It's now been 3 years since PlatinumGames released the hack and slash Astral Chain exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. When the game originally arrived on the scene in August 2019, we praised it for its amazing visuals, presentation, varied gameplay, and rewarding combat.
If you haven't already played it, we would highly recommend checking it out. It seems Platinum hasn't forgotten about it, either. In a message on Twitter yesterday, director Takahisa Taura congratulated the game on its third-year milestone, thanked fans for their ongoing support and announced a special collector's edition giveaway:
Of course, as much as fans appreciate Platinum taking time out of its busy schedule to acknowledge this anniversary, it once again led to a conversation about the future of the IP - with many hoping to see a sequel of sorts.
In a sales update yesterday, it was revealed how Astral Chain has sold around 1.28 million units since its launch, this includes about +70,000 units since December 2020. Platinum has also previously mentioned how the game has sold "above expectations".
PlatinumGames hasn't mentioned anything about the future of Astral Chain on the Switch, but the next game it's bringing to Nintendo's hybrid system is NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition. Takahisa Taura also happened to be a designer on this project.
Would you like to see another Astral Chain game? Looking forward to NieR? Comment below.
Comments 45
This game was truly a gem on the Nintendo Switch and it feels like a next-gen experience on par with BOTW & stuff coming out on late gen PS4 & Xbox. Easily my favorite game of 2019.
Some of my favourite platinum combat just after Vanquish. Loved Bayonetta but it always felt a bit floaty to me. Astral felt chunky, chewy, and dense, with beautiful flow and rhythm. S+.
I never did finish this one. It was fun...not sure why I stopped playing it.
Probably been too long to really dive back in as I don't really remember what was going on.
Amazing game, loved my play through. This makes me want to replay it once I set up my new oled
I wish I had enjoyed the game more. I didn't enjoy the first couple chapters, then I loved it for a couple chapters, then I got bored and couldn't keep going.
What I would give for this game to come to other platforms than the Switch.
Great game, looking forward to a sequel.
Great game and one the more underrated titles on Switch. Loved the artstyle of this game, hopefully more is to come from this IP.
I prefer Bayonetta and W101…. But 90% of anything Platinum releases is *ahem * … gold
Excellent game, love the soundtrack.
Meant to get this. But haven't gotten around to finishing either Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance or Nier: Automata. Kept wanting to clear my Platinum backlog first, I guess.
Didn’t gel with this one. Pushed through to finish the (ridiculous) story but I certainly won’t be going back for a sequel.
Got this day 1 but still haven't played it yet...
It's one of my all-time favorites. I really hope they'll continue with this IP
Incredible game, still hoping for a sequel
The best hack and slash game out there. Not even DmC or God of War, or Bayonetta compares to such deep combat. Amazing visuals and the very best gameplay. I agree some chapters were a slog but overall amazing game, that truly felt like next gen even more than GOW.
Probably one of the most underrated Swich games out there
@Sequel absolutely agree. Astral Chain and vanquish (also God Hand if you count clover) have platinums finest combat systems. The presentation is also top tier. I sure hope a sequel is in the making.
Too bad these games fell under the radar of many, while bayonetta got so much attention due to its certain juvenile "qualities".
Absolutely one of my favorite games on the Switch, hence my avatar.
Once you get the hang of the combat it’s so satisfying pulling off combo’s.
The ost is amazing too.
Really hope a sequel is on its way!
I hope we see a sequel on the next-gen Switch successor as the game was phenomenal. Astral Chain and ARMS definitely needs a return next gen.
Easily one of the top 5 Switch games.
Bought it day 1 and it's one of my favourite Switch games! Really want to see another
Astral Chain > Bayonetta
There, I said it.
still holding out for a decent Sale price!
This game is plain and simple a lot of fun. Kind of braindead entertainment. I especially enjoyed the fighting mechanics once I got used to them and the soundtrack is awesome.
This game had a very strong ending. I recommend anyone who gets bogged down to stick with it. Very rewarding and satisfying. (Lots of post-game stuff, which is nice, but I bounced from that.)
Loved this game. One of my top Switch games, tbh.
The "See You Again" at the end has me hopeful for the sequel.
Would be my favorite Switch game ever if it wasn’t for Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. We need a sequel!
This is one of the best games on Switch! I hope they are planning a sequel.
Love, loved, loved my playthrough of this one. Have since started a second, and enjoying every story beat, perhaps even more this time around. When the Police HQ music starts in, I just know I'm going to have a good time. What a fantastic game, and with none of the modern claptrap that can make gaming insufferable these days. A sequel would make me very happy indeed.
One of the best games on Switch and I would like a sequel more than Bayonetta!
The only remaster I'm interested in, across all games, is the Wii's Mad World. why doesn't this exist in the Switch?
Bought it day one, only played it for a couple of hours because I'm distracted by other games, I think I'll play it again after I finish metroid. I like the game and will buy the sequel if platinum make it 😃
Love this game so much!! For those of you wanting a sequel it seems like platinum games has already been working on it for a while. One leaker I follow says it’s slated for release sometime in 2023. I assume late 2023. I know we should take it with a grain of salt but there is a lot of hints that support this like takahisa taura who did the first one said he was hard at work on another game(didn’t say which game). Someone from platinum said so anyway. Also Nintendo buying the IP means that they can’t be done with just one game in the franchise. I know this is a thought but I think it’s a valid one.
...still in the wrapper for me. But I look forward to playing it one day!!
Still need to get this one! I would like to see it in a good sale, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Excellent Masterpiece! I highly recommend this Fun Gem for the Nintendo Switch!
Definitely one of the best games of 2019 (Definitely my favorite Switch game of the year).
I'd love to see a sequel.
As many have said already this is by far one of the best Switch games. Ever. It had a steep learning curve but once it "clicks" for you I promise you'll be hooked with its unique gameplay. I was no doubt.
I was hoping they would update the game with an 'endless' mode like Devil May Cry's "Bloody Palace" mode. Even though "Olive's Cases" were kinda something like that but some of the those were insanely hard. I did eventually beat them all but I'd prefer something like a "Bloody Palace" mode to keep it fresh and randomly exciting (and just to see how far I can make it!). Having to specifically pick a challenge makes it not as fun because there's quite a few on there I stay far away from. I usually end up repeating the same ones and it gets old.
Would love Astral Chain 2 and would be more excited for it then Bayo 3. The final battle with the hype anime opener music playing felt like peak Platinum experience.
@B_Lindz yeah no chance of that. It’s Nintendo IP now. Considering it actually sold good too I wouldn’t hope for a W101 scenario outlier either.
Yes this is one of my favorite games, however I'm still mad that they botched the audio. It had a very immersive world and all these things but then they did two channel audio that does not play nice with a Dolby Atmos home system. Not cool!
Loved this game alot, it blew up my expectations in an awesome way and I do hope that Nintendo greenlights a sequel
@Arawn93
Yup. W101 only happened that way because (1) Nintendo didn't really care one way or another about porting the game TO Switch as it wasn't a huge seller on a console that wasn't very successful, (2) Nintendo would have ported it to Switch if Platinum agreed on an exclusivity clause, and (3) Platinum self-funded the ports.
Astral Chain is going nowhere, and that's good for Nintendo and Platinum. Platinum has a similar relationship to Nintendo here as does, say, Camelot or Intelligent Systems or Sora Ltd. It's gives the developers freedom while having access to a reliable business partner that doesn't need to have them on the payroll either. It's win-win, and how Nintendo likes it.
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