Gaming

SCARLET NEXUS First Impressions: Technological dystopia

BANDAI NAMCO’s take on an anime-style, cyberpunk RPG

Published

June 10, 2021

Gab Orlina

I knew BANDAI NAMCO mostly from their incredible work on classic games like PAC-MAN and TEKKEN. In fact, I grew up playing their games quite a lot, whether with family members or with some friends. To this day, they’re still producing a decent amount of games across both current and next-generation consoles and the PC.

This time around, they’ve ventured into an action RPG mixed with a little bit of “brain punk” as they described it. They called this game, “SCARLET NEXUS,” and it’s set for release for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the PC. Now, I gave the demo a shot to see just how everything will turn out.

Short, sweet, and action-filled

In total, the entire demo took about 30 minutes to finish, which for a demo isn’t that long. At the start, you even get to choose which main protagonist you want to roll with, for a good reason too. Apart from the same tutorial section, you actually get to play a different main stage design. I honestly thought it would be the same all throughout.

Character selection screen for SCARLET NEXUS

Regardless, gameplay immediately picks up after a short tutorial session, and I found myself just having a blast. Honestly, the controls are pretty easy to understand and master after a few combat sequences so the learning curve isn’t steep. Plus, part of the combat mechanics includes the SAS, which grants access to additional attacks and abilities.

SCARLET NEXUS

It’s a gameplay style I’ve come accustomed to with other RPGs in the last few years. Even for a short demo, action looks quite fast-paced and reaction-heavy on some occasions. Also, you can add onto that a bit of exploration with the vast level design, so combat feels more loose and exciting to mess around with.

Visuals suited for the time

If you’re planning to get the version for the PC or next-gen consoles, the design for the demo is amazing. I have to give credit to BANDAI NAMCO for integrating some apt lighting fixtures in Kasane’s demo level, further emphasizing the technological wasteland in the background. Although, I think that this will also be present in the PS4 and Xbox One versions but not as prominent.

Also, like I mentioned before, the demo levels are quite vast, which also aids in the exploration aspect. I noticed that they scatter some items across the whole level, ranging from healing items to items that aid in combat. In some instances, these items were well-hidden in some of the nooks and crannies of the level.

Of course, it isn’t just in the overworld visuals that I’m amazed at, but even in some of the cutscenes in between combat and exploration. The cartoony, comic book-style animations mixed in with some techno-punk were nice touches. I could feel that there was a lot of love given just to this department alone.

Worth all the waiting?

If I could sum up my initial impressions on SCARLET NEXUS, it’s an RPG that I truly enjoyed even for 30 minutes. Honestly, the biggest culprit for this goes to the gameplay mechanics that feels so great to execute, and you take a short time learning everything. Packed with some incredible visual design, I think this game has potential to be a favorite for this year.

One of the things I am looking forward to later on is the storylines we’ll be working with. The demo doesn’t really touch on plot points that you could do mental gymnastics with. Although, it does reveal that you play with different NPCs instead of taking on the enemies all by yourself. Nonetheless, I feel that it’s something worth diving into when the full game comes out.

SCARLET NEXUS will be available on June 25.

Gaming

FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster launches on Nintendo Switch 2

Classic RPGs returng

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and Square Enix have announced that FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster is now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Physical copies are also on sale across Southeast Asia.

The collection brings together FINAL FANTASY X and FINAL FANTASY X-2, two of the most celebrated entries in the long-running RPG franchise. Both games feature enhanced HD visuals while preserving their original stories and gameplay.

Two classic adventures in one package

In FINAL FANTASY X, players follow Tidus, a star blitzball athlete whose journey becomes intertwined with the summoner Yuna as they travel across the world of Spira to confront a devastating threat.

Its direct sequel, FINAL FANTASY X-2, takes place two years later. Players take control of Yuna alongside Rikku and Paine as they uncover ancient mysteries and face new enemies.

The release also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original launch of the game in Japan, giving longtime fans and newcomers another opportunity to experience the pair of RPG classics at home or on the go.

Bandai Namco notes that physical edition availability may vary by country across Southeast Asia.

Watch the launch trailer below:

About the FINAL FANTASY series

The FINAL FANTASY franchise has entertained players for more than 35 years. Known for its cinematic storytelling, memorable characters, imaginative worlds, and technical innovation, the series has sold more than 212 million copies worldwide.

Gaming

NBA 2K27 cover athletes unveiled: Wemby, Clark, DRose

Pre-orders now open for the 3 editions

Published

July 23, 2026

GadgetMatch

The NBA 2K27 cover athletes have been revealed as pre-orders have become available.

San Antonio Spurs all-star Victor Wembanyama has been unveiled as the cover athlete for the NBA 2K27 Standard Edition.

Meanwhile, WNBA star Caitlin Clark is gracing the Deluxe Edition cover.

Rounding out the trio is 2011 NBA MVP and Chicago Bulls legend Derrick Rose for the Ultra Edition.

The game will launch worldwide on September 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam. Early access is available by August 28.

First-look images of the game showcases some of NBA’s younger stars, like Cooper Flagg and Cade Cunningham.

Also shown for the first time is Jaylen Brown in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey, ahead of his debut with his new team after being traded from the Boston Celtics for Paul George.

Pre-orders are now open, and availing of any edition early entitles customers to a 10,000 VC bonus.

The Standard Edition is priced at US$ 69.99.

Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition (US$ 99.99) enables players to unlock these perks:

100,000 VC
Up to 7 days early access
MyTeam content: Full ’27: Series Team 1 Selection, Triple Threat Park Free Agent Pack, 5x ’27: Series 1 Packs, 2-Hour 2XP Coin
MyCareer content: 25x 6 Types of Skill Boosts, 25x 3 Types of Gatorade Boosts, 2-ahour 2XP Coin, Victor Wembanyama Jersey, Caitlin Clark Jersey

Meanwhile, in addition to the perks under the Deluxe Edition, those who pre-order the Ultra Edition (US$ 149.99) shall also get:

135,000 VC (instead of 100,000)
Season 1 Pro Pass + Summer Pass
NBA 2K27 Ultra Edition MyTEAM Player Cards (via The Exchange): Guaranteed 98 OVR by Dec 2026, guaranteed Invincible by May 2027
Roses Oversize Hoodie

Gaming

Call of Duty, Aston Martin unveil Dreadnought for Modern Warfare 4

A mobile fortress available to locate in key areas

Published

July 20, 2026

GadgetMatch

Call of Duty and Aston Martin revealed the Aston Martin Dreadnought, a bespoke, in-game SUV concept specially created for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.

Developed by Aston Martin’s design team in collaboration with the game’s developers and publishers, the Dreadnought pairs supercar-level performance and a full-blooded V12 engine with a military-grade armored exterior.

This configuration makes it the most aggressive all-wheel drive vehicle in the title.

Built as a mobile fortress rather than a joyride, it is designed to push objectives, save teammates under fire, and drive straight through contested ground while its armor plating absorbs heavy incoming damage.

Ground in the physics of the Modern Warfare universe, the unapologetic, uncompromising tactical SUV delivers a stunning exploration of extreme visual language. At the same time, it brings an engaging and dynamic player experience.

Its striking form has been imaged for elite tactical performance, with optimized aerodynamics and fully integrated digital command interfaces.

The exquisite design details emphasize the Dreadnought’s high luxury heritage. There’s the herringbone weave of the exterior carbon fiber, as well as the Oxford Tan leather dashboard, door panel details, and metallic gold gear lever.

Players will be able to locate the Dreadnought in key points of interest within both DMZ and Call of Duty: Warzone modes.

Fans got to see a full-size physical interpretation of the Dreadnought at Fanatics Fest NYC, ahead of its in-game debut on 23 October.

In other news, Call of Duty movie director and co-writer Peter Berg revealed that the film will be set in the Modern Warfare universe.