Nintendo has recently shared to their News Channel on the Nintendo Switch an interview with Director Takahisa Taura about Astral Chain. The game will be releasing next month and what better way to promote the game than to talk more about it with the people that made it. Takahisa Taura has worked on games like NieR:Automata and Anarchy Reigns as a game designer. For Astral Chain though, he was given the role of director.
In the interview which, we have transcripted below, Takahisa Taura talks about the differences between designing a game and directing one, how they came up with the combat system, Why they chose the futuristic setting and the most important question of all which, was never asked but answered… Can you pet the dog? Or in this case, Legion?
ASTRAL CHAIN director Takahisa Taura gets us ready to take on the game’s interdimensional invasion
In, ASTRAL CHAIN, releasing on August 30th, you’ll explore a futuristic city, master a deep combat system by controlling two characters at the same time, and solve police cases to help out a humanity under seige (and, on ocassion, lost cats). We recently sat down with the game’s director, Takahisa Taura, to learn more about the game. And when you’re done reading, please check out the videos to see the game in action.
1) You’ve worked on many different games as a game designer in the past such as NieR:Automata and Anarchy Reigns. How is directing different from designing a game?
I started out as a game designer, but what you need to do as a director is different. As a director, before you start making a game, you need an original idea to take around to a lot of different people… and then get them to understand the kind of game you want to make. Finishing a game can also be a struggle. But, with that said, seeing the finished product is a completely different feeling [Than what you would have as a designer]. The sense of fulfillment is totally different.
2) How did your team come up with the combat system? Was it difficult to make it accessible to new fans while still making it challenging for experienced fans of PlatinumGames?
ASTRAL CHAIN has you controlling two characters at once, so people who are used to action games will be able to experience something they may not have played before. Enlisting the help of five different Legions will also be new and challenging to players of all levels. Since Legions are a separate entitiy, players can send Legion to do the fighting till they get the hang of things. There are also different difficuly modes the player can choose according to their skill, with one special mode called “Unchained Mode,” which is designed for action game beginners who want to enjoy the story and world.
3) Some people will be surprised this isn’t just an action game and also involves solving cases as a police officer. Can you tell us more about what the team hoped to create?
We wanted to creat gameplay where plating as a police officer, you’d run to the site of an accident or problem and then you’d investigate by talking to the people around the area. But there are other things along the way. We thought that this would be a natural way for the game to flow for the player.
We’re mindful of the fact that, as PlatinumGames, we make a lot of games where action becomes the focus and the player goes through a lot of action sequences, one after another. So, we wanted to make it stand out as something different by putting in different elements into this world.
4) What were the inspirations behind the sci-fi world and story that the team created?
Actually, when we first started making the game, we envisioned it as something where it would be set in a fantasy world where you’d be using magic to fight, but there are lots of different games that are like that. So, in order to make sure our game wasn’t lost among the ranks, we decided to make it different. It was a lot of trial and error, but what we arrived at was an action game that’s in a near futuristic world.
Throughout the process, I turned to Japanese science fiction anime that inspires me. You may notice that the characters look like anime characters, but the backgrounds behind the characters look more realistic. We wanted it to seem like something you’d see in an anime.
5) Finally, What is your favourite Legion?
I really like them all, and you should learn how to use them all… but I’ve become a little attached to the Beast LEgion. This is a bit personal, but from the time I was young, we always had a dog in the house. So, when I was making the game, I started becoming attached to the Beast Legion. Actually, if you use the action button while you’re standing next to the Beast Legion in the game, you can pet him.
Source: Nintendo News Channel (Nintendo Switch)
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Can’t wait to chain combos by changing Legion, this game looks so incredible!
Looking forward to the expansive sci fi world!
This game looks really cool, and I’m excited for it! I’m really looking forward to exploring this futuristic world as a cop with a dog alien that fights alongside you in action tag-team combat! It just looks like it’ll be a lot of fun to play!
I’m really looking forward to the stylish combat platinum is known for. I love dmc and bayonetta, if this is just as fun, I’ll definitely want it.
Looking forward to the dope soundtrack!
Great interview just learn with it that we will have to solve cases as a Police Officer like on Judgment or a LA Noir that’s a cool approach to make different type of gameplay not just Action non stop. This is definitely the most ambitious game on Switch this year so really want to try it and really dig the futuristic cel shading look of the game. Nintendo just released a new video gameplay the combat gameplay looks really good and dynamic.
Looking forward to STANDO robots and that sweet Platinum combat!
Looking forward to STANDO robots and that sweet Platinum combat.
Between what we’ve seen and heard of this game, story gameplay graphics and ost wise, and previous games like Nier and Bayonetta, I am suuuuuuper pumped for basically every aspect of this game. My brother too. It’s going to be freaking awesome.
The characters, action, cats, and police setting really excite me. I have to play Astral Chain!
I can’t wait to try all the different types of legions and replaying sections to get the best score/letter grade!
Dude! You can pet the doggish LEgion! That’s pumping me up already! They put in the loving details.
Action jrpgs are always welcome. Definitely looking forward to this game.
Seems pretty cool!
The coop thing between our characters and the precision we Will nerd to make great combo is what in waiting for
can’t wait for the combat tbh
I am really looking forward to the high Octane fast paced hack n slash gameplay that we have all grown to love in games like Bayonetta but one of my favourite type of games to play are investigative and crime solving style titles like L.A noire. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into Astral Chain and explore every nook and cranny of the Ark.
Can’t wait to try out all the different types of legions and to replay sections of the game over and over to try for the best rank!
Haven’t played a Platinum game on Nintendo since Wonderful 101 (sorry Bayonetta!) but I’m really looking forward to this release; Metal Gear Revengeance is freaking amazing and if this plays even remotely similar to that I’m all in.
Nice interview. Love a developer interview. Astral Chain is shaping up to be something very special. 👍
Looking forward to gameplay and story ^_^.
I’m excited about the investigation part of the gameplay. I’m also looking forward to some deep combo heavy battles by controlling two entities. He’s got quite the pedigree with Nier and Anarchy Reigns.
Seems interesting to me the idea to make a hybrid world between realistic backgrounds and anime characters and to opt for a less obvious futuristic action game and acting like a detective. But I’m looking forward to see the gameplay with the Switch controller. I think it’s essential for action games like this one.
This game looks really sweet, looking forward to playing another good RPG on switch.
I’m looking forward to seeing more about the Legions! They look and act similar to blades in XC2 so I can’t wait!
I can’t wait to pet the dog
It might be uncommon answer but I’m very excited about the ost songs that’s coming in the game. o^~^o
It might be an uncommon answer but I’m most excited about the ost songs that’s coming in the game. o^~^o
I’m excited to visit all the toilets in the game. Hope you get a special weapon/item if you find them all.
I just want to experience the gameplay cause it looks amazing.
Looking forward to the Story, music, combat mechanics and exploring the World(s). This game will rock!
Yas
I like all of the game !!!Especially the different gameplay Styles!
looking forward to gameplay
This game has just looked cool since they announced it.
I’m personally looking forward to the combat. It’s the one thing that makes Platinum games a blast to play!
Platinum Games are master of hack’n slash games, can’t wait to play this.
I’m looking forward to the awesome combat system and soundtrack.
My most anticipated game of this year, platinum games are really masters in this type of game, the goty of this year.
This game lools awesome, I’m pumped for this gameplay!
I expect it because it looks like just what a spectacular game will be, the combat system intrigues me a lot and then the fact that it’s platinum and they worked on important people makes me go up the hype
I am looking for a deeper story and excellent soundtrack.
I think I’m mostly looking forward to how the Legions can change form on the fly. The battles just look so epic because of it.
Would love to get my hands on this!
I’m looking forward to Platinum’s signature awesome combat!
I’m most excited for petting the dog tbh xD No, but the whole story sounds so interesting and the music is bomb, just being immersed into that world will be awesome!
I’m looking forward to the ckmbat system. It seems very cool! Also, it’s my first Platinum game.
I’m mostly looking forward to the cooperative aspects of the game. Not only the combat itself, but also the plataforming.
So hyped for the game!!
I’m mostly looking forward to the cooperative aspects of the game. Not only the combat itself, but also the plataforming.
So hyped for the game!!
Very excited to try out another game by Platinum games, the aspect I’m most looking forward to is the combat!
I am looking forward to the game itself because i never played such a kind of game ^^
Great interview!!
Really looking forward to the combat system in the game!
I’m definitely amped for the soundtrack, but the NieR: Automata like combat is what really has me hyped!
I cannot wait for the case solving and police work. Hopefully it’s a good mix of action and the police work to give it balance.
I can’t wait to play the game on release Congrats to Taura for getting the director role.
that case solving stuff sounds pretty cool. i like the police uniform designs too. pretty excited for this.
I’m interested in how satisfying it will be to rack up combos.
I’m most excited about the setting, I think. I love this kind of futuristic city stuff.
Taura’s character work on Nier Automata was already honestly super good but the fact hes directing this with Kamiyas supervision gives me so much hope for this! Hope it’s great!
Awesome entry from Platinum games! Can’t wait to play!
[…] answer the question nobody actually asked, but totally wanted the answer to. In an interview with Miketendo 64, Taura was asked which Legion was his favorite. His […]