Essential mods?

[Saint.Million]

Just about to start my first playthrough. Are there any essential mods I should install first?

[TheSeek]

Since it's your first time through the game, you don't really need any mod.
If you really want, maybe you could use the HD texture mod(requires FAR/SpecialK) and androids remastered, both enhance textures from their default low resolution, but other than that you don't need any other mod.

If you use FAR/SpecialK(either for the HD texture mod or on its own), be sure sure to disable the fps unlock, it's an experimental feature and as it is now it can cause issues in the game leading to softlocks, so playing above 60fps is not recommended, especially on your first playthrough.

[Saint.Million]

Thanks.

What's FAR/SpecialK?

[TheSeek]

it's a mod that can increase stability and performance as well as helping in tweaking other aspects of the game that aren't in the game settings, and it's needed to inject the HD textures.
I'd suggest to follow the guide here https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1156086818

[Saint.Million]

Is the mouse/keyboard rebinding mod still needed?

[TheSeek]

I'd suggest using a controller, but if you really want to play with M/KB(or don't have/can't get a controller), then yes, you still need NAIOM.