Astro Bot is a PlayStation title by way of and thru, however this reality is clearest in its PlayStation-themed ranges. Based mostly on franchises previous and current, they mix the gameplay of those collection with that of the lovely new franchise mascot to perfection. As is normally the case although, some are higher than others. So be a part of us as we rank all 5 Astro Bot PlayStation-themed ranges, from enjoyable homages to revelatory takes on the console household’s historical past.
5. Dude Raiding (Uncharted)
To its credit score, the Uncharted-based degree Dude Raiding in Astro Bot does all the pieces proper as a fast celebration of the Naughty Canine franchise’s PS3 period.
Host to a jungle locale and loads of enemies to blast with a pistol, the extent captures the sensation of one in every of Drake’s precarious misadventures. The ultimate boss is a pleasant on-rails thrill journey, and the Precursor Eggs hidden in several corners present loads of motive to discover each inch of the map.
It’s a good time throughout. However it doesn’t go additional up our checklist attributable to the truth that it’s a fairly normal degree of Astro Bot. There’s nothing that pushes the gameplay in a enjoyable new course, and by the point the extent is finished, there’s the sensation that Group Asobi has solely scratched the floor of what could be carried out to mix the 2 franchises collectively.
It’s nonetheless not a nasty degree, however compared to each different entry on this checklist, it’s laborious to not put it on the backside.
4. Bot of Battle (God of Battle)
Bot of Battle is an efficient present of the potential the PlayStation-themed ranges have in Astro Bot, and numerous that is because of the Axe mechanics.
As gamers make their means by way of the God of Battle-themed locales of this icy planet, there are many alternatives to hack, slash, and toss Kratos’ icy harm supplier to freeze or tear aside enemies and obstacles. The Odin’s Ravens collectibles specifically power one to consider how they’ll use this new mechanic in tandem with the sport’s core mechanics, and encourage additional exploration off the crushed path.
That is good, as a result of this degree can really feel reduce and dry even in comparison with the sport’s different choices. There’s far much less fanfare to search out on the principle path in comparison with the remainder of the sections on this checklist, which implies there’s numerous enjoyable that may be missed when you aren’t cautious.
All the identical, it’s illustration of the God of Battle franchise’s new course and time for anybody who desires to see how Astro Bot can incorporate different franchises into its recreation design.
3. Apes on the Free (Ape Escape)
Apes on the Free is perhaps the primary PlayStation-themed degree you come throughout, nevertheless it positively places its finest foot ahead.
With the one-time power-up of a giant web, it’s as much as you to trace down and seize a number of apes inflicting havoc throughout the stage. Every has odd character traits and behaviors a la the Ape Escape franchise correct, they usually make for enjoyable little puzzles to resolve as you’re employed towards the tip of the extent.
This one additionally boasts the benefit of feeling like a extra pure mix of video games, thanks in no small half to the supply materials additionally being a platformer. The gameplay mechanics of Astro Bot mesh completely with these of Ape Escape, and it’d be laborious to not really feel like that is simply one other inventive providing from Group Asobi with a enjoyable twist.
It actually leaves little or no to criticize, and if not for the standard of the opposite two ranges within the recreation, it may have risen even larger.
2. Machine Studying (Horizon)
It’s factor that the Horizon-based Machine Studying degree is the final one you discover within the recreation, because it ends issues on one heck of a excessive notice.
Armed with Aloy’s bow and a few slowed time whilst you intention it, the brand new mechanics handle to vary up the fight in a novel means. Fight encounters could be handled extra stealthily, and puzzles require a cautious mix of those new mechanics and Astro Bot’s different tried and true options.
And that’s to say nothing of the environmental design. Stuffed with enjoyable references and alternatives to make use of the entire instruments out there to you, the extent is a blast to play whereas nonetheless feeling filled with components that may’t be discovered wherever else. This stays true whether or not you blast by way of the extent and take aside each robotic enemy you see, or take your time to admire how the brand new Tripwire environmental hazards can defeat enemies with out you lifting a finger.
In all honesty, it appears like a extra full model of what the Uncharted degree wished to be, proper all the way down to the spectacular finale. And but, it nonetheless can’t fairly beat the primary ranked degree on this checklist.
1. Going Loco (Loco Roco)
The Loco Roco degree in Astro Bot just isn’t solely the perfect PlayStation degree, however arguably the most effective ranges within the recreation full cease.
It totally commits to swapping within the mechanics of its supply materials with minimal pressure. The lean-based movement controls gel completely with all the pieces else you’ve carried out in prior Astro Bot ranges, which ends up in a quick and enjoyable dive by way of a world that brims with coloration and revels within the probability to place a smile in your face with its music and ambiance.
Is it somewhat simple and conflict-free in comparison with each different degree within the recreation? Undeniably. However it’s nonetheless such a pleasure to play that it doesn’t matter, and we’d be hard-pressed to search out many different ranges that so completely blended PlayStation franchises the best way this one did.
It’s far and away the perfect PlayStation-themed degree, and we will solely hope the Astro Bot collection continues to place out ranges like this sooner or later.
For extra on Astro Bot, go forward and take a look at trophy guides for Bot Bot Revolution, KO!, and Deep-Pocket Dragon.
