It is inherently difficult to surmise what any one thing means to any one person on a deeply personal level. You will never know exactly what thoughts, feelings, and emotions I experienced, nor will you know the level at which I experienced them. The same as I will never understand your inherently deep and personal experiences in life. That being said, I will still attempt to convey exactly such a thing as my review for NieR: Automata.

I genuinely do not think I will ever play another game quite like NieR: Automata. It is so unique, so profound, so emotional, so philosophical, so player-focused, and so artfully and masterfully crafted.

Finishing Automata sent me back to the exact moment when I was sitting in front of the TV playing Shadow of the Colossus as a kid, and had a massive revelation of just how much of a high art form video games are truly capable of being. NieR: Automata sits high atop that throne of masterpieces and outliers that challenge the norm to drive the medium forward.

It challenges what you know about video games and what you think you know about yourself.

Automata is one of those "Game of the Decade" titles that surpasses so many different amazing games in their own right. With music that is so integral as to become part of the actual gameplay. This poignant experience evoking such emotions as despair, loneliness, hope, sorrow, encouragement, enlightenment, anger, hatred, and emptiness. Automata is a true commentary on the state and history of humanity.

You do not come out of NieR: Automata as the same person who first went into the game.

“I've had my share of hardship. Just remember, you're not the only one.”
The end is only the beginning.

Glory to Mankind.

Disclaimer/Backstory:
This game was gifted to me around 2019. I would have the same opinions about this title if I had purchased it on Steam with my own money. I, in fact, enjoyed the game so much (getting to the "true" ending), that I purchased a physical copy with my own funds.