Two weeks after The Recreation Awards, I can’t assist however look again at how far Astro Bot has come since 2013. Ever because the PlayStation 4’s launch, Astro Bot and his fellow AR Bots have just about develop into surprising mascots of recent PlayStation… and they didn’t all the time come from typical full-fledged video games. Additionally contemplating Christmas Day is about to reach, I’d like to ask you to have a look again with me at how Group Asobi’s bot has certainly advanced through the previous 11 years.
From Humble Tech Demo Beginnings
The primary PlayStation online game that Astro and crew made their first debut in wasn’t even for a traditional standalone title. Launched as a pre-installed PlayStation 4 tech demo in 2013, enter The Playroom. Being included with the PS4, it naturally launched alongside the console on November 15, 2013. The tech demo recreation took benefit of the PS4 controller’s mild bar, the touchpad, and the required PlayStation Digicam for a set of Augmented Actuality minigames.
Whereas Astro himself didn’t but exist, his fellow bots certain did. Within the Playroom, you’ll be able to additionally play across the with the bots and do stuff like flicking the touchpad on the controller to flick out the tiny bots and even suck them again within the controller. Moreover, the PS4 controller’s lightbar is what the PS Digicam tracks, and never solely are you able to check out all of the bots contained in the controller, however additionally they react in the event you cowl the sunshine bar. There’s even a dog-like bot generally known as Asobi which you can fiddle with. In actual fact, Group Asobi again then was part of Japan Studio earlier than being spun off as its personal firm following Japan Studio’s closure in 2021 (through GamesIndustry.biz).
However the DualShock 4 controller wasn’t the one option to play The Playroom. With both a PlayStation Vita or suitable cellphone/pill (and the PS4 Second Display app), you’ll be able to draw objects and insert them into the sport for the bots to work together with. Moreover, The Playroom additionally obtained a number of further DLC within the following years together with Toy Maker and the Ninja Bots mini recreation.
On a fast private word, I’ve a little bit of a blurry reminiscence taking part in this tech demo round late 2013/early 2014 at a good friend’s home. I by no means acquired to play my copy on my PS4 Professional since I by no means acquired to purchase a PS4 Digicam through the previous seven years.
One other Tech Demo however in VR
This subsequent tech demo recreation goes to be a quick part since I by no means owned a PlayStation VR headset (nor any VR headset). Across the time the PlayStation VR headset launched for PS4 in October 2016, Japan Studio launched The Playroom VR. It’s the identical thought as The Playroom when it comes to the PSVR headset’s {hardware} capabilities being demonstrated by means of a number of minigames and the VR Toy Wars add-on. Although earlier than anybody can totally dismiss The Playroom VR as simply one other tech demo, a specific minigame known as Robots Rescue would unknowingly be the catalyst for a complete franchise practically 10 years later.
This mini recreation was Astro Bot’s (or Captain Astro) first look, marked by blue stripes and blue cape to set him aside from his fellow bots. Push Sq. reviewed the minigame that entails rescuing 20 scattered AR Bots. They praised how the distinctive gameplay utilized the DualShock 4 controller for Digital Actuality and expressed the potential of the minigame as its personal full-fledged title.
Astro’s First Standalone Recreation
Through the two years since The Playroom VR, Japan Studio undoubtably took the reward of Robotic Rescue to coronary heart and in 2018 launched the subsequent PSVR title within the franchise: ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission. The sport took the bot rescuing and expanded it throughout 5 worlds. As a substitute of rescuing 20 bots, it grew to become rescuing 200+ bots and preventing new enemies/bosses alongside the way in which.
In the long run, ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission scored an 89 on OpenCritic, cementing the sport as a chief title to select up a PSVR headset. 2018 nonetheless, wouldn’t be the final that PlayStation followers would see of Captain Astro and the AR Bots.
A Subsequent Gen Console Return
To date, the franchise went from a console tech demo to a VR tech demo, after which to a full-fledged VR recreation. Whilst COVID-19 ravaged the world in 2020, PlayStation’s rising robotic star would return and convey some alleviation and leisure within the early pandemic period. This time debuting on the brand new gen console the PlayStation 5, Astro Bot made his awaited return in Astro’s Playroom. Simply as The Playroom and The Playroom VR had been tech demos for the PS4 and its headset, Astro’s Playroom has been a pre-installed tech demo recreation for the brand new PlayStation 5 when it launched on November 12, 2020.
Naturally, the sport was made to exhibit the {hardware} of the PlayStation 5, particularly with the haptic-centric DualSense controller. Although as a substitute of taking part in by means of a brand new set of minigames, Astro’s Playroom featured 4 common ranges that not solely are named after the PS5 {hardware}, but in addition themed after previous PlayStation consoles. The devs went so far as to go from the participant rescuing bots to having sure bots costume up as iconic PlayStation characters. This time, the gamers traveled from world to world, selecting up collectibles and unlocking varied “artifacts” that chronicled the previous PlayStation programs and their equipment. Be at liberty to learn our overview for added particulars.
Aside from a later content material replace including speedrun ranges, it could be a number of extra years earlier than Astro made one other return…
The Final (Non-VR) Astro Title
Quick ahead to earlier this very yr, Astro and crew made one more landing again into the gaming world… and PSVR received’t be concerned in any respect this time. Named after the titular character, Astro Bot was revealed on the finale of Could 2024’s PlayStation State of Play. From right here, the Astro hype prepare carried all through the spring and summer season in the direction of the sport’s September 6 launch day. This advertising and marketing hype featured new updates to Astro Bot’s predecessor, the place one new “Particular Bot” grew to become unlockable each month till September. Oh, and have I discussed the title’s reveal got here forward of PlayStation’s thirtieth Anniversary?
Earlier than we knew it, launch day lastly arrived and Astro Bot attracted common acclaim. With a 94 common rating, Astro Bot grew to become the highest-reviewed recreation of 2024, solely behind the Elden Ring growth: Shadow of the Erdtree by one level (each video games have curiously traded locations as of December 22). Even I had the consideration of Astro Bot being my first recreation overview article, deeming the title “… a 3D platformer each gamer ought to play, not only for PlayStation followers.” That is the most important Astro recreation but, with over 300 bots to rescue throughout 100+ ranges. Not solely did the VIP bots dressed up as PlayStation (and third social gathering) characters get the highlight, however Astro additionally acquired to play as a number of of those bots as nicely.
Put up-launch Path of a Winner
However the recreation’s success didn’t cease there. Up to now three months, Group Asobi continued Astro’s post-launch help. A number of new speedrun ranges had been introduced as much as November, bringing much more bots to Astro’s crew (through PlayStation Weblog). And if that was not sufficient, Astro Bot scored a double whammy through the holidays. A brand new Christmas-themed DLC degree was launched the identical evening that Astro earned a seat at The Recreation Awards.
And oh boy was Astro’s seat on the TGA a particular evening for followers to have fun. Astro had some significantly stiff competitors at TGA, going up in opposition to excessive performers together with Black Fable Wukong, Balatro, Shadow of the Erd Tree, and Metaphor: Refantazio to call a number of. But in opposition to all odds, Astro Bot didn’t solely win awards for Greatest Household Recreation, Greatest Motion/Journey Recreation, and Greatest Recreation Route, however the wins included the last word Recreation of the Yr award on Thursday December 12.
What of Astro’s Future?
As of now, Astro Bot’s future stays unsure, a minimum of when it comes to future video games and content material. So many inquiries to ask. The place will Sony and Group Asobi take Astro Bot? Has he certainly develop into the brand new mascot of the Ps 5 and of the complete model? Will Group Asobi announce much more post-launch content material/extra VIP Bots but to come back, or is the Winter Surprise degree the final of the PS5 unique’s content material updates? Additional questions could be contemplated over the potential lasting affect on the remainder of the business Astro’s GOTY win could have, and if/when will Group Asobi presumably port Astro Bot to PC (as reported by VGC).
As common, everybody will simply have to attend and see what the upcoming yr of 2025 will maintain for Astro after the vacations. However one factor is for certain: nobody would’ve imagined the tiny, cute bots would go from tech demo characters in 2013 to GOTY winner(s) 11 years later.
What do you consider Astro Bot’s 11-year historical past? The place do you are expecting Astro may go from right here? Tell us under!
