It presents a picture of the past where PlayStation spoke to a more vibrant audience across different ages and tastes. Astro Bot confidently shows us that we don’t need to abandon that thinking just because tech has changed and the industry has grown. There’s still room for an expertly designed collect-a-thon platformer that’s filled with love and wonder.
There are 200 cameo characters in Astro Bot, most of whom first appeared in iconic PlayStation franchises. Unlocking all of them can be incredibly difficult, but not half as challenging as trying to figure out which games and series all of the cameo bots are from. I read the review, not worried about spoilers in a platformer, and I’m wondering how many of the different one off play mechanics felt gimmicky? I really like platforming but going back to Playroom I really hate that climbing gyro mechanic, doesn’t feel fluid or natural at all. My wife and I enjoyed It Takes Two but some of the one off I was glad to get rid of. My kid on the other hand hated how you kept learning new stuff only for it to be dropped and never return again, just like this review, and I was getting this for them for their birthday.
They’re also spring-loaded, meaning any incoming projectiles can be sent back from whence they came, exploding in an enemy’s face. I also very much enjoyed the mouse mechanic, which reduces you down to a super small size, effectively turning on a “Toy Story” mode that lets you clamber up oversized shelves and leaves in search of secrets. Astro Bot became the highest-rated game of 2024 on Metacritic. Critics praised the gameplay, level design, and content, with some comparing the game to Nintendo franchises, particularly the Super Mario series. Astro Bot won multiple awards including Game of the Year at the Game Awards 2024, the 21st British Academy Games Awards, and the 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. This near-genius level of design also makes its way over to the game’s many bosses and mini-bosses.
Repeat this at all four slot machines in this area (including the one to the far right where you can find a Rescued Bot!) to unlock the Time to Cash In! 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). Then, just pull back and slam both Wormys to the ground at the same time! Slamming two Wormys with your Twin-Frog Gloves in Wormy Passage will unlock the Double Dug-In trophy.
Astro Bot took what players loved about those tech demos and expanded upon them immensely into a fantastic platforming experience. In this game, players once again have to save Astro’s crew across multiple galaxies. Along with that, they also have to repair their PS5 mothership and experience the history of PlayStation through collectibles, unique levels, fun little robots, and so much more. And now that it has gone on to become one of the best-selling PS5 games, there are likely plenty more adventures on the way.
Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1866
Not to mention the challenges and speed runs they will be adding in the next few months. s8.com have bought £70 games which have bored me within 3 hours and £15 games that I play for years. Price point is fine and if not it will be on sale within 6 months…no one is forcing you to buy it day one or at all for that matter. Many platformers have done a lot over the years in abilities/level design/marketing not reaching people, more dialogue/combat/other crap & level design/movesets taking a hit. Does it have unique enough mechanics like older platformers nope. The ears look cool, no mechanic, small size theme/cosmetic, sigh.
Overhated Gaming Characters Who Don’t Completely Suck
I was sunder the impression that Astro’s Playroom especially blew their minds to people who never played the actual VR game. Now bring back Jak and Daxter, Sly Raccoon and Ape Escape please. A good game is a good game yes, but a game that may appeal to one person will not appeal to another. However reviews and scores you would think would then be balanced.
When you hover over a level it shows how many collectibles it has and how many you still need. You can also hover over the Nebulas to see how many total collectibles there are in the sub-levels. The hub area ‘Crash Site’ also contains bots and puzzle pieces, which you obtain by interacting with the blue markers to call your bots for help. Then there are 2 extra Nebulas, one for the final story part, and one is the ‘Lost Galaxy’ that contains all 11 secret levels.
I disagree that a platform game, however good, is a perfect score. Bug free and fun does not meet a 10 score, which I was perfectly capable of assessing at age 10. They are used to seeing the PS5 struggle with unreal engine 5 games, so a platform game that renders low quality cartoon textures at a fast rate but only occasional dips below 60 was a surprise. Older platformers ideas WERE experimental, STILL ARE FRESH/UNIQUE in the genre, no one wants to copy them, expand on them, make their own mechanics like them. Many that the Indies even are inspired by all feel bland, & why because the level design is eh, the movesets are pathetic & to be honest they don’t have the talent & their inspiration is just weak.