Astral Chain is not what I thought it'd be. Expecting a standard 8-12 hour action adventure game, a Bayonetta-like, designed to keep fans of developer PlatinumGames patience in check while it gets o

Brilliant; inventive concept; Excellent soundtrack; Begs to be replayed; Looks good; runs well in handheld and docked modes

Stealth isn't good; Platforming can be awkward

Platinum Studios have made some really fun, wild, and out-there games. They've also had letdowns; not many but a few. While waiting for them to deliver Bayonetta 3 unto the world, Astral Chain was announced. The initial trailers carried the Platinum flair, but it was hard to know what to expect.

PlatinumGames has a long and successful history of making stylish-action games, and Astral Chain is one of its most accomplished and enjoyable entries to date, giving both Bayonetta and Nier: Automata a run for their money.

Platinum Games have spent the last dozen years making slick action game combat their calling card. From the raging sass of Bayonetta to the calculated combat of NieR: Automata , they're a studio that knows how to take something as straightforward as people trying to smack each other about and turn...

Platinum's usual exhilarating combat; characterful visuals; and great story; Controlling the Legion adds more depth to the combat; Investigation and world exploration help break up the combat; Accessible difficulty options; Platinum's usual exhilarating combat; characterful visuals; and great story,...

A silent protagonist drains personality from the game; Using your Legion never quite feels natural

With games like Bayonetta , Vanquish , Wonderful 101 and MadWorld in its back catalogue, it's little surprise that Japanese developer PlatinumGames has gained a reputation for tight, action-packed titles that mix stunning visuals with intricate and rewarding gameplay mechanics.

I'm a big fan of pretty much every title PlatinumGames has developed, but somehow, I didn't even know that Astral Chain was in development. I knew about Scalebound , which has now been canceled, and it looks like from the ashes of the now-canceled Xbox One title, a wonderfully original action title...

Fantastic PlatinumGames-style action; Couch co-op; Diverse score

Action can be overwhelming at first; Graphics are dated

PlatinumGames is a developer who thus far has had a near flawless pedigree. There have been some duds along the way, without a doubt, but for the most part, they've demonstrated that they're the masters of their craft.

Unique Combat; Versatile Legions; Colourful Visuals

Silent Protagonist; Late Pacing Issues; Uneven Framerate; Combat Depth

Astral Chain is a must-play Nintendo Switch exclusive that follows in the footsteps of great games like Bayonet...

Astral Chain is another excellent game from Platinum, and one of the best action games of this generation. Period. Fighting off alien invaders with a Legion robot by your side proves to be even more fun than it looks, which is saying a lot.

Every time a new PlatinumGames title releases is a time for celebration. Except maybe that handful of small licensed games it made. But Astral Chain is a particularly special time, for not only are we being blessed with a big-budget Nintendo Switch exclusive, but it is a damn good one, too.