Astral Chain Reviews
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 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.
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 is a different take on Platinum Games' proven formula, so much so that it still deserves to be given a chance if you're a fan of their previous works. Although the battles never quite reach the same level of finesse and variety as in Bayonetta, there are still a couple of opportunities in the game that are really close. Especially during confrontations with the bigger bosses.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
Astral Chain balances smart yet exciting combat and rewarding mechanics with slower, more thoughtful investigation elements and fun exploration.
Far from being a little game while waiting for the main course, the new license for Platinum Games has a universe and original gameplay mechanics that we only ask to see again in another episode more balanced in its structure.
Review in French | Read full review
This is absolutely a worthy successor to Nier Automata – and like that game, Astral Chain is definitely a contender for one of my favourite games of the year.
am insanely impressed with the world that Platinum has built-in Astral Chain overall. It is gorgeous, the plot is intriguing and it feels like something new when it comes to the investigations and police work.
Astral Chain boasts the same winning elements of Platinum's finest work – exhilarating combat, characterful visuals, and a compelling story – but it loses a bit of personality. Where Bayonetta and 2B provided an emotional centre point for the fantastical storytelling, Astral Chain's unnecessarily silent protagonist is a charmless creation saved by an utterly charming world.
Astral Chain is the directorial debut of Nier Automata designer Takahisa Taura, and it proves that he's a creator worth paying attention to. Part melodramatic anime, part overly complicated Tamagotchi, it's an eminently playable action role-playing game that delivers the pleasure of good teamwork in a way few singleplayer games accomplish. Building on action design ideas seeded in Nier, Astral Chain encourages you to bond with your beloved pet cybermonster both on and off the battlefield. Then, it teaches you how to fight as one.
Nintendo Switch exclusive Astral Chain elevates the stylish action genre with an inventive, gratifying combat system and an unrelenting sense of style.
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.
Astral Chain it's another great game from Platinum Games, with a great worldbuilding and a fine combat system.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Astral Chain is PlatinumGames newest adrenaline shot, that's clearly inspired by a lot of previous titles from the studio. It takes the best of out of all those games and delivers a kick-ass adventure that's a must play for the fans.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
While it falls into some trappings both general and unique, its inspired design choices in combat and the wealth of customization it provides makes the game stand out even amongst other Nintendo published titles. It can be intimidating at times, but Astral Chain is a game anyone with a Switch should be investigating for themselves.
Besides a lack in meaningful detective/police quests you'll get the usual high quality gameplay mix from the studio that fans would expect (If you give the game enough time)
Review in German | Read full review
Astral Chain is a great action game by PlatinumGames that presents an innovative combat system, epic boss fights, and the great soundtracks the developer is known for.
Review in Arabic | Read full review