Astro Bot | New Hands-On Previews and Details
"Primed to be a big hit", "feels like a 3D Mario game"
"Tight, responsive experience", Astro still has his trusty jump, attack, charged spin attack, and versatile laser-hover ability
Difficulty Modes: Easy, Normal, Hard (hard will "challenge seasoned platforming fans")
Overworld consists of multiple galactic maps, each full of colorful planets with their own unique levels
Some planets are harder than others. Hovering over them reveals their difficulty level
Completing some 'hard' levels unlocks other, new hard levels
80 levels to visit packed with hidden bots, puzzle pieces, boss battles, goofy power-ups, coins, and challenges that lead to other secrets
Levels are full of fun, interactive bits: bouncy inflatable balls roll down a waterslide with you, gooey paint buckets, shiny bolts, and colorful spray paint cans all with detailed physics
Sky Garden Level: Consists of multiple connected floating islands giving a vision of idyllic paradise with pink robo-flamingos in blue ponds, cherry blossom trees whose petals float across the ponds
Swinging Sentries Level: "Hard" level featuring multiple platforms with enemies swinging spiky ball-and-chain weapons
Slowdown Showdown Level: Astro throws an hourglass item to slow down enemies, platforms, and environmental hazards "that move impossibly fast"
Construction Derby Level: A miles-high construction site with cranes, beams, scaffolding, etc. A "sumo-bot" guards a helipad halfway through the level, forcing Astro to target his vulnerable backside
Astro can collect a new item that pumps him full of air in order to reach new hidden heights
Astro can now explore underwater for hidden bots and treasures
Exploration is rewarded - for example, an underwater area concealed by a bubble holds a secret bot whose themed after Rivet (Ratchet & Clank) surrounded by enemies you have to defeat in order to rescue
New ability: A robotic dog partner clings to Astro’s back, granting a jet-powered boost that serves as both an attack and air boost
Tons of PlayStation themed bots to discover - a game menu indicates how many bots are hidden throughout each stage, and PlayStation symbols mark hidden cameo bots
DualSense haptics and adaptive trigger implementation as great as Astro's Playroom was
Wako Tako: Big octopus boss battle seen in the trailer - Astro lands on a shipwreck and gets a new item: "extend-o frog boxing gloves". These allow Astro to punch from far away, swing across grapple points, do slingshot style attacks, etc. Boss fight has many "twists and turns"
Mythical companions join Astro's journey, like discovering bot versions of Kratos and Atreus under a capsized floating canoe
