Nexomon: Extinction has a lot going for it. The monster-catching RPG has a lovely art style, amusing writing, and involved story, all of which are likely to draw in an abundance of fans looking for a creature-capturing fix. However, there's a lot going on in this sequel to 2017's Nexomon.
While much of the game's formula will feel familiar to fans of Nintendo's flagship Pokemon games, Nexomon: Extinction distinguishes itself in a handful of ways. Here are some things we wish we had known before embarking on our Nexomon adventure.
10 There Are A Lot Of Starter Nexomon
One immediate difference between this game and the Pokemon series is the number of Nexomon that you'll be able to choose from at the start. While Pokemon has stuck to its tradition of offering you one of three starter options, Nexomon: Extinction features a whopping nine potential partners.
The wide suite of starter Nexomon gives the game an inherent sense of variety and replay value. While your choices in Pokemon are typically limited to Fire, Water, and Grass types, you'll have a wide range of types to choose from here.
9 The Game Makes References To The Original Nexomon
For a while, Nexomon: Extinction was the only title in the series that was available on consoles. While this is no longer the case, it has led to a number of players starting with the sequel as opposed to the original Nexomon.
While jumping into the series on its second installment won't ruin your experience, the game does feature various references, callbacks, and allusions to the original Nexomon's plot and characters. Thankfully, there is a brief cutscene near the beginning of the game that helps to catch new players up on the series' lore.
8 The Game's Tone Is Both Serious And Silly
Speaking of lore, there is a surprising amount to be found in Nexomon: Extinction. Immediately upon starting the game, you'll be introduced to unexpected plot elements and characters with abilities you may not have expected in a monster-collection game. This is one title with darker themes and higher stakes than you might expect from the genre.
While it can definitely take its narrative seriously when necessary, Nexomon: Extinction is brimming with humor. There are plenty of exaggerated reactions and fourth-wall-breaking jokes, and you'll even travel with a companion character who serves as comedic relief throughout the journey.
7 You Can Alter Your Chances Of Capturing Nexomon
When you first encounter a Nexomon in battle, the mechanics should seem pretty familiar to you. You have the option to attack, swap out Nexomon, and use items to help give your Nexomon the advantage. It's when you attempt to catch Nexomon, however, that the major differences begin to show themselves.
Initiating an attempted capture will bring up a menu that shows you your probability of success. This percentage value can be altered by a number of actions, such as afflicting status effects or feeding Nexomon before tossing your legally distinct Nexotrap at them. Once your Nexotrap secures a Nexomon, you'll have a limited amount of time to respond to a series of button prompts in order to further increase your odds of capture.
6 There Are A Wide Variety Of Nexomon In Each Area
The first time you're granted the ability to capture Nexomon, you'll be near a small bushel of grass. As you begin to capture your first few creatures and assemble a team, you may notice that, even in this limited area, the variety of Nexomon present is surprising.
Nexomon: Extinction's wild areas feature a solid variety of creatures, and while certain types are more prevalent in specific areas, you'll find that you can amass a large amount of Nexomon just by sticking close to certain spots and continuously battling. Even the aforementioned first area contains enough creatures to fill your party.
5 Cores Can Alter Your Nexomon's Stats
Battles in Nexomon: Extinction offer a few interesting combat mechanics that help the game stand out. In addition to various unique status effects, such as Frail or Demotivated, there are a number of Cores in the game that can change the performance of your Nexomon.
Cores are equipable items that will affect your Nexomon's status. Each core provides its own unique bonuses and effects, and each Nexomon is able to equip four at a time, leading to a plethora of potential combinations and status boosts.
4 You Can Sell Certain Nexomon
While the number of Nexomon in each area may encourage you to aim for variety, it's also worth occasionally capturing the same species more than once. Having duplicate Nexomon could potentially come in handy as you progress.
Throughout the game, you'll encounter certain individuals who are willing to buy Nexomon from you. If you're willing to sell, these characters will line your pockets or grant you rare items for your troubles, but it can be tough to let go of certain Nexomon once you've become attached. Having duplicates can be very useful in this scenario. It's also worth noting that the Nexomon in your party is the one you'll be selling, so be careful!
3 Catching Wild Nexomon Gives You Options
One of the best aspects of games that follow in the footsteps of other monster-collection RPGs is their ability to provide small, quality-of-life improvements to the typical formula. Small gameplay elements are often made slightly more convenient through handy new features, and the process of capturing Nexomon is a clear example of that.
After catching a Nexomon, you'll be presented with the option to add it directly to your party or to send it to your storage folders. If you'd like to add it to a full party, you can select one of your current team members and send them into your storage box instead, eliminating the need to visit a specific location to manage your team.
2 There Are Special Stones That Heal Your Nexomon Team
While healing stations are present in Nexomon: Extinction, you may still occasionally find yourself in a wild area without the ability to heal your Nexomon. In times like this, you'll want to seek out the glowing purple stones littered around the map.
Certain luminous stones you interact with in the game will heal your entire Nexomon team, helping you avoid needing to make an emergency trip to a healing area. These stones also regenerate, although they do take a bit of time to do so.
1 There Aren't Any Gyms, But You Do Collect Badges
One of the key differences between Nexomon: Extinction and games like Pokemon is the fact that the former doesn't feature a series of gyms to challenge. Instead, you'll join the Tamer's Guild, a collective of Nexomon Tamers who assist individuals across the region.
You'll earn badges as you increase your ranking in the Tamer's Guild, making Nexomon: Extinction's progression feel like a combination between traditional Pokemon mechanics and those present in the recent Pokemon Legends: Arceus. There are also dungeons to explore and a large collection of side quests to complete, meaning you'll never run out of things to do during your adventure.