left side of the screen, killing all of the spherical shades with damage circle icons around them. Once all of those special shades are dead, another scene will trigger. Keep moving through the platforms, making your way up and to the left. Eventually you'll come to a bridge: cross it to get to the third and final large circular platform. Once again, you need to focus your attacks on the boss' legs. Watch out for its double-shockwave attacks, and deal out as much damage as you can. When the damage circle appears, obliterate to trigger yet another short scene. Now, the boss is angry. You need to dish out as much damage as you can as quickly as you can. Be vary wary, here. This boss will try to ram you, and will temporarily encase in a magic shell rendering it immune to your attacks. Keep fighting and when you have suffficiently depleted its HP, the boss will collapse, a damage circle appearing over its head. Kill the boss to trigger a scene. You're not done yet. Cross the bridge and make your way all the way back to the first platform, where Kaine is. Examine Kaine to trigger the final scene, and to earn the sealed verse, Dark Phantasm. Kaine will now join you. Exit the Aerie and make for the Northern Plains. Your new destination: the desert city of Facade. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Facade ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02H] THE NORTHERN PLAINS To get to Facade, you've got a long journey ahead. First, you'll need to backtrack to the Village. Just before you enter, there'll be a short scene with Kaine. THE VILLAGE The area around Facade can be rather rough, so now's a good time to take care of some sidequests, earn some money, and level up. If you haven't already bought the Beastbane from the weapon shop, now is the time to do so: you're going to want it. When you're ready, exit the Village through the eastern gate--the same way you went when you visited the Lost Shrine. THE EASTERN ROAD This time, you'll be taking the right branch of the path, toward the desert. There's a river right by the fork you can fish in, and plenty of harvest points in this area. It's a good idea to grab everything that you can. Then head south into the desert. THE DESERT The entrance to Facade lies straight ahead, but the dunes are littered with enemies. You will be attacked by some wolves: watch out, these beasts are far more aggressive than any of the shades you've seen. After you fought some off, a shade wolf will appear in the distance and all of the other wolves will run off. You're now mostly safe to head for Facade's gate, but there are still scorpion to look out for. Scorpions hide under the sand, but you can still spot them as a cloud of dust clinging to the ground. There are a number of items to seen in the desert: the fountains, the graveyard, the docks and the sandstorm. But you can't do anything with any of those things yet, so just head straight for Facade. Once you reach the main gate, a scene will trigger and you will be transported inside the city. FACADE Facade can seem a bit labyrinthine at first, but it's actually pretty easy to navigate. You need to go to the royal palace, located at the opposite end of the city. Simply hug the outer edge of the city and keep going until you get to the palace. You can speak to some of the locals if you like, but won't get anything for doing so save some extra dialog from Weiss. Once you get to the palace, examine the door. Then, you need to go all the way back to the exit. Once you approach the exit, you will see a small masked child carrying a bowl of fruit. She trips and falls, spilling everything on the ground. Pick everything up, and then speak to her. Her name is Fyra and she volunteers to show you around the city. Follow Fyra but be careful not to block her path. When she stops, speak to her to continue the tour. Eventually you will be given the choice to skip the tour. Skipping the tour has no consequence, but I highly recommend that you complete the full tour yourself. Once the tour is done, Fyra will run up the steps to the palace. Speak with her, and then talk to the royal advisor, who is standing right beside her. Unfortunately, it all seems like a big waste of time. Take the sand skiff with Fyra back to Facade's gate. Fyra will stop once she reaches Kaine. Speak with Fyra to trigger a scene. Then, head to the gate. Examine the door, and then head back toward Kaine and speak with Fyra one more time. You now have a new destination: the Barren Temple. Exit Facade. THE DESERT When you leave Facade, Fyra will follow you, offering to guide you through the sandstorm. Follow her to the edge of the storm, and then speak to her. She will then happily trot right into the heart of the storm. You need to follow her, and stay close. You will be attacked by wolves: fight them off. Eventually, you will reach the entrance to the Barren Temple in the far north of the desert. Speak to Fyra one more time, and then procede inside. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Barren Temple ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02I] THE BARREN TEMPLE The Barren Temple is divided into a series of trial rooms with simple puzzles that you must solve in order to procede deeper in. When you enter, move down and enter the door on your right to begin the first trial. THE FIRST TRIAL For the first trial, you are forbidden to jump. Here, you are presented with a simple maze. There are a number of movable blocks, and several cubed cannons. You need to move the blocks to block the cannons' fire. Remember, a single block can block two cannons that are next to each other. Make your way to the glowing block in the back of the room and destroy it to end the trial. Go back into the main halway and approach the door to the second trial. This will trigger a dialog with someone else in the temple. Once the dialog is over, the seal over the door will disappear and you will be able to enter the second trial room. THE SECOND TRIAL For the second trial, you are forbidden to stand still. Run and jump and make your way to the glowing cube as quickly as possible to destroy it and end the trial. If you stand still, for even a moment, you will fail the trial and be forced to start over. Exit through the other door and make your way down the short, 2D platforming section. Enter the far door to begin the third trial. THE THIRD TRIAL For the third trial, you are forbidden to use magic. There are three possible ways to defeat this trial. Either keep your guard up, and defend all the way through all the cannon fire; jump on top of the cannons and slowly walk over them; or my personal favorite, fight your way through. Just keep melee attacking to move forward, blocking after each combo. This is the fastest and easiest method to get to the other end of the room. Once you're there, destroy the glowing block to end the trial. THE FOURTH TRIAL For the fourth trial, you are forbidden to defend. The goal here is to move the blocks to block the cannons, and safely make a path to the far end of the room. You can do that, easily: simply start by moving the blocks on the right side, and finish with the blocks on the left side. An easier way? As soon as the trial starts, run toward the line of cube cannons on the left. Jump on top of them and run over to the glowing cube. Destroy the glowing cube to end the trial. FIFTH TRIAL For the fifth trial, you are forbidden to use magic. This trial looks like a mess, but it's pretty easy. Just jump on top of one of the cube cannons, and hop from block to block until you get to the glowing cube. Destroy the glowing cube to end the trial. SIXTH TRIAL For the sixth trial, you are forbidden to use melee. Another easy puzzle: use magic, either dark blast magic attacks or dark lance magic attacks to destroy all of the glowing cubes in the room. Once they're all gone, exit the room and make your way down the second 2D platforming level and enter the room for the seventh trial. SEVENTH TRIAL For the seventh trial, you are forbidden to evade. Run across the open area and open the door at the end for a new trial. Finally, a man's puzzle! You shouldn't have been evading before, either--only cowards evade. Simply kill all of the shades, and then take care of the sub-boss that appears when they've been dealt with. Once everything's dead, congratulations! You've passed the seventh and final trial. THE BARREN TEMPLE Exit the seventh trial room and head down the narrow corridor to your left. Run out across the bridge and enter the large door at the other end. Save at the mailbox. When you're ready for a fight, head down the stairs into the main chamber to face the boss. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| This is a pretty odd boss. The first section has you face off against several circles of spinning cubes, piled on top of each other. Certain cubes will glow pink: destroy those cubes. When all of a circle's glowing cubes have been destroyed, that circle will collpase. Once all four circles have fallen into the ravine, there will be a short and the second stage will begin. Your immediate focus is simple to avoid the boss' attacks. It's fairly easy. It won't be long before another scene with Kaine starts up, and the boss begins attacking you in earnest. When the "fists" hit the ground, the blue cubes will turn pink, and be vulnerable to your attacks. When all four cubes on a hand are destroyed, the entire arm of the boss will fall down. I recommend using Dark Hand magic attacks, as those can destroy all four cubes with a single hit. Once both arms are gone, the boss will reform into a series of concentric, rotating squares... with glowing pink cubes. Destroy the glowing cubes to destroy the square, while evading the boss' ranged attacks. It's really quite easy. Dark Lance magic attacks work very well, as they slow down time when you charge them. Once the boss is dead you'll be transported back to the palace in Facade. FACADE Speak to the prince of Facade and he'll give you the one-handed sword, Rebirth. Speak to him a second time to learn about the Black Scrawl. Try to leave, and the prince will speak to you a third time. You will then obtain yet another sealed verse--Dark Wall. Now it's time to cross the desert once more and go back to the village. Before you leave Facade, you can speak to the royal advisore outside the palace. He will grant you permission to use the sand-spout wells in the desert, which enable you to fast-travel across the sands. Very useful for the quest, "Fragile Delivery 3." Also, if you speak to the guard on the right side of the palace, you will obtain a compass that allows you to better navigate through the sandstorm in the desert's north. THE DESERT There'll be a lot more enemies out in the desert this time around, so be careful. You can now venture into the sandstorm, should you choose to do so. When you're done dinking around, make for the Eastern Road. THE EASTERN ROAD Same as every time you enter the eastern road: kill all the animals, grab all the lizards, and harvest all the harvest points. This area is perfect for gathering some of the rarer materials, like iron ore, silver ore, and gold ore. When you're ready grab the next sealed verse, enter the Village. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Forest of Myth ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02J] THE VILLAGE Go straight to your home. Head upstairs and speak with Yonah. Tell her that you will spend the night. While you sleep, you will experience a very odd dream. When you wake up, go upstairs and speak with Yonah again. Now, leave your home and head for the library. Speak with Popola and she well tell you about the Forest of Myth. When you're ready, exit the Village through the northern gate. We're approaching the end of the first half of the game, so now would be a good time to take care of any sidequests that you may have put off. THE NORTHERN PLAIN The entrance to the forest of myth lies in the far, northwestern corner of the northern plains. You won't be able to ride a boar there, so get ready for a long walk. Kill the shades or flee from them, and follow the path to the Forest of Myth. THE FOREST OF MYTH There are only three people in the Forest of Myth. The first person you see. sitting down, is the mayor. Speak with him and enter his dream. I recommend not pursuing the Forest of Myth while tired. This part of the game is something of a text-adventure, and if you're exhausted or impatient you won't be able to fully appreciate it. THE MAYOR's DREAM Read the text. Eventually, you will be asked three riddles. They're all extremely simple, but I'll tell you the answers just in case. For the first riddle, reply, "the answer is...a secret." For the second riddle, reply, "Sunlight." For the third and final riddle, reply, "a man." You will then exit the mayor's dream. He will give you the Sealed Verse, Dark Execution. Now, head for the next villager to save her from the deathdream. THE WOMAN'S DREAM Again, focus on reading the text. When it comes time to escape the flooding castle, you'll want to be heading north and east whenever possible. If you make a wrong turn, you can back track, but if you take too long you will fail and have to start over from the begining. When you've left the dream, go and speak to the third and final villager to enter his deathdream. THE MAN'S DREAM Read through the story. It's all very interesting, no? At the end, you will be provided with a single riddle. It's a good bit more challenging than the others ones, but it's a classic, so you've probably heard it before. Just in case, the answer is, "the real one is Beta." You will then exit the man's dream. THE FOREST OF MYTH Go back to the Mayor and speak with him. He will then give you what I, personally, feel to be the best weapon in the game--the katana, Faith. It's got a wide attack range, is fairly strong, and looks just plain awesome. Anyway, when you're done head back to the Village. THE NORTHERN PLAINS You can ride a bull this time. If you care about trophies or achievements, there's one for riding a boar for at least 5 minutes. This is usually a pain because shades infest the plains and have a bad habit of knocking you off. If you get on the boar right here, outside the forest of myth, you can sit there in safety. Wait five minutes, and that trophy/achievement is yours. Anyway, now's a great time to upgrade your weapons because the shades you'll be facing soon are quite, quite strong--and you're going to want all the power you can get. So either stop at the Junk Heap or, if your're confident enough, just go right on back to the Village. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Haunted Manor ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02K] THE VILLAGE Head for the libarary. Go upstairs and talk to Popola to tell her what happened in the Forest of Myth. Then go home: head upstairs and speak to Yonah. She'll ask you to go help a friend of hers in the manor on the road to Seafront. Head to the market district and go out the southern gate. THE SOUTHERN PLAINS It's just a quick jaunt to the Haunted manor. Keep in mind, once you enter the Haunted Manor, you will be UNABLE to complete any sidequests (other than the Fisherman's Gambit series of quests) unless you finish them RIGHT NOW. When you're satisfied with your progress, speak to the butler, Sebastian, outside the manor to go inside. THE HAUNTED MANOR Creepy, huh? Once you're inside the manor, follow the Sebastian to the dining room, He will leave you alone, and ask you to wait. Forget that! It's time to explore. Head to the other end of the dining room and exit through the door near the fireplace. You'll find yourself in a hallway with several paintings. The only room you can go inside is a small kitchen--two of the doors on the far side of the hall are locked, and when you examine the door leading to the manor's courtyard, Weiss will advise that you return to the dining room. Do so. When you enter the dining room, Kaine will have disappeard. Leave again, back to the room with all the paintings. Go back to the door to the courtyard, and leave through it. One helluva creey courtyard, ain't it? Anyway, go through the door at the opposite end of the courtyard and keep moving through the hall until you reach a bathroom. Examine the sink to find the Moon Key. Go back to the hall outside the dining room, and use the Moon Key to unlock a locked door. Go through the hall, but watch out for the spider at the end of it. Once you've dealt with the spider, open the door to view a scene with Emil, the piano-player. Speak to him again to obtain the Manor Map and the Star Key. Go back the way you came, and use the Star Key to unlock the far door. Explore all of the rooms in this wing of the manor. In one, you'll find a spare butler. In another, you'll find the Light Key on a desk. Use the Light Key to get into the room and the end of the wing and speak to Sebastian to trigger a scene. You'll then obtain the Darkness Key, and Emil will join you. Go back to the hallway outside the dining room and use the Darkness Key to go through the last locked door. Kill all of the shades in the narrow halway and break open the crate at the end to obtain the one-handed sword, Blade of Treachery. Save at the mailbox. You can enter the northern room if you like, to fight a bunch of shades, but you don't need to. Enter the library when you're ready to fight the manor's boss. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| This battle is fairly straightforward: just do as much damage as you can. The only tricky bit is when the boss surrounds itself with pages, that also attack... these pages are as weak as paper, so burn them with magic. Eventually, it will erect a barrier around itself and you won't be able to do any damage. Soon after, a scene will trigger, and Kaine will return to help you fight the boss. Use magic to wear down the barrier, and go in for melee once it breaks. Eventually, a damage circle will appear. Break it, and the boss will be defeated. You will then obtain the final sealed verse, Dark Whirlwind and be transported to the outside of the Manor. THE SOUTHERN PLAINS Weiss has some great dialog in the game, and after the scene with Kaine and Emil, he delivers some of his absolute best lines, so be careful not to miss them. You've already passed the point of no return, so muster all your courage and trek back to the Village. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Village, Again ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-02L] THE VILLAGE After speaking with Yonah, leave your house and go to the library to speak to Popola. She will send you down to collect some vapor moss from the wall near the south gate. Head into the market district, and to the south gate. Examine the ground near the water wheels to find some vapor moss. You'll then see Emil stumble into the Village. Speak to him, and you'll be transported to the library. Speak to Popola and then run outside the library: perpare yourself one one insanely epic battle. Run toward the market district, and talk to Devola just before you go inside. Run further in and help the villagers fend off the shades. When all of the shades are dead, they'll be able to shut the gate... and the big mother of all bosses will appear. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Just listen to that music! Brilliant. Try to ignore the smaller shades, if you can, and focus on the big boss. It will slam its arms onto the ground, letting loose shockwaves. Jump over the shockwaves and attack the arms directly. When dish out enough hurt, a damage circle will appear over the arm. Break it to trigger a scene. Follow the big boss. Run up the wall near the fountain and continue to attack the big boss' arm. Eventually, you'll trigger another damage circle to appear. Break it, and the boss will jump away from you, toward the north gate. Jump down from the wall and follow after it. About the only thing you can do now is to hack away at the boss' heels, so hack away. When you've beaten down the HP bar sufficiently, you guessed it, a damage circle will appear. Break it to trigger a cut- scene. Now, the big boss is heading for the library! Again, run after it and chop and hack and slice away at its feet. As the big boss scales the hill, you'll have to climb up, too, to keep dishing out the damage. Eventually, a damage circle will appear over the boss' head. Destroy it to trigger a scene. Immediately after, a second damage circle will appear over its head: break it for another scene. Then head inside the library. THE LIBRARY Kill all of the shades to trigger a short scene. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| The big boss is back! Well, partially. He's covered in damage circles, but none of them have timers. Break all of the circles, and the shade will collapse on the floor. A final damage circle, timed this time, will appear over its head. Break it to trigger a scene. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Time to fight Grimoir Noir... only you no longer have access to any of your magic spells! Noir will spawn a bunch of shades for you to deal with, so cut them all up with your sword. When all of the shades are dealt with, it will be time to turn your attention to the black book itself. When you do enough damage to Grimoire Noir, a damage circle will appear around it. Break the circle, and you will regain one of the sealed verses, and, by extension, one of your magic powers. Continue attacking the book and breaking the damage circles until you have obtained all of you powers. Once you've regained all of your magical owers, Grimoire Noir will regenerate a portion of its HP and begin protecting itself with a shield that renders it nearly immune to both melee and magic. While shielded, Noir will also attack you with a rather annoying charge attack. Avoid it. When the shield falls, attack. And repeat. When you've dealt enough damage, a damage circle will appear around the book. Break it to trigger a scene. After the scene, you will be given a choice. No matter how many times you choose the second option, however, you will be prompted to make the same choice again. So, when you're finally ready to give up, select the first choice. View the scenes the follow. You will be prompted to save your game. You have now completed the first half of Nier. Quite the ride, wasn't it? __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Walkthrough (Part Two) ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-03] \_\ The second part of the game picks up five years after the big boss battle. When you beat the game, the new game plus will begin here. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Haunted Manor, Revisited ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-03A] THE VILLAGE Once you're done watching the spiffy little action cut-scene, you'll have to kill all of the shades. Feel free to play around with your new weapons, but these armored shades are best taken out with either two-handed swords or magic. When you've killed all of the shades, speak to the kneeling woman. After the scene, go to the library and speak to Popola. She'll give you a letter from Emil, so it's time to head to the southern gate and make for the haunted manor. THE SOUTHERN PLAINS Fight your way through the southern plains to the haunted manor. You'll notice that there are a whole lot more shades around, and a whole lot less animals. Welcome to a dying world, my friend. Speak to the butler, Sebastian, at the entrance to the manor. He'll transport you inside to speak with Emil. THE HAUNTED MANOR Emil will tell you about a secret room in the mansion. Head to the courtyard with all of the creepy statues. Examine the fountain to open up the secret entrance. Make sure you're well-stocked and well-prepared for a fight. When you're ready, go down the stairs to enter the Underground Facility. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Underground Facility ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-03B] UNDERGROUND FACILITY - BASEMENT LEVEL 1 Examine the corner of the room, to the immediate left of the first door to obtain the AA Keycard. Use it to get through the locked door. In the next hall, examine the corner of the furthest room on the right side to obtain the KA Keycard. Then, examine the object to the left of the locked door to find the Underground Facility map. Use the KA Keycard on the locked door. Fight your way through the maze of boxes in the next room. You'll find the next keycard--the SA Keycard--in the northwest corner of the room. At the north end of the room you'll see a hidden hallway. Use it to access the eastern corner. Examine the object in the center of the room to obtain the two-handed sword, Fang of the Twins. Kill all of the shades in the next room, and then head down the stairs. Before you move on to the second basement level, you'll obtain a research document. You'll find more of them, and you'd be well-served to read them all. UNDERGROUND FACILITY - BASEMENT LEVEL 2 Head to the northeast corner of the room to find the TA Keycard. Go through the locked door, and you'll find yourself inside a very large maze. You'll find the NA Keycard along the western wall, near the door where you entered the maze. Once you've got the keycard, just focus on heading east to the next room. Break open the crates in the southwest corner to clear the entrance to the last room. Pick up the HA Keycard in the very southwest, and then head through the locked door. When you're in the last area, pick up the MA Keycard from the smallest room, in the center of the area. Use it to unlock the room in the southwest. Kill the single shade inside the room, and then pick up the YA Keycard. When you leave, a giant shade will spawn. Kill it, then use the YA Keycard to open up the locked room in the northeast corner. Proced down the stairs to the third and final basement level, obtaining another document as you go. UNDERGROUND FACILITY - BASEMENT LEVEL 3 Enter the third room on the right and go through the hidden passage back to the second room. Kill the shades and pick up the RA Keycard. Use the RA Keycard on the eastern door and keep plodding forward. Head into the octagonal room and examine the locked door at the other end. A horde of shades will appear: kill them all. After you've dealt with all of the shades, a giant shade will appear. Kill him, then examine the object to the left of the exit to obtain the third research document and the WA Keycard. Use the keycard to get passed the next door. Save at the mailbox, and prepare yourself for the first boss fight of the second part of Nier. Run across the bridge and then view the scene. When it's over, speak to Emil--then begins the boss battle! ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| This battle isn't too hard. The most important thing to do here is to watch out for the boss' projectile attacks, which are pretty easy to avoid. When it climbs up the wall, pepper it with dark blasts. You can only damage this thing with magic attacks, so don't even bother trying to get in close with melee. When you deal enough damage (I'd recommend use dark lances) to the boss, it'll fall down onto the floor. Keep attacking it with magic. Eventually, it will roll over onto its back and start flopping around: a damage circle will appear. You won't be able to get in very close, so use ranged, area-of-effect magic to break it. As per usual, Dark Hand magic attacks tend to work best. When the circle is broken, a scene will play. When it is over, approach the shadowy mass to save Emil. THE VILLAGE After speaking with Emil, you will be transported back to the library in the Village. After the scene with Emil and Kaine, you'll be tasked to kill that one, super-nasty, un-killable boss. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| This guy is a piece of cake. Perhaps the game was attempting to demonstrate just how much more powerful your character is in the second part of the game than in the first? No matter. It plays out exactly the same way it did the first time you fought: break all of the untimed damage circles. The boss will collapse on the floor and a timed damage circle will appear over its head. Break that circle to kill the boss, not just for now, not just for the next thousand years--but forever. (Major props for anyone who gets that reference). After the boss battle, watch the scene with Kaine. How very touching. Then, there's a bit of dialog with Devola and Popla, which ends with you going to sleep. When you wake up the following day, go to the fountain in the middle of the village to speak with Devola. Then go back to the library to talk to Devola again. She'll tell you to go and investigate the Lost Shrine, as well as grant you access to the shipping network, which will allow you to instantly travel from one part of the world to the next. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Lost Shrine, Revisited ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-03C] THE VILLAGE To get to the boat landing, you'll need to go up the stairs near the fountain in the market district, then pass over the wall to the landing by the river. Speak to the man by the boat to open up the travel menu, and then select your destination. THE LOST SHRINE - REAR PATH You don't have to worry about any shades here. Just follow the path up the hill into the caverns, and then cross the bridge to the base of the lost shrine. Did you see any of this stuff down here from above the first time you visited the Lost Shrine, so very long ago? Yeah, me neither. Moving on.... Climb up the ladders and wooden platforms along the outside of the temple. Near the base of the second ladder, you'll see a wooden crate. Break it open to obtain the spear, The Devil Queen. When you get to the end of the path, you'll see your entrance back to the Lost Temple: a cave. Once you enter the Temple, you may have some trouble finding your way back out. Look for a large block: this tunnel that you're going through right now is not level with the floor, so you'll need to jump onto it from a block when you're inside. THE LOST SHRINE From here on out, everything you see should be very, very familiar. Make your way to the top of the Temple, exactly the same way you did the last time you were here. There are only two differences: you will encounter a handful of those new nasties, the armored shades... and as you procede through the smaller rooms along the outer edge of the temple, you will be faced with a number of very small, very simple block puzzles. You shouldn't have any trouble with any of the puzzles--they are, as I've said, extraordinarily simple--but I will remind you of one small fact that, should you forget it, can make these puzzles seem quite daunting: you can jump over the blocks. Just remember that, and you'll be perfectly fine. Once you've climbed to the top of the temple, and made your way through the ruins to the door to the final chamber, you'll be ambushed by a mob of helpless puppies. Murder them all as quickly as you can: then save at the mailbox and enter the final chamber to meet an old friend. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| For the first part of the battle, you'll want to stay in the light. Odds are almost all of the smaller shades will be incinerated before they can get close to you. Attack the boss with magic from a distance. A damage circle will appear: break it to trigger the second stage of the fight. For the second stage, your primary concern should be to avoid all of the boss' ranged attacks, while attacking him with your own magic with as much frequency as you are able. Knock him down and break the damage circle to trigger a short scene, and the last portion of the boss fight. A damage circle will appear over the boss' head, but it is not timed. Destroy the circle to kill this boss, and to fight another one. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| The first bit of the battle can be very difficult, as she's very, very fast. Your primary concern should be avoiding all of the ranged attacks so that you can move in close. When you're close, use your heaviest hitting magic spells--typically your Dark Hand magic attack. Once you've dealt enough damage to this boss, she'll fall from the wall. Melee attacks, once more, are useless on this boss, so concentrate on hurting her with magic. When the battle is over, approach the end of the room, near where you found Yonah the last time you were here, and examine the floor to obtain a mysterious stone fragment. You'll then warp back to the Library in the Village. THE VILLAGE After speaking with Popola, you'll be given free reign to go wherever you want. At the moment, you have two obvious clues to work with: you can head to either the Junk Heap or the Forest of Myth. From now on, I will omit travel details from this guide and focus solely on the various locations you must arrive at to advance the story. You may visit these locations in the same order they appear in this FAQ, or not--it doesn't matter. You should be very familiar with the layout of the game world now, so getting from place to place should not pose any challenge for you at all. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Junk Heap, Revisited ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-03D] THE JUNK HEAP Head into the forge and speak with Gideon. After listening to his story, speak to him a second time. He will give you a two-handed sword, but it's in pretty bad shape, so you won't be able to use it. He'll tell you to fetch him a single piece of memory alloy from the Junk Heap in order to reforge the weapon. Memory alloy can only be found by killing the strongest robots in the second basement level, so Gideon will also give you a key that will enable you to take the elevator down to basement level two. So head into the Junk Heap and take the first elevator down to B2. Destroy all of the enemies in the first room, and then take a bomb from one of the destroyed turrets and use it to destroy the debris blocking the entrance to the northern corridor. If you want to farm items, go ahead and explore the first two halls, killing all of the robots that appear there. The memory alloy will only drop from the giant robots, which only appear in certain areas. You'll want to head to the third hallway, which is blocked by debris. There aren't any bombs to use, so you'll have to take the long way around. At the end of the northern hallway is a zig-zag shaped room filled with steam vents, crates and robots. Make your way through the room carefully, killing everything as you go. If you happen to fall down a vent, you'll end up back at the begining of the room, so watch your step. When you've navigated your way through the steam room, you'll find yourself in the third hallway. Head west into the large room at the end of the hall. A large number of robots will attack you. Kill them all, and a giant robot will rise up out of the floor. This is the fellow you're gonna have to kill for that memory alloy. He goes down pretty easy, just remember to keep an eye out for those area-of-effect attacks he has with his feet. Once you've got the memory alloy, go back to the elevator. You can pass through the third hallway now, as turrets will spawn in it that, once beaten, allow you to toss bombs at the debris. Go to the elevator, and take it up to the first floor. Leave the Junk Heap and speak to Gideon. He'll tell you that it's going to take him a bit longer to fix up the sword than he thought. He'll send you a letter when he's done. Now, you've got some time to kill. You can either go back to the Village and speak to Popola (which will open up the Facade storyline) or head to the Forest of Myth. Whatever you decide to do, when you get Gideon's letter, head back to the Junk Heap. THE JUNK HEAP Speak to Gideon to recieve the fully-restored two-handed sword, Iron Will. Gideon will then ask you to go back into the Junk Heap and kill a certain shade. Same as before, you'll want to take the first elevator in the Junk Heap down to level B2. After clearing out the first room, you'll want to skip the northern hallway and go forward. Examine the mine cart to start another rail-shooting sequence. Remember: you can speed up the cart by moving forward, and can slow it down by moving backward. When you get to the end of the track, go through the hall on the right side of the room to enter the second area. A giant robot will spawn in the middle of the first room. Kill it, same as last time. Same as every time, actually. When the big guy's dead, kill all of the normal-sized robots that appear, and then procede forward. If you feel like farming items, you can explore the southern reaches of the area. To get to the shade, however, you'll need to turn right and head to the exit in the northwest corner of the map. Turn right to go up the spiral staircase. You can ignore all of the robots in this room: they're too slow to be able to do any damage to you so long as you keep moving; and if you kill them, odds are they'll fall into the chasm so you won't be able to collect any items, either. Anyway, when you get to the top of the stairs, go through the hall to get to the elevator. Take it up to the first floor. Save at the mailbox, and then jump down the hole in the floor to initiate the boss fight. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| This guy looks a lot like the other giant robots you've fought, and for the most part, goes down just as easily. Keep up your attack and eventually you'll trigger a scene where the boss powers up. It will fly up to the ceiling and start tossing debris at you. Youl'll need to avoid being hit by the debris, so keep an eye out for expanding shadows. When the boss starts flying around, watch out for both his ranged attacks and his charging attacks. You'll have to damage him while he's zooming about the area, so use your Dark Blast and Dark Lance magic attacks to knock him out. Deal enough damage, and you'll destroy the boss' wings. He will collapse on the floor in the center of the platform, and the shade commanding him will leap off onto the floor. Attack the shade. He's very weak. He will split into multiple shades, that are also very weak. Kill all of the shades and it will reform. Kill the final shade, and break the damage circle that appears over him to kill him and defeat the boss robot. After the scene, walk up to Gideon and speak to him. You will then be transported to just outside of the brothers' shop and obtain the Law of Robotics key. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Facade, Revisited ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-03E] THE VILLAGE When you return to the village and speak to Popola, she'll tell you that she happened to see some mail in your mailbox. Go home and examine your mailbox. You'll find a letter from the king of Facade, inviting you to his wedding. Time to head for the city in the sands. FACADE Go to the opposite end of the city and enter the king's mansion. Head on upstairs and speak to the king. Time will advance automatically after your conversation. Move forward through the hall to speak to Kaine, then go upstairs to speak to Emil. Go outside and speak with the king. After a brief dialog, time will advance again to the day of the wedding. Speak to the royal advisor to trigger the wedding scene. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Kill all of the wolves, then focus your attacks on the shade. This guy is pretty resilient to magic, so you'll want to get in close and use meless attacks on him. Once the shade wolf is down to about half its full HP, it will flee the area. Watch the scene that follows. When you're ready for a real boss fight, go back inside the palace and head upstairs and outside to speak to the king of Facade. You will obtain the one-handed sword, Overlord. Watch the scene and you'll be transported to the wolf's den in the desert. THE WOLVES' DEN As soon as you enter the area, the boss will leap up onto a high ledge beyond your reach, and your group will be assualted by a veritable army of wolves. Kill them all, and make sure the king isn't killed. When all of the normal wolves lie dead, the boss will leap back down to attack. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Same as last time, magic attacks don't work too well so you'll need to get in close and slice up this boss with sword or spear. When you've damaged most of the shade's HP, a damage circle will appear. Break it to kill the boss and trigger a scene. THE DESERT View the scene at the cemetary. You will then obtain the Loyal Cerberus key. Time to move on to the next one. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Forest of Myth, Revisited ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-03F] FOREST OF MYTH Speak to the mayor and he'll mention something odd about the Divine Tree. Head to the rear of the village and examine the base of the Divine Tree to start another text-adventure-esque dream sequence. The tree will tell you several stories, and then ask you a series of questions based on those stories. The answers to those questions are details from those stories and are random. Question: "What was the color of lost envy?" Answer: The color of the girl's eyes from the first memory. Question: "I implore you: How many were lost by the warrior who fought the red-eyed beasts?" Answer: Her daughter, and the number of the warrior's companions, from the second memory. You may choose whichever answer you like for the third question, as they are all the same. You will then end the dream and obtain the Memory Tree Key. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Aerie, Revisited ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-03G] THE VILLAGE Speak to Popola in the library and she'll ask you to visit the Aerie again, because someone there claims to have the knowledge that you seek. When you're ready, make for the Aerie. THE AERIE Head into the village and make for the Mayor's house. Examine the door to speak with him: unfortunately, he isn't very helpful. Go to the second platform and speak to the guard at the northern end. After your conversation, you'll be ambushed by shades. Kill all of the shades that you see and make your way toward the village exit. When you reach the bridge to the first platform, a scene will trigger. Kill all of the shades, then run back to the second platform to defend the villagers. Murder the giant shade to trigger the next scene and boss battle. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Focus on avoiding the boss' ranged attacks. When the big eye gets close to the edge of the platform, it will unleash a massive barrage of magical firepower. This is your chance to attack. Get in close, and hack up the iris--or "core" of the shade--with your strongest melee weapon. After you dish out enough damage, the boss will pull back and attack you with what I can only describe as a tail. Use magic--either dark lance attacks or dark blast attacks--on the iris again. A damage circle will appear: break it to trigger a scene and move on to the next stage of battle. You can't damage the boss now, so don't try. Focus solely on avoiding the giant eye laser while Weiss, Emil and Nier talk to each other. Emil will hold off the shade's attacks, while you circle around behind it to attack the core. Head to the uppermost bridge in the Aerie--the one that leads to the mayor's house. Bombard the boss' core with dark blast attacks. That way, you'll be able to negate most of its ranged defenses while still dealing out a considerable amoung of damage. When you deal enough damage, the boss will retreat. Follow it back down to the first platform. Again, target the iris--or core--of the shade. A final damage circle will appear. Break it to kill the boss and trigger a scene. At the end of it all, you will obtain another stone fragment: the Sacrifice key. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ The Shadowlord's Castle ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-03H] THE VILLAGE Once you've gathered all of the stone fragments, go back to the Village and speak with Popola in the library. After speaking with the two of them, cross over the market district wall and take the boat to the Lost Shrine. THE LOST SHRINE Kill the shades along the bridge and scale the cliffside. You'll need to climb up through the temple, all the way to the upper chamber where you rescued Yonah so very long ago. You should know the way by heart, having been here several times already. The only difference between now and then is that now you'll be faced with stronger shades. But they're not that much stronger, so it's pretty much a walk in the park. Once you get to the outside door, save at the mailbox. This is the very last save point in the game. Procede inside and examine the altar at the other end of the room. This is the point of no return: if there are any sidequests you have not yet completed, any weapons you have not obtained or any items you have not found, now is your very last chance. When you're ready to go, head on in to the Shadowlord's castle. THE SHADOWLORD'S CASTLE Move forward through the hall and open the door to find yourself in a bright courtyard. Break open the crates to the left of the north door to obtain the two-handed sword, Phoenix Sword. Speak to the two birds sitting on the small fountain and answer their questions correctly. Answer 1: "Because of a black disease." Answer 2: "By separating body from soul." Answer 3: "They are placed in their corresponding shells." Once you've answered all three questions correctly, you'll be able to go through the door at the end of the courtyard. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Attack of the twins, eh? This fight is pretty easy. Close in and attack with melee weapons until you bring their combined HP down by about a quarter. This will trigger a brief scene. Keep on attacking with your sword until another scene triggers. The twins will then leave the area, ending the battle. For your efforts, you will obtain the Shadowlord's Castle Map. Continue north through the halls and move on to the next area. You'll come to a ballroom. Fight off all of the shades and then view the scene with Kaine. After the scene, fight your way through the shades to Kaine and examine her. Another scene will trigger where the remaining shades are absorbed into each other, becoming a single, massive entity. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Though he looks fairly impressive, the shade boar is just as easy to kill as a regular boar. Just keep circling round behind him and pelting him with magic, and you'll kill this boss in no time at all. Piece of cake, right? Well, not quite. As soon as you kill this boar, another one shows up. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| An armored shade boar! And it turns out he's just as easy as the normal shade boar--imagine that! Well, this guy comes with a bit of a catch: he's immortal. No matter how many times you kill him, he'll keep reviving himself. Well, not like you have much of a choice. Kill the boss. Kill the boss again. And again. And keep doing so until Kaine busts open the door. Since you can't kill this shade, you'll have to run for it. Equip a spear and start fleeing. Run up the spiral staircase, using your spear's special attack (the triangle of Y button) to pierce through obstacles without slowing down. Reach the top of the stairs and approach Kaine and Emil at the far door. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Can't catch a break, can you? Same as before, keep killing the boar. Kill it over and over again till the cavalry arrives. After the scene, keep killing the boar. The cavalry really isn't much help, but hey, it's the thought that counts, right? Eventually the north door will open: run through to trigger another scene. After the scene, head through the northern door and keep on marching north. Exit through the golden door to trigger a scene. You'll then obtain the Project Gestalt documents, and meet the twins again. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Same as before, you'll want to get in close and use melee weapons. Once the first twin is down, watch the scene and prepare to fight the other. The second twin is nearly so easy as the first. Use melee attacks to negate her barrage of magic, and get in close. Obliterate her HP bar to trigger rather long series of scenes. When you're finally back in control, keep heading north, anihilating the horde of shades that attack you as you move. Head out the golden door at the end of the hall enter the last area and to trigger yet another scene. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| Grimoire Noir is so easy, he hardly counts as a boss. But after all that build-up in the first part of the game, I guess it's important to finally land the killing blow. Rush him with melee attacks. Break the damage circle when it appears. Once he's dead, it's time to face your final nemesis. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| The Shadowlord is one weak puppy. For now, at least. Use the full arsenal of power at your disposal to anihilate him. I found melee attacks to be especially effective. Bring his HP down and a damge circle will appear: break it to trigger a scene. After the scene, it's back to the battle. When the Shadowloard floats about in the air, you can try to damage him with dark blasts, but you should focus most of your energy on avoiding his attacks. When he gets in close, rush him with melee attacks. He should go down pretty easily, triggering another series of scenes. ___________________________ | | | !!!!! BOSS BATTLE !!!!! | |___________________________| This battle can be a bit frusterating if you're not prepared, but it is the very last battle in the game. The shadowlord is very weak, but can still muster a rather impressive defense. Basically, you've got to destroy the shadowlord's untimed damaged circle... but getting in close enough to do so is a problem, as he unleashes the fiercest magic barrage you've yet seen. Your best bet is to try and jump your way through it. Get in close, and break the damage circle. Once you break the circle, you'll be blown clear back to the other side of the hall. Make your way back to the Shadowlord and break the damage circle again. You'll be blown back again. For a third and final time, make your way to the Shadowlord and break the damage circle. A scene will trigger and you will finally defeat your nemesis. After the battle, examine Yonah. You'll then be presented with a short scene, and prompted to answer a single question. The answer is obvious (it's your name). After inputting the answer, simply sit back and watch the ending. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Endings and New Game+ ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-03I] After beating the game for the first time, you will view Ending A and, after watching all of the credits, you will be given the choice to save your cleared data. When you load up the cleared data, you will be able to replay the game from the second half on, with additional narrative content. The second time you beat the game, you will see Ending B. When you beat the game a third time, you will be given a choice that will determine whether or not you view Ending C or Ending D. When you view Ending D, all of your game data will be deleted, so do not view Ending D until you have also seen Ending C. __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Sidequests (Part One) ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-04] \_\ The story in Nier is broken into two parts: sidequests from the first part of the game are not available in the second part of the game. When you first visit the Haunted Manor, you are beginning the very end of the first part of the game, so if there are any side quests you do not want to miss out on in the first half of the game, complete them before visiting the Haunted Manor. The only exception is the Fisherman's Gambit series of quests, which can be started and finished in either part of the game. Also: unless otherwise noted, quest rewards will ALWAYS be money. There are only a handful of exceptions--the quest to kill the wild boar in the first part of the game, and the few quests that reward you with weapons. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Village Sidequests ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-04A] "A Dog Astray" Description: An old man near the shopping district's southern entrance needs help finding his dog. The animal likes to roam the Northern Plains. Walkthrough: You'll find the dog near the water, right next to the entrance to the Junk Heap in the Northern Plains. Once you've found the dog, go back to where you spoke to the old man, and speak with the man with a quest icon. "A Return to Shopping" Description: The florist needs three bounty fertilizers for her seeds. They're apparently available for sale at Seafront. Walkthrough: As simple as it sounds: run to Seafront, buy the fertilizer, and then run back to the village. It's a lot less hassle if you can remember to buy the fertilizer while you're taking care of the, "Shopping List," quest. "Boar Hunt!" Description: An old man sitting next to the item shop in the shopping district says that a wild boar has been injuring people in the northern plains. It's time to end its rampage. Walkthrough: The Wild Boar is located near the cliff in the western half of the Northern Plains. It has a lot of HP, and a rather nasty charging attack that'll keep knocking you down if you let it. Your best strategy is to circle around it, and pommel it with Dark Hand magic attacks This quest will reward you with a Boar's Tusk. Once you've finished the quest, each time you visit a wilderness area, there will be a Wild Boar that you can ride to more quickly traverse the terrain. "Book Smarts" Description: A woman in the village library needs help organizing some books. Take the book and put it in the second bookshelf from the left on the east side of the floor. Walkthrough: An easy quest. You'll be given a few books and told where to put them. The precise locations will be written down in your journal, but you don't need to worry--it's impossible to put a book in the wrong spot. "Fragile Delivery" Description: A guard at the northern gate has asked you to deliver a parcel to the gold house at the highest point of the Aerie. The parcel is fragile, so take extra care when carrying it. Walkthrough: This quest can be a bit annoying, but if you mess up and the package breaks, you can go back to the guard that gave you the quest and retry it as many times as you like. I'd recommend taking a Boar across the Northern plains, so you don't run the risk of Shades knocking you down. It's also wise to tackle this quest AFTER you've gone to the Aerie already, that way you won't have to worry about getting into a fight once you're inside the town. "Fragile Delivery 2" Description: An old man near the fountain in the shopping district has asked you to deliver a parcel to the tavern in Seafront. The parcel is fragile, so take extra care when carrying it. Walkthrough: The same as the first, "Fragile Delivery," quest. The road to Seafront is a short one, so as long as you stay focused this should be easy. "Fragile Delivery 3" Description: The guard at the eastern gate has asked you to deliver a parcel to Facade's weapon shop. The parcel is fragile, so take extra care when carrying it. Walkthrough: This is the hardest of the Fragile Delivery quests, as you've got two areas to cross, and typically have to fend off hordes of wolves, scorpions and shades. You'll need to be very careful: stick to the edges of cliffs and make your way to the Facade gate. Keep your eyes open and use Dark Blast magic attacks to keep the wolves from getting to close. Even if you're careful, odds are you'll need to retry this quest a few times before you get it. "Herbal Remedies" Description: Popola has sent you on an herb-gathering mission. Search the northern plains for two medicinal herbs and bring them back to her. Walkthrough: This is a very simple task. You can gather medicinal herbs inside the village, or out in the field. If you like, you can even purchase some in the Village. "Old-Fashioned Home Cooking" Description: A woman in green near the fountain in the shopping district has asked you to collect ten pieces of mutton. Walkthrough: Kill sheep. Harvest mutton. It couldn't possibly be any easier. "On the Wings of Eagles" Description: The tavern keeper needs more ingredients for her medicine. This time she needs an eagle egg, found in high places where the wind blows. Walkthrough: You'll find your egg in the Aerie, near the Mayor's House. "Shopping List" Description: The florist in the shopping district has asked you to travel to Seafront and buy three tulip bulbs. Walkthrough: A nice and easy task: run to Seafront, buy what you need and head back. Be careful on the road to Seafront: if you encounter a giant Shade, don't try to fight it, just run. Odds are it's much stronger than you at this point in the game. While you're in Seafront, you may also want to pick up 3 Bounty Fertilizers, because as soon as you complete this quest, you'll receive another shopping quest, "A Return to Shopping," asking you to run all the way to Seafront again. "The Ballad of the Twins" Description: Have Devola and Popola sing a song for you. Discuss the matter with both of them. Walkthrough: First go to the library and speak to Popola. She'll send you to the Seafront Tavern. Go there, and get a list of items to collect. You can find lizards near the cliffs (going down to the river, and down to the entrance water, and you can find mice in the first area of the Junk Heap. Once you've got what you need, go back to the Seafront Tavern and speak to the tavern keeper. Then go speak to Popola one last time, and you'll be transported to the Village Tavern. Wait a bit, and you'll hear their duet. Speak to Devola whenever you're ready to leave the tavern and complete the quest. "The Gatekeeper's Errand" Description: A guard at the northern gate asked you to deliver a message to the blacksmith's wife. Walkthrough: Go to the blacksmith's shop near the south gate and speak to the woman with a quest icon. Listen to her short rant, and you're done. "The Lost Eggs" Description: The tool shopkeeper says the village chickens are laying eggs in hidden spots of their own choosing. Find an egg and bring it to the client. Walkthrough: This quest sounds a lot more difficult than it is. Speak to the boy with a quest icon near the tool shop. Then, go to the field and speak to the man near all the pigs. Finally, head toward the fountain. Search the shadows for harvest points. The item you're looking for is called, "Chicken Egg." Once you've found an egg, you'll need to head back to the Tool Shop to report your findings. "The Runaway Son" Description: A man across the way from the weapon shop near the southern gate needs help finding his runaway son. The young man apparently wears an unusual-looking hat. Walkthrough: You'll find the runaway in Seafront, just past the post office. Speak to him, and he'll send you on a quest to collect some mutton and goat meat. Grab the items, then go speak to the Seafront tavern keeper. Then, run all the way back to the Village and speak to the man who gave you the quest. No, it's not over yet! Now, head back to Seafront. Once you enter the town, turn around and speak to the man near the exit with a quest icon. He'll tell you the runaway went to Facade. Now you get to go all the way to Facade. You'll find a few Masked People talking about the Runaway, marked with quest icons. Once you speak to them, you'll be able to examine the door to the Runaway's home. Naturally, the runaway will run away again. Follow him out into the desert. I'm not sure if it's possible to lose him, but you should probably stay close to him just the same. Near the opposite end of the desert, you'll be attacked by wolves. Once you've killed all the wolves, speak to the runaway again. Now, you can finally go back to the Village and speak with the father to collect your reward. "The Tavern Keeper's Grandmother" Description: The tavern keeper needs three medicinal herbs, three berries, and three royal ferns in order to make medicine. Walkthrough: All three of these items are pretty common out in the Wilderness. Just keep an eye out for harvest spots and you should fill up your quota in no time. "Yonah's Gift" Description: Yonah asked you for a melon. Walkthrough: Yonah wants several items, so you may as well buy them all at once. She'll need a melon, a watermelon and a pumpkin for this quest. You can buy melons from the grocer in Seafront, pumpkins from the grocer in the Village, and watermelons from the grocer in Facade. Once you have what you need, go back to your home in the Village and speak to Yonah. "Yonah's Home Cooking" Description: Yonah needs venison and wheat for her cooking. Walkthrough: Harvest venison from the deer along the road to Seafront. You can purchase wheat from the materials shop in the Village shopping district. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Seafront Sidequests ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-04B] "A Signature Dish" Description: You've been asked to gather ingredients for the Seafront tavern keeper's signature dish. Collect ten medicinal herbs, ten bags of wheat , and ten sardines. Walkthrough: You'll have to either buy or grow the wheat. You can fish for the sardines, or buy them from the fishmonger if you've completed the quest, "The Fisherman's Gambit." "The Belated Letter" Description: A man near the fountain in Seafront's plaza has given you a love letter he wants delivered to his lover in The Aerie. The recipient lives near the village's chief. Walkthrough: Run to the Aerie and head toward the Mayor's house. You'll need to go to the door of one of the nearby houses and examine it. When you leave the Aerie, you will be attacked by a large shade. Fight it however you want: the easiest strategy is to get behind it and pummel it with Dark Hand magic attacks. "Bon Appetit!" Description: The Seafront tavern keeper needs inspiration for new meals. Head to the library and see what you can find. Walkthrough: Examine the shelves on the bottom floor of the library. Once you find the cookbook, go back to Seafront and speak to the Tavern keeper. You'll need to gather five sharks, five bags of rice, and five mushrooms. "Closure" Description: You received word from the Seafront postman. Apparently he has something to tell you. Walkthrough: Go to Seafront and speak to the postman. That's it. Quest done. "The Fisherman's Gambit" Description: The old fisherman will teach you some techniques if you can catch ten sardines. Walkthrough: Fish from either beach at Seafront. Use lugworms as bait. If you have any trouble, consult the fishing section of this FAQ. "The Fisherman's Gambit, Part 2" Description: The old fisherman will teach you some techniques if you can catch seven blowfish. Walkthrough: Fish from dock right next to the old fisherman. Use lugworms as bait. If you have any trouble, consult the fishing section of this FAQ. "The Fisherman's Gambit, Part 3" Description: The old fisherman will teach you some techniques if you can catch seven rainbow trout. Walkthrough: Fish from the dock with the little boat near it in the Northern Plains. Use a Lure as bait. If you have any trouble, consult the fishing section of this FAQ. "The Fisherman's Gambit, Part 4" Description: The old fisherman will teach you some techniques if you can catch five bream. Walkthrough: Fish from dock right next to the old fisherman. Use a Lure as bait. If you have any trouble, consult the fishing section of this FAQ. "The Fisherman's Gambit, Part 5" Description: The old fisherman will teach you some techniques if you can catch five black bass. Walkthrough: Fish from the riverbank in the Village, using a Lure as bait. If you have any trouble, consult the fishing section of this FAQ. "The Lighthouse Lady's Wrath" Description: The lady wants to leave town, and the postman has asked you to convince her otherwise. Go pay her a visit. Walkthrough: Speak with the old woman in the lighthouse. Then, go speak to the postman again. Exit the post office, then turn around and go right back inside. You'll now be able to access the post office's back room. Solve the simple box puzzle, and pick up the bundle of letters on the table. You may read them if you like. Speak to the postman one last time, and then go back to the lighthouse to speak to the old woman. Either tell her the truth, or lie to her. "The Lover's Pride" Description: A man in the open area near the lighthouse wants you to procure flourite so he can make a fashion accessory for his lover. You can find it in Facade's strange-things store. Walkthrough: Speak to the man standing at the edge of the cliff on the path up to the lighthouse. Speak to him a second time, and then leave the area. Return to Seafront and speak to him a third time. He will ask you to bring him an item from Facade. Go to Facade and speak to the strange-things shopkeeper. He'll send you to the Barren Temple. Take the left stairs down and you'll see an item on the ground. Examine it and bring it back to the client in Seafront. "The New Merchant in Town" Description: A man aboard a ship docked in Seafront needs to build his inventory so he can begin trading. Collect ten bundles of wool, five lumps of natural rubber, and ten goat hides. Walkthrough: Wool is easy enough to find--simply harvest it from sheep. Rubber can be bought from the materials store in Seafront, but goat hides can be a bit annoying, as they're rare drops from goats. Your best bet is to head out the Village's east gate, along the road you took to the Lost Shrine, and kill the goats there. Run back and forth between that road and the path to the Lost Shrine so the goats can respawn. Continue doing so until you have enough goat hides. It may take you several trips. "The Postman's Request" Description: The Seafront postman wants you to bring a letter to the old lady. Walkthrough: You'll find the old woman inside the light house. Deliver the letter to her, and you're done. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Facade Sidequests ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-04C] "Apology from a Fool" Description: The shopkeeper at the strange-thing store in Facade has asked you to collect ten wolf hides as a gift for his wife. It seems they recently had an argument... Walkthrough: You may either harvest the wolf hides from the corpses of wolves in the desert, or purchase them from the materials store in Facade. Once you've got the hides, give them to the client. You'll then need to speak to his wife to finish the quest. You'll find her standing on the building just above the strange-things store, marked with a quest icon. "Item Unknown" Description: A woman in front of the king of Facade's palace needs you to run an errand. The rules state that she can't expressly state the name of the item she wants, so you must search for ten "round, striped food objects." Walkthrough: The item you're looking for is watermelon. You can hop on over to the Facade grocer, buy ten of 'em, and finish this quest in no time flat. "The Littlest Hero" Description: The child of Facade's weapon shopkeeper has left home and is headed for the desert. His parents want you to bring him back. Walkthrough: You won't be able to stop the kid, so just follow him all the way into the desert. He'll go into the Wolf Den. Follow him inside, and fight off all of the wolves. Then go back to Facade and speak to the man who gave you the quest in order to complete it. "The Missing Girl" Description: A family near Facade's strange-thing store cannot find their daughter. Ask around Facade and see what you can learn. Walkthrough: Various people in Facade will give you clues, all of them are marked on your map with quest icons. Ultimately, you'll need to go down to the lowest level of the city. You'll find a clue on the ground near a doorway. (it's a puddle of blood) Examine it, then go speak with one of the nearby masked people--yes, also marked with a quest icon. Now you'll have to head to the exit. Speak to the Masked Man guarding the gate on the right side. Then exit Facade and go into the desert. Examine the sand fountain, then go back to the person who gave you the quest to end it. "The Tangled Message" Description: You've been invited to join a game where you pass messages from one person to the next. If you make a mistake, you must start over from the beginning. Walkthrough: This is a fairly easy quest. The messages are simple and easy to remember, and the people you need to speak to are all marked with quest icons--except for the very last person. The last person you need to speak to is the professor. You'll find him standing near a pool of quicksand near the northern wall. Speak to him and say, "quicksand," to complete the quest. __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Sidequests (Part Two) ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-05] \_\ The story in Nier is broken into two parts: sidequests from the first part of the game are not available in the second part of the game. When you first visit the Haunted Manor, you are beginning the very end of the first part of the game, so if there are any side quests you do not want to miss out on in the first half of the game, complete them before visiting the Haunted Manor. I've heard that you can still complete the Fisherman's Gambit series of quests in the second part of the game, but I have yet to verify that. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ New Village Sidequests ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-05A] "A Bridge in Peril" Description: Dispatch the Shade that has taken up residence near the bridge in the northern plains. However, it seems the Shade isn't always there... Walkthrough: This quest is pretty simple, but can still be a pain in the ass. The shade will appear, randomly, just before the wooden bridge in the center of the Northern Plains. It spawns very, very rarely. Once you've killed it, report back to finish the quest. "A Child's Final Chance" Description: The grocer's child has been stricken by a mysterious illness after playing with his friends. Maybe the other children would know the cause. Walkthrough: There are three children to speak to in the Village, all are marked with quest icons, naturally. Speak to them all, then head for the Forest of Myth. Head toward the big tree in the back of the village, and examine the object to its left. Then, leave the village. Watch the scene, and then return to the boy's mother to end the quest. "Contract for a Contractor" Description: A man milling about near some pigs needs some materials to repair a fire-ravaged kitchen. Find one memory alloy, ten titanium alloys, and ten broken motors. Walkthrough: Both memory alloy and titanium alloy are rare drops from robots in the Junk Heap. You'll need to be farming enemies in the second basement level for quite a while to gather the necessary quantity of items. "The Creaky Waterwheel" Description: The young woman with the dog in the shopping district needs help repairing the village waterwheel. Travel to Facade's "strange-thing store" and obtain parts to repair it. Walkthrough: Go to Facade and speak to the strange-thing store clerk. He'll send you out to collect ten iron ores, and ten logs. You can harvest iron ore in the wilderness, or... "The Damaged Map" Description: The blacksmith has asked you to find a treasure map. Where would you look for such a thing? Walkthrough: Go to the library in the village and examine the shelves on the top floor. Then collect three drops of machine oil, three eggplants and three goat hides. (You can only find goats in the Eastern Road area now). Once you have the items, go to the strange-things store in Facade. Then, go back to the Village and speak to the client, then go to the library to show the map to Popola. Now, go to the second floor of the Lost Shrine. Head to the northern portion of the map: you should see a cracked wall and two doors. Enter the door on the right, and pick up the item. Then, go back to the client. She will give you an ornament, which you need to sell to the strange-things store in Facade. Go back to the Village and give the client the Old Gold Coin to get your reward... another map. Go see Popola again. Then, to the northern plains, to the iron bridge. Then, to the right side of the entrance to the Forest of Myth. See the large section of bridge still standing? Go to its shadow, and you'll see the weapon's sigil. Touch it to recieve the spear, Labyrinth's Shout. "The Despicable Man" Description: The woman sitting diagonally across from the weapon shop asked you to find a young man wearing a golden necklace. Ask around to see if anyone nearby saw him. Walkthrough: Speak to a the marked guard at the Northern Gate. From there, journey up to the Forest of Myth. Talk to the man with a quest icon for your next clue. Now, go to Seafront. In the main plaza, there is a woman standing on an upper level, near the top of some stairs. She is dressed in yellow. Speak to her. Now, head toward the post office and speak to the man standing outside. Now go speak to the man standing just above the fishmonger. Finally, run over to the Junk Heap and speak to Gideon. Now, you're all done. Head on back to the village to report your findings and finish the quest. "The Faded Fountain" Description: The fountain in the shopping district is starting to break down, according to the man nearby. Travel to the strange=thing store in Facade and obtain parts to repair it. Walkthrough: Like the man said, go to Facade and speak to the shopkeeper of the strange-things store. He'll ask for 10 broken motors and 10 severed cables, both of which drop from robots in the Junk Heap. Bring the man his robot parts, and then go back to the Village to report to the client and earn your reward. "Search for the Shade" Description: The guard by the shopping district's southern entrance claims there's a Shade in the village. Walkthrough: Speak to the guard behind the wall near the southern gate. Leave the market district and head toward the riverbank. Then go back to the guy near the southern gate. Now, to the library. Again: nothing. Go back into the market district and speak to the woman to the side of the fountain. Next, speak to a guard in the middle of the district, and then to the woman in the green dress. Climb the stairs near the entrance to the market district, and go up the hill. At the end of the path, you'll find a shade: kill it. "Thieves in Training" Description: The item shopkeeper needs your help finding the culprits that robbed his store. Begin by asking around for clues. Walkthrough: There are two different people in the shopping district you'll need to speak to in order to solve this case. Once you've spoken to them (they're both marked with quest icons, of course) go up on the wall, and head down the stairs toward the dock. Turn around, and at the side of the stairs are two children. Speak to the one in the back. Then, go to the tavern and speak to the man sitting down. Finally, go back to the item store and speak to the shopkeeper to end the quest. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ New Seafront Sidequests ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-05B] "A Memorable Knife" Description: The tavern keeper in Seafront wants you to purchase a kitchen knife from the Junk Heap. He's willing to pay handsomely. Walkthrough: Speak to the tavern keeper in Seafront. Then, go to the Junk Heap and speak to Gideon. He'll need ten titanium alloys, so farm them if you need to (you'll probably need to). Take the alloy to Gideon to get the knife, and then deliver the knife to the tavern keeper in Seafront for 20,000 gold. "The Fisherman's Gambit, Part 6" Description: The old fisherman will teach you some techniques if you can catch three sandfish over in Facade's desert ocean. Fish... in the desert? Walkthrough: Same as the other Fisherman's Gambit quests. Go to Facade's docks (in the desert) and fish. Use a lure. Report back to the old fisherman when you're done to complete the quest. "The Fisherman's Gambit, Part 7" Description: The old fisherman will teach you some techniques if you can catch three royal fish. Walkthrough: You know the drill. You're wanting to catch three Royal Fish. Head on over to the Easter Road and use an earthworm as bait. When you're done, report back to the old fisherman. "The Fisherman's Gambit, Part 8" Description: The old fisherman will teach you some techniques if you can catch two blue marlin. Walkthrough: Having fun fishing? You're almost done. Fish right off the wharf right beside the old fisherman. Use a lure, and once you've caught two blue marlins, speak to him to end the quest. "The Fisherman's Final Gambit" Description: The old fisherman has told you of a legendary fish. Catch a hyneria and show it to him. Walkthrough: This is the very last Fisherman's Gambit. Go to the docks in the desert and equip a sardine as bait. Once you've caught a Hyneria, report back to the old fisherman to end the quest. "Freesia" Description: A man who lives above the weapon shop in Seafront asked you to deliver a freesia flower to the person running the material shop in Facade. Walkthrough: Speak to the man standing above the blacksmith's shop. Take the Freesia to the materials shop in Facade, then go back to Seafront to complete the quest. "The Great Tree" Description: The botanist next to the item shop in Seafront asked for a piece of root from the Lost Shrine's great tree. Walkthrough: Use the boat to get back to the Lost Shrine. Climb up, get to the tree, fight the shades, and collect the item. Once you've got the root, head back to the botanist and give it to her to complete the quest. "Learning a Trade" Description: A man traveling on a ship in Seafront wants to make a medication that will prevent seasickness. Buy him a mandrake leaf from the strange-thing store in Facade. Walkthrough: First, go to Facade and get the man his mandrake leaf. Then, to save time, head straight on over to the Junk Heap to buy some Toad Oil. Once you've got both items, head back to the man on the boat to end the quest. "Master of the Southern Plains" Description: A large Shade has been sighted in the southern plains. The Seafront postman has asked you to eliminate it for him. Walkthrough: Head to the southern plains. As soon as you enter, or shortly thereafter, a large shade should spawn. Kill it, then report back to the postman for your reward. "The Masterless Lighthouse" Description: A man near the lighthouse in Seafront needs replacement parts for the lighthouse. Collect ten broken lenses, ten broken batteries, and ten mysterious switches. Walkthrough: All of the items you need to collect can be found in the second basement level of the Junk Heap. Clear out the whole floor two or three times, and you should have enough parts. Once you've got what you need, high-tail it back to Seafront to complete the quest. "The Scattered Cargo" Description: An old lady standing under a tree in Seafront needs you to recover cargo from a ship that was lost at sea. Search the shorelines and find her three pieces of cargo. Walkthrough: You'll find the first crate on Seafront's largest beach. The second one will wash up near the lake in the Village, and the third crate will appear on the shore in the Northern Plains. Once you've collected all three crates, you can either give them back to the old woman, which yields a 20% discount on all items in the Seafront item shop, and the item shop will also sell you recovery potions for 8,000 gold. If you look inside the crates, you will also have the option to give them to the town guard in Seafront. This course of action yields a one-time quest reward of 50,000 gold. "Staying Afloat" Description: The man with the red sash by the dock needs materials to fix a boat. Collect five logs, twenty dented metal boards, and ten stripped bolts. Walkthrough: Very simple: collect the materials, deliver them to the client and collect your reward. "The Strange Fate of the Jewel" Description: "A woman in orange at the port in Seafront wants you to locate a treasure known as the Mermaid Tear. Search the Seafront for leads. Walkthrough: Ask around Seafront until you get your first clue. Then head over to the post office to confront the postman. Make a decision and carry it out to complete the quest. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ New Facade Sidequests ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-05C] "A City Reborn" Description: A Facade royal guard has asked you for twenty pieces of iron ore, twenty pieces of clay, and twenty logs to help revive the town's fortunes. Walkthrough: Speak to the royal guard near the palace. He'll ask for 20 iron ores, 20 pieces of clay and 20 logs. You can find the clay and iron ore at harvest points throughout the world, but will need to buy logs from a materials shop. "A Shade Entombed" Description: A guard at Facade's gate asked you to eliminate the bandits desecrating the Barren Temple. Walkthrough: Go to the barren temple. The rules are still present, but no more block puzzles, so it's not too much of a hassle. Fight off the shades and go toward the long corridor that you could not access the last time you were in the barren temple. Obey the rules, kill the shades, earn 20,000 gold. "Disturbing the Sleep of Kings" Description: The king of Facade asked you to clear all of the Shades from the Barren Temple. Walkthrough: Speak to the king to start this quest. Note that you cannot start this quest until you've completed the quest, "A Shade Entombed." You'll want to make your way to the boss room in the barren temple. Kill all of the shades and report back to the king to earn yourself the nifty Labyrinth's Song. "The King's Mask" Description: A Facade royal guard needs titanium alloy and a crystal so he can make a mask. Walkthrough: Titanium can only be found in the Junk heap, so you'll have to make a trip out there to find it. You can buy crystal from the materials store in Facade, so that shouldn't be an issue. "Life in the Sands" Description: A person near the mailbox in Facade wants some seeds to grow in the desert. Bring the client ten pink moonflower seeds. Walkthrough: Welcome to the single most difficult, tedious quest in the game. Sound fun? Here's what you need to do: Step 1: Plant 15 blue moonflower seeds. When they flower, harvest them. (18 hours). Step 2: Now, plant 15 gold moonflowers. Wait a bit (36 hours). Now, you should see a bunch of dead plants, and a few that are still flowering. Harvest the dead plants, but leave the flowers alone for now. Step 3: The standing flowers are hybrids. You'll need to wait for them to die (18 hours) and can then harvest them for seeds. You should have enough pink moonflower seeds now. If not, repeat the entire process over again. It's as simple as that. Remember, to advance time for cultivation, you can "cheat" by altering your PS3's internal clock. Otherwise, you'll have to wait through all of those hours in real-time. "Nightmares and Dust" Description: A gate guard in Facade says a great number of people have gone missing in sandstorms as of late. Perhaps you'd better investigate. Walkthrough: You'll need to head into the sandstorm, in the northern part of the desert. Search through the storm until you encounter the giant shade. Kill it, and report back to facade to end the quest. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Wilderness Sidequests ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-05D] "A Tale of the Study" Description: Investigate a Shade that has appeared in the study. Walkthrough: Go back to the Haunted Manor. Go inside and speak to the butler, Sebastian. Next, make your way to the study to investigate. This shade is very resilient against physical attacks, and will not attack you at all--making it a very, very easy way to earn the 100-combo trophy. But if you've already got that trophy, or don't care, just bust it up with magic attacks. When you're done, you'll warp back to Sebastian and the quest will end--but there will still be a bit of extra dialog when you leave the manor. "The Magical Stone: Description: A woman near the entrance to the Forest of Myth asked you to find a "magical stone" used in fortune-telling. Talk to Popola to get more details. Walkthrough: Speak to the girl in the Forest of Myth to start this quest. Go back to the Village to speak to her client. Then, go to the library and speak with Popola. Now, off to the Lost Shrine. Run all the way up to the top and you'll find a giant shade. Kill it. Be sure to grab the item it drops, and bring it to the client for your reward. "Research Project" Description: The butler wants you to explore the manor's underground facility in search of a way to restore Emil's body to normal. A clue apparently awaits in the second basement floor. Walkthrough: Go to the Manor's courtyard and examine the statue to open up the path to the underground facility. Fight your way through to the stairs and procede to the second basement level. Head down to the third large room and enter the second smaller room along the southern wall. Examine the desk. You will then warp to the Manor's front yard. Head for Seafront. When you enter Seafront, turn left at the first opportunity. Keep turning left (three times total) to go up some stairs. Follow the stairs up and you'll see a gate. Examine the gate to speak to the resident. Once you've recieved the letter, head back to the Manor and speak with the butler to end the quest. "The Shade Army" Description: Collect five broken batteries and five broken motors to repair the elevator in the Junk Heap Walkthrough: Once you've gathered the items you need, speak to Gideon. Now, go to the second elevator in the back of the first floor of the Junk Heap. You can now use the elevator. Defeat all of the Shades, and then report back to Gideon for your reward. "Shadows of the Desert" Description: This quest does not appear as a quest at all, and is only marked down in your journal once you've completed it. I suppose that makes this a "secret" quest. Walkthrough: Go to the docks in the desert. Speak to the masked woman at the top of the stairs to start this quest. Enter Facade and exit it: you should see the masked woman again, just outside the gate. Speak to her, and leave the area. You may have to reload the desert area several times before she re-appears: I recommend taking care of some quests. Anyway, once you see her again, speak to her. This will trigger a shade attack. Fight off the shades. Eventually, you'll get some reinforcements. Once most of them are taken care of, a large (sub-boss) shade will spawn, along with a whole lot of smaller shades. Just go crazy and kill everything. When all the shades are defeated, you'll be transported to the palace and given a reward. __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Weapons ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-06] \_\ There are a number of weapons to find in Nier. Some are obtained by completing main storyline quests, others are found in out in the open world, and other can be purchased from blacksmith shops. For the first part of the game, you will only be able to find and use single-handed swords. Once you begin the second part of the game, you will have access to spears and two-handed swords as well. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Single-Handed Swords ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-06A] Nameless Blade Location: Default starting weapon. Description: A simple sword forged by a village smith. More suited to fending off small animals than actual combat. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 100 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Light Level 2: Attack Power: 112 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Light Level 3: Attack Power: 152 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Light Level 4: Attack Power: 204 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Light Lily-Leaf Sword Location: Purchase from the Blacksmith store in the Village for 2400 gold. Description: A narrow sword once owned by a woman of such impossible beauty that men begged her to take their lives. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 123 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Light Level 2: Attack Power: 146 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Moderate Level 3: Attack Power: 187 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Moderate Level 4: Attack Power: 250 Magic Power: 60% Weight: Heavy Nirvana Dagger Location: Found in a box near the stairs stairs in the Lost Shrine. Description: A group of girls used this sword to consecrate a newly-built temple with their own blood. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 106 Magic Power: 00% Weight: Moderate Level 2: Attack Power: 125 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Moderate Level 3: Attack Power: 160 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Moderate Level 4: Attack Power: 213 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Moderate Moonrise Location: Given to you by a guard in the Southern Plain, after saving him from Shades. (Occurs as part of the main story). Description: A weapon owned by a blind swordsman. The blade shines in darkness, making the owner easy to spot. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 109 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Moderate Level 2: Attack Power: 128 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Moderate Level 3: Attack Power: 165 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Moderate Level 4: Attack Power: 217 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Moderate Rebirth Location: A gift from the Prince of Facade. (Occurs as part of the main story). Description: A unique sword with a round blade. Legend holds that it robs the wielder of his life force. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 115 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Very Light Level 2: Attack Power: 132 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Very Light Level 3: Attack Power: 169 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Very Light Level 4: Attack Power: 221 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Very Light Earth Wyrm's Claw Location: Purchase from the Blacksmith store in Facade for 8400 Gold. Description: Made from the fossil of an ancient beast. It's more unwieldy than most swords--but further forging can help. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 142 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Very Heavy Level 2: Attack Power: 163 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Very Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 209 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Very Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 271 Magic Power: 60% Weight: Very Heavy Blade of Treachery Location: Found in a box in the Haunted Manor immediately before the boss fight. Description: When a man who has lost his way wields this sword, the blade becomes blunt as wood. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 139 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Heavy Level 2: Attack Power: 179 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 231 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 255 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Heavy Beastbain Location: Purchase from the Blacksmith store in the Village for 16800 Gold. Description: A sword that bears a beastly motif. Its short, thin blade seems eager to vanish from sight. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 172 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Heavy Level 2: Attack Power: 221 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 282 Magic Power: 60% Weight: Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 313 Magic Power: 70% Weight: Heavy Faith Location: A gift from the Mayor of the Forest of Myth. (Occurs as part of the main story). Description: A sword carried by the world's most loyal servant. Like that loyalty, the sword's blade is straight and true. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 147 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Very Light Level 2: Attack Power: 189 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Light Level 3: Attack Power: 240 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Light Level 4: Attack Power: 266 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Moderate Ancient Overlord Location: A gift from the King of Facade. (Occurs as part of the main story). Description: An ancient warlord used this sword to slay his loyal subjects in hopes of gaining eternal life. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 194 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Very Light Level 2: Attack Power: 245 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Very Light Level 3: Attack Power: 271 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Very Light Level 4: Attack Power: 283 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Very Light Phoenix Dagger Location: Purchase from the Blacksmith store in Seafront for 31200 Gold. Description: A ceremonial blade crafted from feathers of the legendary firebird. It is untested as a weapon. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 240 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Moderate Level 2: Attack Power: 300 Magic Power: 70% Weight: Moderate Level 3: Attack Power: 332 Magic Power: 70% Weight: Moderate Level 4: Attack Power: 346 Magic Power: 80% Weight: Moderate Labyrinth's Whisper Location: A reward for completing the quest, "A Bridge in Peril." Description: ??? Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 112 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Very Heavy Level 2: Attack Power: 128 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Very Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 147 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Very Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 313 Magic Power: 60% Weight: Very Heavy Iron Pipe Location: A reward for completing the quest, "The Magical Stone." Description: ??? Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 179 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Light Level 2: Attack Power: 179 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Light Level 3: Attack Power: 217 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Light Level 4: Attack Power: 266 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Light __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Two-Handed Swords ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-06B] Kusanagi Location: Automatically given to you at the start of the second part of the game. (Occurs as part of the main story). Description: A man whose fiancee was spirited away by an eight-headed beast used this sword to smite his foe. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 2: Attack Power: 339 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Light Level 3: Attack Power: 571 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Light Level 4: Attack Power: 659 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Light Axe of Beheading Location: Purchase from the Blacksmith Store in the Village for 19200 Gold. Description: A man's dementia drove him to attack his daughter's fiance with this axe. Sadly, he hit his daughter instead. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 364 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Heavy Level 2: Attack Power: 418 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 700 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Fang of the Twins Location: Found in a box in the Haunted Manor's Laboratory, in the first level. Description: ??? Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 2: Attack Power: 358 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Moderate Level 3: Attack Power: 595 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 686 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Heavy Vile Axe Location: Purchase from the Blacksmith store at Seafront for 21600 Gold. Description: A mage with a putrid soul imbued the essence of a fire lizard into this axe. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 384 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Moderate Level 2: Attack Power: 442 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 729 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Very Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 841 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Very Heavy Beastlord Location: Found in a box in the Lost Shrine, Revisited, just before the boss fight. Description: A beastly sword whose keen edge stands ready to mow down all who question the divine right of the wielder. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 329 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Heavy Level 2: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 3: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 4: Attack Power: 715 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Heavy Iron Will Location: A gift from Gideon. (Occurs as part of the main story). Description: An enormous sword that grows heavier with every kill as blood and flesh cling to the blade. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 2: Attack Power: 389 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Extra Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 633 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Extra Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 730 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Extra Heavy Phoenix Sword Location: Found in a box in Shadowlord's Castle, in the same room with all the birds. Description: ??? Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 400 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Moderate Level 2: Attack Power: 646 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Moderate Level 3: Attack Power: 715 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Moderate Level 4: Attack Power: 760 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Moderate Labyrinth's Song Location: A reward for completing the quest, "Disturbing the Sleep of Kings." Description: ??? Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 223 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Very Heavy Level 2: Attack Power: 257 Magic Power: 10% Weight: Very Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 295 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Very Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 860 Magic Power: 60% Weight: Very Heavy __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Spears ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-06C] Transience Location: Automatically given to you at the start of the second part of the game. (Occurs as part of the main story). Description: A knight was so moved by the suffering of a beggar that he removed all ornamentation from this spear. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 221 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Light Level 2: Attack Power: 254 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Light Level 3: Attack Power: 312 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Light Level 4: Attack Power: 368 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Light Spear of the Usurper Location: Purchase from the Blacksmith Store at Seafront for 21600 Gold. Description: A spear used by a prince's body double to slay his employer. The traitor was later killed with the same spear. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 364 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Very Light Level 2: Attack Power: 418 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Light Level 3: Attack Power: 510 Magic Power: 60% Weight: Moderate Level 4: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? The Devil Queen Location: Found in a box near the base of the Lost Shrine, Revisited. Description: The favorite spear of a mad queen whose lust for power led her to kill all of her sons' wives. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 234 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Moderate Level 2: Attack Power: 268 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 325 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 383 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Very Heavy Sunrise Location: Purchase from the Blacksmith store at the The Aerie, Revisited, for 21600 Gold. Description: This spear's point is so finely honed that all who are grazed by it experience an instant, painless death. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 384 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Moderate Level 2: Attack Power: 442 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 531 Magic Power: 60% Weight: Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 625 Magic Power: 70% Weight: Very Heavy Beastcurse Location: Found inside a box in the Junk Heap, Revisited, just before the boss fight. Description: A noble lord commissioned this beastly weapon that the world might stand in awe of his power. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 247 Magic Power: 20% Weight: Heavy Level 2: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 3: Attack Power: 339 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 399 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Heavy Captain's Holy Spear Location: Purchase from the Blacksmith in Facade, Revisited, for ??? Gold. Description: ??? Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 2: Attack Power: 553 Magic Power: 60% Weight: Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 652 Magic Power: 70% Weight: Very Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: 693 Magic Power: 80% Weight: Very Heavy Dragoon Lance: Location: Found in a box in the Shadowlord's Castle, just before the spiral staircase. Description: ??? Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 300 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Moderate Level 2: Attack Power: 353 Magic Power: 40% Weight: Heavy Level 3: Attack Power: 416 Magic Power: 50% Weight: Heavy Level 4: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Phoenix Spear Location: Purchase from the Blacksmith shop in Facade, Revisited for ??? Gold. Description: ??? Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 2: Attack Power: 576 Magic Power: 60% Weight: Moderate Level 3: Attack Power: 679 Magic Power: 70% Weight: Moderate Level 4: Attack Power: 721 Magic Power: 80% Weight: Moderate Labyrinth's Shout Location: A reward for completing the quest, "The Damaged Map." Description: ??? Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 2: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 3: Attack Power: ??? Magic Power: ??? Weight: ??? Level 4: Attack Power: 460 Magic Power: 60% Weight: Very Heavy __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Words ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-07] \_\ As you fight shades, they'll occasionally give you "words." Words are earned randomly and automatically (you don't have to "collect" them, they fly to you. Each time you get a new word, you'll see a message, and you can always check to see which ones you have, and how many you have, through the menus. Words are used to modify specific weapons, magic spells, or martial arts (really just evading or blocking) with various stat bonuses or secondary effects. Each magic spell, weapon or martial art can be equipped with two different words, which also serve as prefixes for the weapon's name itself. For example, if you equip the katana, Faith, with the words Pah and Mahir, it will become the, "Pah Mahir Faith." Name: Pah Type: Weapons Effect: Attack Power +2% Name: Pahi Type: Weapons Effect: Attack Power +6% Name: Paho Type: Weapons Effect: Attack Power +8% Name: Pahu Type: Weapons Effect: Attack Power +20% Name: Pahal Type: Weapons Effect: Attack Power +12% Name: Pahil Type: Weapons Effect: Attack Power +15% Name: Pahol Type: Weapons Effect: Attack Power +20% Name: Pahuloth Type: Weapons Effect: Attack Power +30% Name: Vara Type: Weapons Effect: Guard Break +4% Name: Varu Type: Weapons Effect: Guard Break +10% Name: Varal Type: Weapons Effect: Guard Break +12% Name: Varul Type: Weapons Effect: Guard Break +25% Name: Geb Type: Magic Effect: Magic Power +2% Name: Gebi Type: Magic Effect: Magic Power +6% Name: Gebo Type: Magic Effect: Magic Power +8% Name: Gebal Type: Magic Effect: Magic Power +12% Name: Gebil Type: Magic Effect: Magic Power +15% Name: Gebol Type: Magic Effect: Magic Power +20% Name: Ula Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Armor Break +4% Name: Ul Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Armor Break +2% Name: Ula Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Armor Break +4% Name: Ulo Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Armor Break +8% Name: Ulu Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Armor Break +10% Name: Ulal Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Armor Break +12% Name: Ulil Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Armor Break +15% Name: Hoda Type: Martial Arts Effect: Knockback Resistance +4% Name: Hodi Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Knockback Resistance +6% Magic and Weapons: Level 2 Name: Hodo Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Knockback +8% Magic and Weapons: Level 3 Name: Hodu Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Knockback resistance +10% Magic and Weapons: Level 4 Name: Hodal Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Knockback resistance +12% Magic and Weapons: Level 5 Name: Hodil Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Knockback resistance +15% Magic and Weapons: Level 6 Name: Hoduloth Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Knockback resistance +39% Magic and Weapons: Level 9 Name: Bes Type: Martial Arts Effect: Physical Strength +2% Name: Besa Type: Martial Arts Effect: Physical Strength +4% Name: Besi Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Physical Strength +6% Magic and Weapons: Level 2 Name Besu Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Physical Strength +10% Magic and Weapons: Level 4 Name: Besil Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Physical Strength +15% Magic and Weapons: Level 6 Name: Besol Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Physical Strength +20% Magic and Weapons: Level 7 Name: Lug Type: Magic Effect: Magic Cost -2% Name: Luges Type: Magic Effect: Magic Cost -6% Name: Lugza Type: Magic Effect: Magic Cost -10% Name: Ot Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: EXP Rate +2% Name: Otir Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: EXP Rate +4% Name: Otka Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: EXP Rate +8% Name: Otza Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: EXP Rate +10% Name: Otira Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: EXP Rate +12% Name: Otesra Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: EXP Rate +15% Name: Otzarr Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: EXP Rate +25% Name: Otzarken Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: EXP Rate +30% Name: Mahir Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Item Drop Rate +4% Name: Mahes Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Item Drop Rate +6% Name: Mahka Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Item Drop Rate +8% Name: Mahira Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Item Drop Rate +12% Name: Mahzarr Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Item Drop Rate +25% Name: Mahzarken Type: Magic and Weapons Effect: Item Drop Rate +30% Name: Ashur Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Physical Defense +2% Magic and Weapons: Paralyze Name: Ashurir Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Physical Defense +4% Magic and Weapons: Confuse Name: Ashures Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Physical Defense +6% Magic and Weapons: Poison Name: Ashurka Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Physical Defense +8% Magic and Weapons: Weaken Name: Ashurkarr Type: Martial Arts Effect: Physical Defense +20% Name: Ashurzarr Type: Martial Arts Effect: Physical Defense +25% Name: Kon Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Magic Defense +2% Magic and Weapons: Poison Name: Kones Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Magic Defense +6% Magic and Weapons: Confuse Name: Konka Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Magic Defense +8% Magic and Weapons: Weaken Name: Konira Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: Magic Defense +12% Magic and Weapons: Drain HPO Name: Konesra Type: Martial Arts Effect: Magic Defense +15% Name: Konkarr Type: Martial Arts Effect: Magic Defense +20% Name: Solir Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: MP Recovery Rate +4% Effect: Magic and Weapons: Poison Name: Soles Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: MP Recovery Rate +6% Effect: Magic and Weapons: Paralyze Name: Solira Type: Magic, Weapons and Martial Arts Effect: Martial Arts: MP Recovery Rate +12% Effect: Magic and Weapons: Drain HP __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Items ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-08] \_\ Like most RPGs, there are a ridiculous number of items to collect in Nier. You can harvest items from dead animals, find items inside in the wide world, pick up items dropped by enemies, or buy items in stores. Nearly every item in the game has a specific use. Rather than sell all of your materials for spare gold, I recommend you always hold on to a set quantity of every item--20 is a good number--so that you're never in a position where you'll have to spend a lot of time mindlessly farming for items in order to finish a sidequest or upgrade a weapon. Trust me, you'll enjoy the game a lot more. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Recovery Items ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-08A] Medicinal Herb Restores up to 30% of the user's HP. Medicinal herbs are everywhere. In item stores, enemies drop 'em, most harvest points int the wilderness have 'em. Health Salve Restores up to 60% of the user's HP Recovery Potion Restores all of the user's HP. Strength Drop Doubles physical damage for 30 seconds. Strength Capsule Doubles physical damage for 60 seconds. Magic Drop Double magic damage for 30 seconds. Magic Capsule Doubles magic damage for 60 seconds. Defense Drop Halves damage from physical attacks for 30 seconds. Defense Capsule Halves damage from physical attacks for 60 seconds. Spirit Drop Halves damage from magical attacks for 30 seconds. Antidotal Weed Cures poison. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Raw Materials ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-08B] Aquatic Plant A plant species that makes its home in the water. Caught by accident while fishing. Rusty Bucket A rusty bucket made from rare and valuable metal alloys. Caught by accident while fishing. Gold Ore Gold that was mined from the earth. Found only at mineral harvest points. Also drops, rarely, from shades in the second part of the game. Silver Ore Silver that was mined from the earth. Found only at mineral harvest points. Also drops, rarely, from shades in the second part of the game. Copper Ore Copper that was mined from the earth. Found only at mineral harvest points. Also drops, rarely, from shades in the second part of the game. Iron Ore Iron that was mined from the earth. Found only at mineral harvest points. Also drops, rarely, from shades in the second part of the game. Pyrite A mined stone that creates sparks when struck. Found only at mineral harvest points. Also drops, rarely, from shades in the second part of the game. Amber A translucent jewel made of fossilized tree sap. You can find amber frequently inside the boxes in the vent room in the second basement level of the Junk Heap Fluorite A mined stone that holds a glow when exposed to the light. Found only at mineral harvest points. Also drops, rarely, from shades in the second part of the game. Clay Versatile soil used in pottery and construction. Found only at mineral harvest points. Very common. Berries Berries that have fallen from a tree. Found at harvest points in the Northern and Southern Plains, and sometimes along the eastern road. A fairly common drop. Look near bushes, and small shrubberies. Royal Fern A type of fern with edible leaf buds. Royal ferns are commonly found at harvest points in both the northern and southern plains, but occur more frequently in the southern plains. You can also purchase them from the item shop at Seafront. Tree Branch A perfectly sized tree branch. Only found at certain harvest points in the game, typically near trees. Seem to spawn most frequently along the eastern road. Natural Rubber An elastic substance obtained from trees. Ivy A plant that grows in thin vines. It's frequently used in rope. Found at harvest points in the northern and southern plains, and sometimes along the eastern road. A fairly common drop. Lichen A water-retaining plant used for fertilizer and as decoration. Found at harvest points in the northern and southern plains, and sometimes along the eastern road. A fairly common drop. Mushroom A multi-use fungus found at the base of trees. You can find mushrooms at harvest points along the eastern road, and can also purchase them from a grocer. Sap A sticky liquid secreted from tree trunks. Found at harvest points in the northern and southern plains, and sometimes along the eastern road. Mutton The tasty haunch of a sheep. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a sheep. Boar Meat The tasty haunch of a boar. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a wild boar. A common drop. Wool Fuzzy wool from a sheep. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a sheep. Technically a rare drop, but still very common. Boar Hide The hide of a boar. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a wild boar. It's a fairly common drop. Wolf Hide The hide of a wolf. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a wolf. A fairly common drop. Wolf Fang A sharp fang taken from a wolf. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a wolf. Something of a rare drop, but still fairly common. Giant Spider Silk Thread taken from a giant spider. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a giant spider, found only near the Haunted Manor in the first half of the game, before visiting it as part of the main story. Bat Fang The tiny fang of a bat. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a bat. A common drop. Bat Wing The wing of a bat. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a bat. A common drop. Goat Meat The not-so-tasty haunch of a goat. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a goat. A common drop. Goat Hide The hide of a goat. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a goat. A somewhat rare drop. Venison The tasty haunch of a deer. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a deer. A common drop. Rainbow Spider Silk Multicolored thread taken from a giant spider. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a giant spider, found only near the Haunted Manor in the first half of the game, before visiting it as part of the main story. A rare drop. Boar Liver A common folk remedy for stomach trouble and hangovers. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a wild boar. Something of a rare drop. Scorpion Claw A tough claw from a scorpion. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a scorpion. A fairly common drop. Scorpion Tail The poisonous tail of a scorpion. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a scorpion. A mildly rare drop. Dented Metal Board A machine part. Found throughout the Junk Heap. These are a common drop from most of the robots there, and can also be found inside boxes. Stripped Bolt A machine part. A common drop from the red-light robots in the Junk Heap. Broken Lens A machine part. A common drop from robots in the Junk Heap. Severed Cable A machine part. A common drop from robots in the Junk Heap. Found mostly in the second basement level. Broken Arm A machine part. A common drop from robots in the Junk Heap. Broken Antenna A machine part. A common drop from robots in the Junk Heap. Broken Motor A machine part. A common drop from robots in the Junk Heap. Dropped only by the flying robots encountered in the second basement level of the Junk Heap. Broken Battery A machine part. A common drop from robots in the Junk Heap. Mysterious Switch A machine part. A very rare drop from the more powerful robots in the Junk Heap. You'll want to farm in the second basement level. Machine Oil ??? A very rare drop from the stronger enemies in the Junk Heap. You'll need to farm enemies in the second basement level to find them. Large Gear A machine part. A very rare drop from the more powerful robots in the Junk Heap. Titanium Alloy A machine part made from an extremely rare metal. Titanium is a rare drop from robots in the Junk Heap. It drops from the red-light robots on the first floor and first basement level, as well as from most of the big, giant robots in the second basement level. Memory Alloy A machine part made from an extremely rare metal. Memory alloy, too, is a rare drop from robots in the Junk Heap. The giant robots you fight in the second basement level are what you're needing to kill--but remember, this is a very rare drop, so be prepared to spend a lot of time on 'em. Broken Earring An earring dropped by a Shade. Dropped by shades. A rare drop. Technical Guide A technical book written in an indecipherable language. Dropped by shades. A rare drop. Thick Dictionary A thick book full of big words. Dropped by shades. A common drop. Closed Book A photo album with the pages stuck together. Dropped by shades. A common drop. Used Coloring Book A picture book that's been scrawled on with crayon. Dropped by shades. A common drop. Old Schoolbook An old, tattered schoolbook. Dropped by shades. A common drop. Dirty Bag A worn and dirty bag. Dropped by shades. A rare drop. Leather Gloves Leather gloves that are cracked and stiff. Dropped by shades. A rare drop. Complex Machine A complex machine. Its purpose is a mystery. Complex machines drop from the same giant shades as simple machines, only these are a much rarer drop. Elaborate Machine An elaborate machine. Its purpose is a mystery. Also dropped from giant shades. Very rare, this one. Simple Machine A machine so simple, you can't determine its purpose. Simple machines drop from giant shades. It's a fairly common drop. Stopped Clock An inoperable clock. Rusty Kitchen Knife A rusty kitchen knife. Its serrated edge is breaking apart. Broken Saw A saw missing too many teeth to be of any use. Dropped by shades. A rare drop. Dented Metal Bat A noticeably dented metal bat. Dropped by shades. A rare drop. Shell A shell that washed ashore. Found only at harvest points along the beach (either one) in Seafront. Gastropod A gastropod from the ocean. Tasty when used in a stew. Found only at harvest points along the beach (either one) in Seafront. Bivalve A bivalve from the ocean. Often used in simple recipes. Found only at harvest points along the beach (either one) in Seafront. Seaweed Seaweed found by the ocean. A kitchen staple. Found only at harvest points along the beach (either one) in Seafront. Empty Bottle An empty bottle that washed ashore. Found only at harvest points along the beach (either one) in Seafront. A rare drop. Driftwood Old wood that washed ashore. Found only at harvest points along the beach (either one) in Seafront. A rare drop. Black Pearl A large, valuable pearl with a black veneer. Found only at harvest points along the beach (either one) in Seafront. A very rare drop. Starfish An ocean creature with multiple arms. Found only at harvest points along the beach (either one) in Seafront. Broken Pottery A rare item dug up while mining for ore. Broken pottery can be found at any "ore" harvest point, but it seems to more commonly appear near the Aerie. Desert Rose A rare item found in the desert. Giant Egg A rare egg that's a bit too large to be from a chicken. These eggs appear randomly at harvest points inside the village. Sometimes you can find five in a row, other times you can look 30 or 40 times and not find any. Damascus Steel A rare item found in the Junk Heap. Chicken Egg A simple chicken egg found only in certain areas. Mouse Tail A curly mouse tail. Only found by harvesting a mouse. You can find mice in the very first area of the Junk Heap, between the save point and the entrance to the dungeon. Lizard Tail A reptile tail that is still twitching. Only found by harvesting a lizard. You can find lizards near the cliffs leading down to the Junk Heap entrance and the river in the northern plains, as well as along the eastern road. Deer Antler A deer's antlers, shorn in mid-growth. Used in various medicines. Only found by harvesting the corpse of a deer, which are found only in the southern plains in the first part of the game. A rare drop. Log Processed timber that's ready for use. You can purchase logs from the Material Shop in the Village. Pearl A pearl that shines brightly Moldavite A mined stone that can be cut into a beautiful green jewel. Subdued Bracelet ??? Dropped by the flying shades in the desert. Metal Piercing ??? Also dropped by the flying shades in the desert. This one is the rarer drop. Large Gear ??? A rare drop from the gray robots in the Junk Heap, in the second basement level. A very rare drop. Forlorn Necklace ??? Forlorn necklaces drop from shade shamans in the Barren Temple in the second half of the game. You can also get them from the shade shamans that spawn in the Lost Shrine, near the end game. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Fishing Items ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-08C] Lugworm Bait loved by saltwater fish. IUse it at the right spot to fish. Earthworm Bait loved by freshwater fish. Ise it at the right spot to fish. Lure Fishing tackle. UIse it at the right spot to fish. Sardine A common saltwater fish that can also be used as bait. Carp A popular freshwater fish that can also be used as bait. Blowfish A toxic saltwater fish. The non-lethal parts are delicious. Bream A valuable saltwater fish eaten during auspicious occasions. Shark A saltwater fish known for its ferociousness. Rainbow Trout A freshwater fish that sports vibrant colors. Black Bass A freshwater fish found almost everywhere. Hyneria A legendary freshwater fish that has existed for millennia. Shaman Fish A saltwater fish often used for medicinal purposes. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Cultivation Items ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-08D] Speed Fertilizer Increases growth speed, allowing you to harvest earlier. Flowering Fertilizer Increases the length of the flowering and harvesting periods. Bounty Fertilizer Increases the output of a harvest. Pumpkin Seed A pumpkin seed that you can plant in the field. Gourd Seed A gourd seed that you can plant in the field. Tomato Seed A tomato seed that you can plant in the field. Eggplant Seed An eggplant seed that you can plant in the field. Bell Pepper Seed A bell pepper seed that you can plant in the field. Bean Seed A bean seed that you can plant in the field. Wheat Seedling A wheat seedling that you can plant in the field. Rice Plant Seedling A rice plant seedling that you can plant in the field. Dahlia Bulb A dahlia bulb that you can plant in the field. Tulip Bulb A tulip bulb that you can plant in the field. Freesia bulb A freesia bulb that you can plant in the field. Red Moonflower Seed A moonflower seed that you can plant in the field. Gold Moonflower Seed A moonflower seed that you can plant in the field. Blue Moonflower Seed A moonflower seed that you can plant in the field. Pumpkin An orange-colored fruit often used as a decoration during the winter months. Watermelon Children often hold spitting contests with the seeds of this fruit. Melon A sweet-smalling fruit that's quite popular among odler women. Gourd Many people use these empty shells as water containers. Tomato A vegetable suitable for both eating and throwing at stage performers. Eggplant A smooth, dark-colored fruit beloved by vegetarians. Bell Pepper A vegetable with a bitter taste. Most children run from these in terror. Beans Ancient lore claims this fruit is musical. Wheat Used to make bread, but also eaten plain during tough times. Rice Some folks cook and eat this, while others use it to brew their own wine. Dahlia Flower A beautiful flower with a long, rich history. Freesia Flower Flowers that are popular among ladies. Don't go on a date without one! __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Key Items ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-08E] Moon Key A key found in the manor. The word "Moon" is written on it. Star Key A key found in the manor. The word "Star" is written on it. Light Key A key found in the manor. The word "Light" is written on it. Darkness Key A key found in the manor. The word "Darkness" is writeen on it. Royal Compass A royal compass that helps the user navigate sandstorms. Vapor Moss A medicine to heplp Yonah's cough. Max's Herbs Even in death, Max kept these in his mouth. Employee List A list of personnel employed at the laboratory. Yonah's Ribbon A charming ribbon that Yonah wore in her hair. Bronze Key A bronze key found in the Lost Shrine. Boar Tusk A tusk from an old, cunning boar. Fighters in possession of one of these gain the respect of other boars. Potted Freesia A potted freesia, ready for delivery to The Aerie. AA Keycard A keycard, marked "AA," discovered in the manor basement. KA Keycard A keycard, marked "KA," discovered in the manor basement. SA Keycard A keycard , marked "SA," discovered in the manor basement. TA Keycard A keycard, marked "TA," discovered in the manor basement. NA Keycard A keycard, marked "NA," discovered in the manor basement. HA Keycard A keycard, marked "HA," discovered in the manor basement. MA Keycard A keycard, marked "MA," discovered in the manor basement. YA Keycard A keycard, marked "YA," discovered in the manor basement. RA Keycard A keycard, marked "RA," discovered in the manor basement. WA Keycard A keycard, marked "WA," discovered in the manor basement. World Map A map of the entire region. Nier's Village Map A map of Nier's village. Lost Shrine Map A mpa of the Lost Shrine. The Aerie Map A map of The Aerie. Seafront Map A map of Seafront. Desert Map A map of the desert. Facade Map A map of Facade. Barren Temple Map A map of the Barren Temple. Junk Heap Area Map A map of the area near the Junk Heap. Junk Heap Map A map of the Junk Heap. Manor Map A map of the manor. Forset of Mythi Map A map of the Forest of Myth. Underground Facility Map A map of the underground facility. Northern Plains Map A map of the northern plains. Southern Plains Map A map of the southern plains. Eastern Road Map A map of the eastern road. __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Fishing ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-09] \_\ Odds are, you tried to tackle the fishing game on your own at first, and odds are you absolutely hated it. Thing is, the in-game explanation for how to fish is absolute garbage. Forget it. Nier's fishing game is deceptively simple--almost too simple. Here's what you're doing: you press cross (or A) to cast your line. Don't worry, it's not supposed to go very far and you can't alter the distance. Watch the tip of the fishing pole. It will bob up and down a few times. Wait for it to bend down further than normal, and press cross--and hold it. You are now reeling the fish in. This is where things get tricky: the fish will swim from side to side. The protagonist will automatically move his body in the opposite direction of the fish--you cannot control which way he moves. What you need to do is to pull the move the left analog stick along the exact same angle as his body. If the protagonist is standing still, pull down. If he's pulling to the left, you pull to the left, and vis versa. The red bar at the bottom is the tension meter. So long as it's red and making that lovely clicking sound, you're doing fine. If it turns yellow, you no longer have the analog stick in precisely the right location--shift it until it turns red again to reel in the fish. Like I said: deceptively easy. You can increase your fishing skill by completing the, "Fisherman's Gambit," series of quests. Fishing skill effects the amount of time it takes to reel in different kinds of fish. The lower your skill, the longer you'll be reeling. Anyway, different fish are caught in different locations, with different bait. Messing up while fishing either means losing your bait, or catching useless junk. You can purchase additional bait from the bait shop in Seafront. Fish and their locations are as follows: Name: Shaman Fish Location: Seafront Bait: Lure Name: Sardine Location: Seafront Bait: Lugworm Name: Blowfish Location: Seafront Bait: Lugworm Name: Bream Location: Seafront Bait: Lure Name: Shark Location: Seafront Bait: Sardine Name: Blue Marlin Location: Seafront Bait: Sardine Name: Dunkleosteus Location: Seafront Bait: Sardine Name: Carp Location: Village Bait: Earthworm Name: Rainbow Trout Location: Northern Plains Bait: Lure Name: Black Bass Location: Village Bait: Lure Name: Giant Catfish Location: Eastern Road Bait: Carp Name: Royal Fish Location: Eastern Road Bait: Earthworm Name: Hyneria Location: Desert Bait: Sardine Name: Sandfish Location: Desert Bait: Lure Name: Rhizodant Location: Desert Bait: Carp Keep in mind that even with a high fishing skill, some of the rarer fish may involve long, tedious games of tug-of war. That said, good luck catching 'em all! __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Downloadable Content ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-10] \_\ "The World of the Recycled Vessel" Release Date: May 11, 2010 Pricing: �6.99, $6.99, 560 Microsoft Points Content: Recycled Vessel contains 15 challenge levels, new music, two new costumes for each of the three main characters (Nier, Kaine and Emil), three new weapons and an additional bonus quest that delves into Nier's past, as he explores the mysteries surrounding his wife's death. __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Side Quests ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-010A] "The Recycled Vessel" Location: Village, Nier's House Walkthrough: Examine the diary on the first floor of Niers house to start the quest. You'll be transported to a white plane with two large doors. The door immediately behind you is the exit. You want to head toward the far door. Door 1: >Either run down the very, very long winding staircase, killing all of the shades that spawn as you do, or simply jump straight down to the bottom floor and let them come to you. Kill all of the shades and bats, and the boss will appear. Kill the boss, and you'll be warped to a very psychadellic version of the manor. >Kill all of the shades. You'll the be warped to the library. The shades that spawn here are very weak, but they can teleport away from your attacks, so be careful. After you kill all of the shades here, you'll earn the one-handed sword, Fool's Embrace. >Now you'll find yourself in the Lost Shrine's main chamber. Kill all of the shades, and then take out the boss. The next area is a 2D platformer level, peppered with enemies. Make your way across the level, killing all of the shades that appear. At the end, defeat the boss to earn the costume set, Kabuki. You will then return to the white plane. Door 2: >Kill the boss. New rules will come into effect one after another, so you'll want to take him out as soon as you can. Once he'd dead, you'll warp to the Junk heap. Fight your way past all the shades, and you'll end up on the large circular platform. Kill all of the robots. Once all of them are dead, you will earn the two-handed sword, Fool's Lament. >You'll find yourself in a new area: an industrial park. Kill all of the big shades. I'd recommend using magic. Next, you'll wind up in Facade for an interesting first-person rail-shooting experience. The enemies here won't fight back, so just have fun shooting at them. Once you complete a full circuit, you'll obtain the costume set, Samurai. You will then return to the white plane. Door 3: >Another new area: kill all of the shades on the wooden platforms. When they've all been taken care of, a giant boss will appear: kill it. Next, you'll wind up back in the library with three angry boars and a whole lot of shades. Ignore the shades and focus on the boars. Keep an eye on your HP and keep it full. Don't skimp on the medicinal herbs--when they die (and the boars will frequently kill them) the shades drop medicinal herbs. >The next area is the Haunted Manor's underground facility. Fight your way past all of the shades. Remember to keep an eye on your HP meter, and don't forget to break open all the boxes you see for rare materials. Once you've fought off all the shades, you'll earn the spear, Fool's Accord. >Next, you'll find yourself in a long corridor. Kill all of the shades and make your way to the other end of the hall. When all the shades are done away with, the boss will appear: kill him. Melee attacks work best. >Now you'll find yourself at the top of a broken bridge. Kill all of the shades, and then jump down to the bridge below. Keep killing shades and moving down until you reach the very bottom. You will now face one boss after another. Keep a very close eye on your HP meter and try to always have at least 75% of your HP intact. When you've defeated all of the bosses.... __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Weapons ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-10B] Fool's Embrace Location: DLC "The World of Recycled Memories" - Door 1 Description: A sword created after a man, driven mad by revenge, sealed away a cursed dragon. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 200 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Very Heavy Fool's Lament Location: DLC "The World of Recycled Memories" - Door 2 Description: A weapon with a heroic dragon motif, used by a man who tried to save the world. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 400 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Very Heavy Fool's Accord Location: DLC "The World of Recycled Memories" - Door 3 Description: A lance birthed as part of a pact with an ancient red dragon. Statistics: Level 1: Attack Power: 300 Magic Power: 30% Weight: Very Heavy __ __ \ \____ _____/ / | ____> ~ Costumes ~ <_____ | /_/ \_\ [N-10C] When you unlock new costume sets, you can only apply them via the options menu from the main menu screen. If a costume is unlocked, you can apply it and then start a new game with the costumes applied. Each costume is a set--choose one, and all of your characters will wear the costumes of that set. Kabuki Costumes Location: DLC "The World of Recycled Memories" - Door 1 Samurai Costumes Location: DLC "The World of Recycled Memories" - Door 2 __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Cheats & Extras ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-11] \_\ Farming is tied to the PS3's clock, so if, for some reason, you want to speed up the amount of time it takes to harvest a plant after planting it, simply change your PS3's time a day or so. If you're playing Nier on an Xbox 360, you will need to disconnect from Xbox Live in order to change your console's time and date settings. When you fall from a certain height, you will crumple on the ground. You don't take any damage, but you can't move until Nier stands back up again. To keep from falling on your face, execute a double jump just before landing. When you charge a Dark Lance magic attack, time slows down. When you have a large number of spears queued up, you can aim carefully thanks to the slowed time... but if you miss your target, you can still adjust the targeting crosshairs for the remaining missiles. __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Trophies & Achievements~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-12] \_\ Trophies and achievements for are identical across the board, but I've gone ahead and supplied both lists. Trophies are listed in alphabetical order, separated by type--first bronze, then silver, then gold and, lastly, platinum. Achievements are sorted similarly: they are in alphabetical order, separated according to value--from least worth to greatest worth. TROPHIES: A World in Flux (B) Defeat the Shadowlord. All Aboard! (B) Ride a Wild Boar for 5 minutes. Combo Fanatic (B) Achieve a 50-hit combo. Educated Warrior (B) Read the final novel segment. Fish of Legend (B) Catch a Rhizodant. Jack of all Trades (B) Complete 20 quests. Key Collector (B) Find the key to the Shadowlord's Castle. Legendary Gardener (B) Grow a Legendary Flower. Man of Means (B) Accumulate one million gold. Material Hunter (B) Collect 50 types of raw material. Mellow Companion (B) Emil joins the party. Reform Specialist (B) Completely upgrade 15 weapons. Release (B) Set Kaine free. The Book of Legend (B) Grimoire Weiss joins the party. The Magic Man (B) Learn every magic spell. The Sheep Whisperer (B) Kill 100 sheep. The Wild Companion (B) Kaine joins the party. Village Handyman (B) Complete 10 quests. Upgrade Apprentice (B) Completely upgrade 5 weapons. Wordsmith (B) Collect 50% of all words. A Dirge for the Hero (S) Defeat Goose within 120 seconds. A Round by the Pond (S) Catch every type of fish. A True Friend (S) Hold off the berserk Kaine within 60 seconds. Book Burner (S) Defeat Grimoire Noir within 210 seconds. Boss of the Junk Heap (S) Defeat P-33 within 270 seconds. Call Her Back (S) View Ending A. Combo Mater (S) Achieve a 100-hit combo. Forging Master (S) Completely upgrade 30 weapons. Go-To Guy (S) Complete 30 quests. King of the Lost Shrine (S) Defeat Gretel within 210 seconds. Lightspeed Fighter (S) Beat the game in 15 hours or less. Lingering Memories (S) View Ending B. Permission Granted (S) Drive off the Twins within 150 seconds. Protector of Facade (S) Defeat Roc within 210 seconds. Scourge of the Aerie (S) Defeat Wendy within 510 seconds. Soul Crusher (S) Defeat the Twins within 210 seconds. The Once and Final King (S) Defeat the Shadowlord within 210 seconds. The Strongest Bond (S) Defeat the berserk Kaine within 210 seconds. Weapons Collector (S) Obtain every weapon. Something Very Special (G) View Ending D. Thank You (G) View Ending C. Platinum (P) Obtain every other trophy. ACHIEVEMENTS: A Dirge for the Hero (10) Defeat a certain boss within 2 minutes. A Round by the Pond (10) You caught one of every type of fish. A True Friend (10) Defeat a certain boss within 1 minute. A World in Flux (10) You defeated the Shadowlord. All Aboard! (10) You rode a boar for at least 5 minutes. Book Burner (10) Defeat a certain boss within 1 and a half minutes. Boss of the Junk Heap (10) Defeat a certain boss within 4 and a half minutes. Educated Warrior (10) Read the final novel segment. Fish of Legend (10) You caught a rhizodont. Go-To Guy (10) Complete 30 quests. Jack of All Trades (10) Complete 20 quests. King of the Lost Shrine (10) Defeat a certain boss within 2 and a half minutes. Legendary Gardener (10) You successfully cultivated the legendary flower. Lightspeed Fighter (10) You completed the game within 15 hours. Man of Means (10) Accumulate 1,000,000 pieces of gold. Material Hunter (10) You collected 50 types of raw materials. Permission Granted (10) Defeat a certain boss within 2 and a half minutes. Reform Specialist (10) You upgraded 15 weapons to their maximum level. Soul Crusher (10) Defeat a certain boss within 3 and a half minutes. The Mellow Companion (10) Emil joined your party. The Sheep Whisperer (10) You killed 100 sheep. Upgrade Apprentice (10) You upgraded 5 weapons to their maximum level. Village Handyman (10) Complete 10 quests. Wordsmith (10) Collect 50 percent of all words. Combo Fanatic (15) Pull off a 50-hit combo. The Magic Man (15) Learn every type of magic. Forging Master (20) You upgraded 30 weapons to their maximum level. Key Collector (20) You unlocked the key to the Shadowlord's castle. Release (20) You freed Kaine from her petrification. The Book of Legend (20) Grimoire Weiss joined your party. The Once and Final King (20) Defeat a certain boss within 3 and a half minutes. The Wild Companion (20) Kaine joined your party. Combo Master (30) Pull off a 100-hit combo. The Strongest Bond (30) Defeat a certain boss within 3 and a half minutes. Weapons Collector (30) Find every weapon. Call Her Back (100) You viewed the first ending (Ending A) Lingering Memories (100) You viewed the second ending (Ending B). Thank You (100) You viewed the third ending (Ending C). Something Very Special (200) You viewed the fourth ending (Ending D). __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Frequently Asked Questions ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-13] \_\ Q: I keep killing ____s, but I'm not getting any rare drops. Why is this process so tedious, and is there anything I can do to make it easier? A: The only thing you can really do is to equip words that effect the item drop rate onto your weapons or magic (whichever you are using to land the killing blow). It'll still be tedious, because item drop rate doesn't effect the chances of rare drops, but could possibly become marginally less tedious. Q: According to your FAQ, ____ is supposed to appear at a harvest point in ____. I keep searching the area, but I haven't found it. A: Harvest points yield random items. It's just like killing monsters--a rare drop is a rare drop. You'll just have to keep reloading the area until you find something else, or do what I do: forget about it, focus on something else, and let the item come to you. It's very zen. Q: What's the difference between Nier Replicant and Nier Gestalt? A: Nier Replicant features a younger protagonist, you is Yonah's older brother. Nier Gestalt features an older protagonist who is Yonah's father. A few, very minor bits of dialog in the game differ between versions to reflect that change, but for the most part both versions are identical. And, oddly enough, both protagonists are ugly as sin, and leap into the air like blind, drunk chimps. Q: Are there any differences between the PS3 version and the Xbox 360 version of Nier? A: No. Unless you're living in Japan, all versions of the game are identical--and all are Nier Gestalt. If you're in Japan, the PS3 version would be Nier Replicant. Q: Is Kaine a hermaphrodite? A: No. Q: Really? A: *Sigh* I really hate this subject, because nothing good ever comes from it. You really want to know? Fine, I'll tell you. Kaine is "abnormal." That's all the information the game gives you. There is no explicit, or even implicit reference to her being a hermamphrodite. If you wish to think of her as being an intersex individual, the game provides sufficient details to support that belief. If you do not wish to think of her thusly, the game is sufficiently vague on the matter that you are free to do so. This element, or non-element of the story is not directly in the game, and has absolutely no bearing on the experience. Don't worry about it, it's the kind of thing you'd never even consider unless someone told you to. Q: I keep fighting ____ enemies, but I'm not getting any rare drops! Is there any way to make this easier? A: Yes and no. There are certain words that you can apply to weapons and magic that increase the rate at which enemies drop items... but they do NOT effect the percentage of those drops that are rare items. Keep in mind that for some of the more valuable rare drops, multiple enemies have them, so try alternating your targets from time to time if you're feeling annoyed. Q: Why isn't ____ quest in your Side Quests section? A: I realize I'm missing a few quests. If you don't mind, email me the title of the quest that is missing, and I'll be sure to include it in the FAQ the next time I update. Q: Why isn't this FAQ finished yet? A: Because, in my infinite wisdom, I decided not only to purchase a long, involving RPG at the end of the semester, but also to write a FAQ for it... right before Finals Week. Just be patient, alright? Q: Would you accept help with this Guide? A: Almost certainly. If you can contribute something (several people have already done so) simply e-mail me. Anything, no matter so small, is fine. So long as it's not information I already have, I'll be more than glad to use your information and credit you accordingly. Q: I've noticed that several people have contributed information to this guide. What happens if two people submit the same information? A: In that case I would (and already have) credit both people. I typically update the FAQ every week, and so long as you're sending me something that's not in the FAQ currently posted on GameFAQs, provided I haven't ascertained the information on my own, I will credit you. If ten people people email me to say X number should be Y, I credit all ten people. Q: What should I do if I'm unable to find out what I want in your guide? A: You may either email me ([email protected]) or ask on the Nier BBS at GameFAQs.com. Q: Why didn't you respond to my email? A: There are two possible reasons. First, it's possible that your email was caught in my spam filter. I generally scan through my spam folder before purging it, but it's entirely possible I deleted a �real� email by accident. It's also very possible that I HAVE responded to your email, and you simply haven't received the reply yet. Email isn't always instantaneous, ya' know. I read every email I see and always reply (if necessary). Before re-sending an email, or emailing me again to ask me whether or not I revived your first email, please... wait a day or two. __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Update Log ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-14] \_\ May 2010 (v.0.05) -Basic FAQ construction complete. There's a little bit of content, but it's still pretty sparse. May 2010 (v.0.45) -Added sidequest wakthroughs--roughly half the quests in the game are now up. -Added weapon information. -Added word information. -Added item information. -Added FAQ. -Added fishing section. -Added trophies & achievements section. May 2010 (v.0.55) -Started up the wakthrough for part 1. -Updated DLC information. -Updated FAQ. May 2010 (v.0.65) -Added quest information. -Added DLC section with weapon infromation and walkthrough. -Corrected quest information. -Corrected DLC pricing information. May 2010 (v.0.80) -Finished the walkthrough for the first part of the game. May 2010 (v.1.00) -Completed Walkthrough section. -Completed Side Quests section. -Completed Items section. -Completed Weapons section. -FAQ no 100% complete. Future updates will be minor. __ __ \ \ __ __ / / \ \__\ \____ _____/ /__/ / | __ ____> ~ Acknowledgments ~ <_____ __ | / / /_/ \_\ \ \ /_/ [N-15] \_\ I would like to thank the following people for contributing information used in the construction of this FAQ: Ben Asher -Quest Information Rami Baaj -Quest Information Bal-Sag0th, of GameFAQs -Quest Information sillyblackbird, of GameFAQs -Weapon Information KiraYamatoDaMan -Weapon Information XxLocklear -Quest Information If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to write me at the following email address: [email protected]