Ending C
A brother's mercy in the face of madness.
Ending C is one of the possible conclusions in Nier Replicant, reached during a third or further playthrough of the game. It presents a harrowing choice for the protagonist after Kainé becomes overwhelmed by the rogue Gestalt Tyrann and goes berserk. This ending forces the player to confront the cost of mercy in a world already marked by loss and sacrifice.
Quick Facts
- Game
- NieR Replicant
- Outcome
- Nier kills Kainé to end her suffering
- Theme
- Sacrifice and Loss
Lore & Background
This ending crystallizes the tragic consequences of Kainé's possession by Tyrann. After being freed from petrification, Kainé's past is explored, showing the discrimination she suffered due to her parents' deaths, being born intersex, and later being partially possessed by Tyrann. In a third or further playthrough, Kainé becomes overwhelmed by Tyrann, going berserk and forcing the protagonist to fight her. The player is given a choice: kill her to end her suffering (the third ending) or sacrifice his life for her (the fourth ending). Ending C represents the choice to end Kainé's suffering permanently.
Reader's Guide
To unlock Ending C, players must complete the main campaign at least twice. After the first playthrough, new story sequences show the Gestalt antagonists' motivations and backstory, revealing them to be sentient. On a third or further playthrough, the critical moment arrives after Kainé is freed from petrification. Later in the story, Kainé becomes overwhelmed by Tyrann and goes berserk. The player must fight her. At the climax of this battle, the player is presented with a choice. Selecting the option to kill her to end her suffering triggers Ending C. This ending concludes with the protagonist ending Kainé's life, stopping her rampage. It is a direct, tragic conclusion that does not require the player to sacrifice their own save data. This ending is one of two possible outcomes from this confrontation, the alternative being Ending D, where the protagonist sacrifices himself for her.
More in Story & Endings
Elsewhere in Nier Replicant
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