PlatinumGames is no stranger to the video game community. The company developed Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, as well as the popular Bayonetta 1 and 2. Its most mainstream title might be NieR: Automata, which was nominated for numerous awards. PlatinumGames has positioned itself as a fan favorite developer, and its newest title has arrived. Originally announced in February, Astral Chain is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, and is wholly original. Like NieR: Automata, the title puts a large emphasis on intense, exhilarating action. The reveal trailer engrossed viewers with its unique, stylistic anime look. Is Astral Chain all style and no substance? The answer to that is simply, “No.” Astral Chain is another epic home run for PlatinumGames, and is probably the most fun action title of 2019 thus far.
In Astral Chain, the protagonists are two siblings who join the police force. Upon starting the game, the player can choose to play either the brother or the sister. The character can be customized with hairstyles, skin color, etc. Jumping to the core gameplay, fans will find it similar to NieR: Automata in many ways. The player will frenetically attack enemies, but also have to dodge attacks often to avoid being pummeled. The unique factor separating Astral Chain from other games is the Legion. These controllable creatures are summoned by players to help during battles and puzzles. You will gain access to different Legions as the game progresses, each with specific abilities. There are also skill trees for each of the Legion.
The story takes place in the future, where creatures called Chimera invade the world from another dimension known as the Astral Plane. Humanity now resides in a massive city known as “The Ark.” They are not totally safe, because the Chimera can still invade and corrupt people. A special police force called “Neuron” uses captured Chimera to fight off the invaders. This is the backdrop for the world Astral Chain resides in.
Visually Stunning
Astral Chain is a cool looking game. The world is presented in a neo, steampunk way that is unmistakable. Each of the areas are carefully crafted to replicate a futuristic feel. However, they don’t feel out of touch with the real world. A later zone perfectly replicates the atmosphere of a lower-class slums area, while the city is bright and vibrant. Astral Chain’s areas are interesting to go through. It’s a shame the game doesn’t feature the more open-world design of NieR: Automata, because it would have been great to cruise around in the cycle.
Astral Chain attempts to be epic, and always succeeds. From a giant Chimera jumping from building to building, to racing at incredible speeds in the tunnel, Astral Chain goes grand and knows how to make players feel like they are part of an event. The trailer does not prepare you for the exhilarating action, chase scenes, and massive scale boss battles that are in the game.
Exhilarating Gameplay And Effective Non-Action Moments
Astral Chain’s gameplay is perhaps the most unique aspect of the title. While at first appearing to be something of a standard action title, things change when the Legion become involved. In many ways, it’s as if the player is controlling two characters at once. At first, the gameplay might seem a bit wonky. However, as the game continues, it becomes second nature to summon the Legion and perfectly counter enemies.
Players will have to exercise strategy when dealing with stronger opponents and bosses. Each Legion has a special ability that could be beneficial in battle. Maybe you’ll want to shoot an airborne enemy with the Arrow Legion, or utilize a force field with the Axe Legion. Changing Legions on the fly will become crucial at times as well.
To prevent Legion overuse, the game smartly puts a timer on them before they need to cool down. The player character is not helpless without the Legion; in fact, most of the battling will be done by the protagonist. To provide a layer of strategy, the player has access to three types of X-Baton uses: Baton, Blaster, and Gladius. Each of these are great in the right battle context, so it’s up to players to decide when they should use them. PlatinumGames has been acclaimed for its gameplay, and it’s no different here.
Astral Chain isn’t always about the action. In-between battles, the player will often do police work in solving cases. These quieter moments are welcomed and great for exploring the given area. From solving a children’s riddle, to using the Legions for solving puzzles in the Astral Plane, there’s more to Astral Chain than combating the Chimera. Unexpectedly, there’s even fun stealth sequences similar to other third-person action titles like Uncharted and the Batman: Arkham series.
Captivating Storyline, But A Silent Protagonist?
Astral Chain is both gameplay and story-driven. You will care about the cast of characters, from your devoted sibling, to the chipper Marie. The overall world is interesting and begging for more stories to be told. The game has the perfect blend of serious storytelling with anime-inspired comedy, such as playing as Lappy the mascot for a segment.
With all that said, there is one negative aspect of the story: the silent protagonist. In a lively cast of characters, the sibling you choose does not speak. It’s odd when the other sibling is going through development and talks to you, but the player-character is reduced to grunting or surprised sounds. It would have been great to get the character’s insight into the many plot developments. The sibling relationship is wonderful, but hindered a bit by the baffling decision to make the character silent. Also, while character customization is welcome, none of the characters actually address the protagonist as the name you give him/her.
An Unbeatable Soundtrack
Astral Chain’s soundtrack is phenomenal. Right from the game’s opening, players know they are in for a stylized treat. The soundtrack amplifies the already exhilarating gameplay, as heard during the Arrow Nemesis battle. The non-battle themes are also good. Players will have a tough time forgetting the catchy police HQ theme, or the emotional theme that plays during the build-up to the climax. PlatinumGames has delivered a soundtrack that even rivals NieR: Automata’s.
Like NieR: Automata, A Must-Play
Astral Chain is another can’t-miss title from PlatinumGames. In many ways, it emulates what made NieR: Automata spectacular; it has exhilarating gameplay, a unique world, and a captivating storyline. Astral Chain’s Legion gameplay is unlike anything one has played recently. The moments in-between the action are also engaging. Combine all this with a stellar soundtrack, and you have an unforgettable experience. It’s a shame the player-chosen character doesn’t really speak. This led to a lot of missed opportunities for great interactions, especially between the siblings. Still, as a whole, Astral Chain is just plain epic.
4.5 Out Of 5 Stars.
A copy of Astral Chain was purchased by TheGamer for this review. Astral Chain is available now for Nintendo Switch.
