Astral Chain (Switch)

[Yoshi178]

Apparently there's people badmouthing this game because you play as cops now.

When you say "people" do you mean anything with substance? Or a couple of people making mild remarks about it on Twitter and now the people who get their panties in a tizzy about games being criticized are going to be ranting about this for a full year like with Doom Eternal? Because I'm googling Astral Chain and all I'm getting is gameplay footage, boss fights, someone saying it's the most Platinum game yet, one article theorizing that it was inspired by Pokemon, even the dreaded Kotaku is more interested in talking about how good the non-combat sections were. Exactly how deep are you digging in your quest for things to be outraged over?

Also I find it funny how your rhetoric of needing to convince people goes flying out the window when your precious games are being criticized.

Dunno what you googled but "astral chain cop" delivers your substance in the first result; this polygon interview with the game's director.

https://www.polygon.com/interviews/2019/6/17/18682365/astral-chain-nintendo-switch-e3-2019-platinumgames-interview-nier-automata

There's bits in this interview that have apparently triggered people enough to post about it lol.

Even the article itself claims playing as cops in the US is "complicated" and states it as fact, when nobody would seriously claim playing as a car thief is complicated, because we supposedly can understand fiction well enough not to.

Ok, there are certain games that I get physical copies along with the digital release. I play Digital simply more, but I get afraid of de-listing as it's happening more and more these days.

So, what do you think? Physical Copy day-one, and Digital later? Or Digital Day-One, and physical copy later?

From what I'm seeing here there's no info about a US LE so I'd get digital day 1 and physical later on a discount.

Another option is to import the JP LE and get digital later. (thankfully the switch is region free and the JP LE is multi-language https://www.play-asia.com/astral-chain-collectors-edition-multi-language/13/70ck15)

...that?s it? That?s all it took? Man. Anti SJWs are depressingly easy to upset. A highly positive interview with you getting upset over a good faith question that was trying to get alternate views from a different culture and you freak out. You don?t get to complain about triggering, considering how pathetically easy it is to set off the ?muh videa games? crowd and the only person I see complaining is is you. But then again you seem to think applying any sort of critical thinking to games is unacceptable because it?s a sign you?re ?triggered.? This is why I always refer to anti SJWs getting upset over people criticizing their toys. I think games are art. You and other anti SJWs seem terrified to treat them as anything other than their precious playthings.

So unless you?ve got anything more than this nothing burger, the post is ?Anti SJW looks for reason to be mad, has to settle on nothing.? Go fishing for your outrage bait where people give a fuck. Or are you going to hassle AlternateJag for thinking the gender segregated outfits look dumb?

These guys should shed some light on things:

 

[BrawlMan]

Can we please not derails this thread in to argument going back and forth? I want to focus about the game itself, not some shitheads barely anybody knows exists. Here is some more gameplay.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCsZPc-bndM

https://youtu.be/T2Mx4gtDRII

 

[Nuuu]

It looks interesting to say the least, the use of the chain can create a nice amount of depth in combat, my only worry is that it seems that its core combat is still just Bayonetta 2's dodging and rapid-attacks with some flashy things added on.
While I loved Bayonetta 2, what I liked about its combat is that it was so simple at its core that combat was a constant reflex test and would become ludicrously fast-paced once put on the highest difficulty.

I'm having a hard time seeing how the Bayonetta i-frame dodge that rewards with a huge attack opportunity is going to mesh with the strategic elements of using the chain to bind or counter enemies with proper positioning.
When you can just keep attacking the enemy, and then dodge when they attack to get an even bigger opening, why bother trying to use the chain cleverly when thats just time you're not attacking for free?

Granted I can still be completely wrong about this, as I have yet to see some of the deeper possible mechanics of this game, but that basic combat mechanics video isn't filling me with a ton of hope.

EDIT: So the game has mechanics that force you to use different legion abilities to open up the enemies at least, but i'm still really curious about that dodge and how Bayonetta-y it is, and a video detailing it probably won't come out until after release.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

It looks interesting to say the least, the use of the chain can create a nice amount of depth in combat, my only worry is that it seems that its core combat is still just Bayonetta 2's dodging and rapid-attacks with some flashy things added on.
While I loved Bayonetta 2, what I liked about its combat is that it was so simple at its core that combat was a constant reflex test and would become ludicrously fast-paced once put on the highest difficulty.

I'm having a hard time seeing how the Bayonetta i-frame dodge that rewards with a huge attack opportunity is going to mesh with the strategic elements of using the chain to bind or counter enemies with proper positioning.
When you can just keep attacking the enemy, and then dodge when they attack to get an even bigger opening, why bother trying to use the chain cleverly when thats just time you're not attacking for free?

Granted I can still be completely wrong about this, as I have yet to see some of the deeper possible mechanics of this game, but that basic combat mechanics video isn't filling me with a ton of hope.

EDIT: So the game has mechanics that force you to use different legion abilities to open up the enemies at least, but i'm still really curious about that dodge and how Bayonetta-y it is, and a video detailing it probably won't come out until after release.

All their games do emphasize dodge very heavily but I don't think anything else will have a special slowdown when you dodge through a hit like Bayonetta so it's not gonna be as big of an impact, it looks more dmc than bayonetta to me.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

It looks interesting to say the least, the use of the chain can create a nice amount of depth in combat, my only worry is that it seems that its core combat is still just Bayonetta 2's dodging and rapid-attacks with some flashy things added on.
While I loved Bayonetta 2, what I liked about its combat is that it was so simple at its core that combat was a constant reflex test and would become ludicrously fast-paced once put on the highest difficulty.

I'm having a hard time seeing how the Bayonetta i-frame dodge that rewards with a huge attack opportunity is going to mesh with the strategic elements of using the chain to bind or counter enemies with proper positioning.
When you can just keep attacking the enemy, and then dodge when they attack to get an even bigger opening, why bother trying to use the chain cleverly when thats just time you're not attacking for free?

Granted I can still be completely wrong about this, as I have yet to see some of the deeper possible mechanics of this game, but that basic combat mechanics video isn't filling me with a ton of hope.

EDIT: So the game has mechanics that force you to use different legion abilities to open up the enemies at least, but i'm still really curious about that dodge and how Bayonetta-y it is, and a video detailing it probably won't come out until after release.

From what I understand, Bayonetta is not the correct comparison to it; it's a lot more methodical and slow-paced, being more about using the Legion abilities to take down enemies and especially bosses. There are some serious "puzzle boss" tropes being done here. There's also a heavier emphasis on exploration. GameXplain actually did a pretty comprehensive breakdown:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wCC-PaCiLY

 

[ObsidianJones_v1legacy]

So, I got it digital first. Will pick up a physical release in a few weeks.

My biggest gripe about this game? That I can't pre-order the sequel.

Two hours into it and I haven't been this excited for a game in years. In terms of how it plays, I was a little let down in the beginning with the combat. I thought Platinum slacked off due to more story.

But no. Oh no. You are just a recruit after all. One chapter into the game, and I feel like Batman Beyond meets Persona.

If this keeps up, this will literally be my first ten out of ten for this entire decade.

 

[BrawlMan]

So, I got it digital first. Will pick up a physical release in a few weeks.

My biggest gripe about this game? That I can't pre-order the sequel.

Two hours into it and I haven't been this excited for a game in years. In terms of how it plays, I was a little let down in the beginning with the combat. I thought Platinum slacked off due to more story.

But no. Oh no. You are just a recruit after all. One chapter into the game, and I feel like Batman Beyond meets Persona.

If this keeps up, this will literally be my first ten out of ten for this entire decade.

Enjoy! I picked up my physical copy earlier this evening and will play it tomorrow.

 

[Yoshi178]

Collector's edition here. :3

 

[Silvanus]

Just got it today. 4-hour train journey next week, so this should sort me.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

Just got it today. 4-hour train journey next week, so this should sort me.

Make sure to resist the temptation to sit on the train for another 4 hours the other way so you can keep playing. This game does that haha.

 

[Elfgore]

I saw my friend playing it last night, I must say it looks smooth as hell. I was surprised it was a Switch game with how good it looked and how well it ran. I might have to pick it up at some point.

 

[Erttheking]

I'm torn. I've got the two Switch vouchers still and I'm not sure if I should spend one on this game. I was kinda planning on saving them for Link's Awakening and Luigi's Mansion 3.

Well, I'm still playing Three Houses. We'll decide when I finish.

 

[Silvanus]

I'm torn. I've got the two Switch vouchers still and I'm not sure if I should spend one on this game. I was kinda planning on saving them for Link's Awakening and Luigi's Mansion 3.

If you're definitely going to get all three, then it makes more monetary sense to use the vouchers on Astral Chain and Luigi's Mansion, because Link's Awakening gives double gold points but the others don't.

There's only a couple of quid in it, but still.

Make sure to resist the temptation to sit on the train for another 4 hours the other way so you can keep playing. This game does that haha.

Played it for almost 3 hours of the 4 hour journey. I LOVE the combat.

 

[BrawlMan]

I an 5 hours in the game and playing on Platinum Standard. The game's combat is fun and different. While there are elements of Bayonetta/Transformers Devastation, the combat is more about working with your Legion. There is a dodge offset, parries, and combo enders you can do with your Legion for extra damage. The game even has blade mode similar to MG Rising. There is even a semi-zandatsu like mechanic where killing the enemy when a prompt comes up gets you your health back. The combat is definitely better than Nier: Automata's. Right now I am on File 04 and will play more later today. I have the Sword Legion and Arrow Legion right now.

For those starting, I recommend you change the control layout to Type C (I don't know about D or E), because that lay out is closer to the Bayonetta control scheme. Why Platinum thought Dark Souls style controls could work for Type A & B as the default is beyond me. Type C should have been the default to begin with. I also, don't like the platforming. It's not overly horrible, but I find it kind of meh and finicky if you're even pxiel off with your Legion jump. It's is frustrating as falling it a pitfall makes you lose major health.