How 'Astro Bot' 2024 game taps into PlayStation multiverse (exclusive)

Astro Bot's Major Leap into the PlayStation Multiverse

Astro Bot's Evolution
Astro Bot has evolved from a small character in augmented-reality games to starring in its own full-fledged platform game on the PS5, marking a significant development in its journey.

Gameplay Expansion
The new game features over 80 levels across multiple galaxies, offering a diverse and refreshing experience for players approximately every 10 minutes.

PlayStation Nostalgia
Packed with Easter eggs and cameos from iconic PlayStation characters, the game serves as a celebration of PlayStation's history, especially during its 30th anniversary.

Cultural References
Beyond PlayStation, the game incorporates broad pop culture elements, drawing inspiration from various iconic sources, enhancing its appeal and relatability.

The new Astro Bot game, set to launch on September 6th for PlayStation 5, will include a range of features according to Nicolas Doucet, the studio director at Team Asobi. The game will feature Astro traversing six galaxies and exploring over 80 levels in search of his scattered crew. Players will utilize a Dual Speeder to navigate unique planets, featuring environments like lush forests, sandy beaches, hot volcanoes, and more.

Additionally, the game will offer a variety of new powers for Astro, such as the Barkster, the Bulldog Booster that lets you air-dash and smash through enemies, metal, and glass; the Twin-Frog Gloves that offer long-range punching and the ability to swing; and the Giant Sponge that lets you suck up water from the environment to grow huge and cause massive destruction.

The game is also packed with various PlayStation Easter eggs and will feature bot versions of classic PlayStation characters, including Kratos from God of War, Nathan Drake from Uncharted, Aloy from the Horizon games, and the titular duo from Ratchet and Clank. There will also be numerous environments and bosses inspired by pop culture references, such as the Whispy Woods tree from the world of Kirby and an Aladdin-style dark genie.

Doucet emphasizes that the core effort has gone into making Astro's own game so that he can stand on his own as a new PlayStation character with a good reputation and confidence. However, there is also a layer of nostalgia and connections to the broader PlayStation universe throughout the game.