Set in the futuristic year of 2078, Astral Chain is a high-octane, third-person action adventure that plungates players into a world on the brink of extinction. Developed by the legendary PlatinumGames and published by Nintendo, this title brings a unique, dual-character combat system to the Nintendo Switch. As a member of Neuron, a specialized police task force, you are tasked with defending humanity against Chimeras—mysterious, interdimensional creatures that emerge from sudden gates to pollute the land and infect humans with "red/redshift corruption."

A Battle for Survival in The Ark

The story unfolds within The Ark, a massive, multi-cultural floating city designed to shelter the remnants of mankind after an apocalyptic event rendered much of Earth uninhabitable. While The Ark provides a sanctuary, it is far from safe. The appearance of volatile interdimensional gates has brought the threat of Chimeras directly to the doorstep of humanity’s last stronghold.

Players begin their journey by choosing between two playable protagonists—one male and one female. Interestingly, the character you do not select remains a vital part of the narrative, appearing as your younger twin and a fellow officer within the Neuron unit. The narrative is structured into "Files," which act as chapters that progress the story through well-written characters and frequent cliffhangers, keeping players engaged in the unfolding mystery of the astral plane.

Master the Synergy of the Legion

The core gameplay of Astral Chain revolves around a synergetic combat system that distinguishes it from traditional action titles. To combat the Chimeras, humanity has developed the Legatus, a device used to control "Legions." These are domesticated Chimeras armored in police-style gear that act as your direct partner in battle.

The connection between the officer and the Legion is literal: they are linked by a chain, which serves as a multi-faceted tool in combat. Key gameplay mechanics include:

  • Dual Combat Styles: Players can coordinate attacks with their Legion, targeting different enemies simultaneously or sending the Legion on the offensive while the player provides support with items.
  • The Chain Mechanic: Using the ZL trigger, players can summon their selected Legion. By holding the trigger, you can use the chain to wrap around enemies, temporarily tethering them in place to set up devastating combos.
  • Dynamic Weaponry: Beyond the Legion, players wield weapons such as the X-baton, which can change forms to adapt to different combat scenarios as the player progresses.
  • Exploration and Investigation: Gameplay is split between intense action and investigation phases. Players explore various locations to collect clues and hunt for redshift particles to uncover the truth behind the Chimera invasions.

Who is Astral Chain For?

With a Metacritic score of 87.00, Astral Chain is a must-play for fans of stylish, "over-the-top" action games. If you enjoy the fluid combat mechanics seen in PlatinumGames' previous hits like Bayonetta or NieR: Automata, you will find the combat here incredibly rewarding and visually stunning. The game also appeals to players who love anime-inspired aesthetics, excellent boss designs, and a driving soundtrack.

While some players may find the initial pacing or certain scripted sequences a departure from the main action, the sheer depth of the combat system and the excitement of managing two entities at once makes it a standout title on the Nintendo Switch platform.