Akira Howard Enlists into Battle! (Astral Chain)

[ZealousGamer]

It seems like Ultimate will not get another Season. It's not looking likely for the Howard Twins.

 

[UberPyro64]

It seems like Ultimate will not get another Season. It's not looking likely for the Howard Twins.

I mean, it's not like he'd confirm there's more right now anyway, lol.

 

[ZealousGamer]

Maybe not. I guess I'm being pessimistic.

 

[KiyoXDragon]

I mean, it's not like he'd confirm there's more right now anyway, lol.

I still have hope!

 

[fogbadge]

so anyone gonna touch on the fact that the recent presentation brings up an interesting point for us? cause if rex and pyra/mythra couldnt be on the stage constantly at the same time sure means we could get the legionis with the legion following them in a similar manner. although joker surely points out that temporary is fine is just all the time that would be the problem. so how would being able to summon a legion all the time affect the game's processing power?

 

[ZealousGamer]

Hadn't thought of that.

 

[Pakky]

so anyone gonna touch on the fact that the recent presentation brings up an interesting point for us? cause if rex and pyra/mythra couldnt be on the stage constantly at the same time sure means we could get the legionis with the legion following them in a similar manner. although joker surely points out that temporary is fine is just all the time that would be the problem. so how would being able to summon a legion all the time affect the game's processing power?

I imagine that Legions would be mapped to Specials and Smashes maybe when you have a full Leigonis gauge. Though when its empty you can only attack as Akria. So in other words a reverse Joker.

 

[Idon]

so anyone gonna touch on the fact that the recent presentation brings up an interesting point for us? cause if rex and pyra/mythra couldnt be on the stage constantly at the same time sure means we could get the legionis with the legion following them in a similar manner. although joker surely points out that temporary is fine is just all the time that would be the problem. so how would being able to summon a legion all the time affect the game's processing power?

Instead of being a physical model, he's an effect like Arsene. Easy.

 

[fogbadge]

I imagine that Legions would be mapped to Specials and Smashes maybe when you have a full Leigonis gauge. Though when its empty you can only attack as Akria. So in other words a reverse Joker.

i like the sound of that

Instead of being a physical model, he's an effect like Arsene. Easy.

you realise arsene has a model programmed in right?

 

[KiyoXDragon]

Instead of being a physical model, he's an effect like Arsene. Easy.

Yes, Arsene is a model.

 

[Nihilem]

I think the reason why arsene was ok is that he cannot be interacted with (outside of providing additional hitboxes for joker) and is fully attached to joker. Meaning that the physics engine can ignore him and they dont need to include an AI for Arsene to react to various situations. So if the Legion is programmed in a similiar sense (meaning you either control akira or the the legion) that might work.

 

[Deleted member]

Since Akira is the sibling's name, which name do you prefer for the MC?

• Geese
• Todd
• Rock

 

[ZealousGamer]

I get the reference.

 

[Gengar84]

I really loved Astral Chain and I think it would be awesome if the game got a character in Smash. The obvious choice that makes the most sense is the lead protagonist Akira Howard. Akira would definitely be a really cool character with a fun, unique playstyle. The main problem is that they would have the same issue as Rex and Pyra. If Sakurai couldn’t make Rex work, I don’t see how Akira would be any better. In fact, I don’t even think a similar compromise would work like it did for Pyra. Akira without their legion just feels kind of pointless.

Due to technical limitations, I think the next best choice for an Astral Chain rep is one of the main antagonists, Jena Anderson. Jena has a really awesome design and would have a much more straight forward but still really unique moveset that wouldn’t require controlling two characters at one. I also personally prefer her to Akira even though both are great.

How would people feel if we ended up with Jena instead of Akira similarly to how we got Pyra/Mythra over Rex? I would understand if most people were disappointed we got a major antagonist rather than the hero but would personally love it and Jena is actually one of my most wanted.

 

[fogbadge]

I really loved Astral Chain and I think it would be awesome if the game got a character in Smash. The obvious choice that makes the most sense is the lead protagonist Akira Howard. Akira would definitely be a really cool character with a fun, unique playstyle. The main problem is that they would have the same issue as Rex and Pyra. If Sakurai couldn’t make Rex work, I don’t see how Akira would be any better. In fact, I don’t even think a similar compromise would work like it did for Pyra. Akira without their legion just feels kind of pointless.

Due to technical limitations, I think the next best choice for an Astral Chain rep is one of the main antagonists, Jena Anderson. Jena has a really awesome design and would have a much more straight forward but still really unique moveset that wouldn’t require controlling two characters at one. I also personally prefer her to Akira even though both are great.

How would people feel if we ended up with Jena instead of Akira similarly to how we got Pyra/Mythra over Rex? I would understand if most people were disappointed we got a major antagonist rather than the hero but would personally love it and Jena is actually one of my most wanted.

joker seems to imply that its being on screen full time thats the main problem so in theory so long as the legion isnt on stage the whole time it should be fine and no need to replace the main character with akira or jena. just have the legion appear for certain moves or appear when a gauge is full

 

[Idon]

I really loved Astral Chain and I think it would be awesome if the game got a character in Smash. The obvious choice that makes the most sense is the lead protagonist Akira Howard. Akira would definitely be a really cool character with a fun, unique playstyle. The main problem is that they would have the same issue as Rex and Pyra. If Sakurai couldn’t make Rex work, I don’t see how Akira would be any better. In fact, I don’t even think a similar compromise would work like it did for Pyra. Akira without their legion just feels kind of pointless.

Due to technical limitations, I think the next best choice for an Astral Chain rep is one of the main antagonists, Jena Anderson. Jena has a really awesome design and would have a much more straight forward but still really unique moveset that wouldn’t require controlling two characters at one. I also personally prefer her to Akira even though both are great.

How would people feel if we ended up with Jena instead of Akira similarly to how we got Pyra/Mythra over Rex? I would personally love it and Jena is actually one of my most wanted.

The answer would be to simply make it like Joker's Arsene or Zelda's Phantom, neither of which has any problems having 8 of which on at all times. Legions share a lot of similarities like being temporary, tied to the character, and in Arsene's case is completely intangible to enemy attacks. They could very easily make it work, even if it would require compromises.

As for Jena Anderson, if you want my honest opinion, I think that would be an incredibly disappointing character, personally. For me, the entire appeal of Astral Chain, what gives Astral Chain its identity, is its hard sci-fi law-enforcement aesthetic mixed with summoning monsters and fighting in conjunction with them. Jena Anderson checks off none of those boxes, doesn't really represent or reference gameplay in any way, and is honestly pretty forgettable, especially if the series continues past the first game.

So yeah, not a fan of the idea.

 

[Gengar84]

That’s a shame but totally understandable. It’s a pretty lonely existence being a bigger fan of most villains than protagonists lol. Jena, one of my favorites seems especially unpopular from what I’ve seen. Would you guys be opposed to getting Akira now and Jena in a future Smash or do you just not want her at all? I might just have to settle in asking for a mod of Jena over Corin.

I do agree that Akira should come first if they are technically possible despite me personally preferring her as a character to Akira. Akira does represent the gameplay style of Astral Chain a lot better than Jena. I was just saying that I would much rather have Jena than no character at all and would like to get her eventually as well.

 

[Jocario Zero]

Hi everybody. I haven’t been here in a while.

Now that we know that the idea of Pyra and Rex as a duo didn’t work out because of technical limitations I think its save to assume that certain ways of how Officer Howard could fight in smash won’t work (which is a shame. Some of them are very creative). I think the easiest way would be to handle the legion in a similar way to Zeldas phantom (like some have said already). Things like a simple slash attack (like one of its abilities) the chain jump or counter could easily work that way. Maybe have it appear in smash attacks as well. It would be much simpler, yes but it would stay true to Astral Chains gameplay (and I just want Officer Howard to be playable…).

And Jena becoming playable instead. Yeah, I agree I don’t like this either. She is a cool villain and all (although not perfect) but it would be an…head scratching move if it would happen. Now as a second playable character to represent the game? Sure, I’m all in.

 

[HYRULESHERO42]

While I wouldn't prefer it, would it make sense to play as solely the Legion with Akira in the background a la Pokemon Trainer? Or play as the Legion as if it had broken free like it does in the game etc?

 

[fogbadge]

While I wouldn't prefer it, would it make sense to play as solely the Legion with Akira in the background a la Pokemon Trainer? Or play as the Legion as if it had broken free like it does in the game etc?

neither

 

[Jocario Zero]

While I wouldn't prefer it, would it make sense to play as solely the Legion with Akira in the background a la Pokemon Trainer? Or play as the Legion as if it had broken free like it does in the game etc?

Not a fan of it tbh. Officer Howard in the background like the Pokemon Trainer doesn't really make sense.

 

[SharkLord]

Oh hey, CET day
https://smashboards.com/threads/character-exploration-thread-day-46-astral-chain-rep.513316/page-1
Discuss and all that, you know the drill

 

[fogbadge]

its their turn in RTC again

 

[KiyoXDragon]

The thread has been a little dead for a while. Anymore speculation?

 

[fogbadge]

The thread has been a little dead for a while. Anymore speculation?

i got nothing, best we can do is let platinum know wed like a second astral chain

 

[Jocario Zero]

Y'know, in hindsight i'm kind of surprised that, out of all characters from Astral Chain, we got Kyle as a spirit during AC's spirit event.
The twins are obvious and Lappy is a recurring character throughout the entire game...but than there is Kyle who, as far as I remember,
only appears in chapter 6.

Wouldn't someone like Olive, Max, or Yoseph have made more sense?

 

[fogbadge]

Y'know, in hindsight i'm kind of surprised that, out of all characters from Astral Chain, we got Kyle as a spirit during AC's spirit event.
The twins are obvious and Lappy is a recurring character throughout the entire game...but than there is Kyle who, as far as I remember,
only appears in chapter 6.

Wouldn't someone like Olive, Max, or Yoseph have made more sense?

i did seem quite random. maybe some on the smash team just liked him. or maybe hes really popular in japan

 

[chocolatejr9]

i did seem quite random. maybe some on the smash team just liked him. or maybe hes really popular in japan

For what it's worth, Kyle kinda stole the show when I played Astral Chain. Maybe a lot of other people felt that way?

 

[fogbadge]

For what it's worth, Kyle kinda stole the show when I played Astral Chain. Maybe a lot of other people felt that way?

well he does seem like the type who’d do that for some people

 

[Powerman293]

Been playing a ton of Astral Chain recently and man, if nothing else, the twins would have awesome alts potential. The Raven Outfit, the Civilian clothes and the tons of clothing combinations make it hard to just pick 8 alts (or 4 technically since you would need 1 for both.)

 

[fogbadge]

Been playing a ton of Astral Chain recently and man, if nothing else, the twins would have awesome alts potential. The Raven Outfit, the Civilian clothes and the tons of clothing combinations make it hard to just pick 8 alts (or 4 technically since you would need 1 for both.)

one of them is bound to be lappy id have thought

 

[Jocario Zero]

Been playing a ton of Astral Chain recently and man, if nothing else, the twins would have awesome alts potential. The Raven Outfit, the Civilian clothes and the tons of clothing combinations make it hard to just pick 8 alts (or 4 technically since you would need 1 for both.)

I have a soft spot for the regular police/ neuron jacket. But the Raven Armor as a costume would be sick!

 

[Jocario Zero]

It's been a while since the last post

There was a problem fetching the tweet

Hard to believe that it's been 2 years already.
With Nintendo now owning the IP and the game selling over a million copies, I really hope that we will get a sequel one day.
The Howard twins being the final character is unlikely at this point, but I'm still glad that Astral Chain got some representation in Smash with the spirit event.

 

[ZealousGamer]

I hope we see a sequel next year. Astral Chain has a lot of potential!

 

[fogbadge]

It's been a while since the last post

There was a problem fetching the tweet

Hard to believe that it's been 2 years already.
With Nintendo now owning the IP and the game selling over a million copies, I really hope that we will get a sequel one day.
The Howard twins being the final character is unlikely at this point, but I'm still glad that Astral Chain got some representation in Smash with the spirit event.

what do you mean now owning?

 

[HYRULESHERO42]

what do you mean now owning?

I second the question, I’m pretty sure Nintendo had the copyright to this game from the start. Maybe it was shared with Platinum? But they still owned it.

 

[Jocario Zero]

As far as I know PlatinumGames was originally listed on the games website under the copyright section, but not anymore.

Nintendo Life made an article about it

 

[chocolatejr9]

what do you mean now owning?

I second the question, I’m pretty sure Nintendo had the copyright to this game from the start. Maybe it was shared with Platinum? But they still owned it.

It's a somewhat popular rumor/theory that, in order to get The Wonderful 101 on other platforms, Platinum traded their ownership of Astral Chain for Nintendo's ownership of TW101, effectively meaning Nintendo wholly owns Astral Chain now. Of course, given how TW101 Remastered turned out, I think Nintendo got the better end of the deal...

 

[HYRULESHERO42]

Odd because there are a few interviews where Platinum straight up says that they don’t own any of the IPs they worked on for Nintendo. And after W101 got greenlit for Kickstarter (got myself a copy) they refused to answer any questions about IP ownership. If they owned it why wouldn’t they just say so?

Also, the back of the box says Astral Chain is 2019 copyright Nintendo/PlatinumGames inc.

So Big N always owned it. Regardless though I do hope to see more from this franchise whether it falls under the first or second party umbrella

 

[fogbadge]

It's a somewhat popular rumor/theory that, in order to get The Wonderful 101 on other platforms, Platinum traded their ownership of Astral Chain for Nintendo's ownership of TW101, effectively meaning Nintendo wholly owns Astral Chain now. Of course, given how TW101 Remastered turned out, I think Nintendo got the better end of the deal...

yeah as hyrulehero says nintendo have been credited as owning it since it release and even the lead up to release iirc. going by what jocario zero says its more a case of platinum not owning now. more to the point didnt this happen sometime after 101hd came out?