8 /10 22

Scarlet Nexus represents Bandai Namco’s ambitious newcomer to the action RPG landscape, launching simultaneously across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms in June 2021. Developed by the teams behind Tales of Vesperia, Scarlet Nexus fuses psychokinetic combat mechanics with cyberpunk storytelling and anime-quality visuals. The game’s dual protagonist system allows players to experience complete narratives through two distinct perspectives, creating 12-15 hours of campaign content per playthrough. Scarlet Nexus sold 1 million copies by April 2022 while spawning an anime adaptation produced by Sunrise animation studio. This review explores how Scarlet Nexus achieves compelling character-driven storytelling while delivering fluid action combat that rewards mastery of psychokinetic ability combinations.

How to Play Scarlet Nexus

Scarlet Nexus employs real-time action combat emphasizing psychokinetic abilities combined with weapon attacks. Players control protagonist Yuito Sumeragi or Kasane Randall, members of the Other Suppression Force defending humanity from brain-eating mutants. Combat fluidity emerges from seamless transitions between melee sword attacks and telekinetic object manipulation.

1. Controls – Standard action game controls with light/heavy attack buttons for sword combat. Psychokinesis triggers independent ability button initiating telekinetic attacks. Brain Link activation summons companion abilities adding tactical depth. Lock-on targeting assists against multiple enemies.
2. Progression – Players advance through story missions unlocking new companion characters who provide combat abilities. Brain Map skill tree expands protagonist psychokinetic power, melee damage, and defensive capabilities. Bond levels increase with companions through story interactions and side missions, unlocking powerful combination attacks.
3. Combat Mechanics – Psychokinesis allows lifting, throwing, and manipulating environmental objects creating dynamic combo chains. Brain Link temporarily borrows companion psychokinetic abilities (speed, electricity, invisibility, fire). Charge mechanics enable powerful abilities at resource cost. Position-dependent animations reward skillful enemy placement.
4. Tips – Experiment with companion combinations discovering complementary ability synergies. Master psychokinesis rhythm before chasing advanced combos. Side missions provide helpful experience without mandatory grinding. Adjust difficulty mid-campaign if pacing feels sluggish.

Who Should Play Scarlet Nexus

Scarlet Nexus appeals to action RPG enthusiasts valuing character narratives and combat variety over traditional turn-based systems. The dual-story structure uniquely rewards engaged players through complementary perspectives on identical events.

• Action RPG Fans – Scarlet Nexus delivers fast-paced real-time combat matching Nier: Automata and Devil May Cry accessibility while maintaining RPG progression depth. Psychokinesis mechanics provide novel combat identity distinguishing from franchise competition.
• Narrative Enthusiasts – The dual-protagonist campaign structure presents complete narratives through Yuito and Kasane perspectives, doubling story content justifying 25+ hour playtimes. Character development and emotional arcs rival visual novels in execution.
• Anime Fans – Character designs reflect contemporary anime aesthetics while an official anime adaptation (July 2021) extends the franchise across mediums. Voice acting quality across Japanese/English dubs delivers emotional weight.
• Skip if – You prioritize challenging boss encounters (most fights remain approachable) or seek open-world exploration (Scarlet Nexus features linear mission structure). Side missions consist primarily of fetch quests lacking narrative depth.

Scarlet Nexus Platform Performance

Scarlet Nexus maintains consistent 4K/60 FPS across PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X implementations through intelligent rendering optimization. PC versions scale flexibly from 1080p/60 FPS on modest hardware to 4K/120+ FPS on high-end systems. Performance remains stable across extended play sessions without graphical compromises.

Scarlet Nexus System Requirements

Scarlet Nexus demonstrates exceptional scalability across PC hardware generations through intelligent asset streaming and rendering pipelines. Minimum specifications support 1080p/60 FPS on 2015-era hardware. Recommended specs target 1440p/60 FPS or higher on mid-range 2018+ systems. Ultra specifications enable 4K/120+ FPS on enthusiast hardware.

Similar Games to Scarlet Nexus

The action RPG landscape offers alternatives sharing Scarlet Nexus’ combat fluidity or psychokinetic themes. These titles present comparable experiences with distinct mechanical implementations and narrative approaches suitable for enthusiasts seeking brain punk or fast-paced action RPG experiences.

• Tales of Arise – Same developer (Bandai Namco Studios) with similar character-driven storytelling. Turn-based combat differs mechanically but maintains character interaction depth. 2021 release with stronger critical consensus.
• Nier: Automata – Action combat matches Scarlet Nexus pacing though narrative presentation differs drastically. Stylish choreography and musical composition rival Scarlet Nexus aesthetics. Multiple playthroughs add story complexity.
• Control (Ultimate Edition) – Telekinesis-focused combat exceeds Scarlet Nexus mechanical polish while maintaining action focus. Smaller scope and story emphasis on protagonist introspection rather than ensemble casts.
• Final Fantasy VII Remake – Real-time action combat with strategic depth through character switching. Greater scope and narrative weight though different tone and aesthetic sensibility.

Scarlet Nexus vs Competitors

Scarlet Nexus occupies a distinctive niche within action RPG competition through psychokinetic combat mechanics and dual-narrative structure. Comparative analysis reveals Scarlet Nexus’ strength in character development and combat novelty, balanced against Tales of Arise’s superior critical consensus and Final Fantasy VII Remake’s production scope. Platform availability and cross-gen support provides distribution advantage over exclusives.

Scarlet Nexus Story and World

Scarlet Nexus unfolds in the near-future cyberpunk city of New Himuka, where psychokinetic abilities derived from “psionic hormone” discoveries have fundamentally restructured human civilization. The narrative explores technology integration alongside supernatural power development through dual perspectives: Yuito Sumeragi, an idealistic OSF recruit, and Kasane Randall, a mysterious scout with undisclosed motives. Their parallel stories intersect revealing conspiracy layers involving time travel mechanics, human experimentation, and existential threats to dimensional stability. The narrative structure rewards dual playthroughs through complementary information revelation. World-building emphasizes character relationships and emotional bonds (“red connections” visually represented throughout) rather than exposition dumps. Story themes explore sacrifice, heroism, and identity reconfiguration when psychokinetic abilities fundamentally alter human nature. Supporting cast develops through story progression and optional bonding conversations, with character-specific side missions deepening individual narratives.

Scarlet Nexus Multiplayer and Online

Scarlet Nexus prioritizes single-player narrative experiences without traditional multiplayer functionality. Post-launch content includes cosmetic customization options and potential DLC story expansions. Community engagement focuses on sharing playthroughs, discussing narrative interpretations, and collaborative challenge strategies.

• Solo Campaign – Dual-route story campaigns (Yuito/Kasane) provide 25+ hours combined narrative content without competitive multiplayer infrastructure.
• Custom Difficulty Options – Adjustable enemy difficulty, damage scaling, and assist settings enable personalized challenge calibration throughout campaigns.
• New Game Plus – Second playthroughs retain character levels and skill trees while introducing enhanced difficulty challenges. Encourages dual-protagonist completion sequences.
• Cosmetic Customization – Character appearance customization through outfit changes, color adjustments, and cosmetic accessories provides personalization without gameplay advantages.

Scarlet Nexus DLC and Expansions

Bandai Namco maintains Scarlet Nexus through modest post-launch content focusing on cosmetic additions and supplementary story missions. The anime adaptation represents primary franchise expansion rather than game-specific content additions. DLC strategy prioritizes cosmetics over gameplay-affecting additions.

• Cosmetic Sets – Character outfit packs introducing alternate costume designs. Band-themed costumes and anime-exclusive appearances available for purchase ($2.99-4.99 each).
• Battle Attire Packs – Combat-specific costume variations including legendary warrior skins, psychological profile costumes, and crossover outfit collaborations.
• Anime Series – Official Scarlet Nexus anime adaptation (13 episodes, July-December 2021) produced by Sunrise animation studio. Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation platforms. Expands story canon beyond game narrative.
• Free Updates – Balance adjustments and quality-of-life features released periodically. DLC story expansion missions remain unconfirmed but speculated by community following initial post-launch content roadmap.

Scarlet Nexus Community and Support

Scarlet Nexus maintains engaged communities through fan discussions and official social channels. Developer Bandai Namco demonstrates moderate post-launch support focusing on bug fixes and cosmetic content rather than mechanical overhauls. Community enthusiasm remains strongest among narrative-focused players and anime adaptation fans.

• Official Forums – Bandai Namco operates official discussion boards with community manager participation. Monthly developer updates discuss upcoming cosmetic content and balance adjustments.
• Reddit/Discord Communities – r/ScarletNexus maintains 25,000+ members discussing story theories, character rankings, and animation adaptation episodes. Character-specific Discord servers facilitate narrative discussion.
• Anime Communities – Dedicated subreddits (r/ScarletNexusAnime) and Discord servers discuss anime adaptation episodes, comparing game and animated canon. Active crossover discussion between mediums.
• Updates – Bi-monthly patch cycles address reported bugs and balance concerns. Cosmetic content updates arrive monthly with seasonal themed costume packs. Story DLC roadmap remains speculative based on initial development commentary.