Astral Chain Reviews
Astral Chain is weird, thrilling, unique, different and crazy, it's just held back by bad choices. Some of the design elements take a lot of getting use to and make sense in the long run, but can be frustrating to beginners. Combine this with entirely too many things going on at once and some of the most boring scenes between action packed combat sequences and you have an experience that loses a bit too much between scenes. This isn't enough to take away from Astral Chain, it just turns a title that could've been among the best games this year to something that is still among the best on the Switch.
The latest hit from PlatinumGames is an ambitious action adventure game that largely succeeds in many ways, though it's juggling so many aspects that some fall through the cracks.
While Astral Chain‘s storyline is filled with anime archetypes and familiar plot tropes, it all works well as an overall experience.
Astral Chain is a unique experience from beginning to end, but some strange choices in the way it tells its story and major pacing issues in the third act bring it down. Regardless, Astral Chain fits right in amongst the Platinum greats, offering a fun and unique battle system that does a fantastic job at differentiating itself from its contemporaries.
If only more big-league developers dared to be this bonkers, the industry would be that much more untamed.
Astral Chain is everything that’s right about Platinum, reflecting the fresh, quirky, gunslinging mentality that the studio displays in its best works. Part Bayonetta and part Pokemon with a heavy sprinkling of police sci-fi in between, Astral Chain is a breath of fresh air in an industry typically dominated by sequels and familiar formulas. Free time sections could be a bit more dialed down and the Legion combat can be a handful at times. Overall, though, Astral Chain marks a promising start to what will hopefully be a new franchise.
PlatinumGames' Astral Chain is the most innovative action games in years and certainly one of the best games of 2019.
If you ask if something is possible for you or your Legion to do in Astral Chain, most of the time, the answer is yes.
Astral Chain is one of Platinum Games' most complex and satisfying action games to date, with combat that's suitably fast but far more purposeful and careful in execution. Its gorgeous world and enticing premise are betrayed by an uninteresting story and characters, but there's little else to fault when you're teaming up with your legions and solving cases across different dimensions.
Astral Chain is one of PlatinumGames' finest acts this generation, cementing itself as yet another stellar exclusive for Nintendo Switch. It doesn't reach the heights of excellence achieved by Yoko Taro's NieR: Automata, but can more than hold its own thanks to an excellent setting, experimental combat and so, so much style it hurts.
Astral Chain is one of the most exciting new IPs I've played in years. From its stunning combat design to its gorgeous visuals, it packs a punch in almost every area. Combat feels incredible and the Legions add a huge amount of options to how you tackle any given battle. Some may fault the game for its more quiet moments and investigations, but the contrast they offer to the frantic action, feels near-perfect in its execution.
As it is Astral Chain is still a massive exclusive and one of the best video games of 2019: not bad for an absolute debut!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Astral Chain is a reminder of why this form of entertainment is so special.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Astral Chain could is one of the best games on Nintendo Switch, period. PlatinumGames has proved, once again, that no one does stylish action games better, and I sincerely hope we get to return to the Ark again someday.
With its amazing visuals, fantastic presentation, varied gameplay and deep, rewarding combat, Astral Chain could well be PlatinumGames' most accomplished game yet.
Astral Chain is loud, brash, exciting, and, in the end, a warning about the dangers of unquestioned loyalty. Its hyperkinetic action sequences and colorful characters might make the game seem like it isn't interested in offering more than intricately designed fights and a straightforward genre story, but stick around for its entirety and its cast of 2070s police officers show themselves to be more than just cartoon cut-outs of sci-fi cops.
Astral Chain represents PlatinumGames in top form, bringing a phenomenal action adventure game and engaging narrative to the Nintendo Switch.
Occuring in a beautiful anime setting, Astral Chain is a real treat for the players. The gameplay mechanics, focused on the link between the main character and its Legions, are really engaging, but only in solo mode unfortunately. With this game, PlatinumGames confirm their status as masters in Beat'em all games making.
Review in French | Read full review
Astral Chain may be a game that combines action and RPG elements in an excellent way but merely stating this would be a serious understatement. Nearly everything in Astral Chain drips with quality, labour and dedication, from its intense and frantic combats to the exquisite art style and wonderful soundtrack, this is without any doubt the finest new IP to reach the Nintendo Switch and another reminder of why Platinum Games deserves all the praise it can get.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review