Astral Takers Review: KEMCO and VANGUARD Deliver a Unique but Uneven Retro JRPG Experience on Nintendo Switch

KEMCO, a fixture in the world of classic-style RPGs, has launched a new title tailored for fans of retro JRPGs: Astral Takers.

Developed by VANGUARD—the same studio behind this year’s earlier release, Dragon Takers—Astral Takers arrives on the Nintendo Switch, further solidifying KEMCO’s commitment to the genre on the Switch eShop.

The game seeks to stitch together nostalgic gameplay mechanics with some inventive twists on traditional RPG formulas, offering a familiar yet fresh adventure for genre enthusiasts. Astral Takers follows the story of Revyse, a young recruit on a training mission who encounters Aurora, a mysterious woman suffering from amnesia.

Although she has no memory, what little is known about Aurora is that she is being pursued by the very empire Revyse serves.

Together, with help from their ally Fio, they embark on a journey to uncover Aurora’s past and evade imperial forces, all while developing close bonds and seeking the truth behind her circumstances. As for narrative depth, Astral Takers operates within a classic RPG framework.

Players will meet a rotating cast of allies and adversaries, and while the plot offers few curveballs, it lays a solid foundation for fans who appreciate traditional story arcs.

The writing focuses on the evolving relationships between Revyse, Aurora, and Fio, as they navigate both pressing threats and the mysteries of Aurora’s identity. A standout element comes in the presentation, particularly in the game’s art and battle system.

Character portraits are well-animated, giving principal characters expressive movement during conversations—an effect that adds welcome energy to dialogue scenes.

However, when interacting with minor NPCs, only the main character is displayed, dimming and fading backward on the screen, which is an unconventional approach within the genre. Astral Takers’ turn-based combat system is another highlight.

Breaking from genre conventions, battles unfold from a first-person perspective, placing the player face-to-face with foes and punctuating the experience with dynamic visual effects.

Players can assemble a four-member party, and the summon system spices up strategy: with the ability to call upon powerful entities, players can experiment with different team compositions and skills.

Summons also automatically replace any incapacitated party members, keeping fights fluid and engaging. The game further innovates by previewing enemy moves ahead of time, allowing players to plan their actions—be it attacks, buffs, items, or defensive maneuvers—more strategically.

However, combat targeting lacks precision, as selecting which enemy to strike can be problematic when facing duplicate enemy types, muddying an otherwise clear interface.

Similar inefficiencies surface in the user interface for equipment management, where players may find inventory navigation and visual cues for selections less intuitive than expected. In contrast to its lively battles and character animation, Astral Takers’ world exploration feels sparse.

Environmental graphics in towns and dungeons are minimalist and repetitive, offering limited rewards for exploration and a scarcity of side quests.

As a result, the sense of adventure is somewhat curtailed, and the exploratory aspect may not satisfy those seeking hidden depths or intricate map layouts. Despite its unevenness, Astral Takers delivers enough unique features and accessible gameplay to carve out a niche among JRPG aficionados.

Its approachable difficulty—highlighted by the omission of KEMCO’s typical experience or weapon boost DLC—makes it a laid-back entry for newcomers or those looking for a light RPG between larger releases.

Retro JRPG fans will find value in the game’s fresh perspective on combat and party management, while the familiar story may resonate best with dedicated enthusiasts. Astral Takers is available now on the Nintendo Switch via the eShop.

While it may not redefine the genre, KEMCO and VANGUARD’s latest release stands out for its creative tweaks on classic mechanics and its commitment to delivering new experiences for the JRPG community.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo JRPG Switch KEMCO Astral Takers VANGUARD Dragon Takers Fio Revyse Aurora