Hi there! Today I’m cozying up with Nexomon: Extinction. This game by VEWO Interactive Inc. (published by PQube) released on August 28, 2020. It lets you trap, tame, and evolve over 300 quirky Nexomon in a fresh monster-catching adventure. I’ve spent plenty of hours exploring its wild regions, and here’s my laid-back take.
Overall Impressions
Nexomon: Extinction nails classic monster catching with a fresh twist. In fact, its early game hooks you fast, and you won’t feel railroaded into the main path. I loved how the world splits into five regions, each with unique biomes—making it feel more open than some other retro-style tamers. The story surprised me with engaging twists and a few really great moments. That said, the lack of personality for your Nexomon friends felt odd. If you’re used to heartfelt bonds in Pokémon, you may miss those warm connections here. All in all, it’s a charming take that truly stands on its own.
Gameplay Mechanics
Catching and training over 300 creatures keeps things lively. For example, Nexomon designs mix creativity with a handful of “bootleg Pokémon” vibes. Battles start simple and grow deeper, yet every Nexomon shares almost identical stats. You won’t see speedy glass-cannons or turtle-slow tanks—this uniform stat spread limits team creativity. I also noticed that speed rarely affects battle order; instead, attack priority follows move selection, which makes the speed stat feel wasted. On top of that, status moves barely matter—most only boost stats by 15%, compared to Pokémon’s 50% stage boost. I even found a move meant to instantly kill low-level foes that never hits anything. It cracked me up, but it also feels like a missed mechanic.
One real stumble: default controls and keybindings. Controller support claims mislead many players (myself included), since mapping buttons was a struggle. Hopefully an upcoming patch adds keybind options. On keyboard, A maps to K, B to L, and so on—it’s quirky, not cozy. Lastly, battle scaling uses your highest-level Nexomon. You can’t sneak around high-level wilds to farm lowbies; that keeps every fight on par but removes classic “grind zones.”
Story and Characters
The game’s story surprised me with its pace. A mysterious extinction threat drives your quest. It never felt too heavy, yet offered dramatic peaks. Characters shine through fun dialogue and colorful art. Your partner, Coco, drops fourth-wall jokes constantly. Some jokes land like warm sunshine, others feel like a misstep. I recommend embracing her goofiness. It adds charm if you lean into its silliness. However, don’t expect your Nexomon to chat back. The story treats them like tools. You won’t find bonding cutscenes or sweet friendship moments. If you crave heartfelt pet drama, look elsewhere. For a breezy narrative with a dash of quirk, this one fits nicely.
Visuals and Graphics
Nexomon: Extinction rocks pixel art with modern polish. Each region feels distinct—from bubbly beaches to fiery caverns. Creature designs pop with color, and bigger bosses tower impressively. I especially love the clean 2D sprites and smooth animations. They capture nostalgia without feeling outdated. The UI stays bright and readable. My one wish? A minimap. Exploring some areas felt like wandering without breadcrumbs.
Sound and Music
The soundtrack blends upbeat chiptune with atmospheric melodies. Each region scores its own theme. I found myself humming tunes during long journeys. Battle themes pump up the tension in all the right spots. Sound effects—like capture balls snapping shut—feel satisfying. There’s no voice acting, but character sprites emote nicely. Overall, the audio keeps the mood light and cozy.
Difficulty and Replayability
Nexomon: Extinction strikes a mild challenge. Trainers and wild encounters scale to your strongest team. That design keeps battles fair but cuts back on over-leveling exploits. No need to grind early on, though. I finished with 100% achievements and felt rewarded. Post-game content adds new dungeons and legendaries. You’ll find secret boss fights and evolution items galore. If you crave completion or love collecting, this game keeps you busy. Otherwise, the main story wraps up in a comfortable dozen hours.
Trivia and Behind-the-Scenes
VEWO Interactive Inc., based in Canada, developed Nexomon: Extinction with extensive community feedback. As the direct sequel to the original mobile Nexomon title, the studio has already announced a QoL update—adding keybinding support and a minimap—in response to fan requests. Additionally, the surprise 2021 “Archfiend” DLC expanded the game with a host of new monsters and engaging storylines.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Nexomon: Extinction brings a cozy monster-catching vibe with fresh ideas. It shines in art, soundtrack, and open exploration. Yet uniform stats, no keybinds, and a missing minimap hold it back. If you want a breezy taming journey with over 300 quirky creatures, give it a shot—just don’t expect it to be a perfect Pokémon clone.
Happy exploring, and I’ll catch you next time for more cozy gaming adventures!
