But on top of all those references, there’s a phenomenal game that forges its own identity and boldly does its own thing. That might be disappointing to some, but it’s an intentional design choice that works in the game’s favor, as Astro Bot is much more focused on the “experience” and wants players to have pure, unfiltered fun. There are optional challenge levels that open up later on, however, for anyone who might be craving that. Astro Bot really is the video game equivalent of venturing through Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory; a delightful concoction of experimentation and joy, just without the child endangerment. Chocolate death pipes and fizzy lifting drinks are instead swapped out for sinkholes leading to treasure and an inflatable friend who helps you reach floating platforms. Each one of these colorful worlds is crafted with meticulous detail and creativity.
What Are All Special Bots In Astro Bot?
If Astro Bot has failed to save enough Bots for a group action, Asobi will have a saddened expression when approached and will be unable to call over Bots. Punching a Bot Wall or Bot Tower knocks Bots out of the structure, causing it to collapse after a few seconds in the case of the wall and causing the stage element to fall slightly in the case of the tower. Additionally, Bots can be called over without Asobi’s aid to follow Astro and imitate dances that he does. The lowest amount of Bots for a group action is three, and the highest amount is 300.
Not exactly my jam – but it would seem this, like other games before it, are fun to be had by anyone. That’s why many studios try to compensate by pouring money into those other areas. These games are a celebration of gaming – specifically PlayStation gaming.
Lost Galaxy (55 Bots & 22 Puzzle Pieces)
In Astro Bot, there are 300 bots to find, including 169 cameo bots, as well as dozens of puzzle pieces and several secret Void levels hidden within the game. Normally, a game like this would be quite a chore for players seeking to polish off all of its optional items to 100% completion, but Astro Bot offers a special tool that makes this process much faster and more enjoyable. Players guide Astro Bot through dynamic environments filled with moving platforms, enemies, and interactive objects.
In recent years, major video game publishers have abandoned that idea. While Nintendo still reveres that power, once great sanctuaries for kids have crumbled as publishers have set their sights on courting “mature” audiences through photorealism and weighty themes. Video games are richer for that change, but young — and young at heart — are getting left behind, stuck wandering the vast desert of Roblox games with nothing but their parent’s credit card in their pocket. The PS5® mothership has been wrecked, leaving ASTRO and the bot crew scattered all over the galaxies. Time to ride your trusty Dual Speeder across more than 50 planets full of fun, danger and surprises.
You can be sure that a game awarded this score has the highest quality presentation and expertly honed gameplay, but also breaks boundaries and pushes the industry forward in a meaningful manner. You say one game might appeal to one person but not the other and then start making blanket statements about what reviewers should be scoring games. Platform games obviously don’t appeal to you…that doesn’t mean that they can’t appeal to other people. When someone scores a game they have to score it for its own merits and take it for what it is, not compare it to every game that has ever existed. BG3 is exceptional and I couldn’t agree more it’s a 10 but it’s not comparable to Astro Bot in the same way it would be dumb to compare Gran Turismo 7 and Alan Wake 2.
But maybe the PlayStation didn’t need an answer to Nintendo and Sega’s beloved mascots. Games were entering an era in which more realistic human characters like Cloud Strife, Solid Snake and Lara Croft were becoming the new industry icons. As this more mature stream of gaming culture evolved, cutesy mascot characters and the 3D platformers they called home became less and less common. When Microsoft entered the industry with the Xbox in 2001, Halo’s Master Chief instantly shaped the console’s image. Microsoft’s purchase of Rare, a studio that had created platformers with mascot-like characters for Nintendo, almost seemed like an afterthought.
It really feels like the developers thought of everything, and thanks to their efforts, Astro Bot is pure joy in video game form. I went into it with high expectations thanks to Astro Bot Rescue Mission and Astro’s Playroom, and it not only met my expectations, but completely exceeded them. It’s the best 3D platformer since Super Mario Odyssey hit the scene in 2017 and will be remembered as an all-time classic of the genre. Everyone with a PS5 should get their hands on this game ASAP, and hopefully, Team Asobi gets to continue making masterpieces. One level allows you to explore a recognisably domestic world but you can drastically change size, bashing through doorways one minute and wriggling through a gap in the skirting board a minute later.
That nirvana is thrown into disarray when a dastardly alien interrupts the party, stealing the mothership’s parts and scattering hundreds of bots across the universe. Astro Bot’s various worlds have a lot of colorful characters you’ll meet along the way. Dive back into supersized adventures with ASTRO and this limited-edition controller!
Sony and Team ASOBI have knocked it out of the park with this game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this game is regarded as one of Sony’s best releases to date. Astro Bot hides over 300 secret bots, including 195 cameo bots from other games spanning PlayStation’s long history. Vicious Void is a galaxy that unlocks after clearing the main game. gg88 contains special challenge levels, and each of them contains a Special Bot to unlock. Astro’s adventure takes him to various galaxies full of planets to explore as he tracks down his scattered crew.
User Reviews
Hardcore PlayStation fans will likely be both pleasantly surprised and disappointed to uncover what characters are included and how much love their franchises receive in Astro Bot. After rescuing Bot crewmembers, half of whom resemble beloved characters from PlayStation games, they return to the game’s hub world, and as more are uncovered, it grows into a playground for the rescued to occupy. As the player progresses, they’ll unlock new pathways and cosmetics not just for Astro but for the PS-themed Bots. When the PS5 launched, it included a free game called Astro’s Playroom.
I just watched the ACG review on YT and this game looks phenomenal, lots of things that remind me of the Mario games and lets be honest, there is not a better platformer out there to take notes from. Also the advantages or lets say unique features this game has over the Mario series are way better graphics and for Playstation gamers all the Bots that remind you of well known games. Going back to the hub, where all your collected bots congregate, it slowly opens up to reveal new areas to explore and more features to enjoy. Puzzle Pieces are another collectible to gather, and they unlock new rooms, with one of them being the returning Gatcha Lab.
In the God of War stage, Astro Bot can use Kratos’ axe, for example, which is great, but the hero examples go so far beyond power-ups into their own territory. So, let’s go through the main, animal-based power-ups that give Astro Bot a ton of abilities in throughout the adventure. Team Asobi is the last remaining bastion of Japan Studio, the historically creative Sony studio responsible for the likes of Ico, LocoRoco, Gravity Rush, PaRappa the Rapper, and many, many more offbeat classics. Japan Studio was sadly dissolved in 2021, with many of its staff folded into Team Asobi to make Astro Bot.