Scarlet Nexus producer Keita Iizuka has revealed more about the upcoming “brainpunk” action RPG, during Bandai Namco’s Play Anime Live presentation.

Answering questions submitted by fans, Iizuka revealed more about the game. The game was inspired by his desire to tell a story about a group with outstanding powers (mainly superpowers that people fantasize about), with their own characteristics and individuality to achieve goals.

Bringing his experiences from the Tales of series, Iizuka explained he would be utilizing the techniques of storytelling and character development. Further, battles will be intuitive and exhilarating, and designed to players can feel them improving throughout the game.

Confirming the game has nothing to do with Code Vein or God Eater, Iizuka did admit it was similar in that a player-made character becomes the protagonist.

When asked what was challenging about development (such as combining futuristic elements with Japanese culture and mythology) Iizuka explained that Scarlet Nexus was designed on how he felt Japan would look in the future. As such, it was not so difficult to implement.

Despite being set in the future, the game also has visual elements inspired by the 90s, and other retro elements. This latter element was more challenging. He describes the game as world were culture and technology developed in the “wrong direction.”

Character design was inspired by the characters needing to have elements of uniformity, while still showing individuality. The hoods and other designs that obscure their face come into play when they use their powers, showing how they are enduring pain for using their powers (despite not showing their face). This creates a “Dark Hero” aesthetic.

Meanwhile, The Others were designed to be alien and foreign, despite having silhouettes that resemble normal creatures, and organic parts coming out of in-organic elements. They are designed to be totally removed from humans, with no concept of human speech or understanding their intentions. This leaves fighting as the only option.

The inspiration for the title comes from Scarlet representing heroes, and Nexus referring to a bond or network. This is shown in the title sequence with interconnecting red lines, and in other elements of the game. More information on this will be revealed in the future.

You can find the entire Q & A segment below (starting at 32:11).

In other news an “Immersive Experience” for mobile devices was announced, using AR elements to reveal more about the game.

You can find a rundown of the game (via Bandai Namco Entertainment) below:

Unleash the Power of the Mind

In a far distant future, a psionic hormone was discovered in the human brain, granting people extra-sensory powersand changing the world as we know it. Just as humanity was entering this new era, deranged mutants known as Others began to descend from the sky with a thirst for human brains. Highly resistant to conventional attack methods, extreme measures needed to be taken to battle the overwhelming threat and preserve humanity. Those with acute extra-sensory abilities, known as psionics, were our chance to fight the onslaught from above. To this day, psionics have been scouted for their talents and recruited to the Other Suppression Force (OSF), humanity’s last line of defense.

Take on the role of Yuito Sumeragi, a new recruit to the OSF aiming to become an elite psionic like the one who saved him as a child. Armed with a talent in psycho-kinesis, explore the futuristic city of New Himuka and uncover the mysteries of a Brain Punk future caught between technology and psychic abilities in SCARLET NEXUS.

Xbox Specific Features
Xbox One X Enhanced – Yes
4K – Yes
HDR – No
Xbox Series X Optimized – Yes
Xbox Play Anywhere – Yes
Smart Delivery – Yes

KINETIC PSYCHIC COMBAT

Using psycho-kinetic abilities, the world around you becomes your greatest weapon. Lift, break and throw pieces of your environment to build your attack combos and lay waste to your enemies.

EXTERMINATE THE OTHERS

Deranged mutants that descended from the sky, immune to conventional weapons and defenses. Tormented by the constant pain of their mutation, they seek brains of living organisms to calm their madness.

DISCOVER A BRAIN PUNK FUTURE

Scarlet Nexus is coming soon to Windows PC (via Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.