Games worth discovering
384 View2025-04-22
Alright, let’s talk Ex Astris, the premium mobile RPG from Gryphline, the folks behind Arknights. I dove into this game with high hopes, drawn by its gorgeous anime-style graphics and the promise of a cosmic adventure. Priced at $9.99, it’s a one-time purchase with no gacha nonsense, which is rare for mobile. But as someone who’s not a fan of turn-based gameplay, here’s my take on its visuals, mechanics, story, and overall vibe, written as if I’m spilling my thoughts fresh from playing.
(Need to record another video, seems the video didn't record well)
Graphics: Anime Eye-Candy That Pops
Holy hell, the visuals in Ex Astris are a feast. The anime-style 3D graphics are straight-up stunning, with vibrant fields, shimmering towns, and a sci-fi planet called Allindo that feels alive. The character designs are a highlight—each party member, from the investigator Yan to the quirky Vi3, looks like they stepped out of a high-budget anime. Their animations, whether in combat or dialogue, are smooth and packed with personality. On my Rog Phone 8, the game runs like a dream at max settings, with no lag and colors that pop off the screen. It’s like Genshin Impact meets Honkai Star Rail but with a unique, cozy aesthetic. If you’re into anime art, this game’s a visual orgasm that’ll leave you staring. That said, I’ve heard it can chug on mid-tier phones, so you might need a decent device to get the full effect.
Gameplay: Turn-Based Snooze Fest
Here’s where Ex Astris loses me. The combat is a hybrid of turn-based and real-time elements, which sounds cool on paper. You control a three-character team, each with skills tied to a “Wave” or “Particle” style, and you can pull off combos or parry enemy attacks with quick-time events. The parry system, where you time a button press to counter, adds some spice, and swapping characters to exploit enemy weaknesses feels strategic. But at its core, it’s still turn-based, and I’m just not about that life. Waiting for my team to take turns while enemies line up like they’re in a queue at the DMV kills the vibe for me. I’d rather be dodging and slashing in real-time like in *Punishing: Gray Raven*. The system’s deep—skill trees, crafting, and Laylah-Keys let you customize your squad—but it demands too much brainpower for memorizing combos and states. I found myself mashing through battles just to get back to exploring. Exploration is decent, with an RV journey across Allindo’s open-ish world, but it’s not enough to offset the slog of combat. If you love turn-based RPGs like Octopath Traveler, you’ll probably eat this up. Me? I was yawning.
Story: Intriguing but Overcooked
The story had me curious at first. You play as Yan, an Earth investigator exploring Allindo, a tidally locked planet split by massive storms. You meet colorful locals, battle weird creatures (like a sentient rock pile, which was dope), and unravel a mystery about a looming storm. The lore is rich, with readable articles and character banter that flesh out the world. It’s got a nostalgic PS2-era RPG feel, which I vibe with. But man, it tries too hard to be epic. The dialogue throws around dense terms and local culture like it’s a PhD thesis, and I zoned out trying to keep up. It’s not bad—there’s heart in the characters’ motives and side quests—but it feels like they crammed an encyclopedia into a short 15-20 hour game. I wanted more chill storytelling, less lore dump. Still, the lack of microtransactions and a complete narrative for $9.99 is refreshing.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Drop-dead gorgeous anime graphics that rival big-name titles.
- No gacha or microtransactions—just pure game for a one-time fee.
- Rich world-building with a nostalgic RPG vibe.
- Deep combat for those who love strategizing.
Cons:
- Turn-based combat is a drag if you prefer fast-paced action.
- Story’s too dense and feels like it’s trying to impress.
- Controls can be clunky, especially on smaller screens.
- Demanding on hardware; mid-tier phones might struggle.
My Verdict: Looks Hot, Feels Slow
Ex Astris is a visual masterpiece that nails the anime aesthetic and delivers a premium RPG experience without the gacha grind. For $9.99, it’s a steal if you’re into deep lore and turn-based combat. But as someone who craves real-time action, the gameplay left me cold. The combat’s intricate, sure, but it’s too slow and cerebral for my taste—I’d rather be slashing through enemies than planning my next turn. The story’s got potential but drowns in its own ambition. If you’re a fan of *Honkai Star Rail* or *Persona* and love strategizing, this’ll be your jam. For me, it’s a pretty face with a personality that doesn’t quite click. I’ll stick to admiring the art while dreaming of a real-time sequel.
My Score: 7/10
Recommendation: Grab it if you’re an anime RPG nut who loves turn-based battles and don’t mind a dense story. Skip it if you, like me, want fast-paced action over tactical pauses. Make sure your phone’s up to snuff for the best visuals.
View desktop siteTapTap looks better
on the app 
