Scarlet Nexus
By David Chapman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Surreal sci-fi anime slowly grows into powerful action game.
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Scarlet Nexus
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What’s It About?
In the far future world of SCARLET NEXUS, humankind has reached the next stage of evolution. Due to the presence of a newly discovered hormone in the brain, people have begun to develop a wide range of psionic abilities. Some can toss objects around with a thought. Some create a sort of blind spot, cloaking their presence from prying eyes. Still others can ignite the air into flames. Around this time, the Others began to arrive. These twisted monstrosities fell from the sky with a craving for humanity's newly evolved brains. With the Others' resistance to most conventional attacks, survival has meant relying on more unconventional methods. Powerful psionic talents were recruited as part of the Other Suppression Force (OSF), the last line of defense against the hordes of brain-eating invaders. Players will take on the dual roles of new recruit Yuito Sumeragi and powerful psionic scout Kasane Randall, exploring their individual stories and perspectives while uncovering their unique personal connection, as well as the conspiracy behind both the birth of psionics and the Others' invasion.
Is It Any Good?
The future is going to be filled with neon lights, mind-bending superpowers, and brain-sucking creatures that look like they've escaped from an art exhibit on surrealism. At least, that's the future according to the self-proclaimed "Brain Punk" anime action RPG Scarlet Nexus. Trying to explain the setting is a lot like trying to rationalize a fever dream in the moment. The best option is to just accept what you're given and ride it out until things start to make sense. The good news is that it does actually start to make sense as the story progresses. And the better news is that it's a weird, wild, and mostly fun trip getting to that point. After all, where else are you going to be able to telekinetically toss a TV set at a bloodthirsty flowerpot with legs? Or use an electrically charged sword to stop a cybernetic alligator in its tracks? That barely scratches the surface of the warped and twisted encounters that are commonplace in the game.
Patience is a virtue in Scarlet Nexus, as it's a very slow burn at the start. The plot takes a while before it really starts to gel. And since Yuito and Kasane experience the same events from different perspectives, it's not until players take the reins of both main characters that the complete story comes together. Gameplay is also a slow burn, with new techniques gradually introduced over a lengthy period of time. While this approach keeps players from feeling overwhelmed at the start, it also keeps players from appreciating the fluidity of the combat for some time. Once things open up and players can take advantage of the characters' full range of abilities, though, it's hard not to feel like a force of nature as you swat objects around with ease and carve a swath of destruction through any Others in your way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about teamwork. How important is it to be able to work with others to overcome obstacles? What are some ways that games can help to show the importance of teamwork?
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of sharing thoughts and beliefs with others? How important is it to maintain a sense of self and individuality when working with others?
Game Details
- Platforms: PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Windows , Xbox One , Xbox Series X/S
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Bandai Namco
- Release date: June 25, 2021
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Superheroes , Adventures , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires , Science and Nature
- ESRB rating: T for Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Last updated: June 22, 2021
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