However, this potential is marred by stilted dialogue and voice performances that range from fine to incredibly stiff. ![]() You inhabit a world full of different races, each with their own distinct politics, customs, and way of life. During my seven hours with it, I could see the potential in its premise and extensive world building as I moved forward in the story. This, and myriad other little features, make Astria Ascending feel like an accessible RPG.Īs Astria Ascending progresses, however, I like it far less. Once you’ve taken the breather, you’re free to teleport back where you left off. In between fights, you’re able to pause, teleport out of a dungeon, and wait in town for a bit as your stats are automatically restored. However, having her contribute to the party’s Focus Points ensured that someone else’s healing move or attack that exploits an enemy’s weakness was multiplied in power. I tried having a party of all female characters, which didn’t last long because Kaydin wasn’t suited for as many battles as the rest. It functions so that, if a character doesn’t have an efficient ability to use, they can dedicate their turn to contributing a Focus Point, which can then be used by a following character to strengthen their ability. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut Does Exactly What I Wanted and Nothing More.FFXIV Fans Make Some Weird, Wonderful Shit When There’s Nothing Else to Do.Intimate Space: The State of Queerness in Mass Effect.However, Astria Ascending ’s Focus Point system, which has been created with the purpose of making every party member’s turn count, is excellent at mitigating dull moments. Every character belongs to a particular class, some being more unique and useful than others. It’s here where I like the game most, for battles are fun and can get dicey even on an easier difficulty. They let you breathe, formulate strategies to win, and offer reprieves from the story’s progression. While much of the action happens during Astria Ascending ’s battles, I see them as paused moments as well. Access each individual party member’s Ascension Tree, which functions like character growth systems such as the Sphere Grid in Final Fantasy X or the Crystarium in Final Fantasy XIII, and it’s hard not to take a moment just to appreciate how pretty each one is. Its UI is clean and visually appealing while managing to deliver plenty of information in battle. Its lovely soundtrack is best appreciated when you stop and listen to it with no distractions. Take a screenshot at any moment and you’ll marvel at its saturated colors, sharpness, and beauty. When it’s on pause, Astria Ascending preserves its potential. This is essentially a revival of that game, one with a rewritten story that is touted as more mature and dense. You’ll recognize plenty if you played the mobile RPG Zodiac: Orcanon Odyssey, which was released to middling reviews and never received its planned console ports. It’s seen as a fair bargain considering they serve to protect the most important thing of all: Harmony. They receive three years of glory before dying, leaving their families respected and well-compensated in their wake. You play as a crew known as the Demigods, soldiers chosen for greatness. ![]() You still need to save the world, of course, as the job falls to you. Rather than fighting to save the world, as is typical in most RPGs, you’re fighting against your own predetermined destiny to save it. But, once it starts moving, it feels off.Īstria Ascending takes place in the world of Orcanon, where Noises and other ancient beasts of chaos dwell. It’s not only eye-catching because of its visuals but because of the people behind it, helmed by Kazushige Nojima, the scenario writer behind Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and X, along with music composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, best known for the scores behind Final Fantasy XII and the 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.Īfter playing the first seven hours of Astria Ascending, I’ve found myself appreciating it much like one would a painting: it’s beautiful to look at, particularly when you’re given time to admire it. Astria Ascending is gorgeous to behold, with vibrant colors shining through its hand-drawn visuals that make it look like a moving painting.
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