Astral Party is a party game developed by STAR ENGINE PROJECT and published by Neverland Entertainment. Read on to learn more about this multiplayer board game that’s filled with suspense, excitement, and cute anime girls.
Astral Party
What is Astral Party About?
Astral Party offers an exciting board game experience akin to Mario Party, immersing players in a dynamic board game setting where rolling dice and collecting coins are the keys to victory.
With support for up to four players, each participant gets to select their favorite character before diving into the fun-filled adventure that can test the player’s skills and friendship.
In Astral Party, players are offered a unique twist on the traditional Mario Party formula. While it lacks mini-games, players are equipped with a deck of cards at the start. More cards can be added to the player’s hand when they land on specific panels throughout the game board or purchase them from in-game shops.
With a diverse array of effects, these cards can be used strategically: some set traps for nearby opponents, others heal players' HP, and some even offer attack or defense boosts for the one-on-one dice combat system.
Dice combat is initiated when players pass by or land on the same panel as another player. The player initiating the attack must decide whether to engage in combat, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. During combat, the attacker must strategically deploy a combination of attack cards to overpower their opponent.
However, it's not all about offense; defenders have the opportunity to dodge or defend themselves using their own cards.
Victory in combat depends on the defender's ability to outmaneuver or outlast their opponent. Failure to do so results in losing coins and being temporarily sidelined until their next turn. This adds an element of risk and reward, turning each encounter into a thrilling gamble for players to navigate.
Astral Party Release Date Details
Astral Party is scheduled to release on Steam on February 29, 2024.
Astral Party Demo Review | Mario Party for Weebs
Chaotic Board Game Filled with Waifus
Astral Party delivers a whirlwind of excitement, even if you find yourself without friends to join in the fun. With gameplay sessions ranging from a quick 20 minutes to an epic hour-long adventure, there's never a dull moment. Whether you're a seasoned party game veteran or a newcomer to the genre, the game's demo offers a comprehensive tutorial mode to get you up to speed on its unique mechanics and features.
However, the game could improve in its text clarity and grammar. Occasionally, descriptions of skills and objectives can be a bit confusing.
The demo offers two main features: party mode and "Customer Dress-Up." In "Customer Dress-Up," players can personalize their profiles with cute avatars, profile banners, card sleeves, and custom dice. Though the options are currently limited, each choice is charming and adds a unique touch to your profile.
While the in-game shop is not accessible in the demo, more customization options will likely be available upon the game's full release.
In "Party Mode," you can enjoy multiplayer fun with up to four friends, random players, or bots. Currently, the only available map is the amusement park. Matchmaking is quick and efficient, ensuring you get into a game promptly. However, the lack of lobby chat is a downside, as it limits communication and social interaction, particularly for those who are planning to play this solo.
It’s a party game so interaction should definitely be a key element they should implement in the full release.
The Gameplay is Surprisingly Deep
This game is bound to invite comparisons to Mario Party due to its emphasis on coin collection, dice-rolling mechanics, tiles with unique effects upon landing, and the turn-based top-down view reminiscent of classic board games.
Astral Party sets itself apart with its unique win condition: the first player to reach level 3 wins. Achieving this milestone requires players to reach a special tile where they can exchange their coins to level up. However, players are required to reach a certain number of coins for each level-up.
This may sound simple but several elements in the game add a strategic layer to the gameplay, making it more challenging and engaging than your typical party game.
The card system in Astral Party adds a chaotic twist to the gameplay, reminiscent of traditional tabletop board games. At the start of the game, players receive a set of cards with various effects, adding an element of unpredictability to each player's strategy.
Players can acquire additional cards by landing on specific tiles that offer random cards for free or by landing on the shop tile, where they can purchase randomly generated cards in exchange for coins.
Planning when and where to use these cards adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, keeping players engaged and on their toes at all times. Additionally, the presence of cards that can be played during opponents' turns or placed on tiles adds an element of caution, as players must be wary of potential consequences that could lead to losing their coins and their lives.
Yes, there's an HP system in this game where players typically start with 10 hit points. However, losing all your HP won’t eliminate you from the game; instead, you're temporarily removed and respawn on your next turn, albeit you can’t play for one turn and you lose all your coins. This penalty is quite harsh, but there are cards available that can restore a certain number of hit points.
In Astral Party, losing HP can happen through various means, including traps set by enemies, opponent-played cards, and most importantly, its one-on-one dice-based battle combat. This unique feature sets the game apart from others in the party genre, essentially becoming its signature mini-game.
It's both thrilling and risky, as it's an optional challenge triggered when players encounter each other on the board. Players can choose to fight or flee, but must carefully manage their card inventory.
Victory in battle depends on the number of attack or defense cards played. More attack cards increase the attacker's odds of winning, while the defender can block or dodge with enough defense cards. Defeated opponents lose coins and an extra turn to the victor. So basically, players must carefully pick their battles.
Fanny is Best Girl
Of course, the selling point of this game is undeniably its characters. With the exception of the peculiar businessman character, I must say, the rest of the cast looks absolutely stunning!
The art style of this game is quite simply beautiful, with each anime character exuding cuteness and charm. However, players shouldn't be solely drawn in by their aesthetics. Each character boasts a unique ability that adds another layer of depth to the gameplay, potentially tipping the scales in favor of victory or defeat.
Personally, my current favorite is Fanny, the adorable blonde detective. Her special ability allows panels she lands on to trigger their effects twice, followed by gaining 3 coins.
With a total of 8 characters to choose from, each exuding their own unique charm and adorableness (except for the character in the suit), there's a waifu for everyone. Even if you're not typically a fan of party games, the allure of these cute anime girls could be enough to draw you into the genre. It sure did for me.
Minor Gripes
While the demo was such a blast to play, I do have a couple of gripes. Firstly, there’s only one track playing throughout the game. Adding more tracks across different maps would definitely stop the monotony.
One frustration I encountered was the predetermined turn order in the board game. The player who created the lobby always starts the game, while the last person to join goes last. To create a fairer system, implementing a simple dice roll to determine the turn order could be beneficial. This way, the player with the highest dice roll goes first, ensuring a more balanced outcome for everyone involved.
One final suggestion I have is to include an in-game chat or voice feature, which I believe would enhance the overall experience. This addition would add an element of fun and chaos, allowing players to communicate more easily with both random players and friends alike.
The Full Game is Worth Checking Out
Despite a few minor hiccups, the game is an absolute blast, even in its demo form. I found myself sinking hours into it, even when playing with random players. The blend of classic Mario Party elements with traditional tabletop board game mechanics, coupled with the charm of cute anime girls, makes for a recipe for a delightful and potentially friendship-testing chaotic experience. The demo has certainly piqued my interest in the full game, and I highly recommend checking it out, especially with friends.
