Scarlet Nexus came out at a time where JRPGs were absolutely popping off. Shin Megami Tensei V was a few months out, as were Tales of Arise and NEO: The World Ends With You to name a few.

This was my most anticipated game that year, and while it didn't end up becoming by game of the year, it certainly still held it's own.

The combat system takes it's time, but about a third into a run of either story it'll start to really open up. I love all of the combinations that are possible with combining each character's abilities, and how some abilities might change combos and how others might interact with each other in unique ways.

The narrative is perhaps this game's most divisive element, and while there are absolutely sore spots, such as the fact that incredibly foundational and massive reveals are dropped in ways that make absolutely no sense and break the pacing, I do still tend to enjoy what the game has to offer. At it's core, this game has two perspectives.

One is from Yuito, who spends most of his campaign having a noticeable effect on the lives of the people around him, and learning to let them do the same for him.

The other is from Kasane, who spends most of her campaign being affected by the people around her and learning to open up and do the same for others.

While not a perfect game by any stretch, if you're looking for a fun action rpg to sink your teeth into, Scarlet Nexus has so much on offer.