Scarlet Nexus

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Pure Xbox
    Jul 5, 2021
    70
    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.
  2. GameOver.gr
    Jun 25, 2021
    70
    Despite its drawbacks and anime quirks, Scarlet Nexus can’t hide the fact that is a product made with love and care. Although it stands a bit in the niche side of things due to its full-blown anime characteristics, the story is solid and the combat system fun and unique. Definitely more robust than Code Vein, Scarlet Nexus can be a fun medium while waiting for Bandai Namco’s big hitters, Tales of Arise and Elden Ring.
  3. GameSpot
    Jun 24, 2021
    70
    Even though the plot devolves into a trope-filled sludge pool by the end, I don’t feel like Scarlet Nexus was a waste of time. Yes, the excitement of combat begins to taper off towards the end of Scarlet Nexus’s twenty-odd-hour runtime--and the areas in the final stretch of the game feel overly long--but I had a good deal of fun mixing up my SAS abilities, crushing enemies in my Brain Field, and watching my team have a video game tournament at our base to settle an argument over living space boundaries. It might not be a new pinnacle of action-game storytelling, but Scarlet Nexus is still plenty of fun in the right places.
  5. Gamer.no
    Jun 23, 2021
    70
    If you ignore the lackluster story Scarlet nexus will offer a great action game.
  6. Windows Central
    Jun 23, 2021
    70
    Scarlet Nexus looks and performs really well, especially on next-gen hardware, but its gameplay is noticeably last gen. While it doesn't do anything new, it also doesn't screw up the basics either and should please Xbox fans looking for an anime fix.
  7. Het Nieuwsblad
    Jul 5, 2021
    60
    Scarlet Nexus aspires to be an anime. It succeeds with flying colors, as evidenced by the beautiful style, but regularly loses itself in the story that is difficult to get going and requires a lot of attention to be able to make sense of it. Thankfully, the lightning-fast battles make the heart race and leave you wondering what happened. But in a good way.
  8. Game Rant
    Jun 29, 2021
    60
    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 would be much easier to recommend it to everyone else, too.
  9. Stevivor
    Jun 23, 2021
    60
    Described by its developers as a title in the “brainpunk” genre, I've come to think of Scarlet Nexus as a mixture of the likes of Bayonetta, Code Vein and Persona, at some times deliciously chaotic and at others frustratingly so.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
28
#28 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 141 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 106 out of 141
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 141
  3. Negative: 15 out of 141
  1. KUNMB11
    Jul 17, 2021
    4
    SCARLET NEXUS (XSX)

    "Flashy Combat Paired with the Worst of JRPG Game Design" (+) Replay-ability (+) Characters The strength of    SCARLET NEXUS (XSX)

    "Flashy Combat Paired with the Worst of JRPG Game Design"

    (+) Replay-ability
    (+) Characters

    The strength of SCARLET NEXUS plays into its dual narrative. From the get-go, I had the choice of playing either two characters, Yuito or Kasane, and to my surprise, after playing through both characters I had vastly different experiences. Both stories start out similarly only with a difference in dialogue, but as soon as the story begins to pick up, I was pleased to see different missions, locations, combat styles, and enemies. The developers took their time to set up a distinct but comforting structure. Moreover, the characters and the team aspect of the game are wonderful. I enjoyed all their backgrounds and using their different abilities in combat was fun and engaging. Every enemy I encountered had a weakness to one of the characters in my party, encouraging me to use all abilities. No one character felt overused or underutilized, it was balanced extremely well.

    (-) Narrative Design
    (-) World Design
    (-) Repetitive Combat

    The story is suitable. That’s the best I can say. There is a huge disconnect between what is happening in terms of gameplay and what the characters are saying in cutscenes. People in this game will do the most absolute villainous over-the-top bad **** and then in the next chapter (15 minutes later) they will join my side, and vice versa through the entire game. This is not always a game-breaking deal, but if the game is narrative-driven (like 10 hours of just cutscenes) the story needs to be competent. This story here is childish. But if the narrative isn’t the main pull, the world might be. The presentation here is good, it's nothing special, but serviceable for an anime. The world design begins to lose its appeal around the halfway mark. I ran into the same locations repeatedly, and I wasn’t pleased because all these locations are built linearly, so I saw the same locations in the same order. Alongside locations, the combat is repetitive. The same enemies begin to flood my screen only scaling in health and damage dealt (it is an RPG after all but feels far too constrained here). Overall, I understand why some people may like this game for the characters and the combat alone, but I don’t see fit to return to the game any time soon.

    (2/5) - Below Average - Recommended at $49.99    … Full Review »
  2. Veiled
    Jul 10, 2021
    10
    One of the best JRPGs (with its dose of Hack and Slash) today, literally mistreated by the press that surely does not understand half of howOne of the best JRPGs (with its dose of Hack and Slash) today, literally mistreated by the press that surely does not understand half of how it is played. Possibly the best game so far this year on any platform.

    It's a 10 dedicated to the incompetent press.    … Full Review »
  3. Binyabik
    Jun 26, 2021
    9
    Absolutely stunning JRPG! The combat is lots of fun and feels great. Attacks pack a satisfying punch and combos flow great. Graphics are crispAbsolutely stunning JRPG! The combat is lots of fun and feels great. Attacks pack a satisfying punch and combos flow great. Graphics are crisp and runs perfect on my Series X.

    The voice acting is perfect and you can pick jp. voices as well.

    Highly recommended. Feels like a mix of Astral Chain, Bayonetta and DMC.

    No story spoilers but enjoyed it a lot.    … Full Review »
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