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. Gaming Age
    Jul 2, 2021
    91
    Obviously, your enjoyment of Scarlet Nexus will likely be greater if you actually do enjoy anime (or maybe not – or all I know, this game’s story may be horrifically bad!). But if you’re indifferent to the genre, you shouldn’t let that stop you from enjoying a very fun action game.
  2. Generación Xbox
    Jul 5, 2021
    90
    Scarlet Nexus is one of the best ARPGS of recent years, and a must-have for 2021.
  3. TheXboxHub
    Jun 28, 2021
    90
    If you enjoy an ARPG, spending time with Scarlet Nexus is a no-brainer - the story and action is strong enough to suck you in and keep you playing. With time travel, psychic powers and huge monsters to kick in the teeth, it’s one hell of a roller coaster ride from start to finish. The slight let-downs of the side quests aside, this is a more than assured entry into the genre, that wholeheartedly deserves a whirl.
  5. But Why Tho?
    Jun 27, 2021
    90
    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.
  6. SomosXbox
    Jul 8, 2021
    88
    Scarlet Nexus is arguably one of Bandai Namco's best games. Its deep combat system and a plot that makes you want to know more at every turn make the game a highly recommended product for fans of the ARPG genre.
  7. Vgames
    Dec 27, 2021
    85
    Scarlet Nexus is an amazing Japanese action RPG game, at the start it could give a feeling of an average anime game, but the amazing designs, blend of action and RPG, interesting story are a great blend to one of 2021 games you don't want to miss.
  8. Xbox Tavern
    Jul 6, 2021
    85
    I love Scarlet Nexus. Its technological post-apocalyptic environment, smooth and flashy combat mechanic combined with its genre of an anime RPG, was just executed so well. Sure the game towards the end might seem a little bit tedious but you just can’t help but focus on the good things that made this game such an enjoyable experience. This game is to not be ignored.
  9. MondoXbox
    Jun 23, 2021
    85
    Scarlet Nexus doesn't bring revolutions, but it manages to enhance its strengths with dynamic and fun gameplay, a cast of well-defined characters and a deep and mature story, all spiced up with a unique artistic style. A title definitely worth trying for all fans of Action-JRPGs.
  10. WellPlayed
    Jun 29, 2021
    80
    Scarlet Nexus surprises with its ecstatic, colourful combat and cast of characters. However, experiencing the story is a test of endurance due to its dull presentation.
  11. IGN
    Jun 25, 2021
    80
    It’s understandable to take a look at Scarlet Nexus and write it off as “just another anime game,” but doing so would be a big mistake. This is an ambitious undertaking from Bandai Namco, one that attempts to blend the two disparate genres of character-action game and large-scale JRPG, and achieves an impressive level of success. Its combat and thin enemy variety don’t hold up all the way to the end of the combined 40 hours of its dual campaigns, but its story and characters absolutely do, and make for a surprise breakout hit of 2021.
  12. Gamers' Temple
    Jul 19, 2021
    76
    While I did have some fun with Scarlet Nexus, I am left with the feeling that it could have been more. If there was more life to the city, and any life at all to the frequently drab mission locations, all of the traversal in the game would have felt a lot less like traversal and the world would have felt more immersive and fleshed-out. The combat has its unique aspects, but there is a repetition to it that is exposed by the volume of battles that you will fight against the same enemy types. While it is a plus that the game essentially gives you two campaigns, you may find yourself having had enough after making it through one.
  13. TierraGamer
    Jul 5, 2021
    75
    Even when Scarlet Nexus fulfills its promise to deliver an entertaining combat system and the graphics are worthy of the Xbox Series X, the story lacks of sufficient basis to say it's good. The characters fall under the typical Japanese game cliché and is boring.
  14. Xbox Achievements
    Jun 30, 2021
    75
    Going rather heavy on its convoluted, nutty storyline, Scarlet Nexus delivers on all fronts as far as its combat is concerned, with fast, flexible action that's always a joy. Bandai Namco's game is certainly bizarre, but it's also unique and well worth playing - it's the best Brain Punk game ever made.
  15. Jeuxvideo.com
    Jun 23, 2021
    75
    Scarlet Nexus is a big hit when it comes to the action. With its nervous and supercharged fights, you quickly become powerful controller in hand, especially when you can borrow the power of your allies on the fly. This action is helped by framerate which does not falter on next-gen consoles despite the deluge of effects on the screen which can cause readability concerns. If the proposed universe is visually attractive, we regret not being able to enjoy it anymore because of a cruel lack of additional content. Ditto for the story which is certainly interesting but which is served by a more than minimalist staging. A good first draft which, we hope, will serve as a solid basis for a more ambitious sequel in the years to come.

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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