Should you play Nexomon before Extinction?

[Peridot]

Should I play the original before I play Extinction? Is there any connection between the two (story wise), or is Extinction so much more polished (for example) that it'll be a better game to get you introduced to the series?

[Chris]

While it is a sequel and does reference the first game, it seems to take place long after, perhaps several hundred years later and I don't think you need to have played the first one to understand the story in this one.

On the point of polish, I'd say its a considerable improvement, mainly because the first one was a mobile game originally and status effects were broken in the first game, they seem a lot more balanced this time around and the combat in general feels better.

Bare in mind I haven't completed the game yet.

[Wolle]

The first game has it's own charme and plays itself a lot different. What you have to know for extinction is told at the beginning, But if you want to understand the references, the entire world map is one, It's good to have played the first game. it took me 20 hours to finish the game and 45 hours total to collect nearly every single nexomon. I did this last week.

to be honest, i like the mechanics of the simple first game more than the fancy tricks and upgrades. I liked to change my skills when i felt like it.

[Elvick]

I don't know why people keep saying the first game isn't needed. I just started Extinction, and there's a lot that isn't explained [so far] and you'll know a lot more going into this if you played the first one.

It glosses over all the characters of the first game, and the overall plot in a cinematic but it leaves a lot out as well. The Extinction event itself is setup by the ending of the first game.

Plus it's just worth playing, it's a funny story which leaves you really wanting to play Extinction [and it's out now so you don't have to wait like I did ;P]

Only real issue is the first game is a lot more rough around the edges. I still loved the game, but it has a lot of design problems. Took me 40h to 100% the game. The UI of the first game is mobile and doesn't translate great to a controller.

Just from the setup of this game, it's definitely made so you can follow what's happening but you do benefit from having played the first one. It makes sense they did it that way given that this game was made for consoles where the original hasn't been ported to at all. Only place to play both is on PC currently.

Just off my first roughly half hour, this game is definitely a more solid game in terms of overall design. From the UI, to the combat [though early combat in the first game was fine too but quickly became broken and over in 2 turns most of the time]. However, I notice status effects are already drastically improved. The new catching mechanics are interesting off the bat.

If you don't mind a more janky game, the first is definitely worth playing. But so far this seems to be the better game. Hard to say comparing 40h to 30m, but still.

[Gilamex]

It references the first game A LOT and it is technically a direct sequel. You don't have to, to enjoy it, but I highly recommend it. You really won't get the most out of this one unless you play the first one. (The first one is pretty cringy compared to this one though, so just bare with it.)