Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Battlefield 6 Classes - Support trailer image

    Battlefield 6 Really Wants You To Play Support (But Knows You Won’t)

    07/31/2025
    Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Reveal promotional image

    Battlefield 6 Classes, Maps, And More: Everything You Need To Know

    07/31/2025
    A glimpse at all the upcoming Star Wars stories coming to the galaxy

    Star Wars Stories: What We Learned At SDCC 2025

    07/25/2025
    Blindspot episode still

    It’s been 5 years since ‘Blindspot’ ended. Why haven’t you watched it yet?

    07/24/2025
    Strange Scaffold

    Strange Scaffold Summer Showcase Delivers Bizarre And Brilliant Games

    07/22/2025
  • Fantasia Festival
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘NieR: Automata Ver. 1.1a,’ Episode 3 – “break ti[M]e”

REVIEW: ‘NieR: Automata Ver. 1.1a,’ Episode 3 – “break ti[M]e”

Charles HartfordBy Charles Hartford01/21/20234 Mins Read
NieR Automata Episode 3 — But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

NieR Automata Episode 3 — But Why Tho

Having saved a resistance squad from being overwhelmed at the end of the last episode, 2B and 9S head back to their base with them to gather intel on the situation and figure out their next move. Accompanied by the resistance member Jackass, the duo soon departs for a nearby desert where strange activity has been on the rise recently in NieR: Automata Episode 3.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

While NieR: Automata‘s first episode was extremely faithful to the events of the game’s opening, the second episode went almost completely off-book as it followed machine lifeforms and the new character Lilly for its story. This week we see a healthy blending of both old and new the show continues to show a willingness to play with its narrative in a way that feels true to the original’s intent. Though this episode also comes with an easter egg for fans of the series.

NieR: Automata Episode 3 opens with the squad’s return to the resistance base. Fans of the game will instantly recognize the interior as the visual designs have taken great care to reconstruct elements faithfully. Lilly, who was identified as “leader” by several resistance members in the last episode, comes to physically take the place of the game’s resistance leader Anemone, confirming she isn’t just a squad leader, but the new leader for the resistance cell entire. Since Anemone was a small character in the original game, this choice doesn’t particularly bother me, but I do wonder why.

Not long after arriving, however, the pair of YoRHa androids are off again, this time with a new companion, resistance member Jackass. Jackass is your classic overly excitable comical personality. Her first interaction with 2B and 9S sees her asking for permission to dismantle the duo. For the science of course. Her preoccupation with learning through any avenue and her enthusiasm for her pursuits makes her a welcome spice of personality for the show’s otherwise low-key personalities.

Upon arriving in the desert, the trio is soon beset by machine lifeforms. These machines are visually different from previous opponents the group has faced. A hack from 9S on one of their larger opponents reveals a hint for the reasoning behind the cosmetic change, as well as a lovely nod to another entry in the series that fans will enjoy, but shouldn’t leave new viewers feeling out of the loop.

Once the momentary obstacles are removed from their path, NieR: Automata Episode 3 follows our trio deeper into the desert and an old housing complex that has long fallen into ruins. Here, 2B and 9S are separated from Jackass as they are brought face to face with a new and perplexing opponent.

One of the weirder sequences in what many would call an overly weird story, this version of the story delivers some small subtle changes to this pivotal moment that I think works for the best. Some unnecessary combat is trimmed out, allowing the story to take center stage, rather than attempting to recreate the gameplay experience of what was a major boss fight in the game. Rather than dwell overly long on the confrontation, we get enough action to show the power level of these new threats, some sleek moves from 2B, and the plot important elements the moment brings. An excellently adapted moment all around.

NieR: Automata Episode 3 continues to build its version of this gorgeous world and intricate plot wonderfully. I love the attention to detail the visuals give to the settings when appropriate, the stylish combat, and the reverence with which the series handles the parts of the story that it must get right.

NieR: Automata Episode 3 is streaming on Crunchyroll.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘All the Beauty and the Bloodshed’ Is A Profound Tale Of Activism
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Velma’ Episodes 3 – 4
Charles Hartford
  • X (Twitter)

Lifelong geek who enjoys comics, video games, movies, reading and board games . Over the past year I’ve taken a more active interest in artistic pursuits including digital painting, and now writing. I look forward to growing as a writer and bettering my craft in my time here!

Related Posts

Marin in My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 5
9.5

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 5 — “800 Million”

08/03/2025
Seiko in DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 5
7.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 5 – “We Can All Stay There Together!”

08/01/2025
My Dress Up Darling Season 2 Episode 4 But Why Tho 2
7.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 4 — “Has All My Measurements Memorized”

07/27/2025
Negumi in Kaiju No 8 Season 2 Episode 2
5.5

REVIEW: ‘Kaiju No 8’ Season 2 Episode 2 – “The Next Generation’s Trial”

07/26/2025
DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 4
9.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 4 – “That’s, Like, Way Dangerous”

07/24/2025
Marin in My Dress Up Darling Season 2 Episode 3 But Why Tho
10.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 3 — “I Wuuuuv Slice-Of-Life Scenes!”

07/20/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Wildgate promotional key art
9.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Wildgate’ Is Co-Op Space Mayhem Done Right

By Adrian Ruiz07/25/2025Updated:07/30/2025

Built for friends and tuned for competition, Wildgate is messy in the best way: smart, surprising, and bursting with room to grow.

Glass Heart
7.0
TV

REVIEW: ‘Glass Heart’ Offers Messy, Musical Catharsis

By Allyson Johnson07/22/2025

The musical drama series ‘Glass Heart’ soars when it focuses on the epic performances of it’s fictional band, TENBLANK.

Simon in An Honest Life But Why Tho
3.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘An Honest Life’ Is Terribly Dishonest About Its Own Politics

By Jason Flatt08/02/2025

An Honest Life is an overly severe misfire about a law student who falls in with anarchist burglars that can’t decide who it resents more.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here