Astral Chain In Preview: PlatinumGames Next Action Prank

In the first minutes of the demo, the PlatinumGames action game still looks relatively brittle. The game takes me to the science fiction metropolis The Ark. Dimension gates open again and again through which monsters - the so-called Chimera - penetrate into the world. They contaminate The Ark with toxic corruption and kidnap innocent people.

At the beginning of the game you decide on the gender, skin color and appearance of your own character.

In the initial phase, I control a policewoman who is making her way through the chaos. I help a wounded man on a stretcher and take up the first Chimera monster a short time later. I defend myself from the attacks with a sword and pistol. At first, Astral Chain doesn't feel too bulky.

That should change as soon as Legion comes into play. It is the counterpart to the Chimera. The specialists in the Neuron Unit chain these battle monsters and control them in this way. Towards the end of the first section, I receive my first legion and send the monster into battle with the push of a button. I am attached!

My fingers are dancing …

In the later course it becomes clear that the interaction of my main character and legion is of crucial importance. The control of the two figures turns out to be quite complex. At the push of a button, I summon Legion and command it by pressing the left shoulder button. In this way I send the creature into battle or call it back.

Team maneuvers give the Chimera the rest!

Legion acts independently, but I can also take control of it. I hold the left shoulder button and use the right stick to control my helper. The chain that connects the legion and hero becomes a weapon. If I lead Legion around an enemy, I bind him like this. In addition, I skillfully catch attacks with the chain and bring the Chimera out of balance.

As soon as I control two characters, the action increases enormously in speed and complexity. The use of Legion uses energy. If this is used up, I have to call the creature back and let it regenerate. The combo system is also based on the collaboration of the two characters. If I strike the sword several times, a blue flash of light flashes briefly. This is my sign of a legion attack. If I activate my helper within the small time window, it sets a spectacular special action.

It's really hot outside again. Do you fancy a barbecue?

The counter system works similarly. If I dodge at the right moment, this opens up the chance for a slow-motion attack. And once I have knocked a Chimera softly enough, I will finish it with a Legion finishing move. Each of the five legion units (Arrow, Arm, Beast, Ax and Sword) confirmed so far has their own idiosyncrasies and talents. The archer, for example, fires a volley of arrows at the enemy. Individual talent trees provide additional depth within the character system, with the help of which I strengthen the Legion troops and shorten cooldowns or improve certain actions.

Your friend and investigator

The combat system is certainly the highlight of Astral Chain. However, checking two figures at the same time requires a certain amount of familiarization and so I feel a little overwhelmed at the end of the demo - in the final fight against several Cerberus dogs. Nevertheless: The action is right, is aptly staged and, above all, makes you curious about more because of its complexity and depth.

With the help of the chain you counter attacks of the monsters and throw them back.

Aside from the struggles, Astral Chain focuses heavily on policing, investigations and also interacting with other characters. So the game does not offer an open world, but there are explorable areas. In the audition, I explore the police station and bring a medi-pack to a colleague in a side task. This in turn gives me credits that I invest in vending machines for strengthening energy drinks and other extras.

The missions themselves involve police investigations and thus take the pace a little out of the game. With the help of the IRIS camera - a special viewing mode - I examine the crime scene and collect information. Legion is also used in these sequences: I use it to eavesdrop on conversations by other people, solve small switch puzzles or even let myself be dragged across abysses and other obstacles with the help of the chain. Legion also soaks up corruption or even heals civilians affected by it.

Will astral chain also be the beginning of a new genre?

Start photo gallery (11 photos)

I'm excited to see how PlatinumGames will integrate these influences across the season. The interplay between legion and hero is always the focus and is ultimately the idea that makes the game special. And when does Astral Chain appear? The game is expected to launch on August 30, 2019 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. So not long before you can make friends with Legion!

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