Astro Bot is a PlayStation title by way of 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 often 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 degree Dude Raiding in Astro Bot does every little thing 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 experience, and the Precursor Eggs hidden in several corners present loads of cause to discover each inch of the map.
It’s a good time throughout. However it doesn’t go additional up our checklist as a result of the truth that it’s a reasonably normal degree of Astro Bot. There’s nothing that pushes the gameplay in a enjoyable new path, and by the point the extent is completed, there’s the sensation that Workforce Asobi has solely scratched the floor of what may be finished to mix the 2 franchises collectively.
It’s nonetheless not a nasty degree, however compared to each different entry on this checklist, it’s arduous 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 loads of that is because of the Axe mechanics.
As gamers make their manner by way of the God of Conflict-themed locales of this icy planet, there are many alternatives to hack, slash, and toss Kratos’ icy injury seller 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 encourage additional exploration off the crushed path.
That is good, as a result of this degree 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 primary path in comparison with the remainder of the sections on this checklist, which implies there’s loads of enjoyable that may be missed if you happen to aren’t cautious.
All the identical, it’s a great illustration of the God of Conflict franchise’s new path and a great 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 could be the primary PlayStation-themed degree you come throughout, nevertheless it undoubtedly places its greatest foot ahead.
With the one-time power-up of a giant internet, 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 unravel 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 arduous to not really feel like that is simply one other artistic providing from Workforce 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 increased.
2. Machine Studying (Horizon)
It’s a great 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 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 manner. Fight encounters may 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. Full of enjoyable references and alternatives to make use of all the instruments obtainable to you, the extent is a blast to play whereas nonetheless feeling full of parts 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 seems 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 isn’t solely the perfect PlayStation degree, however arguably the most effective ranges within the recreation full cease.
It absolutely commits to swapping within the mechanics of its supply materials with minimal pressure. The lean-based movement controls gel completely with every little thing else you’ve finished 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 likelihood to place a smile in your face with its music and ambiance.
Is it just a little 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 way in which this one did.
It’s far and away the perfect PlayStation-themed degree, and we are able to 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.
