
Astria Ascending
Release Date: September 30, 2021
RPG, fantasy, turn-based, 2D, arcade elements, side-scroll, jRPG, singleplayer
JRPG with platformer and adventure game elements. In Astria Ascending we go to the fantastic world of Orcanon. As one of eight heroes we save this land from chaos and we also get to know more about brave people, who join him during the adventure.
Astria Ascending is a jRPG, enriched with some adventure and platforming elements. The game was developed by the Artisan Studio team, while its release was handled by Dear Villagers. The project was led by industry veterans, headed by screenwriter Kazushige Nojima (who has worked on Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy VII Remake, among other games) and composer Hitoshi Sakimoto (creator of the music for Final Fantasy XII and Vagrant Story).
Plot
Astria Ascending takes us to the fantasy world of Orcanon. The guardians of balance are the so called demigods - heroes recruited from ordinary people and representatives of fantastic races, who during their three-year service must face all the dangers threatening the land. During the game we play as one of these brave warriors, and our task is to organize a team and save Orcanon from chaos. Along the way, we learn about the fates of each of our wards and observe the emerging relationships between them.
Mechanics
Astria Ascending is a side-scrolling action game. Before starting the game we choose one of eight characters representing different races and professions and having various skills.
The adventure leads us through a vast land, in which we find five large cities and more than twenty underground dungeons. Especially in the dungeons we often come across platformer-like fragments, where we have to show our dexterity, as well as environmental puzzles that require creativity (though not too complicated). The game is driven by the tasks which push the plot forward, but apart from them there are a lot of side missions waiting to be completed. The gameplay is also varied by optional activities, such as mini-games, which include, among others, card games.
Of course, saving Orcanon from danger is tied with fighting with enemies. Among more than two hundred adversaries we can find both those who are easy to defeat and much more powerful individuals, led by powerful bosses. Battles take place in turn-based mode, and during them we use the combat skills of the hero and the adventurers who join him on his journey.
As you progress, you develop your characters, so over time your team can face more challenges. In addition, during the game we catch legendary beasts, which we can summon on the arenas to support us in battle.
Game length
The developers ensure that completing Astria Ascending takes around thirty hours. Players who want to see everything the game has to offer, on the other hand, need to spend about fifty hours playing.
Technical aspects
Astria Ascending features colourful, hand-drawn graphics maintained in a manga style. The game allows to play with both English and Japanese dubbing.
September 27, 2021
Astria Ascending Review: A Classic JRPG for a New Generation
Astria Ascending, from developer Artisan Studios, is a modern classic, wonderfully modernizing the classic JRPG format with dynamic character progression and engaging turn-based combat.

Videos and Screens
[1:56] Astria Ascending gameplay trailer #1
[1:31] Astria Ascending trailer #1
Gamepressure Review
Astria Ascending
Astria Ascending, from developer Artisan Studios, is a modern classic, wonderfully modernizing the classic JRPG format with dynamic character progression and engaging turn-based combat.

Astria Ascending Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Developer: Artisan Studios
Publisher: Dear Villagers / Plug in Digital / Playdius
Age restrictions: 12+
Astria Ascending System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-550 3.2 GHz / AMD FX-770K 3.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 750 or better, 25 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5-7600K 3.8 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X 3.6 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce GTX 1070 Ti / Radeon RX 5700 or better, 25 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit