Summary
This week, Sony premiered its May 2024 PlayStation State of Play, during which the company revealed a brand-new entry in theAstro Botseries. The title, aptly calledAstro Bot, will deliver a full-length sequel to the wildly popularAstro’s Playroom, which was packed in with the PlayStation 5 at launch. WhileAstro Bot’s revealoffered fans a glimpse at a range of original content, one fan-favorite element fromPlayroommade a very big return. If the trailer is anything to go by,Astro Botis set to build on, and embolden,Playroom’s greatest strength.
TheAstro Botfranchise made its debut on the PS4, with a tech demo titledThe Playroom, which saw fans utilize the PlayStation Camera and Dualshock 4 in a collection of augmented reality mini-games. The first trueAstro Bottitle,Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, was released years later for the PS VR, becoming one of its most critically acclaimed titles. The series’ next entry,Astro’s Playroom, launched with the PS5 and remains one of the platform’s highest-rated games. It appears that the nextAstro Bottitle will be the biggest and boldest the series has ever seen, delivering a true, full-length adventure title to fans of Sony’s lovable robot mascot.
Astro Bot Will Build Upon Playroom’s PlayStation Cameos
Astro’s Playroomdelivered an exceptional platformer experience while introducing fans new and old to the PlayStation 5 hardware, as well as Sony’s gaming legacy. While the title’s environments and collectibles thrust the company’s legacy hardware, peripherals, and formats into the spotlight,Playroom’s exceptional character cameoswere its greatest overall strength. Sprinkled throughout the title’s many environments were Bots dressed as some of Sony’s most revered characters and mascots from the past and present. With the announcement of this year’s full-lengthAstro Bottitle, the franchise’s cameos are set to return in a very big way.
The reveal trailer forAstro Botfeatured a host of familiar faces, as PlayStation cameos were front and center for the announcement’s latter half. Nathan Drake, Aloy, Kratos, Ico, andPaRappa the Rapperwere just some of the icons on display. However, the nature of these cameos were altogether different than those found inAstro’s Playroom.Rather than being hidden in the background, these characters were placed in the spotlight, with some seemingly given their own cutscenes and animations. Though nothing has been officially confirmed,Astro Botlooks to be building its cameos into something a bit more significant, with one character, in particular, providing a possible glimpse of what’s to come.
Astro Bot’s Cameos May Be More Than Meets the Eye
Astro Bot’s announcement trailer features a variety of cameos, but it’s Astro’s scene with Kratos that may prove its most significant. While the other cameos appear similar in nature to those found inAstro’s Playroom, Kratos can be seen directly interacting with Astro in a scripted cutscene. After removingthe Leviathan Axefrom a block of wood, Kratos tosses the weapon to an ill-prepared Astro, who attempts to catch it in his hands, before buckling under its immense weight. If this interaction is any indication,Astro Botmay feature its cameos in more prominent roles, with some directly or indirectly helping Astro overcome unique obstacles on his journey.
Little is currently known aboutAstro Bot’s narrative and original gameplay features. Regardless, the title is already shaping up to be a major end-of-year release. TheAstro Botseries has long been utilized to toutSony’s newest gaming technology, but the next entry will finally provide the lovable mascot with the sprawling AAA adventure that he deserves. Sony’s May 2024 PlayStation State of Play wrapped up by confirming thatAstro Botwill be released on June 04, 2025, meaning fans will be back in the adorable robot’s hover-boots before the year’s end.
Astro’s Playroom
WHERE TO PLAY
From the team behind the original THE PLAYROOM and the critically acclaimed ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission, comes a brand new platformer preloaded on your PS5™ console. Take control of ASTRO and feel the world through your DualSense™ Wireless Controller: every step you take, every jump you make, and every enemy you defeat are felt in a whole new way thanks to the immersive haptic feedback technology. On your way, use new power ups that show the potential of the dynamic adaptive triggers, motion sensor, touchpad and integrated speaker working together to deliver a totally new gameplay experience. Take time to enjoy the many hidden references to PlayStation® history and collect timeless artifacts to display in your beloved PlayStation Labo!
