2B and A2 playable in Stellar Blade’s epic NieR: Automata DLC (2024)

The Stellar Blade collab fans have been begging for is finally happening, the NieR: Automata x Stellar Blade crossover. The collab, which will take the form of a paid DLC, will allow players to play as 2B and A2, two protagonists from PlatinumGames Inc's Nier:Automata action RPG.

Shift Up and PlayStation teased the NieR: Automata DLC back in September, showing 2B standing in front of the ruins of Eidos 7, where Stellar Blade's story unfolds. No other details were shared at that time but it was DEFINITELY worth the wait.

The Nov. 20 update to Stellar Blade will include the NieR: Automata DLC, as a additional paid option. The DLC will - rather incredibly - allow you to equip EVE with a 2B or A2 skin and to play through the entire game.

From the DLC trailer we can see there are multiple 2B outfits, which should delight gamers worldwide. It includes 2B's iconic black dress, as well as two eye-catching variations. Meanwhile A2's outfit is a replica of her look in NieR: Automata. However, don't be surprised if Shift Up is holding back an outfit or two before the launch of the DLC.

Fans of NieR: Automata will also recognise Emil from the DLC trailer. Emil will act as a shop keeper and offer eleven collab-exclusive items.

Both 2B and A2 wield swords in NieR: Automata, so it will be interesting to see what weapon customization will be available. Especially given Shift Up have not specified what the eleven collab-exclusive items are.

No, the NieR: Automata DLC will be paid. Shift Up confirmed on November 15 via social media: "The NieR DLC is paid, while the rest of the Photo Mode and costume updates are FREE". The cost of the DLC has not yet been shared.

2B and A2 will be added to Stellar Blade on Nov. 20 as part of the NieR: Automata DLC included in the second major update to the game.

For those unaware, Stellar Blade's director Kim Hyung Tae has often cited NieR: Automata as being the inspiration for the game. Meanwhile NieR: Automata's director Yoko Taro praised Stellar Blade back in April, claiming it was "much better" than NieR: Automata.

The two directors took an iconic photo together for IGN Japan, and we can see from the promo images for the NieR: Automata DLC that it includes a Yoko Taro skin for NPC Adam.

This is the second time Shift Up have done a collab involving 2B and A2. Both characters appeared in Shift Up's mobile game Goddess of Victory: NIKKE as playable characters in a collaboration event back in September 2023.

The direction of the outfits in the Stellar Blade x NieR: Automata collab marks a continued shift by the developer. Ahead of the launch of Stellar Blade, a glimpse of the now infamous EVE Skin Suit in the demo drove a lot of attention to the game. The revealing nature of the outfit - much like 2B's and Bayonetta's - started a discourse over sexualization of female characters in video games.

Shift Up then soon came under fire post-launch in April for censoring outfits of Stellar Blade EVE to be less revealing, most notably the Holiday Bunny outfit. The outfits were changed on a Day 1 patch. Some gamers felt it was perhaps a decision by publisher Sony. The changes caused such a stir that Stellar Blade's Director Kim Hyung-Tae was forced to comment, stating it was as intended.

Despite this, Shift Up later made up for it with the summer update, quietly adding the uncensored EVE outfits in the summer update. For many the NieR: Automata DLC is the ultimate fan service, and offers a chance to see 2B, a beloved female protagonist, return on a next-gen console. What is more, with the PS5 Pro just around the corner, this DLC could drive significant sales for Stellar Blade heading into 2025.