In the action game Chain Dive, you act like a cyborg ninja equipped with an aerodynamic double-blade (very similar to a hang glider) and some electronic laser chain. The game has a pseudo-retro aesthetic. The stages are displayed on a flat plane, similar to that used in Wild 9 or Magical Hoppers (or something people have heard of). As the title denotes, gameplay is composed largely of two activities: chaining and diving. The levels are littered with glowing hookup sites similar to the ones found in Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. You can pull out your chain with a springy kickback that will help you move through the air more quickly. You can propel yourself forward forever if you use these hookup sites. Therefore it is conceivable and probable for you to complete entire stages without touching the ground.
Moreover, just much all foes are airborne. To combat them, you slash them with your wing-like sword, which converts them into blocks of ice (for some reason). Once they have been frozen, enemies function precisely the same way as hookup points, except when you connect your chain to them, you can snap into them and destroy them. The trick is to kill as many enemies as possible without touching the ground. This is what is meant by “chaining”. The game feels a little similar to the best moments of the Spiderman 2 game, in that you can freefall (dive), snap up at the last second, and repeat as much as you like, and with that comes a great sensation. To spice things up, Chain Dive includes several boss fights, which aren’t half bad, and some random stuff like a snowboarding level. These boss fights aren’t half bad. If you decide that halfway through, you would much rather be skiing. The story is stupid, 100% inconsequential, delivered through awful still pictures and run-of-the-mill voice acting. But this is an action game. Fans of retro 2D action, fast-paced, chain combo-based action, and particularly the Shinobi game on the PS2 are encouraged to check out this title.
