In NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 , players embark on an emotional journey filled with quests, combat, and character development. One particular side quest, Staying Afloat, becomes available during the second half of the game and is set in the town of Seafront. Though seemingly simple at first, this task reveals deeper insights into the NPCs of Seafront and provides rewards useful to the player. Like many of NieR Replicant’s quests, Staying Afloat combines gameplay mechanics with subtle storytelling elements, enriching the immersive experience the game is known for.
How to Unlock the Staying Afloat Quest
The Staying Afloat side quest is not available immediately when the player first arrives in Seafront. Instead, it appears in the second half of the game, after the time skip. Once you gain access to Seafront again and are working to complete the main story objectives, take some time to revisit the town and speak with its residents to unlock new quests.
Starting the Quest
To begin the Staying Afloat quest, follow these steps:
- Travel to Seafront after the time skip.
- Locate the fisherman near the docks, standing close to where boats are moored.
- Talk to the fisherman; he will mention that he needs some help gathering materials to repair boats.
This initiates the quest and sets you on a task to collect specific crafting materials.
Objectives and Required Items
After starting the Staying Afloat quest, the fisherman will ask you to bring him10 logsand10 dented metal boards. While the request seems basic, sourcing the items can take some time, especially if you’re unfamiliar with their farming locations.
Where to Find Logs
Logs are a common item in NieR Replicant, but finding 10 of them requires a bit of effort if you don’t already have some in your inventory. Here are the best ways to gather them:
- Purchase from the Material Shop in your hometown (Village): The vendor often sells logs, making this the fastest and most reliable method.
- Random drops in the Northern or Southern Plains: Logs can occasionally be found by breaking boxes or looting defeated enemies in outdoor zones.
Where to Find Dented Metal Boards
Dented metal boards are less common than logs and require defeating specific enemy types. These are mechanical components dropped by certain Shades or robots in the Barren Temple or Junk Heap:
- Junk Heap B2 level: This area contains robots that frequently drop dented metal boards. Equip item drop-boosting Words or weapons for better chances.
- Junk Heap quests: Completing quests related to the Junk Heap sometimes yields dented metal boards as rewards.
Collecting 10 of each item may take some time, depending on your preparation and inventory.
Completing the Quest
Once you’ve gathered all 10 logs and 10 dented metal boards, return to the fisherman at Seafront. Speak with him to deliver the materials. He’ll thank you for your help in repairing the town’s boats and reward you with a modest amount of gold for your effort.
Quest Reward
- Reward: 20,000 gold
While the reward is not extravagant, the quest helps build your relationship with the townsfolk and adds to your completion percentage, which is vital if you’re aiming for 100% completion in the game.
Quest Significance and Themes
Like many side quests in NieR Replicant, Staying Afloat offers more than just a fetch-and-return objective. It reflects on the themes of survival and resilience. Seafront is a coastal town that relies heavily on its fishing industry, and helping maintain the fleet allows its people to continue their way of life.
Symbolism in the Task
The name Staying Afloat itself is symbolic. It’s not just about repairing boats it also symbolizes how the residents of Seafront are struggling to survive in a world crumbling under the weight of loss and shadowy threats. By collecting and delivering materials, the protagonist becomes part of their struggle and a source of hope for continuity.
World-Building and Character Connection
Though the quest does not involve dramatic plot developments, it adds emotional weight to Seafront’s setting. You see how each character has a role in their community, and through your assistance, the world feels more alive and connected. This sense of interwoven lives and small, human stories is what makes NieR Replicant so unique and touching.
Tips for Efficiency
To complete Staying Afloat efficiently, here are some helpful tips:
- Pre-farm materials: If you know this quest is coming, gather logs and dented metal boards ahead of time.
- Equip Words with item drop boosts: This increases your chance of getting dented metal boards from robots.
- Use fast travel: Unlocking the boathouse fast travel system makes it quicker to move between the Village, Junk Heap, and Seafront.
- Visit shops regularly: Sometimes, logs are available in limited quantities at vendors. Stock up when you see them.
Why Complete Side Quests Like Staying Afloat?
While many side quests in NieR Replicant are optional, completing them adds layers to the game’s narrative and helps build a more immersive experience. These tasks show you the everyday lives of people in a crumbling world and let you contribute to their survival in subtle but meaningful ways.
Additionally, completing side quests contributes toward unlocking trophies and endings. Players aiming for the full experience, including all major endings and narrative reveals, should complete as many side quests as possible.
Emotional Payoff
The emotional tone of NieR Replicant is often set not just through its main storyline but also through its world-building details. Side quests like Staying Afloat offer insight into how ordinary people cope with hardship. These quiet moments of assistance and connection resonate deeply, especially when contrasted with the game’s larger themes of loss and identity.
Staying Afloat is a short yet meaningful side quest in NieR Replicant that represents the heart of what makes the game so memorable. While it involves simple material collection, the symbolic nature of the task, its contribution to world-building, and the emotional undertone make it more than just another quest. By helping a fisherman keep his boats functional, you become part of the quiet resistance against despair in a world plagued by chaos. As you navigate the haunting beauty of NieR Replicant, quests like this remind you that even the smallest acts of service matter in the fight to hold on to hope.