Nexomon Review

Genre: Role-Playing | Developer: VEWO Interactive Inc. | Release Date: 2020

Published by VEWO Interactive Inc. and follows a young tamer caught in the middle of a conflict between humans and Nexomon, with a mysterious legendary Nexomon looming in the background.

Campaign 

Nexomon offers a surprisingly deep and engaging story that sets it apart from other monster-taming games. Unlike the lighthearted and predictable narratives seen in the Pokémon series, Nexomon embraces a more mature and serious tone, making for a compelling adventure. The story follows a young tamer caught in the middle of a conflict between humans and Nexomon, with a mysterious legendary Nexomon looming in the background. There are twists and emotional beats that elevate the experience beyond standard genre fare.

The supporting cast is well-developed, with characters like your snarky companion adding humor to the adventure. The antagonists are also more fleshed out than in most games of this type, with motives that feel more nuanced rather than simply being "evil for the sake of it." The dialogue is often witty, filled with meta-humor and self-awareness, which makes interactions with NPCs enjoyable.

However, one drawback is that the world itself doesn’t feel as interactive as it could be. Most NPCs exist solely to advance the story rather than offering interesting side quests or unique challenges. Towns also feel somewhat formulaic, with each one featuring the same basic layout and stores that sell identical items. This lack of variety and interactivity makes exploration less rewarding.

Despite these minor gripes, Nexomon delivers a rich and lengthy campaign that keeps players engaged with its well-crafted narrative, interesting characters, and an overarching mystery that unfolds in satisfying ways.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Gameplay

Nexomon sticks to the tried-and-true monster-taming formula but introduces enough unique elements to keep things fresh. The battle system is turn-based, similar to Pokémon, but with some refinements that make combat feel faster and more strategic. Each Nexomon has a stamina bar instead of a set number of moves per attack, requiring careful management to avoid running out of energy mid-battle. This adds an extra layer of strategy, as players must decide when to rest a Nexomon or swap it out.

The game boasts a large roster of creatures to capture, offering plenty of variety in team-building. However, like many monster-taming games, there’s little incentive to capture them all beyond completing the Nexopedia. Adding unique challenges tied to certain Nexomon—such as requiring specific ones to access new areas like caves or water routes—would have given more purpose to capturing and interacting with them.

Difficulty is another highlight. Unlike Pokémon, Nexomon doesn’t hold players’ hands, offering a genuine challenge with battles that require proper strategy instead of brute force. The AI is competent, and battles against tamers and bosses can be intense, forcing players to think carefully about their team composition and move selection.

One area that feels lacking is additional game modes. There are no extra challenges, multiplayer, or co-op options, which would have added significant replay value. More side activities, such as mini-games or ways to interact with Nexomon outside of battles, would have helped flesh out the experience further.

Despite these shortcomings, Nexomon is a fun and rewarding experience, offering solid gameplay mechanics, a robust monster roster, and a refreshing level of challenge.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Production

Visually, Nexomon is a stunning game, with beautifully drawn 2D sprites and colorful environments that make every area feel distinct. The art style is vibrant and polished, standing out from other indie monster-taming games. Each Nexomon is designed with a unique and detailed aesthetic, making them feel like well-thought-out creatures rather than generic knockoffs.

The cutscenes are well-animated, adding cinematic flair to key moments in the story. However, the world itself lacks interactivity. Unlike other RPGs where players can interact with objects like bookshelves, TVs, or signs for lore or fun extras, Nexomon’s towns and interiors feel static. NPCs, while humorous, rarely offer much beyond a few lines of dialogue tied to the story, missing an opportunity to enhance worldbuilding through side quests or unique interactions.

Sound design is another strong point. The music is well-composed, setting the mood for each area and battle. From energetic battle themes to relaxing town melodies, the soundtrack does a great job of immersing players in the world. Sound effects are also well-implemented, adding weight to attacks and environmental interactions. While there is no voice acting, the dialogue’s wit and charm carry the narrative effectively.

Overall, Nexomon shines in its artistic presentation and audio design, though a more interactive world would have made it even better.

Rating: 4 out of 5

The Verdict

In the end, Nexomon is a fantastic monster-taming RPG with a mature story, fun gameplay, and beautiful art. While the world could be more interactive and additional modes would add replay value, it remains a great alternative to Pokémon, offering challenging battles and a memorable adventure. Nexomon gets 3 out of 5.