Looking for the definitive way to experience Bandai Namco's brain-punk action RPG? The SCARLET NEXUS Ultimate Edition bundles the base game, the entire "Bond" story expansion, and a massive library of cosmetic DLC. It is the best entry point for newcomers wanting to master psychokinetic combat and explore the intricate relationships within the OSF.
The Ultimate Edition packages a complete brain-punk experience with all post-launch content
When developers release multiple tiers of a game, deciding which one to buy is frustrating. Do you just need the base game, or is the season pass worth the extra money? With Scarlet Nexus, skipping the standard edition is the right call if you want the complete narrative arc.
The core game is phenomenal on its own. However, the supplementary story DLC, Scarlet Nexus: Bond, ties up critical narrative loose ends for both main protagonists. On top of that, this top-tier bundle throws in the Season Pass, additional weapon skins, SAS plug-in extensions, and cosmetic outfits. Let’s break down exactly what you get.
What exactly is included in the SCARLET NEXUS Ultimate Edition?
Buying this bundle is cheaper than purchasing the base game and its add-ons separately. If you hate seeing "Unlocked via DLC" prompts on your screen without owning the content, this version solves that problem immediately.
- The Base Game: The full campaign featuring dual protagonists Yuito Sumeragi and Kasane Randall.
- Bond Episode DLC: Extra story chapters that provide epilogues and deeper character development for your squad.
- Season Pass Bonuses: Additional SAS plug-ins that let you customize your playstyle earlier in the campaign.
- Cosmetic Sets: A mix of school uniforms, radish costumes, and mixed operational attire.
Be warned: the audio setup requires a minor tweak. Many players report audio glitching during heavy combat sequences when the default output is set to surround sound on certain headsets. Switch your system audio to Stereo. This instantly fixes the audio-drop glitch and saves you an hour of troubleshooting.
Why is this action RPG still worth playing today?
Years after its launch, the title remains a standout in Bandai Namco's catalog. It successfully merges fast, aerial combat with an engrossing social system. The game launched day-one on Xbox Game Pass, which built a massive player base, but buying the Ultimate Edition secures your permanent access to the premium add-ons that Game Pass subscribers had to buy separately.
Combat relies on combining psychokinesis with close-quarters weapon strikes
You do not just swing a sword. You fight as a specialized operative in the Other Suppression Force (OSF), using your brain's psychokinetic powers to hurl cars, debris, and even trains at horrifying mutants. Every engagement demands a rhythm.
How does the SAS system function during combat?
The Struggle Arms System (SAS) is the mechanical core of the game. It is a combat protocol that lets you temporarily borrow the psychic abilities of your teammates. Activating SAS powers consumes a gauge, forcing you to manage your uptime carefully.
If you try to play this like a standard hack-and-slash, button-mashing your way through hordes, you will hit a massive difficulty wall around the third act. You must use SAS combinations to survive.
- Sclerokinesis: Grants temporary invincibility. Essential for surviving unblockable grab attacks from larger bosses.
- Pyrokinesis: Sets your weapon and surrounding objects on fire, dealing high burst damage.
- Teleportation: Instantly closes the gap between you and your target, followed by a devastating counterattack.
- Clairvoyance: Automatically dodges enemy strikes and reveals invisible targets.
Which psychokinetic mechanics separate this from other JRPGs?
Here is the dirty detail most guides gloss over: your basic attacks are exceptionally weak. The real damage comes from reading the battlefield. You knock an enemy into the air with a perfect dodge, juggle them with weapon combos, and then smash them into the ground with a parked car.
| Attack Type | Advantage | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon Combo | Builds the Psychokinesis (PK) gauge rapidly | High (vulnerable to enemy swarms) |
| Object Throw | Massive burst damage; crushes enemy armor | Low (can be done from a distance) |
| Combo Vision | Triggers a QTE with a teammate for huge damage | Medium (requires precise timing) |
Mastering the flow between building your PK gauge and spending it on environmental debris is what makes the battles so satisfying.
Yuito and Kasane represent two separate military factions and storylines
The narrative is a dual-perspective mystery. You choose your protagonist at the very beginning, and it drastically changes how you view the war against the Others. This structure means you are meant to play through the campaign twice to get the full picture.
Should you play as Yuito Sumeragi or Kasane Randall first?
Canonically, playing Kasane first is recommended. Her route is significantly more challenging because her floating knife attacks rely on speed and precision rather than Yuito’s heavy sword strikes. Her storyline also answers the major world-building questions earlier, setting up the reveals in Yuito’s route.
Yuito belongs to the Suou faction within the OSF, a group heavily tied to traditional military operations and political legacy. Kasane operates closely with the Seiran faction, a science-focused branch that questions the ethics of the establishment. Playing both sides exposes the gray morality of the world.
| Protagonist | Weapon Style | Story Focus | Recommended Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuito Sumeragi | Blunt, heavy sword swings | Classic hero's journey; emotional | Second Playthrough |
| Kasane Randall | Fast, ranged floating knives | Complex lore reveals; methodical | First Playthrough |
Character bonds provide permanent combat buffs and narrative context
When you are not fighting mutants, you are managing relationships. Social interaction is not just filler here. Building bonds with your squad is an actual progression system that directly impacts your viability in combat.
How do you effectively use the standby phase and social links?
Between major story episodes, you return to the OSF hideout for a standby phase. You have limited time to interact with teammates, give them gifts, and participate in bond episodes. Ignoring these interactions is a terrible idea.
Every bond episode you complete unlocks a new SAS ability tier. If you ignore Kasane or Yuito's squadmates, you will lack the advanced dodging or elemental attacks required for the late-game boss phases. The store sells generic gifts, but giving a character their specific favorite item grants double experience toward their bond.
- Talk to everyone: Some minor characters provide context clues that unlock hidden objectives.
- Check the database: It updates continuously. Reading the glossary terms helps you understand why certain factions are suddenly betraying each other.
- Beware of bond triggers: Sometimes initiating a bond episode will automatically end your standby phase, pushing you into the next combat mission before you are ready.
Beginner survival requires aggressive defense and inventory management
New players often fall into the same traps. They hoard their items, ignore weapon upgrades, and try to button-mash their way out of trouble. To survive the brutal mid-game spike, you need to adjust your habits early.
What are the biggest mistakes new players make in Scarlet Nexus?
Resource hoarding is the number one killer of momentum. The game constantly feeds you high-tier recovery jellies and attack items. Do not let your inventory max out. Use your buff consumables at the start of tough arena encounters.
Another massive error is ignoring brain points. Leveling up is manual. The game does not automatically apply stat boosts. You have to go into the Brain Map menu and spend your accumulated points.
How should you spend your early brain map points?
The Brain Map is massive and intimidating. Do not just click nodes randomly. Prioritize universal mechanics that make exploration and combat more forgiving before diving into niche elemental damage stats.
- Health Passives: Grab the base HP upgrades early. It makes early boss fights much less punishing.
- Inventory Expansions: Increasing your carry limit for healing jellies provides a massive safety net.
- Perfect Dodge: Any node that extends the invincibility window on your dodges should be acquired immediately.
- Item Drop Rate: Upgrading this early ensures you have enough materials for mid-game weapon upgrades without having to grind.
You will naturally unlock character-specific nodes as you build bond levels, so focus your baseline points on raw survivability and inventory utility first.
Real questions players ask before starting the Ultimate Edition
Before diving into the brain-punk world, players usually have a few specific logistical questions. Let's clear up the most common ones.
Is Scarlet Nexus Ultimate Edition a direct upgrade over the standard version?
Yes, it is a total upgrade. The standard edition is practically obsolete if you plan on finishing the story. The base game ends on a somewhat ambiguous note that requires the additional "Bond" expansion content found in the Ultimate Edition for true narrative closure.
Does the game run well on modern hardware and the Steam Deck?
The PC port is incredibly well optimized. It runs smoothly on the Steam Deck at a locked 40 frames per second on medium settings. Remember to keep your drivers updated, as some older NVIDIA drivers experienced severe crashing when using high-shadow settings during brain-drive activations.
How long does it take to beat both story campaigns?
Completing just one campaign takes about 30 hours. Doing a full double-playthrough to see both perspectives, finishing the bond episodes, and playing through the extra story DLC included in the Ultimate Edition will take you roughly 70 to 80 hours.
