Comparisons are odious, but when a critically acclaimed video game like Nier: Automata get ported to an anime series, they’re bound to occur. Now, a recent YouTube video exposes how similar the two works can be at times.
NieR: Automata Ver1.1a's first episode, titled “Or not to [B]e," premiered to positive comments, and the series also added its unique touch to Yoko Taro's story. That’s because while the narrative style of an action RPG and anime may differ, it’s clear the franchise's creator made sure to include moments that are almost identical, down to the exact frames.
In this case, the full breakdown comes courtesy of gaming outlet Kakuchopurei's YouTube channel. The video put scenes from Nier: Automata and the new anime next to each other so that it’s easier to appreciate the similarities between the two projects. The first entry focuses on the game’s Chapter 1 mission, tackling the aerial combat, 2B's sword fighting, and the fight against Goliath. However, keen observers with a good memory will remember 9S's play out differently.
Perhaps the biggest winners in the NieR: Automata anime are the aerial fights and 9S's hacking skills. The first’s action style renders it much more immersive and exciting compared to the Asteroids type of mechanics from the game, and pretty much the same goes for 9S's interventions. Particularly, the brief dialogue scenes between the two YoRHa androids are incredibly well-crafted and, for the most part, stay in sync with the game.
Of course, the big game changer for NieR: Automata Ver1.1a was the inclusion of an outro featuring 2B and 9S puppets that tries to explain to newcomers the inner mechanics of a video game that had its many endings as one of its defining features. Elsewhere, despite all the good things the NieR: Automata anime has pulled off, most criticism has focused on the use and quality of the CGI graphics.
Naturally, it’ll take a bit more time for fans to appreciate how different Nier: Automata is from the anime, especially with how some characters have been teased. So far, confirmation that NieR: Automata Ver1.1a will be 24 episodes long already has people speculating how the story's plot twists will be handled.
NieR: Automata Ver1.1a is currently available on Crunchyroll.
Source: Kakuchopurei | YouTube