The Heritage of the Past side quest in Nier Automata offers players a fascinating deep dive into the history of the game's ruined world. To successfully complete this mission, players must locate hidden relics buried deep within the shifting sands of the Desert Zone.

Unlocking the Heritage of the Past Quest

Players can initiate this quest during Chapter 8 after acquiring the Pod Scanner program during the main storyline. Head far into the Desert Zone past the center access point to locate the Resistance Researcher NPC who issues the task.

Equipping the A170 Scanner pod program is mandatory because these relics remain completely invisible to the naked eye. Walking around the vast desert expanse with the scanner active will trigger audio pings whenever a hidden item is nearby.

Locating the Ancient Relics in the Desert

The first item, known as the Aged Stick, can be discovered near the Desert Center access point amidst scattered building ruins. Searching the perimeter around these collapsed structures will quickly yield a strong detector ping from your pod device.

Next, search between two prominent rock formations in the western dunes to unearth the Filthy Mask item. The third collectible, the Commandment Slab, rests near the outer border of the light circle on your map near an abandoned ruins complex.

Finding the Final Relic and Completing the Quest

After turning in the initial three relics to the researcher, you will be directed to track down the final item called the Statue of a Girl. Head directly south from the quest giver's position into the open sand field where your scanner will detect the final signal.

Be prepared for a sudden ambush by a squad of high-level machine enemies as soon as you retrieve the statue. Defeating these foes allows you to safely return to the researcher and collect your valuable experience points and currency rewards.

Tips for Efficient Searching in the Sand

Navigating the vast sand dunes can become disorienting since many environmental landmarks look similar from a distance. Utilizing mini-map markers and following the steady beep frequency of your scanner pod will save significant search time.

If you encounter high-level enemies while underleveled, remember that you can sprint past them after picking up each artifact. Completing this quest not only grants excellent rewards but also rewards players with intriguing lore entries regarding the world's forgotten civilization.