Graphics aren’t the only presentational element that can elevate a game, and Astro Bot proves that perfectly, but in gameplay terms the most interesting ideas are the many and varied power-ups. Some are fairly straightforward, like the bulldog rocket that shoots you horizontally forward and can damage objects, while a rooster one can shoot you vertically in the air, which is used to pull objects out of the ground. Once they’re collected, the characters go to hang out on a hub world and you can randomly unlock gatcha toys that provide them with a little diorama or accessory to act out something from their game, like in Astro’s Playroom. There’s still no way to tell who they are though, which seems a bizarre waste after all the legal effort that must’ve gone into licensing them in the first place.
Astro Bot’s not the largest game in the world — you’ll perhaps see the credits roll in hours or so. Those aiming to rescue every robot, complete every challenge, find every jigsaw piece and unlock every trophy, however, will probably end up playing for around 20 hours or more. It’s the type of game that you’re likely to return to as well, simply because of its feel-good nature. It’s a heartwarming and flawless experience, and a 3D platforming masterpiece. While there’s plenty to like about the hub, which we’ll get into later, the main attraction is the game’s range of levels, which are as varied, playful, and fun as you’d hope.
Thankfully, the DLC levels continue that element and Armored Hardcore is no exception. The Vicious Void Galaxy DLC has added the likes of Jade from Beyond Good & Evil and Heihachi Mishima from the Tekken franchise to name a few. Inside Armored Hardcore, players can rescue Ezio Auditore, a master assassin representing Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise. After announcing the news back in February, the DLC levels for Vicious Void Galaxy are now all available. As kuwin of Update 1.016, the game has added a new level called Armored Hardcore, which focuses on Astro Bot’s Iron Suit ability.
Accessibility Features
At the start of nearly every level, Astro jumps into a suit or straps on a backpack of some kind that gives them a new ability. In one level, it’s spring-powered boxing gloves resembling cartoon frogs. In another, it’s a robo-dog that gives the bipedal bot a wall-smashing rocket boost, or in another, a time-freezing tool that allows Astro to scale otherwise impossibly fast-moving sections.
Astro Bot proves that creativity, fun and well applied technology is what the industry needs right now (and well, we can’t deny the touch of nostalgia or the amazing use of licenses). PlayStation can clean up the sour taste of last year, and perhaps show them that there are other paths to greatness. For now, that’s everything we know about DLC plans for Astro Bot. If the game sells beyond expectations, however, there’s always a chance fans get a little more love down the line.
Astro Bot Trailers
Trophy in Astro Bot in the Slo-Mo Casino world of Serpent Starway. Look for the four golden slot machines by the third checkpoint in Slo-Mo Casino (right after you enter the casino doors). Did you know you can use your Twin-Frog Gloves Power Up to beat up two Wormys at once? Yep, while exploring the Wormy Passage world, be sure to keep an eye out for a pair of two or more Wormys (green worm enemies). Press both your left and right trigger (L2 and R2) to punch your left and right Twin-Frog Glove into the mouths of the Wormys. Did you know you can catch the bugs in Apes On The Loose with your net?
I thought bots you rescued were simply currency used to advance to the next level, only to realize that in the game’s hub world, they’re your friends putting their very bodies on the line to help you access even more collectibles. Some distinctive PlayStation-themed bots — think one wearing Aloy’s red hair or Kratos’ beard — serve a more special purpose. When you rescue them, they can give you that character’s power and take you to a special level modeled on a game like Horizon Zero Dawn or Uncharted, so detailed that they’ll even include side quests from the original. And I defy you to feel something other than the warmest nostalgia during the final boss fight and credits sequence — I didn’t know just how much emotion a PlayStation Move controller could make me feel. Spending coins in the game’s shop unlocks dioramas, ship paints, and costumes for Astro, even some based on unexpected series such as Bloodborne and Gravity Rush. The dioramas are especially fun, as they turn all your collected bots into animated statues, like one that shows Nathan Drake playing a game called Dude Raider on his couch.
When it comes to the challenge levels, however, you may find yourself struggling. While there’s a plethora of things you could do, the number one tip is to keep moving. Try to press on and not stop, as you’ll become an easy target for projectile enemies or obstacles like fire or thin ice.
Nicolas Doucet was asked by MinnMax what he wants to say to PC players who are eager to play the modern PlayStation mascot’s games on their platform. Just walking around generates a gentle rumble, which increases as you use your jet boots or attack enemies. Different surfaces rumble differently, with the excellent audio design matching them perfectly. It’s not just movement though, as the creak of Aloy’s bow and arrow, while aiming in the Horizon level, is insanely satisfying and much better than in the actual game it’s based on. If we don’t know then we’re sure more casual gamers are going to be even more lost, especially as so many of them look like generic anime characters. Bafflingly though, none of the characters are ever named – not the first party Sony ones or the third party ones.
No Rayman heli mouse ears in that level I bet or wind for puzzles/attacks. @kcarnes9051 The main levels I would say are fairly straightforward to get through without much difficulty. However, as you play through the game, many smaller challenge levels will become available and these amp things up, testing your platforming and combat skills with short gauntlets. Generally speaking, it’s pretty easy breezy, but there are tougher challenges to find if that’s what you want. We need to give a shout-out to the DualSense support here, because as you might expect, it’s best in class.
After winning the GOTY award, many more players will join Astro Bot on his difficult and joyous platforming journey. I hope everyone reading this gets to play this comfort game and experience the heartwarming and serene adventure it offers. And Team ASOBI, please keep coming with more Astro Bot adventures. Having said that, what do you think about Astro Bot winning the Game of the Year 2024 award? Developed by Team Asobi and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, “Astro Bot” is set on 80 levels in six galaxies across 50 planets.
The Dude Raiding level unlocks after you defeat the final boss of Serpent Starway, Lady Venomara. There are 42 Rescued Bots to collect in Serpent Starway, and you must rescue all of them in order to unlock the Fangs Very Much! This includes all Rescued Bots on secret worlds in Serpent Starway.
To top it all off, it’s a perfect game to celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, reflecting on the myriad series that made the platform what it is today. Astro Bot’s world is filled with detailed animations and responsive environments that react to the player’s movements. The game features smooth controls and a variety of gameplay mechanics that keep the experience engaging.
While the studio could just do that again, it would risk coming off as repetitive. But if the studio creates something too different from what came before, then it may not be met with the same acclaim. “No chance,” Doucet said when asked if Astro Bot could come to PSVR2. “It’s designed for a different medium. It would be a different game.” Though the explanation makes sense, this likely won’t be welcome news to purchasers of Sony’s headset who are already frustrated over a lack of big games. Alongside the new content, Team Asobi has also released a PlayStation 5 Pro patch for Astro Bot, “featuring a constant best resolution while still running at 60 frames per second.” So that’s nice. The irony that Astro Bot is launching on the same day that Concord is being shut down will not be lost on anyone, even though that is essentially a coincidence.
That controller is still not available for preorder, though Sony said it will launch later this year and that it would have more information to share soon. Five new levels with ten new Special Bots for you to rescue began rolling out October 17. Every review comes from a verified owner of this game or item and is evaluated by a team of moderators. In Rising Heat, you will traverse a bubbling hot lava-filled tower. With the help of your simian backpack buddy, you will climb, swing and fling yourself up to the summit. So stop monkeying around and beat those birds to the top to rescue your special bot friends.