Astral Party is a multiplayer party game developed by STAR ENGINE PROJECT. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn’t do well, and if it’s worth getting.
Astral Party Review Overview
What is Astral Party?
Astral Party offers a multiplayer party game experience akin to Mario Party, immersing players in a dynamic board game setting where rolling dice, dueling opponents, and collecting coins are the keys to victory. With 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.
Astral Party features:
⚫︎ Free to Play Game with Gacha Elements
⚫︎ 10 Unique and Beautiful Characters
⚫︎ 4-Person Online Multiplayer
⚫︎ Creative Board Game Maps with 15 Different Panel Effects
⚫︎ Dice-Rolling and Card Game Mechanics
⚫︎ One-on-One Diced-Based Combat System
⚫︎ Anime Art Style with Dynamic Pixel Animation
 Astral Party |
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 Steam |
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Astral Party Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Visually Striking with Cute Anime Girls The Game can be Chaotically Fun |
The Game is Way Too Slow Very Unbalanced Gameplay No Card History and Lack of Proper Explanation in Gameplay Mechanics Lack of Content |
Astral Party Overall Score - 62/100
Astral Party is not a party you want to RSVP. Despite the allure of its anime-inspired characters and visually engaging maps, the game's board game mechanics leave much to be desired. While it occasionally captures the chaotic fun reminiscent of Mario Party, it's held back by notable gameplay issues and a lack of content in its current state. Here's hoping the developers roll out some fixes soon to get the party rolling again.
Astral Party Story - 5/10
Astral Party doesn’t have a story and that’s okay because the game doesn’t really require one, however, there's a notable absence of single-player content, which could really enhance the game.
Astral Party Gameplay - 7/10
The gameplay offers moments of enjoyable chaos akin to Mario Party. However, it's marred by excessively slow board sessions lasting over 30 minutes to an hour. Balancing issues arise from predetermined card skills, unfair map placements, and inadequate explanations of mechanics.
Astral Party Visuals - 8/10
When it comes to visuals, the game truly stands out, featuring exquisitely designed characters with distinct anime aesthetics. Although the user interface may seem cluttered at times, it still manages to make a strong impression. Additionally, the maps are adorned with vibrant and visually appealing backgrounds and tiles, evoking a delightful board game atmosphere.
Astral Party Audio - 5/10
The audio in this game is passable, with the music being somewhat catchy. However, the main issue lies in the lack of variety, as the same music loops repeatedly. Additionally, the absence of voice acting for the anime characters feels like a missed opportunity.
Astral Party Value for Money - 6/10
Fortunately, this game is free to play, and the developers have future plans to tackle its current issues and introduce more content. At present, however, the game feels lacking and plagued by numerous problems. Yet, for those seeking chaotic and enjoyable gameplay with friends, it still manages to deliver some fun moments when played with the right group of people.
Astral Party Review: A Party You 'll Want to Miss
Astral Party overall feels like one of those lackluster Mario Party games, which is disappointing given the enjoyment I found in its demo released a few months back. Regrettably, the full game's launch only amplified its shortcomings, as the issues I encountered in the demo persisted and weren’t addressed. From peculiar translation errors to significant flaws like the unbalanced combat system. But let's not jump ahead; first, let's delve into the gameplay.
From the moment I stepped into a lobby, it became evident that Astral Party was going to disappoint me. Unlike the demo, where six characters were readily available, the full release only grants access to four initially. Unlocking the remaining characters entails delving into their gacha system, a disappointing addition.
Fortunately, the gacha system isn't overly punitive, and characters can be obtained through diligent daily tasks. However, I'd advise against spending money on this aspect of the game, particularly since the current version features only one game mode: Let's Party.
Despite its limited content, joining and creating lobbies is a straightforward process, and I encountered no network issues. Nonetheless, the absence of a lobby chat feature is a glaring problem, detracting from the overall enjoyment of each session. So communication with friends is relegated to external platforms like Discord, diminishing the in-game social experience.
Victory in each session hinges on being the first player to accumulate three stars. Attaining this goal involves reaching a special tile where a certain number of coins can be exchanged for level-ups.
The dice-rolling mechanic feels fair and random while landing on unique tiles can be really exciting due to every panel having different types of effects, such as granting cards with diverse skills to aid players in victory.
As the game gains momentum, it can be actually fun and chaotic sometimes, however, underlying major issues begin to surface.
Once you're in a session, be prepared for potentially lengthy games that seem to drag on, even when opting for shorter game sessions. Gathering coins feels like a slow, arduous process, with limited ways to get them and the game is very stingy about it.
Furthermore, reaching the tile to convert coins into stars can be downright a hassle, as many maps lack efficient pathways and can lead you in circles for so many turns. Adding to the frustration, opponents can easily disrupt your progress with certain card skills that are way too OP, leading to coin loss and further elongating the session. It should be fun but it just feels annoying instead due to how slow it is to achieve objectives.
I enjoyed the combat in the demo but after playing this game more, I realized how unfair it actually is. The attacker always seems to have the upper hand, inflicting damage or stealing coins with little recourse for the defender.
Numerous minor issues persistently hinder the game, but one aspect that shines is the character design. Each character is beautifully crafted with unique attributes, like Fanny's Sherlock Holmes-inspired appearance. The diverse cast adds charm and excitement to the game, and I look forward to seeing more characters in the future. Additionally, the vibrant and striking maps contribute to the overall aesthetic.
Despite these positive elements, Astral Party feels too unpolished to be a recommended party game at this time. While there is potential for fun, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.
Pros of Astral Party
| Things Astral Party Got Right |
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Visually Striking with Cute Anime Girls The Game can be Chaotically Fun |
Visually Striking with Cute Anime Girls
Fellow anime enthusiasts, let me tell you about the delightful array of cute anime girls in this game, with the standout being the adorable mascot, Mimi. However, my personal favorite is Fanny. The character designs are simply gorgeous, and their in-game cut-ins and sprites are incredibly expressive. Whether they're happy, sad, or angry, the characters brim with personality. Their charm is perfectly complemented by the vibrant and colorful world around them. Despite the limited number of maps, each one exudes charm and cuteness, making the game a visual treat to behold.
The Game can be Chaotically Fun
Despite my earlier criticism of the game's pacing and balance issues, I must admit that there are moments of genuine fun and chaos, particularly when you have the right cards to elevate your strategy or roll the perfect dice. And while I think the combat is unfair, I won’t deny I enjoy being the landing near an opponent and winning a 1v1 against them. Winning can actually be incredibly rewarding, as the game can give you pretty decent rewards like more in-game currency. These triumphs amid challenges can truly make you feel like you've emerged victorious from a hard-fought battle.
Cons of Astral Party
| Things That Astral Party Can Improve |
|---|
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The Game is Way Too Slow Very Unbalanced Gameplay No Card History and Lack of Proper Explanation in Gameplay Mechanics Lack of Content |
The Game is Way Too Slow
In a single session, which supposedly mirrors the length of a typical Mario Party game, time seems to stretch indefinitely, making it feel like an eternity compared to its counterpart. I strongly recommend adjusting the settings to shorten the duration, increase the game speed to the fastest, and set the victory conditions to 15/30/50, as these configurations offer the fastest gameplay experience. However, even with these adjustments, the game still tends to drag on, often taking over an hour to complete, especially on certain maps. The developers must address this issue promptly, considering the overwhelming negative feedback from the community regarding this. The fact that players are abandoning lobbies with different settings further emphasizes the severity of the problem.
Very Unbalanced Gameplay
I'm not expecting a party game to follow a strict meta, but Astral Party can feel egregiously unfair at times. From the luck-based draw of initial cards that can severely impede your progress to the arbitrary placement of players on the board, and the overpowered cards that can be unleashed without warning, the game seems stacked against you from the start in most sessions. Adding to the frustration is the combat system, which heavily favors attackers without providing any recourse for defenders, along with certain characters having significantly better unique skills than others. Moreover, the turn order, based on lobby join time, penalizes latecomers, perpetuating a sense of unfairness. These myriad issues disrupt the game's balance and hinder the overall enjoyment, making it feel more like a slog than chaotic fun. While I appreciate chaos in party games, the sluggish pace combined with these unfair elements creates is not a good pair. A faster-paced game might salvage some enjoyment, but as it stands, Astral Party falls short of delivering the uproarious chaos it promises.
No Card History and Lack of Proper Explanation
Navigating through Astral Party can be a bewildering experience, particularly in the initial stages, where the game fails to provide adequate explanations for its mechanics. Countering attacks or skills can be a frustrating endeavor due to the absence of a card history feature, leaving players in the dark about their opponents' abilities. Without the ability to reference card abilities in-game or in the menu, players are left to decipher their options on the fly, relying on limited information.
Lack of Content
The game's lack of content and game modes leaves it feeling quite barebones, often lacking in variety and excitement. It's annoying how they even removed the offline mode in the demo where you get to fight against bots. Introducing a rush game mode, with shorter 10 to 15-minute sessions, could inject some much-needed energy and alleviate the monotony and sluggish pacing that plagues the current gameplay experience.
Is Astral Party Worth It?
It’s Free to Play but Wait for Updates
Currently, Astral Party lacks the polish and refinement needed to make it a compelling choice, unless you're actively seeking an alternative to Mario Party. While it's free to play, the game's numerous issues suggest that waiting for updates from the developers might be the more better course of action.
| Astral Party |
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| Steam |
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Astral Party FAQ
Will Astral Party Include New Game Modes?
According to a recent Steam post by the developers, a new game mode is in the works for Astral Party. However, details regarding the specifics of this mode remain undisclosed at this time.
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Astral Party Product Information
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| Title | ASTRAL PARTY |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Feb. 29, 2024 |
| Developer | STAR ENGINE PROJECT |
| Publisher | Neverland Entertainment |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam) |
| Genre | Board Game, PvP |
| Number of Players | 4 |
| ESRB Rating | Not Rated |
| Official Website | Astral Party Website |
