Nexomon: Extinction is a return to classic monster catching games, with a brand new story, eccentric characters and over 300 unique Nexomon to trap, tame and evolve.
Players praise the combat system for its innovative mechanics that set it apart from the Pokemon series. Instead of traditional "PP" (Power Points), each move has a certain stamina cost, forcing players to carefully manage their Nexomon's energy during battle. Reviewers highlight how this stamina system adds an extra layer of strategy, as players must weigh the benefits of powerful moves against their stamina drain. The game also features a unique level scaling system, where wild Nexomon and opposing trainers scale their levels to match the player's progression. This allows for freedom of exploration without trivializing encounters, as players can't simply overpower areas by leveling a single Nexomon. Reviewers appreciate how this prevents the game from becoming a mindless grind. The capturing process also requires more player input, as the game introduces an interactive button-timing minigame during the catch sequence. This adds an extra challenge and sense of skill to the Nexomon-catching experience.
With over 380 unique Nexomon to collect, the game offers an impressively diverse bestiary. Reviewers commonly praise the imaginative and visually appealing creature designs, often stating they are more aesthetically pleasing than the Pokemon franchise. The game also provides a high degree of customization through the "Cores" system, which allows players to equip their Nexomon with various stat-boosting and ability-modifying items. This encourages building specialized teams to handle different challenges, further enhancing the strategic depth. Importantly, the open-world structure gives players the freedom to explore and find Nexomon of varying levels, rather than funneling them down a linear progression. Reviewers highlight how this sense of exploration and flexibility adds to the game's replayability.
Players appreciate the well-paced progression and increasing difficulty throughout the adventure. As they advance, the game world and encounters scale accordingly, keeping the challenge engaging without becoming overly punishing. Reviewers note that Nexomon: Extinction strikes a nice balance, being accessible for newcomers while still offering a solid challenge for veteran monster-catching fans. The level scaling system ensures that players can't trivialize the game by over-leveling a single Nexomon. For those seeking an even greater challenge, the inclusion of a "Custom Mode" allows players to further increase the difficulty after completing the main campaign, providing an extra layer of depth for more experienced players.