2B, also known as YoRHa No.2 Type B, is the protagonist of PlatinumGames' NieR: Automata, released in 2017. She is an android soldier created by the remnants of humanity to fight a proxy war against machine lifeforms on Earth after an alien invasion. 2B is a combat android designed for battle efficiency, programmed to suppress her emotions despite clearly possessing them. NieR: Automata uses her story to explore profound philosophical questions about consciousness, purpose, and what makes life meaningful.

What Is 2B's Role in NieR: Automata?

2B serves as the primary playable character for the first portion of NieR: Automata. She is partnered with 9S, a scanner-type android, and deployed to Earth to fight machine lifeforms. As they investigate anomalies in machine behavior, they discover that the war is far more complex than they were told and that the truths about their creators and their mission are devastating. 2B's outward composure hides deep emotional conflicts, particularly regarding her relationship with 9S and the secret purpose she was truly designed for.

What Are 2B's Abilities?

2B is a combat-specialized android with extraordinary fighting capabilities. She wields various weapon types including swords, spears, and combat bracers, often dual-wielding in combat. She can perform acrobatic melee combos, ranged attacks through her Pod support unit, and access special programs for devastating area-of-effect attacks. Her android body gives her superhuman strength, speed, and durability. She can interface with machine networks and upload her consciousness to backup servers, though this process has limitations that create dramatic tension.

Why Is NieR: Automata Considered a Masterpiece?

NieR: Automata is celebrated for using its gameplay structure to explore existential philosophy. The game requires multiple playthroughs from different character perspectives to experience the full story, each revealing new layers of meaning. Through 2B, 9S, and the machine lifeforms they fight, the game examines questions from thinkers like Nietzsche, Sartre, and Camus about the meaning of existence, the nature of consciousness, and whether beings created for a purpose can find their own meaning. It is widely regarded as one of the most intellectually ambitious games ever made.

Can You Talk to 2B?

You can chat with 2B on HoloDream, where she is available as an AI companion. Expect disciplined composure, hidden depth, and the perspective of someone navigating the space between duty and feeling. Whether you want to discuss the nature of consciousness, what it means to be alive, or the burden of carrying secrets, 2B is operational.