Scarlet Nexus Reviews
Check out Scarlet Nexus Review Scores from trusted Critics below. With 35 reviews on CriticDB, Scarlet Nexus has a score of:
The game's gorgeous stylized anime look and frenetic-but-gratifying combat come to life on the Steam Deck; there are some minor stability concerns but they do not derail the experience. The game is beautiful and captivating on the Deck!
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Republished on Wednesday, 15th February, 2023: We're bringing this review back from the archives following the announcement of February 2023's PS Plus Extra and Premium lineup. The original text follows.
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“Scarlet Nexus is an excellent action roleplaying game for all fans of the genre.”
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While its story falls short, Scarlet Nexus is expertly elevated with stunning combat. The consistent evolution, polished control scheme, and powerful feedback make each fight more satisfying than the last. If only the game had managed to incorporate a stronger story, more depth to its character bonds, and more things to do outside of combat, Scarlet Nexus could have been something special. As it stands, it feels like a solid first step for a new IP, and one where a sequel could really steal the show.
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Scarlet Nexus sees players joining future humanity's forces and using special powers to fight against the monstrous Others. For a new IP, Bandai Namco has a winner on its hands.
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Scarlet Nexus hits a lot of high notes in its lengthy double-story, spanning almost 50 hours of content. An exciting futuristic world, a surprising and great story, excellent combat, lovely art style. What’s not to love? Bandai Namco’s new IP is one of the most interesting JRPGs to come out in a long while, and while it’s certainly not perfect, we’re really looking forward to seeing more of this intriguing franchise in the future.
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Scarlet Nexus is yet another great game from Bandai Namco Studios. Its satisfying combat keeps things interesting, even in the early parts of the story when the plot feels dry. You’re in for a great ride with Scarlet Nexus.
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Scarlet Nexus' accomplished combat and world are hamstrung by a shockingly low budget that oozes nearly every corner of the experience from its cinematics to its levels to even enemy composition at times. That said, action JRPG fans should be able to latch onto enough to walk away satisfied. .
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One of the most ambitious games of the year, if not the most successful one.
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The more serious technical issues will likely be addressed in future Scarlet Nexus updates, but in the meantime, the game is still a safe bet for big anime and Japanese action-RPG fans. There's serious bang for the buck, as Scarlet Nexus has New Game Plus and is stuffed with content, being one of the few games with two playable characters where going back through with the other one is actually a worthwhile endeavor. If the combat didn't lose its luster in the last five hours or so and if it wasn't bogged down with so many boring static cut-scenes, it...
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Scarlet Nexus delivers a game that hits every gameplay beat flawlessly, providing the player with stylish visuals to enjoy, all mounted on characters and a narrative that only sometimes lands. However, the narrative struggles shouldn’t be nearly enough to keep anyone who loves fast-paced action games from reveling in just how fun, cool, and bombastic Scarlet Nexus’s gameplay is.
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The characters are wonderfully fleshed out and are worth getting to learn about, especially as they wrestle with some of the troubling ethical scenarios presented before them as the story moves forward. The dual narrative was something I initially dismissed as a cynical idea to pad out the experience, but after playing through Yuito's story and going through Kasane's perspective, it's a worthwhile addition that looks at a complex tale through two lenses.
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The story of Scarlet Nexus might be a mess, but fun action and great character moments make it worth your time.
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Bandai Namco's latest falls disappointingly short outside of the thrills and spills of its excellent battle system, but your mileage may vary depending on your fondness for anime.
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Anime inspired action RPG’s come and go, and it takes something special to stand out from the pack. When Scarlet Nexus was announced, it certainly looked the part with dual protagonists and flashy action scenes that would fit comfortably in the genre’s zany wheelhouse, but it wasn’t until I got my hands on the title a couple of months ago that I truly understood how brilliant it was in motion. Featuring a strange future with a unique aesthetic, an incredibly likeable cast of misfits to ...
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Launching a new IP is not simple. Most big publishers are unwilling to take risks nowadays, especially if they have a nice line-up of established series that will sell decently, no matter the quality of the actual games. In recent times, however, Bandai Namco proved to be quite daring in this regard, attempting to launch new franchises while not forgetting about its most popular series. Following the release of Code Vein, an interesting take on the Dark Souls formula, the Japanese publisher is back at it with Scarlet Nexus, an action role-playing that, while not trying in any way to...
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Scarlet Nexus is an absolute blast from the start and only gets better as you progress. The characters are charming, the story has nice twists and turns, and the combat is simple to understand but hard to master. While it certainly has flaws, this is a must play for action game fans.
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It's great to see game developers try their hand at completely new IPs and Scarlet Nexus is definitely a promising action-packed game.
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Filled to the brim with visual novel conversations and over-the-top action, Scarlet Nexus is a surprisingly endearing game that might be more linear than people expect, but more compelling than it probably needed to be.
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Scarlet Nexus transports players into a “brainpunk” anime world where psionic powers and bizarre otherworldly creatures threaten humanity. What does brainpunk mean? In this somewhat modern era, massive advances in mind technology have led to the use of incredible psychic abilities. Of course, not everything is as it seems, and a mystery unravels over the course of the journey. Scarlet Nexus excels at selling its stylish and unique world, crafting combat that’s a joy to play and watch, pitting players against weird, wonderful bosses. However, some elements – like character dialogue, relationship building, and level design – weigh down an...
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A brilliant battle system is let down somewhat by the largely underwhelming side stories and meandering companions of Scarlet Nexus.
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Offering a lengthy adventure that you’ll need to play through twice if you want the full picture, Scarlet Nexus is entertaining enough. Due to numerous issues with its gameplay, however, it’s a game that’s carried by its story. It’s a shame really, because the world created here is genuinely interesting and unique; I’d certainly like to see more Scarlet Nexus games in the future, and will definitely check out the anime when it arrives. But there were times throughout my adventure where the combat was irritating rather than fun, and traipsing through an environment just felt like a chore rather...
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Overall, Scarlet Nexus is a simple, yet great and enjoyable experience for any fan of the genre out there. You hunt monsters, make yourself and your allies stronger, gather resources for making new cosmetics and gear, constantly unlock new features for inside and outside of combat, all that while you watch an interesting story materialize in front of your eyes. It really is a modernized, old-school adventure which will satisfy anyone, even with the few drawbacks it has and the rather slow beginning.
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Who's to say what the real, developer-side cause is for Scarlet Nexus' failings. What was already a mammoth undertaking in crafting a competent-enough hack-and-slash action game that could muscle its way into the spotlight, Bandai Namco's latest in-house creation is not just inadequate in appeasing long-time fans of the genre, but worse, comes across ignorant of its own player's time. A story that wastes what should be an exciting prospect for world-building on unnecessary dramatics and prolonged conversations between underdeveloped characters. As well as a general mission structure whose environment design, enemy variety and progression is seldom able to mask...
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Follow the Red Strings! Learn more about the bound fates of heroes Kasane and Yuito as they search for answers in Scarlet Nexus, a sci-fi JRPG from Bandai Namco. Our Scarlet Nexus review is written based on the Kasane Randall side of the story.
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The combat in Scarlet Nexus is no doubt the star of the show. Even when it becomes hard to take the narrative seriously, those sweet, sweet combat mechanics will pull you right back in, no matter which protagonist you choose.
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If you like the sound of a deep RPG with extensive combat mechanics, Scarlet Nexus shouldn't disappoint. If you are expecting something more akin to Devil May Cry, you might find the extensive storytelling gets in the way of the gameplay a little too much. With that said, you can still enjoy it if you're not an anime connoisseur. There's plenty of fun to be had for all players because it's great once it gets going - but I fear it might lose people in its opening few hours.
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Scarlet Nexus is easily one of the best games so far this year and a strong contender for game of the year. With addictive gameplay and compelling narrative, there is plenty to love in this Brain Punk vision of a psionic future.
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Scarlet Nexus is, ultimately, some gorgeous, action-heavy comfort food. It is Saturday morning anime in game form, and while it will struggle to hold your attention from a story perspective, it’s also a good way to lose 30 hours in a fun combat system. It’s not a narrative powerhouse, but if you need a vehicle for bashing monsters with the might of your brain, it’ll suit that need just fine.
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Bandai Namco’s Scarlet Nexus is an interesting mixture of hack and slash meets JRPG and succeeds in just about every department. However, it’s not without its flaws, which are minor. If you’re looking for a fun action game with some RPG elements sprinkled in, then you can’t go wrong with Scarlet Nexus.
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From its compelling story, to its wild enemy designs and combat, I'm kind of in awe of Scarlet Nexus. Where Bandai Namco games often have a niche appeal, I've got no reservations about recommending Scarlet Nexus. I'd definitely suggest skipping a lot of the side stories, but everything else here is the kind of anime-infused greatness that will appeal to nearly everyone.
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Scarlet Nexus contains just about everything you’d want to see from a new game IP. Clear ambition, innovative gameplay, gorgeous visuals, and room to improve. A lot of room to improve, but it's still a commendable effort.
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If you’re a fan of role-playing games, but can’t stomach the thought of a 100+ hour odyssey, Scarlet Nexus has a lively, page-turning quality that’ll keep you up past your bedtime, but won’t take over your life. The kinetic, combo-driven combat sparkles, and once the story gets its hooks in you, it doesn’t let go. 8/10.
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Scarlet Nexus is slick, stylish, smartly executed, and just all-around cool.
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