Astral Chain Revealed

Looks interesting. Seems to be a H & S.

Moved it to its own board just to be safe, as the game looks fantastic.

I really think this was the 'innovative' title Platinum Games were talking about a while back. Not a huge fan of the art-style but the second I saw the characters 'morph' super-sentai style I knew it was Kamiyas hand. Combat looks interesting, either it is fully co-op or you can controle two characters at once which would make for absolutely nuts combat options. Imagine a whole Doppleganger-style game. I'm excited!

Reminds of that old Jojo game on PS2. Looks like it has elements of that.

Can you show which one?

This looks great! I too think this is the game Platinum was referring to when they spoke about turning the genre on its head. I'm hoping that it's more of a traditional action game than an action RPG, as the Nier Automata director is on board.

https://twitter.com/Richmond_Lee/status/1095952764310437888

Great thread on some insight into the trailer, development and references. Fun thread :)

> Nier Director
Yoko Taro is involved?

Sorry, got myself confused there. The director of this game worked on Nier Automata and Anarchy Reigns. Not Yoko Taro!

Edit: The director is Takahisa Taura who was a Senior Game Designer on Nier. He was also a Game Designer on other Platinum titles like Anarchy Reigns, Wonderful 101, MGR and MadWorld.

Just watch the first fight. See how when the Stand is doing the multi punch move, Giorno can still move and attack freely? The multi punch is done by holding a button down and releasing, and can be charged while you're doing something else so you can chain it into normal hits. Works sorta like a CL assist.

You can also summon the Stand to stay on the field. In this case you become more the Stand than the character. Kinda hard to explain and I haven't played it in years.

You can see how it looks similar to Astral Chain in some ways, like how their bots are linked to them, and it really does look like the same thing is happening. The first thing I thought when I saw this video is that the bots are like Stand.

I'm really interested in what the Nier staff can cook up without the negative influences of Yoko Taro.

Edit: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/258621-astral-chain/77480710

Damn this boy works fast.

He underestimates just how popular the Switch is right now. It's seeing the rebirth of many WiiU classics getting second life (Wonderful 101 when?). Really interested in this game as well, high on my list. Just not a fan still of the graphical presentation. The style has grown on me but the color palet and presentation feels off, probably the engine?

This looks super promising. Pretty excited for the switch this year. Also, did I see blade wolf?

I really think this was the 'innovative' title Platinum Games were talking about a while back.
haha yeah but we could probably dredge up quite a few similar games (in terms of AI partners). I just read they're calling these things 'Legions' lol.

Can you name some examples?

I'm working on a short news article with some insights on it, most of the things that come to mind are DMC3, OverZenith, the JoJo games and original concept of Vanquish.

Castlevania Curse of Darkness.
Overlord 1&2
Folklore

Folklore works like CL assists, so you never really summon anything that stays on the field for long. They just do their move and vanish. In the others, your minions can act alone or take orders.

Jojo is kinda in between. Technically you summon something, but it doesn't function independently or take orders. It's basically just an extension of the character.

OZ has two other characters that can fight alone or take basic orders. I think they only have two; focus attack on an enemy, or catch a launched enemy. The catch is automatic though I consider it an order because whoever you play as will call out to the others. They'll go for any launched enemy.

If you wanna dive deeper into bizarre places, Magatama has a demon ally that attacks or can be chained into your melee attacks. Problem is, the game is only in Japanese and I've barely played it so I couldn't tell you a thing other than what it looks like and those basic concepts.

Dororo/Blood Will Tell has the character Dororo. She doesn't have a huge impact on combat really, but isn't totally useless either. She attacks with melee, throws stones, or screams so loud it creates a shockwave. You can also set her to do certain things like fight or collect items. I forgot the other two options. She can be defeated, but will revive after some time passes. Don't remember how long but it's not THAT long.

Might look through all my games tomorrow for similar stuff, though I think that might be it for action games.

Cheers for those names. What about the Castlevania title though, I'm very unfamiliar with that particular title. Can you tell me a tad more about that and how it connects to Astral Chain?

It's just similar in that you can summon something to fight alongside you. Watch through this. They'll summon at certain points of the fight.

Edit: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/258621-astral-chain/77480710

Damn this boy works fast.

Forgot to respond to this. Did you see how he attacked a guy who found the demo of DMC5 awesome, and accused him of being a Soy of War fan?

Now look at post 10 of this topic.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/241018-devil-may-cry-5/77489323

Guy is a bane to the DMC fanbase and the genre. He's still posting all this nonsense on the PS4 board, attacking players of other games, making us all look terrible.

https://www.resetera.com/threads/astral-chain-boxart-screenshots-art-trailers-fact-sheet-august-30th-2019.122567/

New info and gameplay footage here. I know, ResetERA, just stay away from the replies haha.

Looks fantastic.

Gameplay is looking good! Tempted by that Collectors Edition set - hope it's available here in the UK.

I hope those legion attacks have more to them than being additions to the character's strings.

> Collectors Edition
It's EU only from what I know, so you better "be in" as they say haha.

> Astral
Really interested, going to buy it regardless and probably going to avoid any more footage from now on. Looks grand! One thing that bothers me is the HP values and damage values, I really hope there isn't RPG stuff shoved in. Game oozes passion though.

Oh great another stupid genre tag.

SYNERGISTIC ACTION

Like all those ancient games that did this already?

Dont get me wrong, I'll probably buy a Switch just for this game, but it does irritate me a little when devs come up with dumb terms and promote old concepts as their own new invention.

Saw a new video that showed some interesting things you can do with the chain. More to it than restraining enemies.

I get a strong feeling that I've seen a similar restraint mechanic before. In Astral Chain if you circle around 1 or 2 enemies you can restrain. Feels very familiar.

I'm probably thinking something like W101 just not sure. It's really bugging me.

Wonderful 101 had a similar mechanic, but I also recall an old CRPG having something similar (I think it was Divinity 1 or something).

Got it.  Red Ninja.

When you attach the wire to an enemy, you can run around while extending it. Any enemy in its path gets caught. It's pretty much exactly the same only AC looks like it has more to it like using it as a slingshot to launch a caught enemy.

Wasn't that the game with that buxom beauty on the cover? I recall playing a beta-build of that when I interned at GameQuest Magazine for a day.

Yeah. It plays like Tenchu but has other mechanics like seduce and the razor wire thing. It's that weapon also in Nioh, like a wire/chain with either a weight or hook on the end. Forgot what they're called.

When you threw it out, pressing a direction made it connect with different body parts. You could tear off heads or trip them, and lodging it in someone then running around let's you tangle up other enemies. You could also run around something like a tree as I recall. I think you could even jump over something like a tree branch or rafter and hang them.

AC looks to be using this exact system just with some twists. I look forward to posting Red Ninja videos when everyone starts praising it as innovative.

This Red Ninja seems another unappreciated game. Just read this "review" https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/30/red-ninja-end-of-honor

Sounds like they're scared of females lol.

>main weapon is most effective.
So it makes sense then?

>overpowered
Not really. Multiple enemies, or ones that can counter it, bosses.

>Seduce
Works fine but only really useful against a single enemy and it takes a while because you have to wait for them to come over.

Also, in I think, the last two stages, Kurenai gets a different outfit. It's a full ninja suit. I never tried to seduce at that point but I don't see how it could work because she doesn't have bare legs anymore.

I never used it at all after a few times so it could easily not be there.

>camera
This can get pretty wonky especially in tight spaces or when running and bouncing off walls.

Overall, typical IGN trashing games after playing the first hour. No mention of other stealth kill options. No mention of momentum build up affecting movement and jump type(they only briefly touched on her running speed), no mention of the various chain/wire techniques. Just no mechanics stuff at all.

Game has tons of flaws but it's worth playing.

Apparently the title is planned as a trilogy: https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/26/astral-chain-planned-as-first-part-of-a-trilogy-no-post-launch-content-planned

Not sure what my take on this is, it is cool that they of course immediately think further. But on the other hand I just want a good single title and we'll see how it goes later-on.

Pandora's Tower was the other one I was thinking of.

Disregard my previous post, the Director noted that the talk of a trilogy was "a mistranslation".

New footage.

That capture mechanic is so similar to Knack 2's boomerang. Restrain an enemy then go after a trouble maker like a ranged attacker.

Surprised at the amount of character costumization for an action title. Two genders, multiple ethnicities. Gameplay-wise I have faith in P*, but I admit that what I see isn't really hitting home with me just yet. Don't really know as to why. How are you guys feeling about this one so far?

I imagine none of the players are controlling the legions correctly.  Not uncommon to see garbage gameplay in these demos before release.

I'm not going to be able to play it for a while and some things like damage numbers worry me that it'll be too much RPG. If there were tons of customization in terms of builds it wouldn't be a problem but it's clear there isn't.

I can't believe how it's getting away with this legion thing though.
The name itself and in another video where it introduced each legion and there was sword, bow, speed, and two more. One was a bigger sword type that could easily be compared to Hatred. I think there was even a similar trailer for CL way back that unfolded similarly.

English overview

Edit: The game has MGR slicing?! HYPE lvl 9000

Really love that trailer! Had to look at the rating since it does look like MGR's Blade Mode. I guess with the age rating it doesn't feel like it. Feels too quick.

That's the video I was referring to. It's like Pandora'a TowerXChaos Legion.

Just watching it again, I 100% believe there are either members who worked on Chaos Legion, or at least played it extensively. I refuse to believe otherwise.

Look at it.
The way they hover just above the ground, and each legion in AC corresponds to one in CL.

*Sword - Guilt (Pretty standard slashy guy)
*Arrow - Malice (Both archers and even have a sniper mode where you can free aim.)
*Arm - Hatred ('Power' type. Both have big arms (well, Hatred has one big arm but same idea.) Attacks by punching mainly.
*Beast - While they look completely different, Beast is easily comparable to Flawed. Both have large claws, do spin attacks, and are fast.
*Axe - Defensive type just like Arrogance. Both, in their own way, form shields. I would not be surprised to find that Axe gains some kind of bonus while or after blocking.

Only need Blasphemy (bomb) and Thanatos (Ultimate). Wouldn't be surprised if there are more legions in AC.

I'm not saying AC is a clone or anything negative, and clearly has tons of its own stuff, but there's no denying these parallels.

Just taking notes as I watch the trailer, getting more excited right now!

- enemies when attacked from behind gain passive bonus damage, indicated by the double ^ sign.
- Legions deal a lot more damage per hit, but attack slower it seems. A baton barely did 7 damage, while a Sword Legion hit for a clean 50 from behind and 30 from front.
- enemies seem extremely passive and slow so far.
- I predict that Chain Bind will be extremely good, especially in one on ones. Though I predict the game will favour more multiman brawls considering you're basically two players at all times;
- Sync attacks seem i.framed
- Sync Attacks also seem to deal absolutely nuts damage. I saw one deal nearly 2.000 in a full hit compared to the lowly 7 baton strike (though that might get higher).
- Legions look cool, but a bit too 'samey' in their design for me. Same colour scemes etc, though I heard you can customize those).
-  Switching Legions doesn't seems to have a dedicated animation to it. Might also be useful to 'pause combat' so to speak to get an overview of the situation you're in.
- blademode seems more for exploration;
- strenhtnening ... oh god no. No stats please.
- each legion has a specific talent tree it seems.
- perfect dodge leading to a free sync attack sounds insanely broken haha, but glad it's there.
- attack power is tied to some of these talents. Not going to lie, I hope it isn't too huge an increase.

The numbers hint at serious stat raising, otherwise why show them?

If it's on the same level as say, MGR or even CL it should be fine, but the numbers are a bad sign.

Note that I do not mind stat-increases. Games like God of War and Ninja Gaiden do this too, but the value with which they increases is very minor (like 20% total). Here I'm afraid a level 1 baton strike will do 7 damage while a fully upgraded one does 700 for instance. That scares me.

Bought the game digitally, why not. Don't like to have games physical on the Switch for some reason. Here's hoping it's going to be good!

Let me know how it is. It will be the game I buy a Switch for if it's any good.

It activates in 30 days, so I'll let you know. Here's hoping!

I will be very curious to hear your impressions!! It looks fun/cool but I am still a bit skeptical about the combat and the legion/helper gimmick.

It was only a matter of time...
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/258621-astral-chain/77939989

The last user who posted in that thread is a butthurt little crybaby who put me on ignore ages ago on the DMC5 boards. He was trashing CL and I addressed all his complaints then he announces he's putting me on ignore for harassment because I 'just won't stop' (for two posts replying to his complaints on  a gaming message board where that's the whole point) but the truth with these types is they got so owned by a game that it became a personal offence and they just can't get over it.

I think it was that same thread that some other loser whose name I forgot, when quickly realizing that he was dealing with someone who knows their shit, began trying to make me look bad by posting a link to a topic where I asked another user if they wanted more info to PM me. Like that was some kind of bad thing to do and I should be ashamed. What. The. Fuck?

And even now that guy is trying to say dumb stuff like how AC is more 'impactful' (wut?) and with less BS (already owned him on that) and he's protected himself from a counter by putting me on ignore.

You spoon feed them like the infants they are, top quality mechanical info, and they spit it back at you. I still find it so hard to believe that being wrong about a game is so bad, and refusing to learn is so hard.

I've made the resolution to stop arguing, and only post positive or respond to positive stuff, but it will be quite hard when it comes to CL and the level of stupid I know we're going to see regarding Astral Chain.