Astro Bot | More Free Content Incoming

[Moonface]

Well if anyone was hoping Final Fantasy might get put in with the free update that's coming soon, it won't be. A recent interview with the leader of Team Asobi said that despite wanting to feature Cloud in the base game that SE didn't make it possible. Either they want too much money for it to be worth it, or Final Fantasy is gonna be saved to have a whole level of bots for it like some other games got. I can see it going either way but hopefully we end up with FF getting put in one way or another. Especially since the series was referenced in Astro's Playroom.

[Moonface]

Astro Bot | Speedrun and Special Bots Add-On Release Schedule
The recently announced free update for Astro Bot that brings five speedrun levels and ten new special bots will begin rolling out tomorrow, with a new level and two new bots being added weekly.

• October 17: Building Speed
  
• October 24: Let It Slide
  
• October 31: Spring-Loaded Run
  
• November 7: Helium Heights
  
• November 14: Rising Heat
  

Here's a brief overview of what to expect in the first speedrun level:

In Building Speed, with the help of Barkster, the bulldog booster, you will blast your way through a sky-high city. Dodge cranes, smash through crates, and even speed through a flying car wash on the way to rescue your stranded crew.

As for what bots will be in each level, you'll just have to wait until they release to find out.

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Ooh, I like that this is being done weekly rather than all at once. I'll probably check out the first level on the weekend unless I get time to check it out earlier, but it'll depend on my homework load.

[queenzelda]

I might just wait to download everything at once instead of piecemeal. It'll b easier on me and maybe I can knock out some lvls before then too.

[Moonface]

Yeah that might be what I end up doing too, just because I only care to get a time good enough for the new bots. I don't care about trying to get a good spot on the leaderboards.

And oh, I thought you had finished the game because of knowing there were no Final Fantasy characters in it. How far are you into it now?

[queenzelda]

And oh, I thought you had finished the game because of knowing there were no Final Fantasy characters in it. How far are you into it now?

That's only because some SE fans we're b*tching about there not being any FF bots not being in the game. XD I'm still at the first area, I have that first boss to beat. I've been distracted by other games alternatively. (Like TCG card Game Sim basically. lol)

[Moonface]

Ah, I see. I took a look through the list of all the bots again to check and if I'm not wrong it seems there aren't any SE properties. Gives me the impression SE are being anal about it, which is weird because they were happy enough to include multiple of their IP in Smash Bros. Then again, I think every SE character in Smash is or was a DLC character and with how hyper-focused SE are over money I'm gonna guess they didn't want their IP used in this game without a monetary attachment. If that's the case I hope there isn't a DLC with SE properties in it because I don't want to see that sort of behavior rewarded when so many other companies were happy to have their IP used in this game.

The bosses in this game are also really, really good. I can't decide which one is my favorite, but I also struggle to decide on even my favorite level or area from this game. XD

[queenzelda]

Idk, with square bleeding money and no one under 20 knowing what the final fantasy games even are: I think Sony made the right move tbh.

I tried taking on the first boss realizing I suck at platform games and died a lot. XD I will try going to other worlds then try again later I figure.

[Moonface]

Astro Bot | Winter Wonder Update
A new free update is coming tomorrow for Astro Bot, adding a brand new level to play through that will be available to everyone who has completed the game: https://blog.playstation.com/2024/12/11/...-tomorrow/

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This level must have stuff in it that spoils the later game if they're not allowing anyone to play it without having beaten the game?

[ShiraNoMai]

Could it be because of the power-ups being used? Either way, it certainly looked like a treat to play

[Moonface]

Having played the level fully, it's solely because it features every power-up in the game so Asobi probably don't want people getting spoiled. I was curious if the speedrun levels have the same criteria and they do, although that's probably also restricted to game completion because you wouldn't know how to properly use the power-ups to do the speedrun levels anyway.

It's a very nice level though and worth checking out just for something really chill and adorable. I'd love it if they were to make another level based on a holiday like Halloween or something.

[queenzelda]

Idk, is it weird that I think of Astro Bot as basically PlayStations version of Super Mario Galaxy 2? 

[Moonface]

Idk, is it weird that I think of Astro Bot as basically PlayStations version of Super Mario Galaxy 2? 

This isn't the first time I've seen this sentiment, and the creative director of this game even gave a shout-out to SMW in his GotY acceptance speech at The Game Awards, so they were definitely inspired by what Mario has done in the platforming genre.

Speaking of that acceptance speech, I didn't notice the first time that they thank all the publishers and developers for giving their characters to the game for free, so now I wonder if there are no SE properties represented because they wanted payment for those characters to be included and Team Asobi/Sony turned it down.

[Moonface]

Astro Bot | Five New Levels and Bots Coming Soon
Astro Bot is getting another free update this month, bringing five new levels and a new special bot to be rescued in each one. These five levels will appear on a weekly basis as follows:

• Feb 13: Tick-Tock Shock
  
• Feb 20: Thrust or Bust
  
• Feb 27: Cock-A-Doodle-Doom
  
• Mar 6: Hard to Bear
  
• Mar 13: Armored Hardcore
  

These levels require players to have already beaten the main game to be accessed, due to being harder than anything seen in the game so far. Furthermore, a Time Attack mode with online rankings will also be added to the game.

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WHY WAS THIS NOT IN THE STATE OF PLAY YESTERDAY SONY?! COME ON!
Like I swear every free update this game has got just gets shadow dropped as news on the PS Blog right after something else airs that could've been a place to share the news in the first place. I wonder how many people just miss this news and don't actually know stuff is added to this game because of this approach?