When a Nintendo-exclusive game is made by an independent developer, questions can come up. For example, who owns the ensuing property? When it comes to the Astral Chain IP, we have an answer. Video Games Chronicle learned from Atsushi Inaba, one of the PlatinumGames founders and Astral Chain Executive Producer, that Nintendo owns it.
Astral Chain showed up in 2019 to offer an unusual take on the idea of a beat’em up. After players choose which twin they’ll control, they work alongside Legions that help them fight Chimeras seeping into the real world from the Astral Plane. (For those familiar with JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures, the appearance of Legions might call to mind Stands.) You investigate cases and fight enemies as you play. The story ends in such a way that there is potential for it to continue.
Astral Chain performed rather admirably for a new IP. Back in May 2020, Nintendo confirmed that over a million copies of the Nintendo Switch game were sold. It celebrated its first birthday back in August 2020. Spirits inspired by its characters were even added to Super Smash Bros Ultimate. We’ll have to wait and see if the sales figures ends up resulting in an eventual sequel.
Astral Chain is available for the Nintendo Switch worldwide.
