ASTLIBRA Revision Critic Reviews

Astlibra does everything, and it doesn't always get everything quite right. But as an overall construct, running pretty much alongside our timeline, it's as unusual a genre mixer as it is fantastic.

Ultimately ASTLIBRA Revision is a resounding success. KEIZO should be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved after 15 years of work, designing such intricate gameplay systems and plotting an engaging narrative that rivals the work done by large teams with big budgets behind them. If you can look past the somewhat amateurish presentation there is a glittering diamond in the rough here, one that transcends its humble freeware beginnings into one of the best gaming experiences I’ve had all year.

Astlibra Revision is an outstanding game, and one I didn’t even see coming. It takes a little time to get going, but once it does this is a genuine ride that you won’t want to get off of. You can sometimes feel the game’s patchwork nature at times, but that doesn’t do much to hurt what is otherwise an amazingly fun experience. If you like action-RPGs or just are in the mood for a bonkers story, you have to play Astlibra Revision.

Astlibra Revision is a modern classic with a perfect balance between action and role-playing elements. There's some areas where you can clearly see that this is the work of a single person, but when you put everything on the scales, the ups weigh way more than the downs. If you miss the style and form of the old, classic JRPGs, this is a must have.

Astlibra Revision is the antithesis of hurried development cycles and design by committee. Instead, fifteen years of indie effort has produced an action-platformer where stats are just as important as the timing of your sword (or staff) swings. Extending a fantasy world that feels familiar but also invites discovery, it’s a confident title that ranks among the very best adventures found on the Switch.

ASTLIBRA Revision is a great port of the PC title that looks gorgeous on the Switch. It has a deep story with loads of customisations to enjoy.

Astlibra Revision asks a lot from players upfront. It’s very much built for those who like grindy games, and it’s unpolished in ways that you’d expect from a title created by one person. But if you can enjoy what the game puts on the table, you’ll find an engaging combat system and a captivating, if not occasionally bizarre story. It’s an acquired taste for sure, but for those with the right palate, Astlibra is a one-of-a-kind experience.

As far as action RPGs go, Astlibra Revision is one of the most surprising I’ve played in quite some time. Outside of the occasional gap where neither the story nor gameplay seem to be progressing, it engages (and challenges) the player in multiple unique ways throughout its somewhat lengthy duration.

Astlibra Revision may not be a truly great game, but it is most certainly an interesting one. At the very least, it is unafraid to challenge JRPG conventions in unique ways while also demonstrating mastery of the genre’s most basic tropes. It can feel a little too archaic in its design and haphazard in its pacing, while the vaguely Flash game-esque visuals are a bit of a letdown. On the whole, though, it proves to be a worthwhile experience, one that we would especially recommend to fans of older RPGs. If you can look past its faults, there’s a lot to love about Astlibra; we’d suggest you investigate if your interest is piqued.

It has its issues, but action RPG fans can’t go far wrong by picking Astlibra Revision up. It feels antiquated in ways, and it’s not particularly intuitive, but thanks to its rewarding character development and unusual story that will keep you on your toes, once it’s got its hooks in you chances are you’ll want to see things through. It’s especially impressive given that it’s a labour of love, and its budget price sweetens the deal.

When Astlibra Revision is at its best, it is an impressive action game with fun characters and a story filled with thrilling plot-twists. At its worst, the game falls for the trap of unnecessary fanservice, being too raunchy, and not taking its female characters seriously enough. I wish I could look past these moments, but in such a story heavy game the text makes a concerted effort to remind the player every so often that some characters are only there to be a sexual “joke.” If you’re able to stomach this type of tropey writing, the story has very surprising turns, and the gameplay is fun, albeit its systems can be a bit bloated at times.

For anybody looking to scratch an old-school side-scrolling itch, Astlibra: Revision might be the perfect thing. Otherwise, it’s a tough one to recommend to those who may be in the market for something a bit more modern in its sensibilities.