Scarlet Nexus Review: Stylish Combat Worth Playing

Table of Contents

When Scarlet Nexus launched, it entered a crowded action RPG market filled with established franchises and ambitious newcomers. Many players wondered whether it was simply another anime-inspired action game or something genuinely worth investing dozens of hours into. Years later, that question remains relevant, especially for gamers considering the title on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox, or PC.

If you’ve searched for a Scarlet Nexus review, you’ve probably encountered a wide range of opinions. Some critics praised its innovative combat system and stylish presentation, while others felt its storytelling occasionally struggled with pacing. The result is a game that sparks discussion long after its release.

After spending significant time exploring both character routes, experimenting with combat abilities, and experiencing the game’s unique world, it’s clear that Scarlet Nexus succeeds in areas where many action RPGs fail. It creates combat encounters that remain exciting deep into the adventure while offering a memorable science-fiction setting filled with mystery and intrigue.

This review explores every major aspect of Scarlet Nexus, including gameplay, story, graphics, PS4 performance, review scores, and whether it deserves your time today.

What Is Scarlet Nexus?

Developed by Bandai Namco Studios, Scarlet Nexus is an action role-playing game set in a futuristic world where humanity is threatened by creatures known as Others. These strange monsters descend from another dimension and attack humans without warning.

Players choose between two protagonists:

Yuito Sumeragi
Kasane Randall

Each character offers a unique perspective on the story. While the core events overlap, important details, character motivations, and revelations differ significantly between campaigns.

This dual-protagonist structure encourages multiple playthroughs and provides a broader understanding of the game’s narrative.

First Impressions: A Distinctive Sci-Fi Anime World

One of Scarlet Nexus’s greatest strengths is its setting.

Rather than relying on generic fantasy environments, the game introduces a futuristic civilization heavily influenced by psychic technology. Society depends on individuals with supernatural brain powers, creating a world where telekinesis, invisibility, teleportation, and pyrokinesis are everyday realities.

The city environments immediately stand out thanks to:

Neon-lit streets
Futuristic architecture
Vibrant color palettes
Unique enemy designs
Strong anime-inspired aesthetics

Even years after release, Scarlet Nexus maintains a distinctive visual identity that separates it from many competitors.

Combat: The Real Star of the Experience

The combat system is unquestionably the highlight of Scarlet Nexus.

At first glance, it resembles a traditional action RPG with light attacks, heavy attacks, dodges, and combos. However, the psychic abilities transform every encounter into something far more dynamic.

Telekinesis Changes Everything

Both protagonists possess psychokinetic powers.

Instead of simply attacking enemies with weapons, players can grab nearby objects and launch them at opponents. Cars, vending machines, road signs, construction materials, and environmental debris become devastating weapons.

This mechanic never feels like a gimmick.

During battles, players constantly alternate between:

Melee attacks
Telekinetic throws
Dodges
Special abilities
Team-based powers

The result is a fast-paced combat loop that remains satisfying for dozens of hours.

SAS System Adds Strategic Depth

A particularly impressive feature is the Struggle Arms System (SAS).

Through SAS, players temporarily borrow abilities from teammates.

Examples include:

Fire attacks
Electricity attacks
Teleportation
Invisibility
Duplication powers
Hypervelocity

Different enemies possess different weaknesses, encouraging players to switch abilities frequently rather than relying on a single strategy.

This creates a combat experience that rewards experimentation and adaptability.

Boss Battles Are Memorable

Many action RPGs struggle with repetitive boss encounters.

Scarlet Nexus largely avoids this problem.

Boss fights often require players to:

Identify weaknesses
Utilize environmental attacks
Time dodges carefully
Combine multiple SAS abilities

Several late-game encounters are particularly creative and provide genuine challenges without feeling unfair.

Story Analysis: Ambitious but Uneven

The narrative is one of Scarlet Nexus’s most discussed elements.

On one hand, it offers fascinating concepts involving:

Government conspiracies
Time manipulation
Human experimentation
Alternate realities
Psychic warfare

On the other hand, its pacing occasionally becomes inconsistent.

Strengths of the Story

The mystery surrounding the Others is compelling from the beginning.

Questions continuously emerge:

Where did the Others come from?
Who can be trusted?
Why are certain memories hidden?
What is the true nature of society?

The game gradually reveals answers through both protagonist campaigns, rewarding patient players.

Weaknesses of the Story

The narrative occasionally suffers from information overload.

Major revelations arrive rapidly, sometimes leaving little room for emotional impact.

Certain plot twists are excellent, while others feel unnecessarily complicated.

Players who enjoy anime-style storytelling will likely appreciate the dramatic turns. Those seeking a more grounded narrative may find parts of the story overly convoluted.

Characters: Strong Cast with Meaningful Growth

Character development is another area where Scarlet Nexus performs well.

Rather than focusing exclusively on the main plot, the game includes Bond Episodes that allow players to build relationships with teammates.

These interactions reveal:

Personal fears
Motivations
Backstories
Friendships
Internal conflicts

By the end of the adventure, most major characters feel significantly more developed than they initially appear.

Yuito vs Kasane

The dual-protagonist structure works surprisingly well.

Yuito represents optimism, trust, and determination.

Kasane is more reserved, analytical, and emotionally guarded.

Their contrasting personalities create two distinct experiences that complement one another.

Many players ultimately recommend completing both campaigns for the full story.

Scarlet Nexus Review PS4 Performance

A common question among players is whether Scarlet Nexus performs well on PlayStation 4.

The answer is generally yes.

What Works Well on PS4

The PS4 version delivers:

Stable performance
Responsive controls
Strong art direction
Consistent gameplay

Combat remains fluid even during visually intense encounters.

Limitations Compared to Newer Hardware

Compared to PlayStation 5 and high-end PCs, PS4 users may notice:

Longer loading times
Lower visual fidelity
Reduced graphical effects

However, these differences rarely impact gameplay significantly.

Players using a standard PS4 can still enjoy the complete experience without major technical concerns.

Graphics and Art Direction

Scarlet Nexus demonstrates how strong art direction can outperform pure graphical power.

The game embraces a bold visual style featuring:

Futuristic cityscapes
Dreamlike environments
Creative monster designs
Vibrant effects

The Others deserve special mention.

Their bizarre combination of flowers, machinery, household objects, and human features creates some of the most memorable enemy designs in recent action RPGs.

Even today, many enemies remain instantly recognizable.

Soundtrack and Audio

The soundtrack supports the game’s energetic combat exceptionally well.

Battle themes emphasize:

Electronic influences
Fast-paced rhythms
Dramatic orchestration

Voice acting is available in both English and Japanese.

Both options perform admirably, though anime fans may prefer the Japanese voice track for authenticity.

Audio design also enhances the impact of psychic abilities and environmental attacks.

Progression and RPG Systems

Scarlet Nexus includes enough RPG mechanics to support customization without overwhelming players.

Players can:

Unlock skill trees
Upgrade combat abilities
Improve party effectiveness
Equip enhancements
Increase bond levels

Progression feels steady throughout the campaign.

New combat options unlock frequently enough to keep gameplay fresh.

The system strikes a healthy balance between accessibility and depth.

How It Compares to Similar Games

Players considering Scarlet Nexus often compare it with titles like:

Tales of Arise
Code Vein
NieR: Automata
Astral Chain

Scarlet Nexus distinguishes itself through:

Better Combat Variety

The SAS system creates more tactical flexibility than many competing action RPGs.

Stronger Sci-Fi Identity

Unlike fantasy-heavy alternatives, Scarlet Nexus fully commits to its futuristic setting.

More Replay Value

Two playable protagonists provide meaningful reasons to replay the story.

However, games like NieR: Automata may offer stronger emotional storytelling, while Tales of Arise delivers a more traditional RPG structure.

Scarlet Nexus Review Scores and Critical Reception

Review scores across major gaming outlets were generally positive.

Many critics praised:

Combat mechanics
Visual style
Character progression
World-building

Common criticisms focused on:

Narrative pacing
Repetitive environments
Excessive exposition

Overall, Scarlet Nexus earned a reputation as one of the stronger action RPG releases of its generation.

While exact scores varied between publications, critical consensus largely agreed that combat and creativity outweighed the game’s flaws.

Scarlet Nexus Review Thread Discussions

Browsing community review threads reveals interesting patterns.

Players consistently praise:

Fast combat
Psychic powers
Boss encounters
Character bonding systems

The most common complaints include:

Lengthy dialogue sequences
Complex plot twists
Reused locations

Interestingly, many players who were initially uncertain about the story ended up appreciating it more after completing both character routes.

Community discussions frequently highlight the second playthrough as essential for fully understanding the narrative.

Who Should Play Scarlet Nexus?

You will likely enjoy Scarlet Nexus if you love:

Anime-inspired storytelling
Action RPG combat
Science-fiction settings
Character-driven narratives
Fast-paced gameplay

You may want to skip it if you dislike:

Long dialogue scenes
Complex anime plots
Multiple playthroughs
Heavy exposition

Understanding these strengths and weaknesses helps set realistic expectations.

Final Verdict

Scarlet Nexus remains one of the most underrated action RPGs in recent years. Its innovative psychic combat system, stylish sci-fi world, memorable enemy designs, and rewarding progression create an experience that feels fresh even today.

The story occasionally becomes overly complicated, and some pacing issues prevent it from reaching true masterpiece status. Nevertheless, the exceptional combat and creative world-building more than compensate for those shortcomings.

For PS4 players, performance remains solid and fully playable. For newcomers discovering the game years after launch, Scarlet Nexus still offers a unique experience that stands apart from countless action RPG competitors.