NieR: Automata Ver1.1a

If there was a game that seemed like a terrible candidate for the adaptation treatment, it would be NieR: Automata. The game itself, from Director Yoko Taro and developer PlatinumGames, is a wild, twisting ride that is equal parts humorous, devastating, horny, and philosophical. On top of that, the game’s story is told over multiple playthroughs that retread events again and again. Yet NieR: Automata Ver1.1a manages to be an adaptation that lives up to its unique source material.

The anime’s twelve episodes expertly adapt Automata’s A and B routes, complete with the original voice actors (both English and Japanese) for characters 2B, 9S, and A2. For newcomers, it’s a concise way to experience the story, while returning fans will be surprised by new twists and the inclusion of material from the extended lore of the franchise. A special part of Ver1.1a are the Puppet Plays that end every episode, short skits that take the place of the game’s many joke endings and offer viewers a chance to experience the sillier side of Automata. It’s the inclusion of things like the Puppet Plays that make NieR: Automata Ver1.1a such a great video game adaptation, because it tries to give audiences a taste of what playing the game is like. — Willa Rowe