The long-running Hunter x Hunter sequence lately obtained a new online game adaptation with Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact. With a beloved model and a notable preventing sport developer on board, you may hope this is able to go off with out a hitch.
But in the days since launch, Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact has been the topic of discourse and criticism inside the preventing sport group. Its gameplay hearkens again to the sort of scrappy, seemingly overpowered bouts many take pleasure in on this specific surroundings, however a number of points have been holding Nen x Impact again; particularly, the netcode.
Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact is a tag-team preventing sport that went reside 5 days in the past on July 16 and, at the time of writing, has a little over 140 complete evaluations on Steam. Whereas the ratio of positive-to-negative evaluations favors the former, it is at a roughly 2:1 ratio, leaving Nen x Impact at an total “Combined.”
A number of evaluations, even the optimistic ones, note issues particularly with the netcode. Whereas there are points taken with a slim single-player providing and different factors, netcode is a major concern.
On the flip-side, the majority in optimistic evaluations do take pleasure in the preventing fairly a bit. “I can not assist it man, its my favourite preventing sport ever. nothing else comes shut when it comes to how freeform you might be, how explosive it’s, how spectacular it feels and appears to do properly,” one reviewer wrote.
netcode broke https://t.co/ukuyS7K9Ep pic.twitter.com/J6NDWuJEzP
— Broskі (@broskiFGC) July 15, 2025
Inside the broader preventing sport group, Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact is receiving similar criticism. Even those that have been eager to play and compete, who see the potential in Nen x Impact, are hitting a wall with its on-line play.
Nen affect has some 2011 netcode lol what is that this
— dekillsage (@dekillsage) July 15, 2025
simply to make clear i nonetheless actually like the core gameplay of nen affect, had a lot of enjoyable labbing stuff, however the netcode continuously fluctuates 3-6f of rollback even in opposition to individuals near you, it doesnt work proper and that i dont suppose its a good client product as of the present patch
— Broskі (@broskiFGC) July 15, 2025
It is truthfully a disgrace, as a result of Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact does have some unimaginable potential. It is based mostly on Hunter x Hunter, for one factor; an anime sequence that has a extensive forged of characters, every with their very own distinctive powers that might make for a wealthy surroundings of playstyles and designs. Seeing Biscuit Krueger, Hisoka, Kurapika, and extra face-off is already enjoyable, particularly since shonen preventing video games can vary from stellar to less-than-stellar.
Nen x Impact additionally inherits a legacy from its developer, Eighting. It is a studio identified in preventing sport circles for its contributions to the craft, most notably with its work on Marvel Vs. Capcom 3. Watch some clips of Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact, and it is not onerous to see the MvC3 affect.
— PO1 | ピチカート (@pizzicatokai) July 19, 2025
This needs to be a match made in Hunter x Hunter heaven. However as an alternative, Nen x Impact has struggled to seek out a foothold on account of on-line frustrations. It is the sort of problem that’s, as fighting game commentator Sajam put it, fortunately an outlier lately, however can nonetheless be a main blocker for any sport making an attempt to maintain an viewers. In-person and native competitors continues to be large for preventing video games, however on-line play has been a core a part of preserving a sport’s group alive and thriving. Bushiroad and Eighting even pushed the original 2024 launch date of Nen x Impact back with the intention to implement rollback netcode.
The developer published a statement on July 16, confirming each a problem the place “extreme rollback frames happen throughout matches” and one the place “matches forcibly terminate on account of desynchronization errors.” The group confirms it is investigating these points and is engaged on a decision. In the meantime, the studio is recommending gamers struggle beneath “a secure and dependable web connection each time doable,” and can introduce a function in an upcoming replace to view “extra detailed info” concerning an opponent’s connection high quality and area.
The query now’s whether or not these fixes can arrive quick sufficient, earlier than different video games steal the highlight. The tag fighter style is beginning to get a little crowded, as each Riot’s 2XKO and now Arc System Works’ Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls loom on the horizon. It could be thrilling for MvC3 followers and Hunter x Hunter followers alike to see Eighting get Nen x Impact to a secure place, but it surely looks like the street there might be longer than some would hope.
Eric is a freelance author for IGN.