Ex Astris is a turn-based RPG developed and published by GRYPHLINE, the studio behind Arknights. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn’t do well, and if it’s worth your time and money.
Ex Astris Review Overview
What is Ex Astris?
In Ex Astris,
humanity's discovery of the tidally locked planet Allindo through a wormhole sparks conflict as they seek to unveil its secrets. Players assume the role of Yan, an exoplanet investigator from the NOUS WAVE organization, tasked with exploring Allindo despite the dangers. Along the way, Yan encounters Vi³, another key character assigned the significant role of Pilgrim of Allindo.
Ex Astris Features:
⚫︎ A blend of turn-based and real-time combat called Obscuran Maneuvers
⚫︎ World Exploration
⚫︎ Tons of Side Quests, Puzzles, and Collectibles
⚫︎ Gorgeous Visuals
⚫︎ Zero Microtransactions
| Android Play Store | $9.99 |
| Apple Store |
Ex Astris Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Stunning Visuals for a Mobile Game Unique and Fun Turn-Based Gameplay Lots of Replay Value with No Microtransactions Rich Lore |
Storytelling Problems Forgettable Music |
Ex Astris Overall Score - 86/100
Ex Astris marks GRYPHLINE's debut into the realm of premium 3D gaming, and let me tell you, it's a breath of fresh air after Arknights, which, while not terrible, didn't exactly stand out visually. This game, however, is a visual marvel, boasting impeccable style and presentation. What's more, the gameplay experience on mobile devices is incredibly smooth and intuitive, with combat and traversal feeling seamless and satisfying. And can we take a moment to appreciate that it's not a gacha game? Instead, it's a single-player RPG, offering a welcome departure from the usual grind. Sure, there are some hiccups in the story and characters, but the overall journey is nothing short of impressive and fulfilling. With a bit more time and future updates, this game could very well be the mobile game of the year.
Ex Astris Story - 8/10
The narrative of Ex Astris stands out within its genre, revolving around Earth's expedition to explore the enigmatic world of Allindo, home to a vibrant civilization strikingly similar to our own. While delving into the intricacies of this new realm is undeniably captivating, there are moments when the world-building becomes confusing and monotonous. Particularly in the beginning, characters tend to toss around terminology without proper explanation, leaving players feeling somewhat lost. It's disappointing to find such richness in lore hindered by occasional shortcomings in execution. Yet, despite these flaws, the depth and complexity of Ex Astris' universe remain undeniably compelling, offering glimpses of a meticulously crafted world waiting to be fully discovered.
Ex Astris Gameplay - 9/10
Ex Astris immerses players in a captivating 3D RPG adventure, guiding them through a diverse array of enchanting locales while engaging in combat using a real-time/turn-based hybrid system reminiscent of titles like Valkyrie Profile. While traversal may not be the game's standout feature, the true essence lies in its addictive combat. Battles unfold at a brisk pace, enhanced by a plethora of fun customization options to tailor to your strategies and how you want to go about your battles.
Ex Astris Visuals - 10/10
As a mobile-exclusive title, Ex Astris excels in leveraging the capabilities of both Android and Apple devices. The visuals are nothing short of impressive, featuring top-notch character designs that leave a lasting impression. However, it's worth noting that this game demands a slightly above-average phone to run smoothly. Even on my iPad, I encountered minor FPS dips and noticed it heating up more than usual, especially compared to other 3D games like Genshin Impact or Honkai Impact. Nevertheless, despite these minor setbacks, Ex Astris stands out as one of the most visually stunning mobile games currently available.
Ex Astris Audio - 7/10
The game did a fine job in the audio department, I wasn’t particularly impressed by the music as I found it overall pretty decent; but nothing memorable per se. However, where the game truly shines is in its Chinese and Japanese voice acting, which breathes life and personality into the characters, especially the main protagonists Vi³ and Yan.
Ex Astris Value for Money - 10/10
Ex Astris is undeniably a gem worth adding to your collection, especially given its modest $10 price tag on both the App Store and Play Store. With promising future updates on the horizon, I'm confident that it will continue to evolve into something truly extraordinary.
Ex Astris Review: Arknights Devs Deliver Another Hit
The anticipation for this game has been building for quite some time. When it was initially announced two years ago, Arknights fans were eagerly awaiting its release. Now that it's finally here, I can confidently declare that Ex Astris stands as the best mobile game this year. It even has the potential to rival other top contenders in the mobile gaming scene, such as Genshin Impact and PUBG.
Ex Astris falls into a genre I like to call "Waifu Games," which has been gaining popularity lately. These are typically mobile games that feature stunning anime girls and boys like Genshin Impact or Punishing: Gray Raven. What truly distinguishes Ex Astris and elevates it in my eyes is the fact that it's not a gacha game. Instead, it offers a focused single-player experience tailored for mobile devices–a rarity in this genre.
This focus on gameplay makes Ex Astris all the more enjoyable and satisfying. Without the burden of gacha systems like rerolls and excessive spending to obtain your favorite characters, the experience feels refreshingly straightforward.
I'm drawing parallels between Ex Astris and other "waifu games" not only because of their shared art style but also because many people assume it's a gacha game, which makes sense considering it's developed by the creators of Arknights.
Addicting Turn-Based Combat
If you're a fan of games like Honkai Star Rail, Valkyrie Profiles, or modern turn-based games, Ex Astris is tailor-made for you. It's an absolute thrill to play, with its fast-paced turn-based combat and real-time elements keeping you fully engaged and on your toes.
While it might feel overwhelming initially, you'll gradually find your rhythm and approach battles with grace and confidence.
Speaking solely of visuals, Ex Astris is simply breathtaking. If you have an iPad, I highly recommend experiencing it on that platform to truly appreciate its beauty. For a mobile game, it’s impressive how this looks more polished and detailed than higher-budget games.
Yan is Best Girl
When it comes to character design, opinions may vary, as the appearance of characters is often a key aspect of these games. However, there's no denying that the characters in Ex Astris look stunning. In particular, Yan stands out as one of the most visually striking protagonists among these "waifu games."
While the lore and world-building of this game are rich and meticulously crafted, I can't say the same for the story and its execution. Although enjoyable for the most part, it tends to become tedious and confusing at times.
Despite this, Ex Astris is still a wonderful game that I’m still thankful isn’t a gacha. GRYPHLINE did an amazing job with their first premium mobile game.
This Game is Better Than Arknights
GRYPHLINE has truly excelled with its first premium mobile game. With an abundance of content, you can expect to spend around 15-20 hours completing the game, which is remarkable considering its price point and how rare it is to have a completely packaged mobile game.
Other mobile games could learn a thing or two from Ex Astris. There are no microtransactions to make the game easier, no energy system limiting your playtime, and thankfully no gacha. I hope they maintain this approach with their planned future updates and DLC.
Pros of Ex Astris
| Things Ex Astris Got Right |
|---|
|
Impressive and Stunning Visuals Unique and Addicting Turn-Based Gameplay Lots of Replay Value with No Microtransactions Rich Lore |
Stunning Visuals for a Mobile Game
I was absolutely blown away by the stunning visuals of Ex Astris. From its graphics to its lighting, the world feels incredibly immersive, and the cutscenes boast a cinematic quality. I never expected a mobile game to look this good; usually, I have to temper my expectations due to hardware limitations.
However, Ex Astris is a visual masterpiece. It's remarkable that this is the developers' first foray into 3D gaming. At times, I even found it more beautiful than Genshin Impact, thanks to its uniquely crafted world and stylish UI that wouldn't look out of place in a Persona game.
While it shares similarities with other waifu games,
Ex Astris boasts a depth of design that sets it apart. From its intricately crafted architecture to its captivating artwork showcased in the database, it's evident that the developers poured their hearts and souls into making the world of Allindo feel truly unique.
I sincerely hope they consider creating figures of the characters, especially Vi³ and Yan. Just like in Arknights, the developers have done an outstanding job of crafting memorable "waifus and husbandos."
Unique and Addicting Turn-Based Gameplay
While exploration can be enjoyable, it's the combat that truly shines in this game. The combat system, known as the Obscura Maneuver System, is a unique blend of turn-based and real-time gameplay elements.
You'll encounter skills that demand active engagement, continuous tapping to unleash extra damage, or precise timing to counter enemy attacks by activating the maneuver button at just the right moment.
With various elements like Action Points for using skills and the need to manage characters and their builds, Ex Astris can feel overwhelming at first. The game throws everything at you all at once.
However, trust me, you'll quickly adapt and become addicted as you find your groove. Personally, I never found it to get stale, and I'm eagerly anticipating more DLCs to come!
Lots of Replay Value and No Microtransactions/Paywalls
Let's take a moment to appreciate the rarity of a mobile game in this day and age that boasts zero microtransactions and paywalls. Ex Astris offers a staggering 15-20 hours of gameplay, complete with numerous side quests to keep you coming back for more. It's truly impressive to see a company known for its gacha games taking steps to elevate the mobile gaming experience to a more premium level.
The fact that Ex Astris isn't a gacha game is a breath of fresh air. Typically, with anime-style games like this, companies would lock numerous characters behind paywalls. However, in Ex Astris, all five playable characters are unique, memorable, and unlockable without any pressure to obtain S Tier characters for optimal builds or worry about energy points limiting your playtime.
I sincerely hope that this game continues its consumer-friendly approach with its future DLCs. I'd gladly pay to support expansions if they maintain the same level of expansiveness and quality as the base game.
Rich Lore and World-Building
I won't spoil anything for you, but I must say, the lore of Ex Astris is truly fascinating and captivating. The world-building is exceptional; I often found myself engrossed in reading the database entries and exploring the scattered historical items throughout the game. There's a wealth of history to uncover, from the mysteries of the planet Allindo to the enemies you encounter. Even the characters themselves are rich in depth and history. It would be a disservice for me to spoil any of it; experiencing this wonderful world firsthand is truly an adventure in itself.
Cons of Ex Astris
| Things That Ex Astris Can Improve |
|---|
|
Storytelling Problems Forgettable Music |
Storytelling Problems
While I was deeply intrigued by the lore of Ex Astris, I found the storytelling execution to be rather confusing and occasionally dull. It's disappointing considering the game's beautifully developed lore. This is a trend I've noticed with GRYPHLINE's previous title, Arknights, where character terminologies and plot points aren't explained thoroughly, leaving players feeling somewhat lost. It seems as though the developers assume players already understand what's going on. I don't expect the game to spoon-feed me, but I do wish they would provide clearer explanations. Interestingly, their World Building PV did a better job of explaining the story than the in-game dialogue.
Forgettable Music
It's worth mentioning that Jesper Kyd, the composer behind the iconic soundtrack of Assassin's Creed 2, and Zuho, a prominent K-pop idol, contributed to the music of this game. However, despite the talent involved, I personally found the music to be rather forgettable, which is a disappointment considering they are really talented.
Is Ex Astris Worth It?
Absolutely Worth It! It's Console Quality!
Despite its minor flaws, this game is an absolute steal for the price. At just $10, it offers far more value than most mobile games on the market. You won't find any microtransactions, paywalls, or gacha systems here—just a pure RPG experience that's incredibly enjoyable. With likable characters, fantastic world-building, engaging turn-based gameplay, and future DLCs in store, it's well worth the investment.
Ex Astris can be purchased on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for $9.99.
● Google Play Store
● Apple App Store
Ex Astris Overview & Premise
In Ex Astris, the story centers around Yan, a human entrusted with a mission to uncover the mysteries of the planet Allindo and its inhabitants. Joined later on by companions like Vi3, they embark on a journey across the world, delving into the dark secrets of the world and dangerous mysterious enemies known as Astramorphs.
Ex Astris FAQ
Ex Astris Specs Requirements
Ex Astris Requires iPadOS 12.0 or later for both iPad and iPhone devices and requires Android 7.0 and up for all Android devices.
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Ex Astris Product Information
 | |
| Title | EX ASTRIS |
|---|---|
| Release Date | February 26, 2024 |
| Developer | GRYPHLINE / GRYPH FRONTIER |
| Publisher | GRYPHLINE / GRYPH FRONTIER |
| Supported Platforms | Mobile(iOS, Android) |
| Genre | Adventure, RPG, Sci-Fi |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Rating | 12+ |
| Official Website | Ex Astris Official Website |
