Comparisons are odious, but when a critically acclaimed video game likeNier: Automataget 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.
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In this case, the full breakdown comes courtesy of gaming outletKakuchopurei’s YouTube channel. The video put scenes fromNier: Automataand 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 theNieR: Automataanime are the aerial fights and 9S’s hacking skills. The first’s action style renders it much more immersive and exciting compared to theAsteroidstype 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 forNieR: Automata Ver1.1awas 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 theNieR: Automataanime has pulled off, most criticism has focused onthe use and quality of the CGI graphics.
Naturally, it’ll take a bit more time for fans to appreciate how differentNier: Automatais from the anime, especially with how some characters have been teased. So far, confirmation thatNieR: Automata Ver1.1awill be 24 episodes longalready has people speculating how the story’s plot twists will be handled.
