Astral Chain
- August 30, 2019
- PlatinumGames
Astral Chain is a fantastic character action game that reimagines the subgenre at its core with a completely original and immensely satisfying combat system
Astral Chain is a sci-fi hack and slash game exclusively for Nintendo Switch, where players fight alien-like creatures invading the world. The game can be played in single-player mode, or co-op with a second player for added flexibility. As a member of a police special task force, players must utilize chain-based combat and investigation to save the world from destruction.
Nintendo Switch
Reviews
- Unique and engaging gameplay that combines action and detective work, offering a fresh experience on the Switch.
- Stunning graphics and art design, with a vibrant anime aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
- Fast-paced and fluid combat system that allows for a variety of strategies and character customization.
- The story can be predictable and lacks depth, with some characters feeling generic and unmemorable.
- Controls can be cumbersome and may take time to master, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- Some missions and side quests feel repetitive and lack creativity, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
- story51 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally well-received, featuring engaging characters and a fun, albeit predictable, narrative set in a vibrant cyberpunk world. While some players appreciate the character development and the balance between gameplay and story, others criticize the pacing, lack of memorable characters, and clichéd plot elements. Overall, it offers a solid experience with a mix of main and side quests that enhance the gameplay, though it may not stand out as particularly innovative or complex.
“This has a great story and characters.”
“The story is simple but very entertaining.”
“You just get so attached to your characters, the story is gripping!”
“However, I've found myself frustrated by design ideas throughout the whole game, and soon got tired of the game's combat and storyline once I realized it just isn't what it could have been.”
“The game's story is slow and predictable, and the cutscenes are lazily dubbed with distracting lack of lip-sync.”
“The plot is incredibly cliché and has been done to death, with a very unsatisfying ending too.”
- gameplay37 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Astral Chain" is praised for its innovative mechanics, combining action, detective work, and platforming in a visually stunning cyberpunk setting. Players appreciate the depth and variety of combat, which requires strategic thinking rather than simple button mashing, alongside engaging puzzles and side quests. While some find the complexity daunting, the game offers accessibility features that allow newcomers to enjoy the experience without sacrificing its core mechanics.
“Fantastic and unique gameplay experience!”
“Great gameplay, lovely graphic style, lots of stuff to collect, customize your legions as you progress through the game.”
“Astral Chain is a wonderfully fun and ambitious action title with a great gameplay hook that improves the more you master the basics.”
“You get the obvious bad guy who is part of your team, the expected unexpected twist, the good gimmick of controlling two characters at the same time, the usual 'you cannot access this area because you need to unlock a character later in the game and then return to this area' mechanic.”
“-una característica del gameplay es que cuenta con mecánicas de plataformeo; y es aquí donde uno se da cuenta de uno de los más grandes problemas del juego: para pasar de una plataforma a otra, uno tiene que enviar a la legion en la plataforma a la que se quiere llegar, luego se presiona zr para que la legion nos jale con la cadena a tal plataforma, lo cuál es extremadamente tedioso: muchas veces caeremos al precipicio tratando de conseguir el plataformeo adecuado en el astral plane.”
“The complexity of the game's myriad systems may prove intimidating for some players, but the inclusion of a co-op play and the ability to automate many of the mechanics via the 'unchained' mode means that even complete newcomers can still enjoy the ride.”
- graphics32 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, vibrant anime aesthetics, and impressive presentation, particularly on the Switch. Players appreciate the flashy combat visuals and unique art style, although some note that the graphics can feel lifeless during dialogue scenes. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics and engaging gameplay contributes to a highly enjoyable experience.
“The graphics are stunning and the story is fun.”
“I'd recommend it to fans of this genre; I love the futuristic cyberpunk style setting... great visuals and fast-paced action!”
“Beautiful visuals and incredible presentation values round things out to make it one of the Switch’s must-own titles.”
“The visuals work well in combat, but it all feels a bit lifeless when characters are standing around talking in the office.”
“The game's visuals in combat are often flashy and messy to the point I couldn't really focus on what my legion was doing.”
“Graphics are dated.”
- music13 mentions
- 85 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its high quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, featuring a diverse soundtrack that ranges from groovy house beats to hard-hitting rock tracks. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout element, often describing it as engaging and memorable, contributing significantly to the game's vibrant atmosphere and immersive gameplay. Overall, the combination of exceptional music, art design, and character aesthetics elevates the game's appeal.
“Amazing soundtrack too.”
“Engaging combat system, sublime soundtrack and great graphics.”
“The music is of high quality and never gets boring.”
“The settings and music are perhaps the strongest aspect of this game.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its impressive performance and graphics on the Nintendo Switch, showcasing Platinum's ability to push hardware limits without sacrificing gameplay quality. However, some users noted performance issues, particularly in crowded areas and while docked, as well as occasional camera problems. Despite these drawbacks, the fluid combat and engaging art style contribute to a generally positive optimization experience.
“This game, like most of Platinum's games, is full of beautifully crafted gameplay and, as usual with their Nintendo games, it really pushes the hardware without sacrificing performance.”
“Controlling two characters in combat is fluid and innovative. The story is very anime but manages to avoid overusing tropes. Graphics and performance are very good given the Switch's hardware. Great world and interesting concepts.”
“Great art style, fun combat, stylish action, great performance, character and legion customization.”
“The camera can be a cruel mistress; performance while docked isn't good enough.”
“There are some performance issues in crowded areas, which can be frustrating.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is primarily driven by the acquisition and upgrading of five unique legions, which enhance combat diversity and strategy. Players start with one legion and unlock the others throughout the game, reminiscent of capturing Pokémon, allowing for dynamic gameplay and customization. The engaging character designs and vibrant art contribute to an immersive experience, although the focus remains on combat mechanics rather than deep narrative development.
“The neon colors really pop, and the character designs are great. The soundtrack is fantastic, especially the police section theme, which is stuck in my head! The bread and butter of this game is the combat. You have 5 legions (your stands, if you will). You start with only 1, and the other 4 you have to acquire across levels. It felt like capturing Pokémon in a weird way! These legions really diversify the combat in the game, and you can upgrade their skills and switch them however and whenever you want!”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience despite its appealing visuals in trailers.
“Watching the game in trailers, it looked fantastic - but with a controller in my hand, it just felt tedious and repetitive.”
“[camera problems, a few tedious missions]”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized as action-packed and stylish, creating an engaging and immersive experience for players.
“The game is action-packed, stylish, and atmospheric.”
“The atmosphere immerses you completely, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
“The haunting soundtrack and stunning visuals create an unforgettable atmosphere.”
Critic Reviews
Astral Chain review
A brilliant game that’s deep and offers accessibility for people who struggle as well as people who want to master every inch of the combat. In a crowded marketplace, Astral Chain stands out as a unique, interesting game that you’d be foolish to pass up on.
90%Astral Chain Review
Astral Chain features a perfectly realized world filled with wonderful characters and awesome architecture. It runs perfect on the Nintendo Switch and looks stellar, too. The predictable story is one of the only faults of this over-the-top, incredibly fun action game.
85%Astral Chain
Astral Chain Review – An Explosive Battlefield Duet
90%
