Astro Bothas quickly become a hit among gamers of all ages with its vibrant colors, energizing music, and creative levels. With80 levels split up between six worlds, or galaxies, there is plenty for this little robot friend to tackle as they try to save all of their bot companions and collect the pieces of their broken PS5 spaceship. The cheerful protagonist is ready for anything that is thrown at them in these intergalactic systems, including getting to take on the roles of some of PlayStation’s most beloved characters in special Hero Levels.
Each of the six worlds that werereleased withAstro Botcould be better described as galaxies or systems with several planets included within each. Though there is a specific order in which Astro Bot is taken through each of these worlds, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are in order from worst to best in the game. Naturally, everyone will have their personal viewpoint on which is the best, buttaking into consideration the music, cameos, artwork, secret levels, and gameplay of each world, these are the worst and the best.
6Feather Cluster Just Doesn’t Quite Cut It As The Final World
The Fifth World Astro Visits
Each world inAstro Bothas exciting Easter eggsand things to set them apart, and it feels as though there was a push to make this final world in the game be distinct, but it just didn’t quite hit the mark.Although the music and art style are good, andthe battles are increasingly challenging (as one would expect for an end-game experience), there are too many ways that the other galaxies stand out.
Other levels in the Feather Cluster include two boss fights with the Djinny. This evil genie in a bottle offers some stunning artistry, but for a game as colorful asAstro Bot, it feels a bit muted in its sandy brown surroundings.
The Hero Level in the Feather Cluster is Aloy fromHorizon, which is a fantastic inclusion and provides a level full of beautiful nods to theHorizonuniverse. Sadly, although Aloy-Bot looks beautiful and the world is stunning,using Aloy’s bow and arrow is a bit difficult and time-consuming to master.Compared to some of the other Hero abilities, the bow just feels lackluster and frustrating to control.
5Gorilla Nebula Offers Tutorial But Doesn’t Lack Character
The First World Astro Visits
The first world that Astro Bot brings players to is the Gorilla Nebula. Being the opening levels,these offer a bit of tutorial for gameplay and are somewhat easierthan the other worlds while still providing all the colorful fun that the game is known for. Here, players can find Ratchet from theRatchet and Clankgames and Crash Bandicoot, but sadly do not get a chance to play as either of them.
One of the most fun planets in the Gorilla Nebula is the Apes on the Loose level, which hasAstro Bot paying homage to the classicApe Escapeby having to capture several gorilla bots as Spike-bot. This Hero Level is a bit disappointing when placed in the same world as Ratchet and Crash Bandicoot, but it provides a fun diversion nonetheless. Also, given how much Astro already grinds rails, aRatchetlevel may have seemed repetitive. However, trying to capture those apes with a net in Apes on the Loose can prove tedious at times.
Gorilla Nebula features many treats for the eye in its art style as well. With theice cream of Creamy Canyon, players get to slide down sprinkle-laden slopesand generally enjoy a sweet winter wonderland. AZ-Tech Trail’s level introduces players to the twin-frog gloves in a highly detailed Aztech-themed environment filled with puzzles.
4Serpent Starway Brings Nathan Drake To Space
The Third World Astro Visits
Serpent Starway has several standout levels, including theSlo-Mo Casino, Bathhouse Battle, and theUncharted-themed Dude Raiding. For a special item to help through many of the levels, Astro Bot gets to use a stopwatch that can significantly slow down time for a moment. This offers yet another unique game mechanic and fun chances to get the jackpot on slot machines, but it can also make levels feel a bit too easy in some situations.
Unlike Aloy’s bow,the gun that Nathan Drake-bot gets to use in Hero form is straightforward and funto use. The child-friendly change of making it shoot round paintball-like pellets is perfectly fitting to this game and makes it even more silly and enjoyable. The fantastic greenery in this level is immersive and everything feels perfectly situated for an homage toUncharted.
Some of the special levels in Serpent Starway are the Circle levels, which are exceptionally challenging like all of these button-themed levels are throughout the game. With no save points, players have to rush through the entire level without being hit or dying. Swinging through Ropeway Rally and mastering the precision timing in Swinging Sentries can be frustrating but so rewarding once mastered.Though tricky, these levels provide the difficulty that some players have complained is missingfrom the main campaign levels.
3Lost Galaxy Is A Secret World Of Hidden Levels
Astro Bot’s Hidden Portal Levels
While exploring the other worlds inAstro Bot,players will occasionally find a disco-ball portal that is hidden in a levelthat reveals a secret exit from the level they are in. These portals not only end the level that is being played but will reveal a new level within the Lost Galaxy. There are atotal of eight hidden levels, which will be hidden until players have found the necessary warp exits in other levels.
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The Lost Galaxy levels are incredibly fun side objectives where additional bots and puzzle pieces can be found and just offer a bit of extra enjoyment.These special levels each has a unique theme, and are a bit shorter than other levels. Among these is the Boxel Bust-Up level, which has the most satisfying use of the haptic feedback in PS5’s DualSense controllers.
Akin to popping bubble wrap, busting up the little boxel blocks in any of the pixelated levels gives a wonderful clacking feel and sound. As secret levels, however, this is as much as will be said about the Lost Galaxy for now, as it really is best when stumbled across.
2Camo Cosmos Has The Best Boss Fight
The Fourth World Astro Visits
Camo Cosmos has one of the best boss battles with its Mecha Leonchameleon fights. The clever use of stopping time makes what could be a fairly simplistic item mechanic much more useful and enjoyable. Each of the planets in Camo Cosmos has unique qualities that make them incredibly fun to play through while also tying in many of the mechanics and themes that were seen earlier in the game. Because of this, Camo Cosmos feels as though it should have been the final world rather than the fourth, but it is a treat regardless.
Although it is a vast diversion from other levels in the game, Camo Cosmos' level Going Loco is a wonderful example of how muchAstro Botcan do and still feels perfectly placed in the game.Based onLocoRoco, Astro Bot changes form to a large blob, which can divide into many little blobs, rolls, and bounces through a hilarious child-like world.
As if these weren’t enough reasons for Camo Cosmos to be heralded as one of the best, itsBubbling Under planet proves that underwater levels do not need to be difficultto controland lacking in quality. This water level is engaging and highlights the fun of ocean exploration.
1Tentacle System Is A Funky Masterpiece
The Second World Astro Visits
Camo Cosmos is hard to beat, but the Tentacle System has to take the top place for best worlds inAstro Bot. As far as worlds that will energize and put a smile on players faces go, theTentacle System is far superior to the rest, particularly for its music. Its level, Wormy Passage, has one of the best soundtracks, with colorful fungi dancing along to the beat in a contagious way. Later, this is repeated with the Trunk of Funk, which has its memorable funky tree.
Tentacle System is also home to the most enjoyable Hero Level, Bot of War.Based onGod of War, Kratos-Bot wields an axthat one only wishes one could keep for the rest of the game. TheGod of Wartheme for the level is so exquisitely crafted that it is the perfect homage, and the bots that players rescue along the way include Thor-bot, Mimir-bot, Freya-bot, and more.
Each world is fantastic in its own way, and it is surprising how much variety of gameplay this little game can offer. Players will, of course, have their own opinions on what their favorite levels and worlds in the game are. It is hard to beat the funky music andBot of Wargameplay of Tentacle System inAstro Bot,though.
