Astria Ascending

I played “Astria Ascending” for some time over the weekend, and now I feel like I should share my very honest opinion with you. All in all, I would call this game a mixed bag—so to speak, full of potential but still having some serious defects. Let us analyze it.

Story & Characters (6/10):
The plot is in a way undeveloped and vaguely explained. It is mainly suggested, and I was in the mood for more depth and clarity. The characters are very good-looking, but their talking could sometimes be perceived as a bit dull. I was expecting more thrilling communications, especially since personality building could really boost an RPG. But hey, the world is amazing and I had fun looking around, at least, that kept me going. 

Gameplay & Combat (7/10):
Among other aspects, the fighting mechanism is one of the more fascinating. I am totally in love with the fact that one can take advantage of the opponents' weak spots, and that is the major reason why conflict feels not only strategic but also rewarding. The game concedes fairly well directing one to try out various categories and skills mixing. Nonetheless, fights can sometimes become quite irritating—enemies are usually quicker, and at times, certain attacks become pointless due to resistances or nulls. It was a difficulty I did not mind but it also demanded careful thinking from me. Seeing the weak points of enemies is a great help, but some of them just are either resistant or immune, which could be frustrating. Moreover, other skills seem to be of no use at all and the maintenance of an ever-increasing list of skills can become overwhelming. I would give the battling experience a firm 7.

Exploration & Puzzle Elements (8/10):
The late game dungeons are really good! Jumping, solving stuff, and getting around the world was fun. It kinda feels like Metroidvania sometimes, which I dug. The maps aren't always clear, but it wasn't a huge deal. Finding new spots and secrets is cool. The mini-games, like token challenges, add something different – but they can feel random or get old, especially when you end up in tough fights.

Progression & Customization (6.5/10):
The class system is interesting and gives you lots of choices. But picking an extra class is kinda a gamble 'cause you don't know what you'll get. Getting SP and stat orbs takes some tricks, so there's some grinding involved. It feels good when you get it right, but it can also get boring. The game wants you to mix things up, but the class/skill setup could be easier to use.

Sound & Visuals (8.5/10):
The music's awesome – the songs fit perfectly. And the game looks great, with detailed characters and world that really stand out. The Japanese voices are a nice touch and give it a nostalgic feel.

Bugs & Stability (4/10):
Sadly, the game's got bugs – missing scenes, voice errors, and even game-breaking stuff that made me reload. This sucks and really hurts the fun. I hope they fix these bugs in updates because they can be annoying.

Overall (6.8/10):
To sum things up, Astria Ascending has charm and some really fun parts, especially checking out places and planning fights. But it’s held back by a kinda weak story, a clunky UI, and bugs. If you love old JRPGs and don’t mind some rough patches, you might like it. But if you want a smooth, story-heavy game, maybe wait or look elsewhere.