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
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
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

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

09/11/2025
Sakamoto Days Episode 20
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 20 — “Mutual Fans”

09/08/2025
Tougen Anki Episode 9 still from Netflix
4.0

REVIEW: ‘Tougen Anki’ Episode 9 — “Momotaro Spirit”

09/06/2025
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 10 promotional image from Crunchyroll
10.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 10 — “So We’re Gonna Do It All Right Now?”

09/06/2025
Arknights Rise From Ember Rosmontis

REVIEW: ‘Arknights: Rise From Ember’ Is Phenomenal But Drags On Too Long

09/06/2025
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Episode 1
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity’ Episode 1 – “Rintaro and Kaoruko”

09/05/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

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.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

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