Summary

  • Astro Bot, the beloved PlayStation mascot, is getting an exciting new sequel that promises to be even bigger and better.
  • The Astro Bot series has succeeded where Knack failed, becoming a fan favorite via its nods to classic PlayStation characters.
  • Astro's Playroom is a love letter to all things PlayStation, featuring over 150 references to iconic games and characters. Given how Knack struggled and Astro is poised to succeed, the existence of Astro Bot makes it even more unlikely for a new Knack game to happen.

As 2024 rolls on, and the future of the PlayStation 5 is becoming slightly clearer. The recent State of Play saw games like Silent Hill 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds receive new footage, and the presentation ended with Astro Bot, the newest title from Team Asobi. It's a much larger sequel to Astro's Playroom, which launched as a free game with the PlayStation 5, and sis still viewed as one of the console's best first-party exclusives.

The trajectory of Astro Bot feels very familiar to the fairly forgettable PlayStation franchise, Knack. That series got its start on the day the PlayStation 4 launched and received a sequel midway through the console's life, but unlike Team Asobi's efforts, the follow-up wasn't coming off the back of a critically praised first title. As a result, Astro's Playroom may put the final nail in the coffin for a potential Knack 3, but would do well to honor it by way of one of its many charming references.

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Astro Bot's Boss Battles Are a Good Omen for its Ambitions

Team Asobi's Astro Bot looks to be far bigger than its predecessors, and this is particularly evident in the scope of some of its boss fights.

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There's a lot of characters from the PlayStation universe crossing over with Astro's path. It's an Astro Bot story, of course, with Astro being the main character, but there's a lot of PlayStation characters that play a part. - Nicolas Doucet, president of Team Asobi to Entertainment Weekly

Astro Bot Succeeded Where Knack Failed

Knack strived to be the cartoon-ish platformer mascot to carry the PS4 in its early years, though it failed to take off like the platform's many other classic platforms. It received a sequel that flew under the radar, with its announcement even going unnoticed since it was unveiled on the official PlayStation Blog instead of at an event. With the games criticized for being overly long and full of repetitive gameplay, Knack never realized its potential.

On the other hand, Astro Bot, who made his debut on the PlayStation 4's The Playroom app, soon became the mascot for Sony's new hardware releases, and only rose in popularity with time. The way the last decade has unfolded has meant that a successor to the largely underwhelming Knack 2 would be unlikely, as it is surely not in high demand. Astro Bot, on the other hand, is a result of the series' high praise, so it makes all the sense in the world to pour resources into it as PlayStation's primary first-party platformer.

Astro Bot is a Love Letter to All Things PlayStation

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While Astro's Playroom is a sublime platformer in its own right, with mechanics that do well to make it feel snappy and fluid, one of the reasons why it's so memorable is the abundance of PlayStation references. Ranging from overt references to God of War, The Last of Us, and Uncharted to idle animations with the PSP, each little touch feels like a tip of the cap to a company that has a decorated history in gaming. The Astro Bot series is a perfect way to acknowledge past successes and failures while celebrating Sony's entry into - and eventual dominance of - the console space. The new title will feature over 150 PlayStation-inspired cameos from the company's diverse offerings.

Knack promised to be the flag-bearer for the PlayStation 4, being easy for people of all ages to play and enjoy, but in trying to cater to all, it really catered to none. Astro's Playroom on PS5 did what Knack couldn't, and as both series are fundamentally 3D platformers meant to keep people entertained over a weekend, the new Astro title releasing in September may very well be the closest that fans get to a Knack 3, as there's little that a new Knack could do that Astro Bot can't. Still, a nod to Knack by way of a reference could see him riding into the sunset for good.

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10 /10

Astro Bot
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Systems
PlayStation-1
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Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
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Released
September 6, 2024
ESRB
E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence
Developer(s)
Team Asobi
Publisher(s)
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Engine
Proprietary Engine
Franchise
Astro Bot
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Platform(s)
PlayStation 5
Genre(s)
Platformer