Astro Bot is a PlayStation title by means 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 sequence with that of the lovable new franchise mascot to perfection. As is normally the case although, some are higher than others. So be 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 stage Dude Raiding in Astro Bot does every part 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 certainly one of Drake’s precarious misadventures. The ultimate boss is a pleasant on-rails thrill trip, and the Precursor Eggs hidden in numerous corners present loads of purpose to discover each inch of the map.
It’s a good time throughout. But it surely doesn’t go additional up our checklist as a consequence of the truth that it’s a reasonably customary stage of Astro Bot. There’s nothing that pushes the gameplay in a enjoyable new course, and by the point the extent is completed, there’s the sensation that Group Asobi has solely scratched the floor of what will be completed to mix the 2 franchises collectively.
It’s nonetheless not a foul stage, however compared to each different entry on this checklist, it’s onerous to not put it on the backside.
4. Bot of Battle (God of Battle)
Bot of Battle is an effective present of the potential the PlayStation-themed ranges have in Astro Bot, and a variety of that is due to the Axe mechanics.
As gamers make their means by means 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 drive one to consider how they will 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 stage can really feel lower 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 suggests there’s a variety of enjoyable that may be missed in the event you aren’t cautious.
All the identical, it’s a superb illustration of the God of Battle franchise’s new course and a superb 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 may be the primary PlayStation-themed stage you come throughout, nevertheless it undoubtedly places its greatest 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, and so they make for enjoyable little puzzles to resolve as you’re employed towards the top 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 onerous 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 a superb factor that the Horizon-based Machine Studying stage is the final one you discover within the recreation, because it ends issues on one heck of a excessive observe.
Armed with Aloy’s bow and a few slowed time when you goal it, the brand new mechanics handle to alter up the fight in a novel means. Fight encounters will 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. Crammed with enjoyable references and alternatives to make use of all the instruments accessible to you, the extent is a blast to play whereas nonetheless feeling filled with parts that may’t be discovered wherever else. This stays true whether or not you blast by means 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 stage needed to be, proper right down to the spectacular finale. And but, it nonetheless can’t fairly beat the primary ranked stage on this checklist.
1. Going Loco (Loco Roco)
The Loco Roco stage in Astro Bot just isn’t solely the very best PlayStation stage, however arguably among the best 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 every part else you’ve completed in prior Astro Bot ranges, which ends up in a quick and enjoyable dive by means 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 a bit of straightforward and conflict-free in comparison with each different stage within the recreation? Undeniably. But it surely’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 very best PlayStation-themed stage, and we are able to solely hope the Astro Bot sequence 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.