Scarlet Nexus’ Recent Update Provides Decent Incentivization For Players to Return

Bandai Namco’s recent sci-fi JRPG, Scarlet Nexus, has been receiving updates to better optimize and add to the experience. Recently, version update 1.04 launched, and with it came the addition of Challenges. This feature is basically akin to the Quest system, except with no NPC contact or the like. Instead, there are various challenges to complete, ranging from reaching certain levels to obtaining each character’s ultimate weapon. To be honest, I’m a bit surprised it took so long for this implementation to arrive, given how supplementary it is. Still, it’s appreciated nonetheless.

While not a fundamental game-changer, the Challenge system is a welcome motivator for many players, even those who have completed the game. Those who have completed both Yuito’s and Kasane’s campaigns will likely have around half of the Challenges completed. However, even as someone who has gotten the Platinum trophy, there are still many objectives to clear. It is rare for JRPGs to even receive added-on content, and when it is done, well, it’s not always the greatest. Tales of Arise, a title I admittedly enjoyed far more than Scarlet Nexus, received questionable paid DLC. And, yes, while this Scarlet Nexus update is free, I think the comparison still holds water.

Tales of Arise’s recent paid DLC was the Sword Art Online collaboration. This content is obscenely overpriced, only adding a few interactions with Kirito and Asuna from the SAO series while providing a Coliseum battle and a few items. Nothing in this inclusion meaningfully added to the already existing gameplay systems in a way that would incentivize further play. Instead, it all felt like a way to scam Sword Art Online fans with a pointless licensing deal.

In a way, it’s humorous how Scarlet Nexus’ free update adds more incentive to keep playing by comparison. It gives brand new players another system to continually engage with as story progress is made, and it provides those who have already cleared the title more in-game goals to achieve. I do feel trepidation regarding the paid Bond Enhancement Pack 1 DLC making its way on November 17 because Bandai does not have a particularly great track record with that practice. Still, I’m willing to give it a shot, and I’m hoping it manages to positively stun me as much as this free update has.

If you missed it, check out our review of Scarlet Nexus. Additionally, check out our impressions of the Sword Art Online collaboration DLC for Tales of Arise, along with the title’s general review.

Scarlet Nexus is set in the distant future, where a psionic hormone has been discovered in the human brain. This leads to people gaining extra-sensory powers and thus changing the world. Humanity entered a new era, but deranged mutants known as Others began to descend from the sky with a hunger for human brains.

These enemies aren’t affected by mortal weapons, so humanity is forced to rely on those with abilities to save the world. Players take on the role of Yuito Sumeragi or Kasane Randall to uncover the mysteries of a Brain Punk future caught between technological dependence and psychic abilities.

Update version 1.03 also hit the title last month, which optimized the gameplay experience in several ways.

Scarlet Nexus is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.