At long last, we have arrived at end(?) of Astro Bot.
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
Overall, this is one of the most joyous games on my PS5, and the final boss is no exception. They chose wisely with regards to what gimmicks they brought into the fight. And like everything else in Astro Bot, it only lasts long enough for us to enjoy it before overstaying it’s welcome.
Adding playable credits on top is just icing on the cake. Join us next time as we begin the post-game cleanup to reach 100%.
Another boss and another cameo world await us in this episode of Astro Bot!
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
As far as cameos go, Horizon is probably the safest one. And yet, it’s also one of the most boring options precisely for that reason.
I should be content since Loco Roco and Ape Escape are good pulls. But if we’re capitalizing on PlayStation nostalgia, I would like bolder choices than all of the most recent AAA prestige Sony titles barring The Last of Us.
While Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune was almost 20 years ago, both the new God of War and Horizon are still relatively recent games: Too recent to be nostalgic for. Something like Medievil would’ve been a better choice.
And I’m sure other options existed that would have felt more novel.
Our adventures in PlayStation nostalgia continue as we enter the final stretch of Astro Bot!
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
Looking through all of these references to old games that I both have and have not played gets me thinking about the ever present “backlog” that I and many people my age have: Books, movies, and games that we swear we’ll get to when we have time for it.
I’ve reached a point where unless I have an impulse to start playing something on the backlog, then the odds are its going to stay there. I’m content with that since there’s simply not enough time to experience every good book, film, and game. Some will inevitably need to be cut.
With one hub world left, we’re getting that much closer to seeing all there is to see of the base game Astro Bot.
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
Honestly, the greatest revelation from this time playing Astro Bot is that there is cabal of genuine David Cage fans who think his work is sublime, now that they’re able to experience it on the PC. That is unfortunate given his lack of artistic skill, and I hope they come to their senses.
Another boss defeated means it’s time for another cameo level. And this one is particularly Loco.
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
For this playthrough, I’ve chosen to use the analog stick instead of motion controls for segments that would otherwise make use of the gyroscope. However, for most of my original run of Astro Bot, I did use motion controls.
And I point that out because this Loco Roco segment was one of the smoothest segments in the game with regards to motion controls. The level naturally suited their use, and I found that I was able to very quickly get a grasp on how to pilot my Loco Roco blob across the stage. That’s extremely rare for me when it comes to motion controls, so I feel the shout out is warranted.
Additionally, Loco Roco is a game I hadn’t thought of for years until it was brought back for this section of Astro Bot. As far as choices go for cameo levels, this was a deep cut and I’m glad it made it into the game.
The rains have ceased, and we have been graced with a new day. Therefore, we have the perfect excuse to stay indoors and play some more Astro Bot!
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
I can’t believe it took me so long to identify Chris Redfield of all the possible references. I can only imagine people shouting at their monitors watching me piece it together!
That said, I’m only just realizing that the reason Leon is a common name for lizards like that is because they’re Chame”Leons”. Apparently I’m not as observant as I think I am.
After a week’s break to attend Furry Weekend Atlanta, I’m back to present you with more Astro Bot! We’re passed the halfway point now, and the challenges get… well not really tougher, but different.
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
If you want to learn more about the Marathon stories I spoke about during this recording, I encourage you to check out the Forbes reporting on the matter.
And since you all already know about my gaming blog (since you’re reading it), I might as well link to the blog where I post my fiction after mentioning it on this episode.
On a different subject, I appreciate the novelty of an occasional open-ended segment in an otherwise linear game. Like most Astro Bot levels, it is just long enough to let us savor the flavor without overstaying its welcome.
With another boss down, you all know what that means: It’s time for another Cameo Level! This time, we’re treasure hunting with Nathan Drake!
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
Of course, it wouldn’t be an Uncharted without a discussion on Amy Hennig and the culture around past and present Naughty Dog, but we’ve already discussed that at length with my Uncharted playthroughs. I don’t feel the need to add to what I’ve already said there.
I’m not sure how I feel about the choice to use Uncharted over some other more niche series, since it’s in a strange position as far as Sony is concerned. On one hand, it’s not used to the same degree something like God of War is. Nathan Drake’s character arc is over, and he’s unlikely to make a return after A Thief’s End. And yet, it’s not exactly a deep cut either like Ape Escape is. Most people familiar with PlayStation have at least heard of Uncharted.
It’s probably the definition of a “safe” choice. That said, Astro’s got a gun!
At the rate we’re going, it won’t be long before we’re ready to take on the next boss fight.
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
I recall that fight being more difficult the first time I ran it. If my memory is correct, I died a few times before I had “the run”. And yet, here I am finishing it in just two tries. Clearly, there must have been a skill issue the first time.
Aside from that, to supplement the conversation I had about wanting more games like this, this piece from Bellular News about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 adds further to that discussion. While obviously JRPGs are a different genre than platformers, both of their audiences have been long underserved by big AAA publishing houses who choose instead to focus on large open world games and more “cinematic” experiences.
It’s part of why both games are such a big deal, because large titles like them with such notoriety are a dying breed.
Our space-faring PS5 is halfway repaired. Even better, we have another lead on the next part. So Let’s Go GAMBLING!
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
I wish more platformers took a page from Astro Bot’s book when it comes to handling gimmicks in their level design. Something I noticed while replaying many of the PS1 and PS2-era platformers on this channel is that whenever they introduce a “gimmick” level, usually they complete replace whatever their core mechanics are with the gimmick. We’ll have a whole skateboarding level, or a turret level, or one where we ride a wild animal: All of those are fundamentally different and new mechanics for the games that use them.
Meanwhile, instead of swapping our kit out with a brand new one, the gimmicks we’ve played with so far augment the existing mechanics. Tools like a long jump, time stop, or the ability to soak up water to become big still allow us to use the fundamental tools we’ve already spent the rest of the game learning. Running and jumping are such fundamentally, intrinsically entertaining movements that Astro Bot doesn’t want to take them away for us.
