Astral Chain’s trailer debut during last week’s Direct had me grinnin’, as it marks the return of PlatinumGames to a Nintendo console since Bayonetta 2, their work on Star Fox notwithstanding. While a few things could be gleaned from the trailer in terms of style and gameplay ideas, not much was elaborated on. Thankfully, that’s what websites are for, and Platinum has added a section for Astral Chain to its site. Here’s the breakdown as written there:
The Ark: A massive, prosperous, multicultural city. But disaster strikes when mysterious dimensional gates appear, bringing dangerous alien creatures to the Ark to attack the people and corrupt the land. The Ark police form a special task force, known as Neuron, to face the alien threat head-on.
Humanity’s last chance against invasion is a special living weapon called the Legion. As a rookie Neuron officer, you and your Legion will work together to solve cases and save humankind.
ASTRAL CHAIN gives you full control over two characters at once for thrilling Synergetic Action, courtesy of PlatinumGames. Switch between several Legion types and skills to save the world your way.
ASTRAL CHAIN features character designs by the acclaimed mangaka Masakazu Katsura (ZETMAN, Video Girl Ai), and marks the directorial debut of PlatinumGames’ Takahisa Taura (designer of NieR:Automata). Hideki Kamiya, director of Bayonetta and writer/supervisor of Bayonetta 2, provides supervision.
It’s just about what I’ve come to expect from Platinum on a conceptual level — some kind of invasion, a unique and customizable combat system, and a look and feel all its own. If you need a little more of Astral Chain, enjoy the gallery of screenshots to hold you over. It’ll take some actual hands-on with the game to be fully sold; but with its dual character system and its pedigree, consider me intrigued and on board for its August 30th release.
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Written by Ricky Berg
When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.
