The upcoming Bandai Namco title Scarlet Nexus looks like it's setting up to be an impressive JRPG, bringing some fast-paced action and sci-fi style to next-gen consoles. However, while some of its inspirations in the genre are clear, such as Platinum Games' Astral Chain, some players may be starting to comment on the Sword Art Online vibes that Bandai Namco's flashy new title seems to be giving off.
Starting with the art and continuing into the sci-fi setting of Scarlet Nexus, the two series have quite a bit of crossover, even if it isn't an exact one-to-one comparison. So fans of Sword Art Online, and some of the games that have been influenced by the anime and manga series, are likely to find plenty to enjoy in Bandai Namco's upcoming title.
Interestingly enough, Bandai Namco is behind both Scarlet Nexus and the mixed reviewed Sword Art Online games, acting as developer and publisher for the titles. This is little surprise for Sword Art Online, however, as the Bandai Namco is one of the biggest names when it comes to adapting anime and manga into video games. So, this could mean that some inspiration was lifted as test builds and early artwork was being done for Sword Art Online with Bandai Namco choosing to develop a new IP with its own development team using a Sword Art Online styled template.
Art Style and the Protagonists
An obvious comparison between the two is between Kirito, the protagonist of Sword Art Online, and the male version of Yuito Sumeragi, the protagonist of Scarlet Nexus shown in trailers. There will be quite a bit of customization available in Scarlet Nexus when it releases, but the default male version shown in early footage appears to have short black hair, and wears a black coat with lots of straps and added flair dangling all around. It's a fairly similar style to how Kirito is presented in a lot of the material he shows up in, though it is worth noting that the female Yuito is nothing like the more feminine version of Kirito from the Gun Gale arc.
Aside from the characters, the art styles do also compliment each other when it comes to some of the smaller details, such as weapons and attack animations. Namely, it's the flashy aesthetic in Scarlet Nexus' gameplay that calls back to Sword Art Online, though these particle heavy animations are fairly common among anime adapted video games, as well as other Bandai Namco Titles. However, at times, the big glowing attacks that leave a trail of light in the air with each stab and slash mirror each other between the two properties to a shocking degree.
Sci-Fi Settings
A science fiction setting for gaming is nothing new, especially for anime inspired titles where some of the flashier aspects of the art styles can be highlighted by LEDs embedded into every weapon and piece of wardrobe available. In the case of comparing these titles, the way Scarlet Nexus explores the Brainpunk aesthetic that the game is pushing for has quite a bit of overlap with Sword Art Online in both design and concept. While there are key differences, such as Scarlet Nexus taking a more supernatural and ARG style to integrating monsters into the real world, both properties rely on some form of virtual simulation that overtakes the brain and transports the characters into a new world.
This isn't exactly the most unique system in the world of science fiction, as they are all elevating levels of Tron and the more supernatural version of it even has a category in anime, called Isekai. However, the way that both use very similar techniques to attempt to create a scientific way to implant the characters into these virtual worlds is something that hasn't really been touched on quite as much, outside of maybe the .Hack series. In the end, the gameplay in Scarlet Nexus looks like it'll be enough to help the title stand out on its own, but the comparisons do make it worth checking out for fans of Sword Art Online.
Scarlet Nexus is set to release in 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.