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.

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

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 synergetic action game where humanity's last chance against an interdimensional invasion is a sentient weapon called the Legion.

Astral Chain is one of PlatinumGames' finest acts this generation, cementing itself as yet another stellar exclusive for Nintendo Switch. It doesn't reach the heights of excellence achieved by Yoko Taro's NieR: Automata, but can more than hold its own thanks to an excellent setting, experimental combat and so, so much style it hurts.

The world is colourful, vast and imaginative; Combat is varied and challenging in some excellent ways; Everything oozes anime-infused personality; You can take selfies with cats and dogs;

The camera can be a cruel mistress; Performance while docked isn't good enough;

A thrilling, gorgeous action game

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.

Astral Chain is a game that knows what it is. After an extended bout of fast paced, balletic combat, in which my character and its tethered Legion combined forces to reap destruction I find myself back in the Police Headquarters.

She said she's from a quasar Then the toilet fairy came. Then the insane mechanical depth we'd expect out of Platinum. Then I got to moonlight as an office mascot named Lappy who helped out depressed co-workers.

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.