Astral Chain

 Switch
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3468 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,079 out of 3468
  2. Mixed: 143 out of 3468
  3. Negative: 246 out of 3468
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  1. Alberto_Rahl
    Mar 4, 2020
    7
    Un buen inicio para una franquicia nueva aunque una llegué a adaptarme del todo a los controles.
    También lo encontré un tanto corto. Creo que lo terminé en unas 35 horas. Me hubiera gustado que hubieran explorado más la parte de investigación del juego, que al final se quedó bastante corta.
  2. Slava_Gedich
    Dec 24, 2019
    6
    It is not a bayonetta and mgsr or dmc. Here you can find game with innovated system of control by two characters in same time. And a lot of exploration and collecting some objects. It is not a pure slasher game. Here a lot of QTE. Just be prepared to find new type of game. Don't expect new bayonetta from this game.

    P/S My final score of this game after I finished this game is 6/10    It is not a bayonetta and mgsr or dmc. Here you can find game with innovated system of control by two characters in same time. And a lot of exploration and collecting some objects. It is not a pure slasher game. Here a lot of QTE. Just be prepared to find new type of game. Don't expect new bayonetta from this game.

    P/S My final score of this game after I finished this game is 6/10

    Story is really bad and twist really obvious.
    60-70% of time you have boring running and grinding some stuff (like collecting crystals, searching portals and etc.)    … Expand
  3. donmopa
    Apr 9, 2020
    6
    I could not find the awesomeness that everybody found in this game. Thematic is interesting and also the legions gave new mechanics. However, the camera is a total disaster and fights at some points feels like smashing buttons with no contemplation,
  4. OwtDaft
    Mar 29, 2020
    7
    + Legions make the game combat and exploration very unique.
    + The game has a great sound track.
    + Graphics are very good, for the Switch. + The game play has variety to it. +- The story is alright, it's a great idea but they didn't do much with it. +- Investigations are a good idea but they're too basic. - Controls are a bit clunky and take some getting used to. - Large amounts of    + Legions make the game combat and exploration very unique.
    + The game has a great sound track.
    + Graphics are very good, for the Switch.
    + The game play has variety to it.
    +- The story is alright, it's a great idea but they didn't do much with it.
    +- Investigations are a good idea but they're too basic.
    - Controls are a bit clunky and take some getting used to.
    - Large amounts of the game are set in environments that look the same and look rushed.
    - Boring side quests. It's like watered down juice when the side quests are so low effort.
    - Camera is awkward at times while using a Legion.
    - Using Legions to leap gaps is buggy.
    - Got sick of collecting red shards very quickly.
    = The game feels fresh enough to be worth playing but the game is a bit rushed in places.    … Expand
  5. Ponchorelo7
    Feb 3, 2020
    6
    As per usual with Platinum games: all style, little substance. Combat is fun, flashy and enough to keep you entertained through it's surprisingly long story. BUT THE STORY. By far the worst part of the game. It felt as though someone wanted to make a crappy, sub-par shonen anime, but decided it would bes best as a game. If you like Platinum games' stuff you will love this. If you're aAs per usual with Platinum games: all style, little substance. Combat is fun, flashy and enough to keep you entertained through it's surprisingly long story. BUT THE STORY. By far the worst part of the game. It felt as though someone wanted to make a crappy, sub-par shonen anime, but decided it would bes best as a game. If you like Platinum games' stuff you will love this. If you're a Switch owner, give it a shot.… Expand
  6. Zenol31
    Sep 2, 2019
    6
    it's an acceptable game, the overall game is pulled down somewhat by a structure of missions that doesn't match the studio's desire to mix the beat 'em up and investigative genres, and further by large approximations and other technical problems — all of which have a significant impact on the enjoyment of the game.
  7. WillTheWise
    Sep 1, 2019
    7
    An action game with innovative combat that doesn't let you fight for more than 15 minutes because you need to solve crimes.
    And the toughest enemy is the camera.
  8. kiaxxl
    Aug 31, 2019
    5
    Cool concepts from a good developer, but with some truly awful frame-rates at time, which is not good for an action game.
  9. Pestana
    Sep 8, 2019
    5
    Not a bad game, but i expected a litle more, the batlles are good and very visuals but i feel kind a repetitive and not satisfacing it all.
  10. AUMDragon
    Sep 2, 2019
    5
    Meh, it's fun, it's okay. No Bayonetta though. It was a 10 for me in the beginning, but just lost the motivation to finish it. Just lacking and mediocre in many ways.
  11. RoxasIrving
    Sep 3, 2019
    6
    Positive +Gameplay +Music
    +Customization


    Negative - 30 Frames
    -Boring Investigation
    -Horrible side missions
  12. MassSpecFella
    Sep 6, 2019
    7
    I'm very disappointed. I don't enjoy any of the non-combat aspects of Astral Chain. The platforming is awful. Mini games are tedious and get in the way of the action and cutscene story which I do enjoy. However even then the combat is chaotic. Its difficult to see and time incoming attacks. I feel like the game could have been a lot more fun for me personally had it focused on action likeI'm very disappointed. I don't enjoy any of the non-combat aspects of Astral Chain. The platforming is awful. Mini games are tedious and get in the way of the action and cutscene story which I do enjoy. However even then the combat is chaotic. Its difficult to see and time incoming attacks. I feel like the game could have been a lot more fun for me personally had it focused on action like DMC5 or Bayonetta 2.… Expand
  13. Allme223
    Aug 30, 2019
    7
    Story is great but the controls hold it back in so many ways. Never felt like I was truly in control, almost as if i would play and hope that the camera would center since the R stick was used for targeting. Just wasnt as fun as the reviews stated in my opinion.
  14. x_jimilan_x
    Sep 4, 2019
    5
    Average game. Too much hype. Seriously, so many people giving the game a 10, really? It's an average game with mediocre graphics/story/gameplay.
  15. DreamCore
    Sep 15, 2019
    7
    Cons:

    * Story is quite shallow. * Many garbage side quests like carrying boxes, delivering ice cream that don't really belong in a game like this. * The skill trees are the same for all legions, and they even have the same abilities. I mean, for real? * Combat ratings are off. Sometimes you play like a god and get ranked D while sometimes you play like **** and get ranked S+. * Too    Cons:

    * Story is quite shallow.
    * Many garbage side quests like carrying boxes, delivering ice cream that don't really belong in a game like this.
    * The skill trees are the same for all legions, and they even have the same abilities. I mean, for real?
    * Combat ratings are off. Sometimes you play like a god and get ranked D while sometimes you play like **** and get ranked S+.
    * Too easy on Standard (highest available at first). Never had too purchase any items or anything and only died once in a full playthrough. Since it was developed with Nintendo I guess they abandonded the Bayonetta style and and went toddler style instead.

    Pros:

    * Combat is really cool.
    * Nice art-style.
    * Very polished and good performance.    … Expand
  16. GAGMR
    Sep 11, 2019
    6
    This game would be great, if the camera wasn't complete and utter dog **** It's moving constantly where you don't want it & sometimes goes up ur arse or ur enemies arse. Platinum really screwed the pooch on this one. It doesn't help when ur trying to chain enemies & the camera screws up & makes it impossible. The combat in this game is also mixed bag, because you have to control 2This game would be great, if the camera wasn't complete and utter dog **** It's moving constantly where you don't want it & sometimes goes up ur arse or ur enemies arse. Platinum really screwed the pooch on this one. It doesn't help when ur trying to chain enemies & the camera screws up & makes it impossible. The combat in this game is also mixed bag, because you have to control 2 characters & one is constantly doing stuff you don't want them doing since it's AI controlled. Then there's the jank platforming which is so fricking bad you will constantly fall just because of the games physics not knowing if you landed on the platform or not. I used so many healing items just cause the game kept throwing me off a cliff even though my chimera was on the ground. Then theres this one boss fight where the guy is sonhuge you can only see his feet & the camera freaks out the entire time, trying to chain his feet/arms was so infuriating because the camera just kept rotating along with me which makes you unable to move properly. I was really hoping this game would be better than bayonetta 2 but because of how bad the chain system works due to the **** camera it's not. It's just a failed attempt to try something new. I am almost certain that all these positive reviews are from people playing the game on casual or unchained mode, which makes the game playable with one hand. If you like Platinum games you'll probably still enjoy this but if not then definitely skip it, unless you just want to play it on baby mode the entire time. If they fix the camera issues, janky platform system & the AI of the chimeras it would be a lot better. It's also pretty generic in terms of side quests, most of which involve fighting, sneaking or finding something. There was one quest where you "play a video game" and I thought it was gonna be an actual retro game but it was just you in a suit with a retro filter on top. Performance is also pretty bad, & can dip into the 20 FPS range or lower. Lots of pop in as well in clustered areas, especially late game. Don't get me wrong, I like the game but it has too many flaws to recommend it to anyone else but platinum game fans. Nier Automata, Bayonetta or even Metal Gear Rising are all superior to this one, though. Your character also has no personality & is basically just an empty husk for you to kill stuff with. They could have done something with the character considering they've done so with past games. Like I said & keep saying, it's a good game but they've done better.… Expand
  17. Timnor
    Aug 30, 2019
    7
    Very average rpg,short,gets clunky at times,not worth full price,would pick up at the 40 dollar range.
  18. carreracarrera
    Sep 1, 2019
    6
    Es un juego con graficas un poco pobres. Creo pudo haber dado más. Además después de ver su trabajo en mier autómata esperaba más.
  19. devenge
    Sep 1, 2019
    6
    Another J-act game .just like the old ones .It's not fun anymore . only finger pains.
  20. caronte69
    Sep 2, 2019
    7
    Parece que los seguidores de la alopecia borraron mi comentario, bueno aqui va otra vez.
    Muy decepcionado que el juego vaya a 30 fps, me esperaba un poco mas de este juego, he visto muchos youtubers y medios de prensa decir que este juego es una maravilla, incluso antes de que salga el juego y bueno, es un buen juego, pero vamos, no es el mejor hack and slash del mundo, devil may cry 5 o    Parece que los seguidores de la alopecia borraron mi comentario, bueno aqui va otra vez.
    Muy decepcionado que el juego vaya a 30 fps, me esperaba un poco mas de este juego, he visto muchos youtubers y medios de prensa decir que este juego es una maravilla, incluso antes de que salga el juego y bueno, es un buen juego, pero vamos, no es el mejor hack and slash del mundo, devil may cry 5 o nier automata mil veces mejores que astral chain,
    les doy un 7 porque los medios me lo pintaron como el juegazo y no lo es.    … Expand
  21. Luis2087
    Aug 31, 2019
    5
    De lo mejor que ha salido en este 2019, y mas considerando que es para una portátil como la switch, en verdad si pueden comprenlo
  22. pdecou
    Aug 31, 2019
    7
    le jeu ne fonctionne pas bien, les phases d'action sont sympas mais elles ont des problèmes:
    - trop de frénésie de combat
    - la caméra ne vous fait rien comprendre - Après quelques heures, vous devenez si fort que vous n'avez plus besoin de vous enchaîner ni de tactique, c'est très facile. le reste offre de bonnes choses mais aussi des choses laides, de nombreuses quêtes de    le jeu ne fonctionne pas bien, les phases d'action sont sympas mais elles ont des problèmes:
    - trop de frénésie de combat
    - la caméra ne vous fait rien comprendre
    - Après quelques heures, vous devenez si fort que vous n'avez plus besoin de vous enchaîner ni de tactique, c'est très facile.

    le reste offre de bonnes choses mais aussi des choses laides, de nombreuses quêtes de récupération, de nombreuses tâches identiques, et certains niveaux ne sont que des corridors ... dommage pour les 30 images par seconde même s'ils ne se sentent pas beaucoup

    Je pensais mieux    … Expand
  23. Carck10
    Aug 31, 2019
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Lo he visto i esta excelenten es un gran juego selos recomiendo,lo estoy pensando en aquerirlo para hecharme unas viciadas¡¡¡… Expand
  24. NintendanGX
    Sep 1, 2019
    7
    Astrai Chain is a solid Switch exclusive that offers plenty of new and exciting gameplay ideas and mechanics to the character-action genre. I have no gripes with the story so far, or the likeable characters, or the setting, or the way it integrates law enforcement into a character-action game.
    However, it's a heavily flawed example of its subgenre, for just two reasons. I'll be focusing    Astrai Chain is a solid Switch exclusive that offers plenty of new and exciting gameplay ideas and mechanics to the character-action genre. I have no gripes with the story so far, or the likeable characters, or the setting, or the way it integrates law enforcement into a character-action game.
    However, it's a heavily flawed example of its subgenre, for just two reasons. I'll be focusing on these two broad reasons for this review, as I think they're far more important than the pros that have most likely already been discussed.

    1. The game doesn't run at 60fps. You might not care, and you might not "notice it" (which is code for "I don't know what to look for so I'll deflect a criticism I don't understand"), but 60fps has been, and should always be, the standard in these games.

    In a skill-intensive, mission-based action game that encourages you to get the best rank possible during combat, every single frame counts. The controls need to be as responsive as possible with as little input delay as possible, and 30fps makes that so much harder to achieve. What baffles me the most is that this is Platinum, the guys who always target 60fps with these types of games. In a day and age when Devil May Cry 5 exists, there's literally no excuse.

    So what if the Switch isn't as powerful as a base PS4 or Xbox One, don't focus so heavily on visuals if it's going to be a detriment to the overall gameplay when it truly matters This isn't an open-world or sandbox game, this is a linear action game with branching secrets and an emphasis on combat. And if they really wanted people to experience pretty visuals over responsive and gratifying gameplay with minimum input delay, then why not give us the option? Plenty of games now allow you to choose between performance and visual fidelity, even Fire Emblem Warriors on the Switch.

    If someone at Platinum sees this, please include this in an update. In many cases, it can make the difference between an okay game and a great game.

    2. Souls-like elements do not work in a character-action game. For those who don't know, the lock-on is done by pressing the right-stick in, like a Souls game, and attacking is done with the trigger buttons. This is fine in a souls-like, but not a character-action game akin to Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden and Bayonetta. It makes it harder to switch focus between enemies when that type of control scheme is geared towards a slower-paced, more methodical kind of game, but implemented in a faster-paced game that demands the most ergonomic control scheme.

    The game does have different input options, but the way lock-on is implemented by nature makes it a pultry amendment at best.

    Oh, but that's not the only souls-like element in the game. While this issue is less noticable than the framerate problem, it's worth noting that you cannot jump into the air by normal means. A feature in DMC, Ninja Gaiden, Bayonetta, The Wonderful 101, and Metal Gear Rising, is done away with in Astral Chain. I wouldn't have minded so much if they hadn't thrown pace-breaking obstacles at you that could've been dealt with in a number of ways given the player was fast enough. But there's even souls-like gimmicks and hazards that make their way into this game, like sticky floors in the 4th mission, which stop the player dead in their tracks. It's an unfair disadvantage that doesn't add a worthy challenge, but rather hinders the player in a game that expects them to play at their best and make precise dodges. The pace of the fight comes to a crashing halt when you transition from a dodge to an unskippable stumbling animation after landing in said sticky substance, and it can cost you a perfect S+ rank. And the worst part is that it would've been a passable feature if you were able to jump more easily to attack in mid-air, much like Nero from DMC5 when things get dicy on the ground.

    These two subjects and the problems inherent within them do not prevent the game from having worthwhile, enjoyable content within it, nor should they deter you from getting the game at £40. They are, however, easy enough problems to fix given Platinum's calibre. If they did update the game and provide an option for people to weaken the visuals for a smooth 60fps, then my score would likely go from a 7 to a 9. but as things currently stand, it is a severely disappointing aspect of what could've been a new rival to DMC5 and its threshold of the best character-action gameplay.    … Expand
  25. DandelionJam
    Aug 31, 2019
    5
    Combat is flat and tedious, you rely on AI and button mash. The art style is passionless and derivative. The protagonists and main characters are flat and uninteresting and the story is predictable and makes little sense. This is not a character-action game because it has no character and dull action.
  26. DopaminE
    Sep 18, 2019
    7
    + Combat system
    + Art Style
    + OST
    - Investigate
    - Side Quest
    - NPC Dialogue
    - Riding Beast Legion
  27. sinetic
    Feb 15, 2022
    6
    After 2hrs the game becomes boring and repetitivedue to the chain mechanic. There is no point to upgrade gear.
    The game has great visuals and nice soundtrack and thats it
  28. MiracSpectac
    Sep 6, 2019
    7
    Having read so many conflicting things about this game before release, I was really apprehensive to pick it up. However, I'm glad I did. Being a fan of both Nier and Bayonetta, I really appreciated the "middle of the road" approach to combat in this game. It's really simple enough to feel uninhibited but makes every fight somehow feel like some epic challenge. This is really where the gameHaving read so many conflicting things about this game before release, I was really apprehensive to pick it up. However, I'm glad I did. Being a fan of both Nier and Bayonetta, I really appreciated the "middle of the road" approach to combat in this game. It's really simple enough to feel uninhibited but makes every fight somehow feel like some epic challenge. This is really where the game shines, but everything else is just OK, nothing too special here. The story is fairly uninteresting beyond some fun characters and the features of the game, like customization and upgrades, are pretty bare bones. This definitely could've benefitted from some more time in the cooker, but it's still a fun game that will hopefully see an even better sequel.… Expand
  29. Titan897
    Sep 22, 2019
    7
    Alla lunga un po' ripetitivo. In compenso il gameplay e la trama non è male, però non vedevo l'ora di finirlo (Ed è durato solo 25 ore cercando di raccogliere più roba possibile)
    Ero indeciso tra 7 e 8, ho scelto 7, ma avrei messo 7,5 potendo.
  30. Brokenchikara
    Sep 4, 2019
    7
    Me he terminado Astral Chain en unas 25-26 horas. Os comentaré mi experiencia:
    JUGABILIDAD 8
    Al principio es una mierda simplísima. Hasta las 10 horas es bastante meh la jugabilidad y los 30 fps no ayudan para nada. Si fuera a 60 fps la jugabilidad y el manejo de la legión (los bichos con cadenas) se haría mucho más ágil e intuitivo. Después de superar las 10 horas el gameplay mejora con    Me he terminado Astral Chain en unas 25-26 horas. Os comentaré mi experiencia:
    JUGABILIDAD 8
    Al principio es una mierda simplísima. Hasta las 10 horas es bastante meh la jugabilidad y los 30 fps no ayudan para nada. Si fuera a 60 fps la jugabilidad y el manejo de la legión (los bichos con cadenas) se haría mucho más ágil e intuitivo. Después de superar las 10 horas el gameplay mejora con todas las habilidades que has conseguido (si las quieres todas hay que farmear misiones, una cagada a mi parecer). Hay mecánicas de algunas legiones que usarás 4 veces contadas durante el juego. Los bosses han ido mejorando según avanzaba el juego y me han gustado mucho los bosses finales de la segunda mitad del juego. Pero nada de esto quita que al principio el juego se me ha hecho insufrible por lo monótono que resultaba todo.
    Las fases de infiltración son de lo peor del juego con diferencia por lo aburridas que resultan.
    La dificultad en normal es de chiste, no he muerto ni una sola vez en todo el juego porque puedes abusar muchas mecánicas que te da el juego para no morir.
    La personalización de tu avatar es muy limitada en cuanto a indumentaria se refiere (y los accesorios son feos de cojones).
    Al final, todo se centra en saber mover la cadena de tu legión cuando toca y qué combos lanzar en cada enemigo. Hablando de los combos, es difícil memorizarlos porque en lugar de combinaciones de botones tienes que mover el analógico y pulsar el gatillo.

    Al final, no puedo decir que el gameplay no me ha gustado porque hacer combos con las distintas legiones es divertido y algunos bosses son sencillamente brutales. ¿Es un mal juego? NO, EN ABSOLUTO. ¿Es una obra maestra? TAMPOCO, está un escalón por debajo de otro títulos como Nier Automata.

    Por último, se me ha hecho bastante incómodo jugar en portátil por los controles del juego ya que se corre apretando el gatillo (lo que sería el L3 en la PS4) y se me hace incómodo al no jugar con mando.

    HISTORIA 5
    Es esencia, la historia me ha parecido super cutre y genérica. Parece la típica historia creada por un adolescente con las hormonas por las nubes y que cree que las explosiones son lo mejor que ha parido la humanidad. En el segundo tramo del juego mejora bastante porque había margen de mejora pero ya os digo, una mierda predecible desde el minuto 1. No me ha gustado el trato que han dado a ciertos personajes del juego que desaparecen de la misma sin razón aparente.

    Un fallo muy grave que le he encontrado es que el personaje que controlamos no tiene voz, es un avatar sin personalidad ni carisma alguno. Sinceramente creo que sobraba tanta personalización del avatar en este juego porque al final ni me he fijado en mi avatar mientras jugaba porque el juego intenta hacer que la historia te interese y a mi por lo menos no ha sido así. Si hubiera habido diálogos pues a lo mejor otro gallo cantaría.

    Además el reciclaje de escenarios es abusivo porque he llegado a visitar las mismas zonas hasta 3 veces en menos de 25 horas. Hay algunas zonas mejores que otras lógicamente por la narrativa.

    Conclusión, no esperes un Nier Automata o que se te caigan los huevos al suelo porque todo lo ves venir.

    SONIDO 8
    Hasta la mitad del juego la banda sonora me ha parecido pasable, aceptable; nada que ver con Nier Automata que es un orgasmo auditivo constantemente. Con esto quiero decir que las canciones buenas de verdad las puedes contar con los dedos de la mano. Por otro lado, los efectos de sonido son bastante buenos.

    GRÁFICOS 6
    Me han decepcionado bastante. Esperaba muchos mejores gráficos. Me ha recordado a los juegos de Telltale Games por lo raro que se veían los personajes. Las legiones se ven bastante bien eso si. No se ve mal en absoluto pero esperaba mucho más después de todo el hype que rodeaba el juego. En portátil tiene un bajón de calidad que se aprecia fácilmente. Los 720p y los 30 fps lastran la experiencia que podría haber brindado los 60 fps que he reiterado que le hacen falta en mi mini análisis. El diseño artístico es bueno, aunque reciclan diseños de jefes con un reskin de color en muchas ocasiones.

    NOTA FINAL: 6.75 ≈ 7

    A Nier Automata por ejemplo le daría un 9,5 para que comparéis y veáis mi vara de medir. Si me he dejado algo preguntádmelo y os lo contaré en base a mi experiencia.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Switch Game of 2019
2
#2 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019
70
#70 Most Shared Switch Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 92 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 92
  3. Negative: 0 out of 92
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Apr 28, 2020
    85
    This one is more of a crowd-pleaser than a game-changer. [Issue #42 – October 2019, p. 68]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 28, 2020
    100
    Astral Chain consists of varied genres, but is mostly an action game, which has great ideas and interesting, relaxed humour, that doesn´t spoil its serious plot. [Issue#298]
  3. ZTGD
    Nov 7, 2019
    85
    Despite the hardware limitations and a handful of odd design choices, Astral Chain is one of the best new IPs to hit in recent years and one deserving the attention of every Switch owner.
    Read full review
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