Canadian co-developed Astria Ascending is a flawed but beautiful take on JRPGs

Astria Ascending has been 1 of my almost anticipated games of the year since I beginning found out about it.

Information technology immediately fell on my radar by being a Final Fantasy-inspired RPG that actually involved several key creators of those titles — like writer Kazushige Nojima (Final Fantasy 7), composer Hitoshi Sakimoto (Terminal Fantasy XII) and art from Cydesignation (led by Final Fantasydesigner Akihiko Yoshida).

Unfortunately, the game, equally adult by Paris- and Quebec City-based Artisan, never quite comes together to alive upward to the significant potential suggested past such guest contributors.

Astria Ascendingfollows eight characters who take been deemed demi-gods, granting them special powers only giving them far less fourth dimension to live. With their looming cede, they have to defend the world of Orcanon from a mysterious threat. On paper, theFinal Fantasy 13-esque premise is interesting, as it quickly establishes the stakes while getting you intrigued as to what the characters volition practise with their cursed fates.

"Like the Final Fantasy games information technology draws and then heavily from, Astria Ascending has a plough-based combat organization that is pretty satisfying."

The key words there are "on paper," though, because the writing often falls apartment through rote, overly expository banter and poor vox acting. And considering your party is made up of both human and not-human characters, at that place'due south a rather unsubtle depiction of racism that's on display.

With more nuanced writing, this could accept resulted in a compelling graphic symbol arc, just what's really there just feels mean-spirited, particularly from the elderly thief Arpajo. Fortunately, the characters and their surrounding environments are, at to the lowest degree, absolutely stunning. Cydesignation has produced some lively manus-fatigued artwork for the game, which absolutely pops in action. Likewise, Sakimoto doesn't disappoint on the music front cheers to a strong orchestral score.

The fantabulous presentation is important, because it helps conduct otherwise tiresome locations that you'll exist exploring. Like Artisan's terminal game,Super Neptunia RPG,Astria Ascending features a 2D perspective, and so you can but explore levels going left and right. That wouldn't be limiting in and of itself if the game's 20-plus dungeons didn't feel so copy-and-paste. Even the jump push to add a layer of verticality often devolves into extremely bones platforming with the occasional crumbling ledge.

Interestingly, though, information technology's the battles that offset many of Astria Ascending's shortcomings. Like the Final Fantasy games it draws and so heavily from,Astria Ascendinghas a plow-based gainsay system that is pretty satisfying. Functionally, information technology plays out like Last Fantasy X, where you lot're able to switch between characters on the fly. This is part of a full general design philosophy surrounding no character feeling "useless," according to Artisan.

Astria Ascending combat

Some other tenet of that is the 'Focus' organization, which is reminiscent ofBravely Default'southward 'Dauntless' system. With Focus, you lot tin can spend points to increase the efficiency of your attacks. You starting time battles with a sure number of Focus Points (FP), which can increase or decrease depending on whether yous tin exploit an enemy's elemental weakness.

Failing to do (either considering your foe nullified or captivated your assail) volition lower your FP count, even into the negatives. This creates an engaging 'tug-of-war' sort of feel to gainsay while lending it a smart risk-reward element. Determining when to utilize your FP — and how to adapt should yous suddenly become in the negatives — offered some welcome depth to Astria Ascending's combat. It'south not infrequent, but for a game of this telescopic, information technology works quite well.

"In the finish, Astria Ascending is a decidedly fine game."

In a nice difference from other JRPGs, you also have access to the unabridged party from the outset. I enjoyed this decision, as it allowed me to effigy out the strengths and weaknesses of each characters early on and develop them accordingly as the game progresses. You lot can do this through a progression system alike toFFX'south Sphere Grid, which features new abilities and permanent stat boosts. Each graphic symbol can unlock new jobs too, although some are locked behind pretty throwaway sidequests. On the flip side, Astria Ascendingremoves some of the tedium of classic JRPGs through wonderful quality-of-life improvements like the ability to warp out of a dungeon at volition or save anywhere.

Astria Ascending chest

In the terminate,Astria Ascendingis a incomparably fine game. While non without their moments, the story, characters and environments are largely forgettable, but the game does, at least, balance that out with excellent visuals and music and a solid gainsay system. It's too easier to forgiveAstria Ascending'due south flaws knowing that it'south the second game from a small team of around 20 people. As long as you don't go in expecting a Final Fantasy-level experience, y'all'll get a decent level of enjoyment out ofAstria Ascending.

Astria Ascendingis now available on PlayStation four/v, Xbox One/Series X and S, Nintendo Switch and PC. The game is also bachelor on Game Laissez passer for Console, PC and the Cloud.

Prototype credit: Dear Villagers/Artisan