10 Best Nintendo Switch Exclusives Of 2019
5. Astral Chain
Astral Chain marks the highest ranking new IP here, with the top four all sequels to more tried and tested Nintendo franchises. Nintendo has always been a company to look after its most reliable properties, but through the likes of Astral Chain they’re showing they’re committed to the future too.
Development for Astral Chain was led by Takahisa Taura and Hideki Kamiya, the minds behind Nier: Automata (Taura) and Bayonetta & Devil May Cry (Kamiya). There’s clear influence from all three in this mad cap hack and slash adventure, with Astral Chain offering arguably the deepest and most mature Nintendo experience of the year.
The basic thread of the gameplay is that you’re a detective in the police force working on leads, but then Taura & Kamiya’s influence shines through. These leads take you into the Astral Plane at various points in the game, an alternate, reality bending dimension.
The Astral Plane offers up hack and slash gameplay inside puzzle based dungeons, full of weird and wonderful creatures. Combos, dodging, parrying and switching from melee to ranged and back again are all needed to succeed.
An exciting first instalment with room to build for the future.