A few days ago, Scarlet Nexus was released, a game that is also in duet with an anime of the same name at Wakanim. We got it in our hands to give you the best objective look at the PC version. Personally I tested it on my Stryx G17 laptop...
Graphics & atmosphere
Here we have a worked artistic direction and which wants to transmit us a particular universe. This is felt in the different places that we visit and, despite some somewhat coarse textures, and an impression of partitioning, we can say that the feeling of this strange universe is really present throughout the progression. However, some visual effects are a little below what one might expect, such as the sclerokinesis power which is a little less successful than others. But above all, don't forget... follow the red threads!
In terms of the soundtrack, it's clean, the themes are catchy. But I sometimes found that certain themes were not really related to the emotion that transpired. It's pretty rare, but enough to break the moment. For the rest, we have a register that fits well with the universe.
History
You control Kasane or Yuito, people who have just joined the BEA, an elite unit responsible for defeating the others, these monsters with multiple shapes and powers that feed on human brains. You evolve in Neo-Himuka, a brain-punk city that hides very heavy secrets that will change your life and that of many inhabitants. Are you ready to assume the consequences of your actions and those of your companions?
My opinion: the story begins in a fairly simple and classic way for this type of universe, although fairly quickly, the scenario will twist into space-time principles that are mastered enough for it to be coherent overall. In addition, the relationship between the two protagonists and their intertwined destinies will make you want to make history with each of them, which is mandatory to understand the ins and outs of it all.
Gameplay
Before starting your adventure, you will have to choose between Yuito or Kasane which, in addition to the story which will be a little different in several aspects, will also condition your attack mode. While Yuito is a melee, Kasane will be a ranged attacker who logically takes less risk. Once the choice is made, the game will immerse you in the action via a tutorial that will add features as the missions progress. Because although fairly easy to access, the possibilities of interaction with the environment, the different combat mechanics and interactions with teammates and their abilities will require minimal adaptation time. However, with Kasane, the attacks will often lack precision and will require a little more adaptation to master them well.
Because even if, basic, you only have your own power, you can also temporarily borrow the capacities of your team to obtain different effects according to the enemies. Ignite oily enemies, electrocute soaked enemies or simply make stealthy or teleported attacks will be essential passages to use to defeat enemies who stand in your way. To help you, you can raise the affinity levels of your teammates to increase the powers you borrow.
The equipment will be interesting to amplify your power and other characteristic bonuses. Purchasable, obtained via missions or even exchangeable for components that you will find on the ground, it will also be a compulsory passage to upgrade as soon as possible so as not to be too picky. You can also count on a well-thought-out talent tree that will evolve over the course of the story and features unlocked against CP obtained by leveling. Increase in attack, psy power, effect on abilities, you will have the freedom to do as you wish!
But the real concern is the menus. By playing with the keyboard / mouse, this game will cause you logical concerns on certain points. At the beginning of the adventure, while wanting to visit a shop, I also had a bug which prevented me from leaving it, or from accessing any menu. For the trouble I had to advance a little in the story to succeed in making purchases correctly. In addition, some points, such as zone choices or selections, are a bit tedious.
My opinion: The gameplay is not perfect, but it offers different ways to play depending on what you are looking for and should therefore satisfy many people. The tutorials will obligatorily show you the abilities of each that will be obligatory for the current enemies. However, the secondary quests are not really useful in the end and the somewhat problematic menus may annoy some players.
Summary
A neat artistic direction, a really interesting story but served by a gameplay certainly well put together but suffering from a few small errors and ergonomics not always present, that's what we can say about this game. However, I recommend it all even because, despite its faults, it will make you have a good time, especially if you are a fan of the genre. Whether it's Yuito or Kasane, you won't be able to stop until you have the end of the story!
Available on
- Playstation Store
- Microsoft Store
- Steam
