Astro Bot is a PlayStation title via and thru, however this truth 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 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 one in all 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 purpose to discover each inch of the map.
It’s a good time throughout. Nevertheless it doesn’t go additional up our record because of the truth that it’s a reasonably commonplace stage 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 Crew Asobi has solely scratched the floor of what could be executed to mix the 2 franchises collectively.
It’s nonetheless not a nasty stage, however compared to each different entry on this record, it’s exhausting to not put it on the backside.
4. Bot of Conflict (God of Conflict)
Bot of Conflict is an effective present of the potential the PlayStation-themed ranges have in Astro Bot, and a variety of that is because of the Axe mechanics.
As gamers make their manner via the God of Conflict-themed locales of this icy planet, there are many alternatives to hack, slash, and toss Kratos’ icy injury supplier to freeze or tear aside enemies and obstacles. The Odin’s Ravens collectibles specifically drive one to consider how they’ll use this new mechanic in tandem with the sport’s core mechanics, and inspire 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 seek out on the primary path in comparison with the remainder of the sections on this record, which suggests there’s a variety of enjoyable that may be missed for those who aren’t cautious.
All the identical, it’s a superb illustration of the God of Conflict franchise’s new course and a superb time for anybody who needs to see how Astro Bot can incorporate different franchises into its recreation design.
3. Apes on the Unfastened (Ape Escape)
Apes on the Unfastened is likely to be the primary PlayStation-themed stage you come throughout, however it positively places its greatest foot ahead.
With the one-time power-up of a big 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 unravel 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 exhausting to not really feel like that is simply one other artistic providing from Crew 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 might 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 be aware.
Armed with Aloy’s bow and a few slowed time whilst you purpose it, the brand new mechanics handle to alter up the fight in a novel manner. 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. 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 full of components that may’t be discovered wherever else. This stays true whether or not you blast via 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 looks like a extra full model of what the Uncharted stage wished to be, proper all the way down to the spectacular finale. And but, it nonetheless can’t fairly beat the primary ranked stage on this record.
1. Going Loco (Loco Roco)
The Loco Roco stage in Astro Bot is just not solely the most effective PlayStation stage, however arguably top-of-the-line 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 executed in prior Astro Bot ranges, which leads to a quick and enjoyable dive via 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 little bit simple and conflict-free in comparison with each different stage within the recreation? Undeniably. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless such a pleasure to play that it doesn’t matter, and we’d be hard-pressed to seek out many different ranges that so completely blended PlayStation franchises the way in which this one did.
It’s far and away the most effective PlayStation-themed stage, 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.