Astral Chain is a cyberpunk action game from PlatinumGames set on the artificial island of the Ark, where a police task force battles Chimera using Legions tethered by an astral chain. The story spans twelve files that mix action combat with crime investigations, side cases and hub-world police work.
The combat is deeply satisfying, with finishers that sling enemies around and a resonance mechanic that fuses an officer with a Legion. Systems arrive gradually, so new mechanics keep appearing throughout the campaign without overwhelming the moment-to-moment flow.
Five Legion types, including sword, arrow, arm, beast and axe, each bring distinct strengths to encounters, and switching between them keeps fights varied. The deliberate Legion fusion stands out as the most spectacular sequence, with its accompanying music lingering.
Platforming is the game’s weakest element, with movement that consistently overshoots ledges. The post-game ranked cases are repetitive too, reduced to simple go-here-and-kill routines that recall generic side quests.
The story escalates from a rogue scientist to a conspiracy within the Ark’s leadership, with the main villain telegraphed well in advance. The predictable reveal still arrives through spectacular set pieces, and the writing sustains interest across the lengthy campaign.
The presentation is consistently stylish, with a bike section that looks particularly impressive, and the controls work well once the shoulder-mounted attack button settles in. A story mode around twenty hours long is exceptional for an action title, with the full save stretching past twenty-seven hours.
Overall, combat and style make Astral Chain an emphatic recommendation. The platforming and the repetitive post-game hold it back, but the length and spectacle make it easily worth the time.