Forget God of War and Days Gone, Sony’s Astro Bot Has a Collaboration With Arguably the Best Game of 2022, and Players Can’t Be More Happy

Astro Bot has floored the world and is a hit right now. Players recently found even more things to love about the game from one of its many cameos. Amidst the joy of collecting bots and navigating quirky platformer levels, fans found a surprise.

Players can find all sorts of cameos of characters from PlayStation and other games in Astro Bot. And one that fans are talking about is the cat from BlueTwelve Studio’s award-winning game, Stray.

Astro Bot Is Such a Big Hit You Can’t Even Hate It

Astro Bot, developed by Sony’s Team Asobi, is a 3D platformer that feels like a love letter to fans of the genre and of PlayStation. The game offers players the chance to explore 80 levels across 50 planets, all while controlling the adorable robot protagonist, Astro.

No way is that pic.twitter.com/fEtO2E1KSH

— 𝔊𝔢𝔫𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔩 𝔊𝔯𝔢𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔧𝔞 (@TK__Greninja) September 7, 2024

The game’s success is not entirely surprising, given the game’s strong heritage. This sequel to Astro’s Playroom (2020) expands on the simple yet addictive platforming mechanics that made the original beloved by fans. The game is a masterclass in level design that also happens to take us on a nostalgic trip through PlayStation’s history.

The game is packed with references to the PlayStation library, featuring mascot bots dressed as characters from franchises like God of War, Ratchet & Clank, and Uncharted.

IT FEELS REAL NOW

There are 300 total bots to rescue in Astro Bot; 150 are PlayStation cameos. Should probably clear your diary for Friday. #AstroBot pic.twitter.com/rdWBEErQ0T

— PlayStation UK (@PlayStationUK) September 2, 2024

This release also comes at a crucial time for Sony. It’s a much-needed hit after the recent misses of other titles like Concord. The game’s immediate success, evidenced by its high scores on review aggregators and positive player feedback, highlights a potential shift in what gamers are looking for.

The Game Might Just Be a GOTY Contender

Nicolas Doucet, head of Team Asobi, talked about this sentiment in a recent interview with BBC. He wondered if games would have an appetite for games that offer “a two-course meal that is going to be just the right amount” rather than never-ending open-worlds.

The cat from Stray follows you around in Astro bot 🥺🥺🥺 pic.twitter.com/gQ5uHEyj4h

— AJ | 🏳️‍🌈 | Astro Bot Era (@AjepArts) September 7, 2024

This philosophy is reflected in the game’s design, which balances challenge and accessibility, making it a hit with both casual and hardcore gamers. Live-service games like Fortnite and Destiny have dominated the industry for years. But this success suggests that players are craving more self-contained, creative experiences.

Sony’s gamble on a family-friendly platformer has paid off, with the game quickly becoming one of the highest-rated titles of 2024. In fact, it’s already being considered a contender for Game of the Year, alongside heavy hitters like Black Myth: Wukong and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Astrobot Is A 94 Metacritic Making It The Highest Rated Game This Year
byu/Elestria_Ethereal ingaming

It’s a reminder that sometimes, simpler is better. And this success is proof that there’s still a place for classic platformers today. The game is a celebration of everything that makes PlayStation great.

The studio has made a delightful experience for us gamers and proved that even in a world filled with big-budget blockbusters, there’s still room for simple, joyful games like.

Have you tried out this new game? Let us know in the comments!