Currently Online 
Guessed by @UnderwaterFunktown
Astral Chain took a bit of a hit on this year's list, mainly down to this one time I thought of replaying it, went through files 1 and 2 or whatever, and left kinda underwhelmed. It was pretty silly considering I know those are the weakest parts of the game, but still, it impacted my immediate feelings on it. This game gets so good later on though. File 6 will probably always remain one of my favorite moments in gaming, a huge chunk of the game where it radically changes your perception on its setting, and the game doesn't look back at all from that point, building up to an amazing ending.
I've talked about it before but the greatest thing about this game is definitely the combat. It feels so visceral and thrilling once you get good at controlling both characters at the same time, and synergizing their every move to obliterate enemies. Every hit feels punchy, everything has the perfect amount of feedback, and there's just so much cool shit you can do. I mean, of course the combat is good, because this is by PlatinumGames, but even for their standards I think this stands out. It's just so ridiculously deep and I appreciate how the post-game ramps up the challenge and really forces you to master every aspect of it. Thinking back on it now, I can't believe how I ever beat that secret boss at the end, that thing is ridiculously impossible, but I did it and I did it because the game hooks you into its learning curve and once you're in it, you don't even realize how much you're improving.
Beyond that, yeah, I love mostly everything this is about. The story can be kinda shallow and generic at times, but it also hits hard some other times. I especially dig the setting and worldbuilding behind some of it though, and I really hope someday we get a sequel that expores the more interesting things about this world. I also hope I can get to play this at 60fps soon, make it happen Nintendo. Anyway, yeah. I love this game.
Essay Pro