Astral Chain Case Files Completion Guide

Tracking down every last Case File in Astral Chain can be quite the undertaking, especially with all the mysteries tucked away in its futuristic city and labyrinthine police HQ. Whether you're aiming to wrap up loose ends or just trying not to miss any of the quirky side stories, keeping tabs on which cases you've completed – and where to find the elusive ones – can make a big difference. Between urgent Red Cases and the optional Blue ones, not to mention all the hidden objectives, it’s easy for even the most thorough players to lose track. A clear breakdown of what to look for and where can turn what might feel like busy work into a rewarding checklist that adds more depth to every file.

Completing Red Shift Cases

Red Shift Cases are some of the more memorable (and sometimes challenging) optional objectives in Astral Chain. These cases pop up throughout different Files, usually flagged by citizens acting strange or entire areas literally colored in a red, corrupted haze. Clearing them isn’t just about satisfying your completionist streak—it’s also a solid way to rack up extra rewards, earn Red Matter, and discover hidden story beats.

What Are Red Shift Cases?

In Astral Chain, certain civilians and locations suffer a nasty condition called Red Shift—caused by Chimera corruption seeping into the human world. You’ll notice infected folks by their odd posture, twitchy movements, and the flicker of red on their bodies. Amassing too much Red Matter has dramatic side effects, so cleaning these cases up helps the city (and your progress bar).

Red Shift Cases show up as side tasks mainly in the field, flagged on your HUD (when close) with a red cloud icon. Tackling these is optional for story progression, but you'll need to clear out most if you’re after S+ ranks or 100% completion.

Spotting Red Shift Victims

Not every Red Shift Case jumps out at you. Here’s how to quickly notice them:

• Look for unusual NPC behavior: People stumbling, standing apart, or showing red-glowing auras are your targets.
• Check your IRIS scanner: Pop it on by pressing the correct button (default: ZL), and you’ll often spot ‘Red Matter’ clinging to parts of the environment or objects.
• Listen for distress: Sometimes bystanders will comment on someone acting off, giving you an audio cue to investigate.

Clearing Red Shift Safely

You can’t just talk to victims and hope for the best. Here’s what works:

1. Using Your Legion

Most Red Shift Cases only need you to send your Legion over. Stand near the victim, summon your Legion, and direct it with the right stick to the target. Your Legion will ‘purify’ them—sometimes after a short animation, other times instantly.

2. Watch for Hidden Spots

Some Red Shift victims aren’t out in the open. They can be tucked away in alleys, rooftops, or behind destructible objects. Search those less-traveled corners and use your Beast Legion’s digging ability on dirt mounds you see on the ground. These sometimes conceal victims or patches of Red Matter.

3. Special Events

A few Red Shift Cases trigger short cutscenes or fights with Aberrations (lesser Chimeras). Be ready for a scrap or quick-time challenge when the music spikes!

Progression and Rewards

Every time you cleanse a victim or area, you reduce the Red Matter percentage on your HUD. Lowering this number helps you unlock certain completion rewards after finishing each File and increases your case grade at the end. You’ll usually earn:

• Gene Codes (XP): Standard booster for leveling up.
• Premium Material Codes: Sometimes handed out for tougher cases or chain-purifications.
• File Completion PC (Police Chips): Useful for unlocking costumes and database bonuses.

If you're hunting for everything in a File, always compare your cleared Red Shift Cases against the case list at the HQ computer before moving on.

Tips for Red Shift Efficiency

• Sweep the Map Before Advancing the Story: Many Red Shift victims become inaccessible if you push main objectives too far. Clear secondary areas or side streets as soon as they open up.
• Use All Your Legion Abilities: Some Red Shift spots need specific powers—switch between Sword, Arrow, Beast, and Arm Legions to solve movement or purification obstacles.
• Monitor the Case Files Menu: Keep checking the in-game Case Files tab for hints; uncleared Red Shift Cases are usually listed, directing you back to missed areas.
• Max Out the Red Matter Gauge: Try to clear as much Red Matter as possible—you’ll often unlock a special reward for fully 100%-ing a File.

Wrapping Up

Red Shift Cases aren’t just busywork—each one ties into Astral Chain’s world, making it feel more lived in and reactive. By keeping an eye out for affected citizens, hidden contamination, and odd side objectives, you push closer to mastering each File and grabbing all the game’s best bonuses. A focused approach turns these side jobs into a reliable source of upgrades, story snippets, and that sweet S+ rating.

Completing Blue Shift Cases

Blue Shift Cases fill out the everyday police work in Astral Chain. These cases focus less on direct combat and more on helping civilians, solving small mysteries, and wrangling the occasional lost item. If you’re aiming for full completion or want a deeper look at the world’s daily life, knocking out Blue Shift Cases is essential. They can be easy to overlook, but they give extra character and heart to each File.

What Are Blue Shift Cases?

Blue Shift Cases show up as optional side missions scattered across each File. Unlike the high-intensity Red Cases or the urgent Red Shift clean-ups, Blue Shift Cases tend to be simple favors, civilian disputes, or logistical puzzles. They might have you finding a child’s lost bracelet, directing foot traffic, or investigating suspicious behavior that isn’t (at first) supernatural.

Blue Shift Cases appear on your map (once close enough) with a blue circular icon and sometimes pop up with a character calling out for help or looking confused. Completing these increases your File rank, earns Police Chips, and adds a layer of completion to your Case Files. Missable? Yes—if you move the main story forward too quickly, some will lock out.

How to Spot Blue Shift Cases

Getting every Blue Shift Case is all about staying alert and talking to everyone. Here’s what you should watch for:

• Chat with Every Civilian: The world is packed with NPCs, and many won’t flag themselves obviously. If in doubt, press the talk button when you’re near someone—some cases only start after a quick conversation.
• Check Your Map Regularly: After a zone opens up, scan for new blue icons or question marks. Walk close enough to trigger the event.
• Stay Near the Consignment: Cases often cluster around public squares, alleys, or right outside the police HQ. Don’t rush past these spots.
• Listen for Random Events: A civilian calling out, a lost pet, or a confused child usually signals a nearby Blue Shift opportunity.

Common Blue Shift Case Types

Most Blue Shift Cases fall into a handful of categories:

Lost and Found

You’ll hunt for lost wallets, pets, or other personal items. These sometimes need you to follow clues, check garbage bins, or use your Legion to sniff or dig.

Mediation and Traffic Duty

Sometimes you’ll break up squabbles between citizens, direct foot or vehicle traffic, or calm panicked crowds. Usually, you’ll pick dialog responses or use gesture commands.

Delivery and Escort

You may escort NPCs to a target location—walking slowly to keep their pace—or deliver important items while avoiding hazards. These cases can get silly if you accidentally dash ahead and lose your client.

Quick-Time Tasks

Some cases require you to complete a quick-time event, whether it’s catching a falling civilian, performing emergency first aid, or defusing a tense stand-off.

Solving Blue Shift Cases Efficiently

Doing every Blue Shift Case takes patience and attention to detail, but you can speed it up with a few habits:

• Sweep Zones Methodically: Finish all available cases before advancing to a new map section or major story beat.
• Use Your Legions Creatively: You may need the Beast Legion to sniff out an item, Arm Legion to lift debris, or Sword Legion to cut barriers.
• Keep an Eye on Your Case Files Tab: Open the in-game Case Files menu and see which Blue Shift cases are uncompleted or have a "?" marker—these display clues about what to try next.
• Replay if You Miss One: Thankfully, completed cases stay finished even if you replay a File, so you can pick up any missed Blue Shift case later without redoing old progress.
• Save Often: Some cases have fail states. Quick-saving before starting tricky or timed side missions saves you from repeating them.

Blue Shift Rewards

While Blue Shift Cases might not hand out flashy upgrades, they grant:

• Police Chips: Used for unlocking new costumes and database entries.
• Completion Percentage: Essential for those aiming for 100% Files completion and the highest rank per chapter.
• World-building: Many Blue Shift Cases deliver snippets of story, character backgrounds, and the city’s culture.

Tips for Those Hard-to-Find Cases

• Talk to Everyone Twice: Some cases don’t pop until after you’ve advanced the story a bit, or a specific trigger has happened—loop back through crowded areas to check for updated dialog.
• Check Hidden Areas: Look behind shops, on rooftops, and inside back alleys for quiet NPCs who won’t grab your attention unless you’re right next to them.
• Reactivate Your IRIS: Even though it mostly flags Red Matter, your IRIS scanner occasionally highlights clues or items needed for Blue Shift Cases.

When to Prioritize Blue Shift Cases

Don’t leave them for last. Many Blue Shift Cases go away if you push the chapter forward. Make a habit of looping through each open area with your map and IRIS scanner active, cleaning up Blue Shift Cases before major main objectives.

Some especially involved cases unfold in stages—keep an eye on your quest log for updates and don’t be shy about backtracking.

Final Thoughts on Blue Shift Cases

Blue Shift Cases in Astral Chain add heart and color to the game, breaking up the intensity of Chimera battles with lighter moments and human stories. Chasing down every last side case can feel overwhelming, but tackling them methodically means you’ll wrap up Files with a fat stack of rewards, a better File rank, and a completed checklist. For full completionists, or anyone who wants more personality in their patrols, Blue Shift Cases are absolutely worth your time.

Finding Hidden Cases

If you’re gunning for 100% completion in Astral Chain, tracking down the hidden cases is just as important as dealing with the obvious ones. Some cases don’t light up your map or require specific steps that are easy to overlook. Here’s how you can track down those sneaky side cases that often slip through the cracks.

Understanding Hidden Cases

Hidden cases, sometimes called "Secret Cases" by the community, refer to tasks and side missions that do not appear clearly on your map or require unusual steps to trigger. Unlike regular Red or Blue Shift icons, hidden cases often demand that you explore, pay close attention to your surroundings, and interact with the game's environment or characters in non-obvious ways.

Hidden cases often come in two flavors:

• Branching Dialog/Choice-Triggered Cases: Only appear if you select specific dialog options or perform certain actions in the right order.
• Location-Based Cases: Require standing in the right spot, using a particular Legion ability, or solving puzzles in less-traveled sections of the map.

Key Habits for Uncovering Hidden Cases

1. Revisit Old Areas

It’s tempting to barrel toward the main objective, but Astral Chain often rewards players who double back. Once you unlock new Legion abilities in later Files, head back to earlier zones—places like the Harmony Square rooftops or the Grand Avenue back alleys might open up new side cases you couldn’t grab first time around.

2. Talk, Then Talk Again

Some NPCs only reveal hidden cases after repeat conversations or responding differently after specific story events. After you trigger a cutscene or resolve a nearby case, circle back and chat with folks you’ve already spoken to—a new option or topic might appear.

3. Legion Powers Are Key

Each Legion unlocks unique interactions, and the hidden cases usually lean on creative use of these. For example:

• Beast Legion: Follow scent trails leading to secret stashes or overwhelmed NPCs.
• Arm Legion: Lift heavy debris covering an unnoticed person or lost item.
• Arrow Legion: Shoot distant switches, opening new paths to tucked-away areas.
• Sword Legion: Slice barriers or interference on electronics, activating hidden terminals or doors.

Don’t be shy about testing every Legion power in suspicious-looking spots.

4. Use IRIS in Every Corner

Your IRIS scanner isn’t just for Red Matter or enemy weak points. It sometimes highlights interactable objects, hidden clues, and characters involved in secret cases—especially if you’re panning over shop counters, behind vehicles, or in tight alleyways.

5. Trigger Environmental Actions

Interact with vending machines, push buttons, knock over boxes, or peek into dumpsters. The world feels alive, and hidden cases often rely on you messing with the environment in ways the main quest never points out. If it glows, looks out of place, or just seems slightly odd, try interacting with it.

Notorious Hidden Case Examples

File 03: “Link” — The Rooftop Race

In Harmony Square, if you help a certain parkour-obsessed NPC, you’ll unlock a footrace that isn’t marked on the map. Starting this one means picking the right dialog and showing up at the exact rooftop entrance.

File 06: “Complicit” — The Locked Door

Behind the shuttered food stall, a hidden case waits if you clear out Red Matter AND return later once a new civilian appears. Solving it can require a mix of timing and map checks.

File 09: “Salvation” — The Dog Walker

There’s a side case featuring a lost dog that only appears if you’ve finished a specific Blue Shift task earlier in the File, and then comb acertain block with Beast Legion’s tracking to sniff out the dog's path.

Timing and Missability

The game punishes players who race through objectives; hidden cases often disappear after passing main quest checkpoints or leaving an area. As a rule of thumb:

• Do a slow lap of every map section before crossing mission markers.
• Watch for new dialog or NPC activities after any story event or Blue Shift case.
• Manual saving lets you experiment freely without risking progress loss.

The Replay Factor

Even with the best habits, missing a hidden case on a first run happens. The good news: Astral Chain lets you replay Files as much as you want, and completion is tracked separately for each file. Use your second run with end-game legions, and you’ll be able to access secret spots and cases that were off-limits before.

Case File Review Tools

Don’t forget to check the in-game Case Files screen. While not every hidden case is listed with a clear hint, an unknown marker or “?” will show if something still needs to be found in an area. Use this as your bounty board—methodically work through each “?” as you sweep the map.

Summary: The Secret to Not Missing Hidden Cases

Patience, curiosity, and creative use of your Legions unlock all of Astral Chain’s case content. Take your time, poke around corners, repeat conversations, and experiment with every Legion skill. If you’re aiming for that perfect completion file, it’s worth the extra persistence to catch those hidden cases before they slip away.

By mastering the habits above, you’ll keep your case file sparkling and your Police Chips balance way higher. And best of all? You’ll get to experience all the quirky and touching side stories the game has tucked away for careful players. Getting an S+ rank in Astral Chain isn’t about sheer offense or flawless speed—it’s about smart play and racking up points across combat, investigation, and how thoroughly you wring each File of its opportunities. Here’s how to consistently snag those respectful S+ medals on each assignment, even if you’re not a Platinum Games action master.

Understanding the Scoring System

At the end of every File, Astral Chain tallies your performance with a grade for each case, then averages that out for your overall File rank. You get judged on:

• How much Red Matter you clean up
• Your combat performance (combo variety, sync attacks, avoiding damage)
• Whether you’ve completed all optional cases and objectives
• How many civilians you help
• The time you take—speed counts, but not as much as thoroughness

You can hit S+ even if you slip up once or twice, as long as you compensate elsewhere. Context matters: on higher difficulty settings (Pt Standard and above), you’ll need to put more effort into every category.

Vital Factors for S+ Rank

Red Matter Cleanup

Cleaning Red Matter isn’t just busywork; it rewards a hefty chunk of points. Thoroughness means 100%, especially on your final score review.

• Always pan with IRIS before leaving a zone.
• Stray specks can hide behind boxes, under cars, or behind NPC groups.
• Don’t forget to double-check rooftops and interiors—if in doubt, backtrack before triggering main story events.

Combat: Go for Style, Not Just Survival

The game likes when you mix things up. Chaining Legion attacks, sorting through combos, using sync attacks, and minimizing damage are all factors.

• Sync Attacks: Trigger them as often as possible (watch for that blue flash). They up your multiplier.
• Legion Skills: Use each Legion’s skills at least once per fight if you can. Swapping mid-brawl helps.
• No Damage Bonuses: You don’t need a perfect run, but each “No Damage” encounter gives a fat bonus. If you want S+, try to isolate enemies and deal with them safely.
• Perfect Dodges: Time your dodges for the counterattack, not just to avoid hits—these also increase your points.
• Environmental Kills: Use explosive barrels and hazards for “variety” credit.

Optional Cases and Blue Shifts

Optional mini-investigations and Blue Shift civilian cases make a significant difference. Helping every single citizen, even if their task seems small (herding fleeing folks, finding lost items, breaking up squabbles), adds to your Case Completion and Police Chip tally.

• Talk to everyone until no new options appear.
• Track prompts in your pause menu: if anything is incomplete, find what’s missing.

Time Management

Going slow to find every secret is fine, but taking too long can lower your score, especially on combat encounters.

• Learn fight layouts so you can dispatch enemies quickly on replays.
• Use Legion skills to zip past obstacles or solve puzzles faster.

Decision-Making Dialogs and Outcomes

Some case outcomes have “best” solutions, usually by picking helpful, law-abiding, or clever dialog responses. Successful resolutions net more points than simply brute-forcing answers.

• If you mess up or guess incorrectly, retry from your last checkpoint for a better result.

Pro Tips for S+ Runs

Practice on Pt Standard

If you want S+ on your record, play Files on Pt Standard or higher (Pt Casual locks you out from highest scores). Don’t worry if you need to restart a mission—progress carries over, and some skills come with familiarity.

Use Retries Strategically

You can replay Files as often as needed. Missed an encounter? Botched a Blue Shift? Just reload the File from the Case menu. S+ is cumulative and rewards persistence more than perfection on a fresh run.

Gear and Legion Upgrades

A stronger Legion makes every fight fast and efficient. Spend your Gene Codes wisely; prioritize attack skills, sync attack upgrades, and skills that boost your utility (Beast’s speed dash, Arm’s shield).

• Equip items to boost defense and attack.
• Don’t forget temporary items, like Medicine, especially when pushing for a No Damage bonus.

Optimize IRIS Usage

Scanning with IRIS isn’t only for secrets—it helps spot Red Matter and interactables that would otherwise lower your “completion” score. Make it part of your routine after every encounter.

What S+ Rank Unlocks

Scoring S+ nets you more Police Chips (used for upgrades and certain cosmetics) and the satisfaction of mastering the File. Completing every File with S+ unlocks elite achievement records, and gives you maximum completion percentage for your save file.

Final Advice

S+ rank is Astral Chain’s nod to players who want to squeeze every drop from its levels. Pay attention to detail, stay creative in combat, help every civilian, and don’t stress about replaying the odd mission if you miss something. With the above strategies, S+ will stop feeling mysterious—and start feeling pretty darn achievable.

Unlocking File Rewards

Finishing Files in Astral Chain isn’t just about collecting those S+ medals. Each File comes with its own set of rewards that can really pay off, whether you’re hunting for cosmetic upgrades, rare materials, or just want a sense of in-game accomplishment. Here’s a complete look at how File rewards work, what you’ll actually unlock, and tips to make sure you don’t miss anything along the way.

How File Rewards Work

Every time you finish a File (think of these as main story chapters), you unlock rewards based on your performance, thoroughness, and ranking. The most common types of File rewards include:

• Police Chips: Used for upgrading equipment and buying items.
• Gene Codes: Required for Legion skill upgrades.
• Cosmetic Items: Costumes, accessories, Legion covers, and color variations.
• Material Codes & Consumables: Used for crafting and healing mid-mission.
• Records & Achievements: Permanent proof you did everything right.

Some rewards pop up just for beating the File, while others are tied to optional objectives—often only revealed via careful investigation or side cases.

Base Rewards vs. Completion Rewards

There are two main ways you get rewards for a File:

Base Completion

Simply finishing a File guarantees you the basics: a chunk of Police Chips, some Gene Codes, a few consumables, and sometimes a new item or two as part of the story. These can’t be missed—don’t stress if you forgot something, you’ll still get the File’s main rewards.

Completion Bonuses

The juicier rewards arrive when you complete all (or most) of a File’s optional cases and side objectives. You might get unique costumes, Legion colors, or large bundles of upgrade materials—often handed out when you see the “Perfect File” notice after returning to the HQ. These bonuses reward thorough policing, so skipping optional cases or Blue Shifts leaves some prizes unclaimed.

S+ Rank Rewards

Getting an S+ Rank for the File will net you the most Police Chips, making it easier to upgrade your ARI and Legions. But the File-exclusive collectibles—like rare appearance items or secret Legion covers—are almost always tied to perfecting every possible side case and cleaning up every ounce of Red Matter. Sometimes these only appear if you score a Perfect File, regardless of your combat score.

File-Specific Unlockables

Some Files have unique items or costumes you can only acquire by finishing their exclusive cases, finding hidden collectibles, or hitting a top rank. For instance:

• File 2: Early on, helps you grab your first color variations for the Neuron suit by finding all cases.
• File 7: Known for a hidden cat quest—completing it unlocks a cat-themed accessory for your room.
• File 11: Most Files in the late game hold rare potential codes or unique cosmetics for your Legions, especially if you hunt down every optional encounter.

It’s a good idea to check your reward list in the pause menu. Look under Records → Case Files for an itemized list of what each File can grant once you’ve completed its main and side missions.

Tracking Missable Rewards

Not every reward can be grabbed on your first run—some cases only pop up with certain dialog options, or after cleaning 100% Red Matter. If you notice something’s missing, don’t sweat it: Astral Chain lets you replay any File and keep whatever progress you make. When you go back, try to:

• Use IRIS mode everywhere before advancing the story.
• Double-check corners for items or NPCs with side quests.
• Try different dialog paths if a case seemed to end abruptly.

For collectibles and costumes, you rarely need to finish a File in one run. Progress stacks: complete the missing cases, hit 100% Red Matter, and wrap up the File to nab what you missed.

The Hidden Goodies: Cat Collection & Record Room

Cats aren’t just for fun—collecting every feline in the game opens special room decorations and even an achievement. Be sure to revisit Files later with upgraded Legions (Beast, Arm) to reach tricky cat hiding spots.

Same goes for secret rooms and Record unlocks: these pad out your reward collection, even if they don’t directly change gameplay.

What to Do If You Missed a Reward

If you find that a File is missing a reward—maybe a costume isn’t showing, or a Legion skin remains locked—just hop back into that File from HQ. Your previous completion marks are saved, so you only need to finish what you missed. Wrap up the File and the reward will unlock at the next results screen.

It’s a forgiving system. You don’t need to replay a whole File from scratch if you only missed one thing. Chip away at the checklist, and your Rewards section will fill up.

Closing Tips for 100% File Rewards

• Take notes on optional cases you missed, especially ones with unique objectives.
• Use IRIS everywhere. It flags interactables and cases that are easy to overlook.
• Always talk to every NPC, even after story events—new cases sometimes unlock late.
• Replay on higher difficulty if you want the most Police Chips per run.

Chasing down every File reward is a chill way to get the most from Astral Chain. Whether you want every collectible or just the upgrades, working your way through every File’s checkboxes adds tons of replay value—and a few grins when you finally kit your character out head-to-toe in Neuron’s wildest cosmetics.