"A future Is not given to you. It is something you must take for yourself."

The NieR:Automata PC port is riddled with numerous issues including resolution problems, frame-rate drops, crashes, and inconsistent texture quality. It can be reasonably assumed that this is not the definitive edition of the game that was envisioned by its creators. However, most of these issues can be resolved though the use of Kaldaien’s FAR mod, texture packs and other mods. I also recommend a controller in order to play this game, as the mouse and keyboard controls are utterly horrendous (without the use of input mods). Note that it may take some effort before you are able to enjoy this game to its fullest potential. Truthfully, it is a shame that NieR:Automata did not receive the PC port that it deserved upon release.

Once you do begin your journey, you will find a game loaded with crisp and fluid gameplay, a plethora of unique weapons and abilities to experiment with, and an interesting chipset system (which allows the player to customize their abilities and personalize their overall approach to combat). While the enemy variety leaves something to be desired, I never found myself bored as I moved forward continuing to see how deep the combat system really was. Motivated by the feeling of excitement and anticipation, I kept playing in order to find out what happened next until I reached, what I believed was, the story's inevitable conclusion. However, the story does not end with just one playthrough: NieR:Automata features a total of 26 endings and epilogues. While a majority of them are simply non-canon joke endings, others offer a different perspective on the main story and reveal more of the narrative (namely endings: A, B, C, D, and E).

All of this is reinforced by a compelling soundtrack that is no less than phenomenal. It is not an exaggeration when I say that the music may even be the game's greatest strength. Each and every piece of music, from the ambient sounds of the Forest Kingdom to the haunting melody of the City Ruins is carefully crafted and interwoven with the events taking place on screen to fit the atmosphere and disposition. Each track is dynamic in nature, shifting as the situation changes including even different variations of quintessential themes. This is what truly elevates this game's music to another level, as the world and its music are allowed to resonate in tandem with each other.

Despite the aforementioned issues, NieR:Automata is truly an experience to behold, dare I say a genuine masterpiece. Set in a post apocalyptic world since wiped clean by a conflict long passed, and supported by an immense assortment of lore and supplementary material, it is a modern tale of existentialism. Filled to the brim with surprising twin stick shoot em' up gameplay, satisfying hack and slash action and refreshing perspective swaps, NieR:Automata is more than a generic action game. It is an exploration into the possibilities of video games as a medium for storytelling. Woven throughout the game are reflections of history's most notable philosophers, wielding the setting as a backdrop for conveying their message and ideals. It is a complicated and confusing collection of Yoko Taro's musings on life, hidden underneath a veil of kitsch and melodramatic storytelling.