Well. I’ve been playing Switch games for years now. But Astral Chain? It hit different.

You’re probably here because you heard the buzz. Maybe a friend mentioned it. Or you saw the flashy trailers. But this game mixes anime visuals with intense combat in ways I didn’t expect.

I struggled at first. The dual-character control felt weird. The story seemed confusing. But once I got the hang of it, I couldn’t put my controller down.

This astral chain review will show you exactly what works and what doesn’t.

I’ll break down the combat, the story, and if it’s worth your time. Let me walk you through what I learned.

A Dystopian Anime Epic

The game drops you into a city under siege. Monsters called Chimeras are tearing through reality. People are vanishing. The police can’t handle it anymore.

You play as a rookie officer in Neuron. That’s a special task force. They use Legions – creatures chained to humans – to fight back. It sounds simple, but it’s not.

The world feels alive and desperate. Neon lights clash with destroyed buildings. Citizens walk around like nothing’s wrong, but you see the fear in their eyes.

I loved how the story unfolded. Each case reveals more about the Chimeras.

More about your character’s past. The anime cutscenes pull you deeper into this mess.

It’s cyberpunk meets supernatural, and it works surprisingly well.

Detective by Day, Demon Slayer by Night – Astral Chain Review

This is where Astral Chain really shines. You’re not just fighting monsters. You’re solving crimes, talking to witnesses, and piecing together mysteries. Then everything flips, and you’re in combat mode.

The Investigation Gameplay

I spent hours walking around the Ark. That’s the main city. You get cases to solve. Sometimes it’s finding a lost cat. Other times, it’s tracking down evidence of Chimera attacks.

The detective work never felt boring. Each case mattered. I actually cared about helping people.

What you’ll do:

• Interview witnesses and suspects
• Scan crime scenes for clues
• Follow trails using your Legion’s senses
• Complete side quests for citizens

The Combat System

Now this is the real deal. Combat in Astral Chain is unlike anything I’ve played. You control your character and your Legion at the same time. It sounds complicated. It is, at first.

I died a lot learning this. But once it clicked? Pure adrenaline. Every fight felt like a choreographed anime battle scene.

Combat elements:

• Chain attacks: Wrap enemies in your Legion’s chain
• Sync attacks: Time your hits with your Legion
• Multiple Legions: Switch between five different types
• Combo system: Build up massive damage strings

Your Legion Partners

You don’t get just one Legion. You collect five throughout the game. Each one plays completely differently. The Sword Legion is fast and aggressive. The Beast Legion lets you ride it like a mount.

I had my favorites. The Beast Legion saved me countless times. But you need all of them.

Puzzles and enemies require specific Legion types. It forces you to adapt and learn each one.

The five Legions:

• Sword Legion: Close combat specialist
• Arrow Legion: Long-range attacks
• Arm Legion: Heavy damage dealer
• Beast Legion: Speed and mobility
• Axe Legion: Tank and defense

Platinum’s Most Inventive Fight System Ever?

Platinum Games made Bayonetta. They made NieR: Automata. But Astral Chain’s combat? It might be their best work yet.

The dual-character control is genius. I’m dodging attacks while my Legion grabs enemies from behind. I’m setting up traps with the chain while landing combos. My brain had to rewire itself.

You can’t button-mash through this game. Enemies punish lazy play.

I had to learn attack patterns. Time my dodges. Switch Legions mid-fight. The depth is incredible.

Boss fights pushed me hard. Each one required different strategies. Different Legion combinations. I failed Bosses five, six times before winning.

The ranking system kept me coming back. Getting an S-rank felt earned. Not handed to me. This combat system respects your time and intelligence.

Soundtrack that Slaps Harder than A Legion Combo

Every astral chain review needs to talk about the music. Because wow. The soundtrack elevates everything. Fights feel more intense. Quiet moments hit harder. I caught myself just standing around sometimes. Just to listen.

The menu music alone is worth keeping the game running.

What makes the music special:

• Combat tracks: Heavy synth beats mixed with electronic rock. Your heart races with every note.
• Investigation themes: Calm, atmospheric sounds. They let you focus on clues without distraction.
• Boss music: Each major fight gets its own theme. They build tension perfectly.
• Vocal tracks: Rare but powerful. They show up during key story moments.
• Variety: Cyberpunk electronica meets orchestral anime scores. Shouldn’t work together. Does anyway.

The Killer Pros and Honest Drawbacks

No game is perfect. Astral Chain comes close in some areas. Falls short in others. Here’s my honest take after finishing it twice.

Grab the Chain and Get on It

So that’s my complete Astral Chain review. This game demands your attention and rewards your effort.

The combat will frustrate you at first. Then it’ll become second nature.

Is it perfect? No. The camera issues bug me. Some missions drag on too long. But those problems fade when I’m chaining combos and solving cases.

If you own a Switch and love action games, grab this. It’s unique. It’s challenging. It’s worth every hour I put into it.

Now go catch some Chimeras. Your Legion is waiting.