Games worth discovering
Ex Astris Early First Impression
2K View2024-02-27Ex Astris is a adventure RPG with turn based combat that has some action elements. Now that I have purchased the game and am playing through it, I can tell you in full confidence that this game does not have any gacha or micro transaction.
This is a one time purchase, buy to play premium mobile game.
🎮 Gameplay: So you might be wondering how a turn based game can have elements of a action game.
When you engage combat with enemies, you do take turns between each other and your characters do require action points (AP) to use skills. But when it is the enemies turn to attack, your characters goes into a "defensive" state. In this state you will be able to perfectly parry the enemies attack if you time it properly.
Your attacks and especially your parries can inflict "break" on enemies which is a bar all enemies have. When the break bar is broken, your characters enter hyper time as your able to unleash skills without costing AP.
Now occasionally, enemies will do powerful attacks that has either a blue or red indicator. This indicator dictates which character can parry that attack. These attacks can come out unexpectedly so it really keeps you on your toes as you need to switch to the appropriate character that can block it and parry it in time.
Last but not least (I think, I am only 5 hours into the game as of writing this), you can also create combo skill chains between your characters. At the start of a turn, usually only 1 AP is available. But if you use a "starting skill", it will restore 1 AP and allow another team mate of yours to use a skill. There are also other ways to get AP. For example certain skills can inflict certain crowd control on enemies. If a skill inflicts "knock down" the enemy will be "downed". If an ally attacks using a skill that inflicts "downed strike" on an "downed" enemy, it will restore 1 AP and allow your allies to cast another skill. By properly timing your skills and managing crowd control, you can create some satisfying team combos!
I hope I was able to explain the core gameplay of Ex Astris. There are some things I haven't even touched on like ultimate skills, switching skills mid combat, character specific talent and talent tree where you can unlock different skills and ascension traits.
🐞 Performance: Performance has been smooth on my, at this point pretty old phone with a Snapdragon 750g Octa-core, 12 GB RAM. This phone is between the minimum and recommended specs so I was locked to 30 fps if I wanted a stable performance at medium graphics settings at best. I do want to note that at no point did my phone heat up in the slightest which is pretty impressive in terms of optimization. I was also able to play for 5 hours straight without my batteries dying too!
💰 Value for Money: Honestly this game is more than worth $10. Visual fidelity is amazing even on lower settings, the gameplay system is pretty in-depth and the story paired with the semi open world exploration really gives off classic 3D JRPG vibes. I am keen to play more and see how enjoyable this single player experience is!
Comments
A blend of turn-based and real-time RPG combat in a mesmerizing 3D world | Gameplay - Ex Astris
Ex Astris features a unique blend of turn-based and real-time gameplay from the developer of Arknights, it’s not pausable real-time, nor a tactics strategy system. It instead offers an entirely fresh take on RPG combat. Front and center is the so-called Obscuran Maneuver System.
This 'Obscuran Maneuver System' is an innovative combat system requires active engagement from the player for both offense and defense. During offensive turns, you need to activate skills in real-time, some of which may include bonus Quick Time Events (QTEs). Defensive turns allow you to switch between characters on the fly to manage incoming damage and activate defensive skills such as dodging or parrying.
lyndonguitar7K2024-02-28
Let's discuss Ex Astris, this time I tried to play on the Infinix Note 12 Mobile Device with HIGH right flat settings, but I made SHADOW LOW.
Talking about the game's Combat System, outside of combat you can also do Basic Attack (Hmm if it becomes a Hack and Slash game it should be good).
You can avoid fighting as long as you are away from their vision zone.
About Parry / Parry the opponent's attack, in this game you can do it, there is a big button on the left when fighting, the function will return the attack when the enemy attacks our character, but you also have to fit the timming of enemy attacks.
1Firsts2K2024-02-28
A mobile anime RPG without gacha? Ex Astris is a premium game with an addictive combat system
SHOULD I PLAY EX ASTRIS?
If you have a phone powerful enough to run it, you should absolutely pick it up. Ex Astris is a brand-new mobile RPG from the creators of Arknights. It’s got everything you could want from an anime RPG—lovable characters, great combat, and a beautiful world—but there’s no gacha and no microtransactions. It’s refreshing to play a mobile title that’s not designed around monetization beyond the initial price to buy it, and if you’re into these kinds of games, it’s definitely worth paying for.
Ndi7K2024-03-01
View desktop siteTapTap looks better
on the app 
was about to purchase this as well today cause the combat seemed intriguing and better than honkai star rail will try it out and review it as well nice in depth review 👍
2024-02-27
Author likedAwesome insight, looking forward to trying Ex Astris myself.
2024-02-27
Author likedWtf
2024-03-25