INTRODUCTION: (Spoiler Free Review for Scarlet Nexus)
Scarlet Nexus is Bandai Namco's newest IP and one of the first JRPG games to launch for next generation consoles. An anime has been made to compliment the game and is currently available to watch on Funimation (Australia).

The game stars two different protagonists, Kasane Randall & Yuito Sumeragi. Which each have their own playable storyline, attack styles and character developments with side characters that together helps to develop the world Scarlet Nexus is based in.

GAMEPLAY:
Both protagonists play differently, but incorporate a lot of the same gameplay tropes. Kasane plays as more of a fast pace, low damage fighter and Yuito acts as a stronger, yet slower fighter. The gameplay on offer here is comparable to hack and slash games like Devil May Cry. Where you will encounter different enemies, each with their own attacks and weak points.

Each storyline takes roughly 12 - 15 hours to complete, with additional things to do after the storyline for both characters has been completed but by the time both storylines have been completed you will have seen most if not all of what the game has to offer and there is not a great deal of incentive to continue to explore outside of achievements in the end game. At least until additional content comes out.

Gameplay from a combat point of view feels super rewarding and can be quite visually impressive to watch. With party members all containing their own special abilities you can lend to buff yourself in battle. But some combat related gameplay elements such as finishing moves can become stale to watch quite fast. There is not a great deal of enemy variety either. There is a core 7 - 10 enemy types and then each variation of that enemy acts different but looks quite similar. For example two near identical enemies can be side by side, called different things but the only actual difference is how they attack and what they are weak to. Making gameplay feel like a grind at times.

Outside of battle between events you can backtrack previously discovered areas for side quests or materials to make new equipment, supplies and gifts for your companions.

Side quests are hardly worth the effort of completing though, a large majority of them are "Find 3 of this enemy and kill them with this ability" type side quests with no rewards that you cant obtain by simply visiting the shop.

Each companion in the game can be made more useful over time with a persona style bond system. Which was great for story building. The world of Scarlet Nexus and it's inhabitants have very fleshed out stories and even characters that started as unlikeable had decent enough backstories for me as the player to feel some kind of connection to them by the end of the experience.

GRAPHICS & SOUND:
Scarlet Nexus looks fantastic. Worlds are detailed and colourful and the game runs buttery smooth at 60FPS.

One major issue i had with the graphical side of things is that cutscenes are more often than not, static old school anime style cutscenes. The few cutscenes that actually have animation within them are great to watch and it makes you wonder why they didn't opt in for more of a visual style of storytelling. It felt very backwards for a game released in 2021.

Sound wise this game has one of the coolest soundtracks i have heard in a very long time. A modern twist has been added to most songs in the game offering a fresh perspective on the typically chimey sounds a JRPG produces. Voice actors and game sounds are all very well done also.

CONCLUSION:
Scarlet Nexus is an interesting new IP that is worth your attention if you are into either JRPG's or Hack and Slash games. There is room for the franchise to be fleshed out in the future, either through a second game or paid DLC expansions as side quests and enemies lack much variety.

For a JRPG this game is surprisingly short, with myself managing to officially achieve the 100% complete achievement after a mere 32 hours of gameplay. However after achieving that completionism achievement, I put the game down and felt satisfied that I had gotten a great experience. So I personally don't see the length of the experience to be a negative here.

TLDR & REVIEW SCORE:
Pro's - Great Gameplay, Great Character Development, Looks Fantastic
Con's - Static Cutscenes, Side Quests, Lack of Real Variety in Enemies
Score - 7.5/10