Not bad for a company whose CFO just publicly stated that the platform holder doesn’t have enough original IP. To gather console components and rescue our robo-friends, we must unlock specific galaxies and then the planets within them. Typically, when we land on a planet, we are provided with a tool that introduces new gameplay mechanics, offering fresh ways to complete each level. They add variety, keeping the game engaging and far from boring.
Unfortunately, the future is a bit uncertain for Astro Bot, as Team Asobi hasn’t revealed what’s next after this DLC pack. Considering mb66 of the game, it’s easy to assume more DLC is on the way, though as of now, nothing is official. What fans do know is that Sony has been thrilled with Astro Bot’s reception and performance. In fact, Sony announced more games like Astro Bot are being planned, expanding its family-friendly offerings.
Final Encore Bot Locations
The number of references to games released over the years is overwhelming. At times, it’s so extensive that, even as a Sony fan, I wasn’t able to recognize all the brands and references. Perhaps an in-game encyclopedia would be useful, briefly describing the robots dressed in non-familiar outfits. Such a feature would make the game an even greater treat for fans of the Japanese console. There was already a lot to love about Astro Bot before, with it being one of the best PS5 games of the year, but Team Asobi didn’t stop there.
Astro Bot Guide: Collectibles
As for Astro having a limited moveset i feel like it’s completely fine for this game which has more similarities to Mario Galaxy (which also has a more limited moveset) than Mario 64 or Odyssey. Adding to his moveset would require them to completely change up the level design. I’m glad they just focused on utilizing the powers in each level as well as they did. The game is a 9.7 for me personally and i’m very much looking forward to the next game Team Asobi does. Team Asobi could go back to the tech demo days of the franchise’s past and showcase some new hardware, like the PSVR 2.
Another level drops me in a casino and puts a time-slowing PSVR on Astro’s head. I use that ability to freeze a giant slot machine as it rains down chips, turning them into platforms. Ingenious one-off mechanics like this feel like they could serve as the basis for an entire game; that’s how well-crafted they are. Team Asobi clearly designed it for players of all skill levels, and that includes children and newbies, but at its core Astro Bot feels purpose-built for video game fans.
Here, the game carries forward the same PlayStation Museum vibe seen in Astro’s Playroom, albeit to a lesser extent. You won’t explore past PlayStation consoles, but the mothership you’re trying to repair is just a giant PS5, and the spaceship you use to explore the overworld is a DualSense controller with wings. It feels a bit like that meme of Obama awarding Obama a medal, but it’s not distracting, so ultimately, it’s fine. A follow-up to the PS5 pack-in game Astro’s Playroom, it’s a colorful platformer starring an adorable robot named Astro.
But, unlike It Takes Two (a great game in its own right), Astro Bot doesn’t feature a single dud. Every power is interesting, has a meaningful impact on the level it’s a part of, and feels like it unlocks a new way to play. While some return from previous Astro outings and others are quite standard, there is a unique flair to how they feed into the level design here. 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.
It’s all delivered with so much affection that it’s hard not to love it. Speaking of power-ups, our robo-hero makes use of numerous new toys throughout the game. Some appear more than others — the frog gloves, which let you hit enemies from afar and swing from poles, come back a few times, while some one-off mechanics are our favourites. One allows Astro to shrink in size, while another turns him into a sponge, able to soak up and then eject water. All these power-ups combined with the varied level design make for a game that never runs short of ideas, and it’s brilliant.
After completing several planets in a galaxy, we unlock a boss level, which is essentially a simple puzzle that requires the efficient use of previously introduced mechanics. Occasionally, after a boss battle, a special level inspired by Sony exclusives awaits us. These special levels are truly amazing, and I won’t elaborate further because experiencing them firsthand is something really unique. I don’t know if I’ve ever played a platformer before where I enjoyed literally every single boss fight and level, but I can confidently say that about Astro Bot.
Feel the might of power-ups and the tension of tools as you repair the PS5 mothership. These powers give ASTRO weird and wonderful ways to explore planets and battle his enemies. Following its release, Astro Bot received multiple updates which included new levels and V.I.P. Bots, among a number of other minor additions.
The levels in Astro Bot feature a staggering amount of interactive elements from jump pads, blocks, and platforms through to what appear to be decorative objects like plants, trees, and even animals. You’ll want to try and hit, nudge, press, and jump on absolutely everything. Not only is this often key it to progressing through a level, but can also lead to secrets and Easter eggs, fun interactions, and hidden collectibles. Developed by Team Asobi and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, “Astro Bot” is set on 80 levels in six galaxies across 50 planets. The small robot must save fellow bots from danger, totaling 300 bots to rescue throughout the game.
It seemed useless; I felt silly for getting stumped by what had been, up until that point, an incredibly simple game. Astro Bot typically displays a little tutorial box for how to use it, but this time, it deliberately left me hanging. Playing a game is like being in a conversation with its developers without the ability to speak directly, and it felt like communication had broken down. The developers at Team Asobi didn’t reinvent the platforming wheel here, but like any good platformer, it’s the unique ways the powers are used that make them special. Instead of water, that F.L.U.D.D. power-up sucks up a green goo it then spits out to create platforms of grass. I giggled like a toddler using it to defeat a special enemy by literally sucking its green, goopy brains out.