Ranking the top 10 games on Nintendo Switch

8. Astral Chain

Most fast-paced, action-packed games come down to button-mashing at the end of the day, but Astral Chain is one of the rare exceptions to that rule. It’s a gorgeous, frenetic ride with an intelligent combat system and a variety of playing styles. From its unique art style to the mass havoc unfolding on screen that would be overwhelming if it weren’t so masterfully orchestrated, this game is basically Bayonetta meets Transformers.

The story’s premise is bizarre, but never takes itself too seriously to be laughable. Facing the threat of extinction against an alien invasion, humanity moves to the Ark, a neon utopia that winds up being overridden by these chimeras that want to drag mankind into their dimension. You play as one of two twin cops, who are joined by robot allies called Legions that are basically badass transformer animals tethered to your character.

While the innovative combat system takes some getting used to, it’s pretty intuitive with the way it enables you to control two characters and eventually unleash synchronized attacks in tandem when they flash on the screen. It’s a rewarding experience made all the more enjoyable by the gorgeous visuals and the well-timed dodges that slow down the action for a second — and that’s saying nothing of the five different types of Legion, each of which brings something powerfully fun to the table.

It’s a bit of a bummer the main protagonist is largely mute, especially with so many surprisingly vibrant characters occupying this world, but it’s a minor gripe for such a thrilling joyride. For fans of games like MadWorld, The Wonderful 101 and Bayonetta, Astral Chain may be PlatinumGames at its finest.