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Astral Ascent Reviews: Is It Worth Playing, and Which Version Should You Get?

Astral Ascent blends fast 2D combat, roguelite runs, and story progression. Here’s what the ratings show, how co-op works, and what to know before choosing a platform.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Astral Ascent is a 2D action-platformer roguelite built around fast combat, repeat runs, and story revelations. Its strong Steam user ratings suggest it has found an audience, but the practical buying questions are whether you want a replay-focused game, which platform suits your co-op plans, and what the current character roster actually includes.

What kind of game is Astral Ascent?

You play as one of the prisoners trying to escape the Garden, an astral prison guarded by twelve powerful bosses called the Zodiacs. Each attempt combines platforming, spell-based combat, and choices that shape a run. When a run ends, progression and story revelations give you reasons to return and try a different build.

The appeal is the mix of moment-to-moment action and long-term discovery: you learn enemy patterns and experiment with spells while gradually uncovering more of the setting. The official site describes four worlds and twelve Zodiacs, while Steam’s listing frames the game as a fast-paced roguelite with character-specific weapons and spells. Official Astral Ascent site · Steam store listing

What do the reviews say?

Steam’s user-review snapshot observed on October 7, 2026, showed 95% positive from 1,687 English-language reviews overall, and 90% positive from 22 reviews posted in the preceding 30 days. Steam also displayed a Metacritic score of 86. These are snapshots, not fixed ratings: review totals and percentages can change over time, and the recent sample is small.

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Taken together, the ratings point to a well-received game, but they do not tell you whether its structure suits you. Expect a loop of repeated attempts, build experimentation, and gradually revealed story rather than a single uninterrupted campaign. Steam reviews and listing

Is Astral Ascent worth playing?

It is a good fit if you enjoy action platformers where each run lets you experiment with combat options and learn from failure. The repeated-run structure also gives the story room to unfold over time instead of delivering everything in one pass.

Rank #2
Astral Chain (Nintendo Switch)
  • ASTRAL CHAIN, a brand new action game from PlatinumGames, is coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch! As part of a police special task force, it’s up to you to fight against mysterious, alien-like creatures who have invaded the world.
  • Choose between two playable characters – one male, one female – on your adventure. The character you don’t choose also appears as your younger twin, and a fellow member of Neuron.
  • In order to resist the creatures, humanity developed a special weapon: the Legion. The Legion acts as your partner, and helps with your investigations.
  • Work together with the Legion and use all sorts of combat styles to fight your enemies. Use this synergetic action system to battle and explore together!
  • Consider it if: you like fast 2D combat, boss encounters, spell and build choices, and replaying levels or runs to make progress.
  • Think twice if: you want a linear story that can be completed in one continuous run, or you do not enjoy repeating attempts as part of progression.

The ratings provide a useful reception signal, not a guarantee that the gameplay loop will suit every player.

Which platforms and editions are available?

The official site points buyers to GOG, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4/5. The developer press kit also lists PC storefronts, Steam Deck, and Epic Games. Storefront availability and purchase entitlements can vary by region, so check the platform’s own listing before buying.

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Platform or listing What the source establishes What to check
PC Steam listing includes the game and paid digital add-ons; the developer press kit also lists GOG and Epic Games. Current regional availability, system requirements, and which extras are included in any bundle.
Nintendo Switch Nintendo’s Canadian listing describes a digital edition and supports local co-op. Regional store details and current DLC contents. Nintendo says Switch 2 compatibility is supported with behavior consistent with Switch.
PlayStation 4/5 The US PlayStation listing says purchase entitles the buyer to the digital PS4 and PS5 versions. Confirm the entitlement and availability in your own regional PlayStation Store.

Official platform links · Developer press kit · Nintendo Canada listing · PlayStation US listing

Does Astral Ascent have co-op?

Yes. The game supports two-player co-op. The official site describes local co-op and online play through Steam Remote Play Together; Nintendo and PlayStation describe local co-op. The evidence does not establish native online multiplayer across every platform, so do not assume the same online setup is available on console.

Rank #4
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Local co-op on Nintendo Switch

Nintendo says local two-player co-op requires two controllers. If you plan to play together, make sure you have a second compatible controller before starting. The Canadian storefront identifies the reviewed edition as digital, not a physical game copy. Nintendo Canada listing

Online play on Steam

The official site identifies Steam Remote Play Together as an online option. This is the stated route for playing remotely; it should not be generalized into a claim that every platform offers built-in online co-op. Official Astral Ascent site

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Best Value
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch
  • Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
  • Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
  • Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
  • Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
  • Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
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How many playable characters are there?

The available official and storefront descriptions disagree. The official site says there are six distinct characters, while Steam, Nintendo, and PlayStation store copy says four playable characters. Because those descriptions do not align, it is not safe to give a single definitive count without checking the roster in the current game build.

Official Astral Ascent site · Steam listing · Nintendo Canada listing · PlayStation US listing

What comes with the game, and what is sold separately?

Steam lists paid digital expansions, an artbook, and a soundtrack. Nintendo’s listing includes multiple DLC items. These are storefront options; the reviewed listings do not establish physical editions of the artbook or soundtrack. Check the store page for the edition you intend to buy to see exactly what is bundled and what costs extra. Steam listing · Nintendo Canada listing

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
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$31.99
Bestseller No. 5
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch
Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures; Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
$29.83

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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