Astral Chain

This action adventure game is one of the best -- and most surprisingly fun -- Nintendo Switch titles of the year. Astral Chain offers rewarding real-time action, with a compelling art style and simplified controls. While the combat might grow a tad repetitive after a while, the ability to swap out Legions changes things up nicely. There's also new environments to fight in, puzzles to solve, and a surprisingly interesting story tied to the alternate dimension called the Astral Plane, where the deadly Chimeras originate from. It's the simultaneous action against the enemies -- man and machine -- that will keep you glued to the screen. And there's a surprising amount of depth to the melee battles between you, your twin, and the Legions. You'll earn up to five Legions over the course of the game (each with its own skill tree), and learn to master the timing of their attacks -- from locking down the Chimeras to unleashing various blows to their body, exchanging tandem strikes, and then finishing with a deadly move that results in a dramatic takedown. On a related note, the combos vary, too, which you'll start to get a grip on, including the temporary option to unleash two Legions at once on the relentless (and often huge) Chimeras.

Many of the side-missions (listed in your police notes) aren't worth writing home about, but it does break up the combat and fits the story, so it's not like these slower-paced and more exploratory parts feel like they're an afterthought. It really does all work well together. There are a couple of extra modes as well including a much tougher version of the game and a strange co-op option, where both players use their own Joy-Con controller. In that mode, one person controls the character and the other character is in charge of the Legion. Astral Chain is a surprising treat for Switch players -- especially those who like action and magna/anime. It's well worth the price of admission.