ASTRO BOT VR – Review

To play the game on PS5, your system needs to be updated to the latest system software. Although the game is playable on PS5, some features available on PS4 may be absent. See PlayStation.com/bc for more details.   

Compatible headsets: Sony PlayStation VR 2

Step into the shoes of Astro Bot and explore incredible worlds, challenge tricky bosses, and interact with the environment in ways you’ve never experienced before.

With the help of your PlayStation VR headset, you’ll feel like you’re actually part of the game as you dodge projectiles and shake your head to clean off gunk.

Join Astro Bot on his quest and enjoy an adventure unlike any other!

Key Takeaways

• Sony’s first-party platformers have become rare and underwhelming
• Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a first-party VR platformer for PlayStation 4
• The game has received critical acclaim
• The VR headset provides a unique perspective and enhances the gameplay experience

Sony’s Relationship With Platformers

Since Sony needed to compete with Nintendo’s platformers, they developed their own successful PlayStation platformers like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Ape Escape.

PlayStation 2 also had great platformers from Sony, but as the years went on, Sony shifted its focus to photorealistic shooters and action games. This meant that Sony’s first-party platformers became rare and underwhelming.

Despite the impact of Nintendo on Sony’s platformer legacy, Sony released the critically acclaimed Astro Bot Rescue Mission for PlayStation 4, a full-fledged VR platformer requiring the use of a VR headset to play.

Astro Bot Rescue Mission has reinvigorated Sony’s platformer pedigree, proving that the company still has what it takes to create great platformers.

Introduction of Astro Bot Rescue Mission

You may have heard of Astro Bot Rescue Mission, the critically acclaimed first-party VR platformer for PlayStation 4. Developed by Sony, this platformer is a full-fledged expansion of a single-player platformer game in The Playroom VR. The VR headset is required to experience the game, and with Sony having sold over three million units, it’s no surprise that Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a success.

Players control Astro Bot, a little robot, using the analog stick, X for jumping, and Square for attacking. The hover move allows for slower descent and additional attack options, while water mechanics, such as using a life ring and navigating waves, add creativity to the gameplay. With the VR headset, players are able to interact with the environment like never before, becoming an actual character in the game.

The story follows Astro Bot and his quest to rescue lost robots and repair their spaceship. With each world, players gain a ship piece by completing four stages and a boss fight. This game combines simple core mechanics with VR integration and gimmicks to provide a sense of magic and immersion.

Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a testament to Sony’s VR successes and a must-play for all PlayStation 4 owners.

Gameplay and Audio

Controlling your Astro Bot is very easy and convenient. You can do it by using the analog stick, X for jumping, and Square for attacking. The hover move allows for slower descent and additional attack options.

Gameplay

The game is not going to make you move a lot, but there is a lot of peeking around corners and scanning your environment. So, we recommend using a comfortable office chair for it.

This part of the gameplay feels so natural and will definitely entertain even the most demanding players.  If your face gets filled with gunk, a simple shake of the head is all it takes to knock it all off, and that is really cool cause the first time it happens, it is just a natural instinct to react.

Water mechanics, such as using a life ring and navigating waves, add complexity. VR gimmicks, such as being an actual character and interacting with the environment, enhance the experience.

You’ll find yourself immersed in challenging levels with various difficulty levels, hidden collectibles, and interactive elements.

With VR integration, Astro Bot Rescue Mission provides a unique platforming experience that will have you captivated.

Gadgets

There are several gadgets that show the full potential of the game. One of them is the grappling hook from Robots Rescue in the VR playroom. You can use this to create tight ropes to walk on, and you can even flick the controller upward to send Astro bot flying up into the air.

Another gadget ranges from a water pump to extinguish fires.

There is also a Gatling gun to knock out objects and enemies.

A flashlight that is really cool and is helpful for the dark level to be able to see anything. So, you’ll have to aim the controller around to light up your surroundings. There are invisible platforms as well as invisible ghosts, enemies, and other things that you can unveil with it.

One of the best gadgets is the Ninja Stars. You can use them to cut through webs and ropes and other stuff in the surrounding environment. You can also throw these stars into the walls, and they’ll stick there so that you can use them as a platform. This gets really cool as there are scrolling walls and rotating walls. The use of this gadget could be really challenging as multitasking is required – moving the Astro bot with your own physical coordination.

Audio

Soundwise, the game is filled with adorable creatures that inhabit his world. The depth to the sound works perfectly, which is essential here as you’ll often be relying on your ears in order to locate hidden bots and chameleons.  

A minus is that at some point, the soundtrack will start to repeat, but most of the games nowadays have some limitations and repeatable moments during the gameplay.

VR Integration

Experience a new level of immersion as you become an actual character in Astro Bot Rescue Mission with the PlayStation VR headset. The headset provides a unique perspective, allowing you to physically interact with the environment, and adds a layer of immersion that other games can’t provide. You can break objects, dodge projectiles, and shake your head to remove gunk from the screen. The built-in microphone and 3D tracking capabilities of the headset open the door to unique VR interactions.

Astro Bot Rescue Mission combines immersive gameplay mechanics with the excitement of VR. The hover move allows for slower descent and additional attack options, while the water mechanics, like using a life ring and navigating waves, add creativity to the experience. Let yourself become immersed in the game and explore the world around you with the PlayStation VR headset.

Story and Objectives

You can explore the story and objectives of Astro Bot Rescue Mission as you become immersed in the game. Follow the story of the robots as they rescue their lost friends and rebuild their spaceship. Progress through the game by completing each world, which consists of four stages and a boss fight. Ship pieces are obtained as you progress, and hidden collectibles are scattered throughout the levels.

The game combines simple core mechanics with VR integration and gimmicks. Experience a sense of magic and immersion through unique interactions and surprises in the game. Test your skills with objectives such as:

1. Collecting ship pieces to rebuild the spaceship
2. Finding hidden collectibles throughout the levels
3. Completing each world with four stages and a boss fight

Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a full-fledged platformer with a unique VR perspective. Enjoy the adventure as you explore the story and objectives of Astro Bot Rescue Mission.

Graphics and Visuals

Incredibly, Astro Bot Rescue Mission offers stunning visuals that will draw you in. Its vibrant art style and detailed level design transport you to an exciting world. Here’s a glimpse of the eye-catching graphics:

1. Dynamic lighting and shadows create an incredible atmosphere.
2. The vibrant colors and textures bring the world to life.
3. The intricate level design challenges you to think outside the box.

The art style is unique and captivating, with cartoon-like characters, environments, and creatures. The level design is complex and creative, with puzzles and obstacles that require quick thinking and precision.

The visuals are a key part of the game, helping to create an immersive experience.

Tips and Strategies

Level design exploration is key as there are often hidden paths and collectible secrets tucked away in each stage. Jumping and hovering around each area is essential, as hidden platforms and secret paths can be found in the most unexpected places.

As you explore, make sure to look around corners, break objects, and interact with the environment to uncover hidden treasures. Additionally, you should also pay attention to the enemies you encounter, as they often provide clues about secret pathways or hidden items.

Finally, don’t forget to use your weapons effectively, as they can be used to open up new areas or access special power-ups.

With these tips and strategies, you’ll be able to uncover all the secrets and collectibles in Astro Bot Rescue Mission.

Achievements and Rewards

You’ll be rewarded with special achievements as you make your way through Astro Bot Rescue Mission. Collecting Astro Bot collectibles is a great way to prove your skills and obtain rewards for your efforts. Here are three of the rewards you can look forward to:

1. Unlockable abilities that can help you progress faster, like the hover move that helps you float and dodge obstacles.
2. Special trophies for completing levels and defeating bosses.
3. A unique Astro Bot character to use in The Playroom VR.

These rewards are sure to entice you to explore the vibrant world of Astro Bot Rescue Mission.

With each level comes new challenges and rewards, so be sure to keep an eye out for new collectibles and abilities.

Astro Bot Rescue Mission is an immersive and rewarding experience that’s sure to keep you entertained for hours.

Reception and Reviews

This Sony first-party title has received near-universal praise from critics and gamers alike. Customer reviews in sites like Amazon, IMDB, and Steam – are overwhelmingly positive. Players have enjoyed this product a lot as one of the best VR platform games ever released. 

Our opinion

I loved the game mechanics. They felt intuitive and engaging, with a variety of levels and boss fights that kept things interesting for me. The VR integration also adds a unique and immersive experience, allowing players to interact with the environment in ways that are impossible in traditional platformers.

In my humble opinion, Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a must-play VR game because of its overall well-designed levels and gameplay, discovering most of the variety Virtual Reality Technology has to offer. The game is so much fun as well as challenging enough. The only feeling when you finish the game is why there are no more levels to complete. If you are a fan of VR games, this product will deliver and even will exceed your expectations!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Astro Bot Rescue Mission Require PlayStation Plus?

No, Astro Bot Rescue Mission does not require PlayStation Plus. Its strengths lie in its VR integration, immersive gameplay, and story objectives. Its weaknesses are its limited scope and PlayStation VR-only requirement.

Is There a Co-Op Mode in Astro Bot Rescue Mission?

No, Astro Bot Rescue Mission does not have a co-op mode. However, there is an online chat feature and local multiplayer for up to four players.

How Long Does It Take to Complete Astro Bot Rescue Mission?

Exploring the levels and learning the controls of ASTRO BOT – Nitro Rad can take around 10 hours. With its unique level design and controls, you’ll have a blast as you master this platformer!

Are There Any Microtransactions in the Game?

No, there are no microtransactions in Astro Bot Rescue Mission. You don’t need to worry about any pay-to-win systems or microtransaction models. You can enjoy the full game without any additional purchases.

Can Astro Bot Rescue Mission Be Played Without a VR Headset?

No, Astro Bot Rescue Mission cannot be played without a VR headset. Its VR immersion and controller support make it a must-play experience, and the lack of multiplayer potential means a VR headset is essential.

Conclusion

Astro Bot – Nitro Rad is an amazing platformer game from Sony that’s sure to provide you with an unforgettable gaming experience.

With its intuitive controls, unique VR integration, and exciting objectives, you’ll feel like you’re part of the story as you help Astro Bot rescue his lost friends.

The graphics and visuals are stunning, making the game even more immersive.

Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a newbie, Astro Bot is a must-play!