Scarlet Nexus dives headfirst into the adrenaline-pumping genre of action RPGs, marrying brain-boggling psychic combat with a vibrant sci-fi anime aesthetic. As a fan of games that test skill and strategy, I was intrigued by its premise yet cautious about its departure from traditional competitive eSports and hardcore gaming experiences. However, as the game unfolded, it showcased both brilliance and a few notable fumbles.
Kinetic Psychic Combat
Scarlet Nexus delivers a kinetic psychic combat experience. The game’s mechanics revolve around kinetic abilities, allowing you to lift, break, and throw elements of your environment to create devastating attack combos. For any player who’s honed their reflexes to perfection, this offers a wonderfully dynamic and satisfying combat system. The game requires strategic use of powers and environmental manipulation, which I’ve found surprisingly deep and consistently engaging.
Stunning Visuals
Visually, Scarlet Nexus is a treat. The game paints a futuristic Japanese landscape with vibrant colors, stylistic character designs, and fluid animations. If you are a fan of animesque visuals or appreciate the intricate art of games like “Tales of Vesperia,” you’ll be thoroughly pleased. The attention to detail in character models and environmental design is commendable, adding to the overall immersion.
Compelling Yet Familiar Narrative
The narrative is compelling but not without clichés. Set in a future where humanity battles deranged mutants called Others using recruited psionics, the story features two protagonists: Yuito Sumeragi and Kasane Randall. Their separate yet intertwined journeys gradually unveil the larger mysteries surrounding the Brain Punk future. While the storyline offers twists and dramatic beats, it occasionally dives into the realm of predictability, influenced by familiar anime tropes.
Mixed Character Development
Character development is a mixed bag. On one hand, both protagonists have unique abilities and narrative arcs that drive the story forward. On the other, secondary characters often fall into stereotypical roles, which can detract from the depth and complexity one might hope for in an RPG. However, the voice acting and character interactions are strong enough to keep you invested.
Overall Impressions
As a hardcore gamer, Scarlet Nexus provides enough depth and challenge to be worthy of attention, especially with its unique approach to combat and aesthetically pleasing art style. That said, its narrative and character development occasionally miss the mark, making it less likely to be my top favorite.
Final Thoughts
Scarlet Nexus is a solid addition to the action RPG genre, with kinetic combat and stunning visuals that make it worth playing. However, some shortcomings in character development and story predictability hold it back from achieving perfection. A must-play for fans of vibrant, high-octane battles in a beautifully crafted world.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Pro Tip for Beginners
Master the use of kinetic combos early. Visit the training room regularly to experiment with diverse environmental attacks, which are key to making quick work of challenging foes and optimizing your fighting strategy.
Scarlet Nexus offers a kinetic combat experience with stunning visuals, perfect for fans of action RPGs. However, it has some narrative and character development flaws.
Want to check it out yourself? Click here to see it on Steam.
