Astral Chain evokes the stylistic hallmarks of Akira, the seminal anime classic. While many have attempted to capture the essence of this influential sci-fi work, few have truly succeeded (note the continued delays surrounding Leonardo Di Caprio’s proposed Hollywood adaptation). Platinum Games, renowned for action titles such as Bayonetta 2 and Nier: Automata, seems uniquely positioned to deliver a compelling interactive experience. After a relatively quiet period, Astral Chain reaffirms Platinum’s commitment to quality and innovation during development.
Astral Chain presents a visually dynamic action game, imbued with Platinum Games’ signature design sensibilities. It seamlessly blends police investigation elements, puzzle-solving, vehicle segments, and other mechanics within a compelling cyberpunk narrative. Set in the year 2078, players assume the role of one of the Howard twins: Akira and a player-chosen name (the remaining sibling defaults to Akira). As members of Neuron, a specialized police force, you wield the power to control “Legions” – combat-ready entities from another dimension, tethered to their users via a high-tech “astral chain.” Players can summon and, to a degree, directly control their Legion (a feature also available in cooperative play). Alongside your father, Max, the experienced officer Alicia, your sibling, and your diverse array of Legions, you must defend the mega-city of The Ark and uncover the truth behind the Chimera invasion – invisible creatures from another dimension.
Playing Astral Chain feels akin to controlling an anime in the vein of Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell, and, notably, Akira. The aesthetics, soundtrack, animation quality, and overall pacing effectively mirror the genre. The visual presentation is impressive, particularly in its design, composition, and special effects. However, the somewhat low resolution, which occasionally produces moiré patterns, is a minor drawback. The audio design is excellent, with a soundtrack that complements the game’s style and voice acting that meets expectations. Players can opt for Japanese dialogue, but this may present challenges in keeping up with the story during intense battles, as reading subtitles may prove difficult for those unfamiliar with the language.
Platinum Games successfully delivers a cohesive blend of genres and familiar gameplay mechanics. The detective mode, popularized by the Batman Arkham series, receives a unique implementation through the IRIS computer eye. The integration of anime tropes feels familiar yet innovative, resulting in a cohesive experience that transcends its individual elements. While the game demands focus and requires players to familiarize themselves with its various systems, menus, and world, the investment proves worthwhile.
Astral Chain is potentially hampered by its length, dialogue volume, and somewhat low resolution, preventing it from achieving absolute perfection. Nevertheless, it remains a highly engaging action-adventure title with a distinct Japanese manga aesthetic that warrants attention. Its status as another exclusive first-party title for the Nintendo Switch further solidifies the platform’s impressive library. We anticipate more powerful hardware in the future.
