Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a 2018 platform video game developed by Japan Studio's Team Asobi and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4's PlayStation VR headset. It stars a cast of robot characters first introduced in The Playroom, where they appeared as robots that lived inside of the DualShock 4 controller. In the game, the player teams up with Captain Astro and goes on a quest to rescue his lost crew scattered across different worlds.
| Astro Bot Rescue Mission | |
|---|---|
 North American cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Japan Studio (Team Asobi) |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Director(s) | Nicolas Doucet |
| Producer(s) | Nicolas Doucet Teruyuki Toriyama |
| Designer(s) | Gento Morita |
| Programmer(s) | Takumi Yoshida Yuki Miyamae |
| Artist(s) | Sebastian Brueckner Jamie Smith |
| Composer(s) | Kenneth C. M. Young |
| Series | Astro Bot |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 4 |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
The game was released in October 2018 and received critical acclaim, with praise for the game's use of the DualShock 4 and its varied level design. It is the first game in the Astro Bot series, and was followed by Astro's Playroom in 2020 and Astro Bot in 2024.
Gameplay
editAstro Bot Rescue Mission is a 3D platformer where players control Astro Bot, a small robot navigating various levels using a DualShock 4 controller. The game is designed for VR, so players experience the game world from a first-person perspective, essentially becoming a giant robot that interacts with the environment. This includes actions like smashing walls with head-butts, dodging attacks, and using the headset's microphone to blow petals around.
In each level, the main objective is to rescue Astro's crew, scattered throughout the game's five worlds and twenty levels. Players also face bosses at the end of each world, which require a certain number of rescued bots to challenge.
Each level also hides Space Chameleons, which, when found, unlock special challenge stages that add extra content to the game. Additionally, players can discover Magic Chests containing gadgets such as a Hook Shot, Water Gun, Tight Rope, Magic Light, Machine Gun, or a Slingshot. These gadgets help Astro navigate through levels, providing tools to manipulate the environment in various ways.
Development
editAstro Bot Rescue Mission was developed by Japan Studio's Team Asobi division. Due to popular demand and fan feedback of the mini game called "Robot Rescue" in The Playroom VR, Japan Studio decided to make a fully fleshed game based on the mini game. Astro Bot Rescue Mission was developed in 18 months by a team of 25 people.[1] The music was composed by Kenneth C M Young.[2]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 90/100[3] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Computer Games Magazine | 8.5/10[11] |
| Destructoid | 7.5/10[4] |
| Edge | 9/10 |
| Game Informer | 9/10[9] |
| IGN | 9/10[10] |
| Jeuxvideo.com | 17/20[5] |
| PlayStation Official Magazine – UK | 8/10 |
| Road to VR | 10/10[6] |
| Metro | 9/10[7] |
| UploadVR | 8.5/10[8] |
Astro Bot Rescue Mission received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[12] As of July 2019, Astro Bot Rescue Mission is the highest-rated VR game in history according to Metacritic, and the 6th highest-rated PS4 game in 2018. The game was especially praised for its use of the DualShock 4 controller's features and varied level design.[13][14][15]
Chris Dunlap's 10/10 score on GamingAge stated that "Astro Bot Rescue Mission is an extremely fun and engaging game, and a dynamite addition to the growing PSVR library."[16] PSU.com said "Easily the best platformer and PS VR game on the market this year."[17]
Accolades
edit| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Game Critics Awards | Best VR/AR Game | Nominated | [18] |
| Gamescom 2018 | Best Puzzle/Skill Game | Nominated | [19] | |
| 9th Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Best Original Song ("A Fire in Your Mind") | Nominated | [20][21] | |
| The Game Awards 2018 | Best VR/AR Game | Won | [22][23] | |
| The Edge Awards 2018 | VR Game of the Year | Won | [24] | |
| Game of the Year | 5 | |||
| 2019 | New York Game Awards | Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best Virtual Reality Game | Nominated | [25] |
| 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards | Family Game of the Year | Nominated | [26] | |
| Immersive Reality Game of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Immersive Reality Technical Achievement | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Technical Achievement | Nominated | |||
| National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards | Animation, Artistic | Nominated | [27] | |
| Control Design, VR | Nominated | |||
| Direction in Virtual Reality | Nominated | |||
| Game, Original Family | Nominated | |||
| Sound Mixing in Virtual Reality | Nominated | |||
| Use of Sound, New IP | Nominated | |||
| SXSW Gaming Awards | Excellence in Technical Achievement | Nominated | [28] | |
| VR Game of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Game Developers Choice Awards | Best VR/AR Game | Nominated | [29] | |
| 15th British Academy Games Awards | Best Game | Nominated | [30] | |
| Game Design | Nominated | |||
| Game Innovation | Nominated | |||
| Famitsu Awards | Special Award | Won | [31] | |
| British Academy Children's Awards | Game | Won | [32] | |
| Italian Video Game Awards | Innovation Award | Nominated | [33] | |
| Japan Game Awards | Game Designers Award | Won | [34] | |
| The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards | Best Arcade Game | Nominated | [35] |
Sequels
editAstro's Playroom
editA sequel, Astro's Playroom, was released for the PlayStation 5 as a launch title that is pre-installed on every console and serves as a tech demo for the new DualSense controller.
Astro Bot
editAstro Bot is the most recent entry in the Astro Bot series and was released in 2024 for the PlayStation 5 in celebration of PlayStation's 30th anniversary. The game received universal acclaim from critics.
References
edit- ^ Lang, Ben (2019-07-19). "'ASTRO BOT' Behind-the-scenes – Insights & Artwork from Sony's JAPAN Studio". Road to VR. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ Furu, Eirik Hyldbakk (2019-03-09). "Talking Tunes with Astro Bot Rescue Mission's Kenneth Young". Gamereactor UK. Archived from the original on 2024-06-27. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ "Astro Bot Rescue Mission for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ Chris, Carter (October 6, 2018). "Review: Astro Bot Rescue Mission". Destructoid. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ "Astro Bot Rescue Mission : une pépite de la plate-forme en réalité virtuelle". Jeuxvideo.com. October 3, 2018. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- ^ Lang, Ben (October 1, 2018). "'ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission' Review – This VR Platformer Earns Our First 10 Out of 10". Road to VR. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ GameCentral (October 1, 2018). "Astro Bot: Rescue Mission review – a new reality for gaming". Metro.
- ^ Feltham, Jamie (October 5, 2018). "Astro Bot Rescue Mission Review: A PSVR Platforming Triumph". UploadVR. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ Hilliard, Kyle (October 5, 2018). "Astro Bot Rescue Mission Review". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ Crowd, Dan (October 4, 2018). "Astro Bot Rescue Mission Review". IGN. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ Khan, Zubi (October 1, 2018). "Astro Bot: Rescue Mission (PS4) Review". Computer Games Magazine. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ "Astro Bot Rescue Mission". www.metacritic.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-27. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ Hilliard, Kyle. "Astro Bot Rescue Mission Review – A New Experience In A Familiar Genre". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "Astro Bot: Rescue Mission (PS4) Review". October 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ Astro Bot Rescue Mission Review - IGN, 5 October 2018, archived from the original on 2021-05-02, retrieved 2021-05-02
- ^ Dunlap, Chris (2018-10-02). "Astro Bot Rescue Mission review for PlayStation VR". Gaming Age. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ Bagdasarov, Garri (October 1, 2018). "Astro Bot: Rescue Mission Review". PlayStation Universe. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ Watts, Steve (July 5, 2018). "Resident Evil 2 Wins Top Honor In E3 Game Critics Awards". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ Keane, Sean (August 22, 2018). "Gamescom 2018 award winners include Marvel's Spider-Man, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate". CNET. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Music in Visual Media Nominations". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
- ^ "2018 HMMA WINNERS". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. November 14, 2018. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (November 13, 2018). "The Game Awards 2018 nominees led by God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ Grant, Christopher (December 6, 2018). "The Game Awards 2018: Here are all the winners". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ "The Edge Awards". Edge. No. 328. Future. February 2019. pp. 72–91.
- ^ Keyes, Rob (January 3, 2019). "2018 New York Game Awards Nominees Revealed". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
- ^ Makuch, Eddie (January 10, 2019). "God Of War, Spider-Man Lead DICE Awards; Here's All The Nominees". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Nominee List for 2018". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. February 11, 2019. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
- ^ Trent, Logan (February 11, 2019). "Here Are Your 2019 SXSW Gaming Awards Finalists!". South by Southwest. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- ^ Good, Owen S. (January 4, 2019). "Red Dead Redemption 2 tops list of Game Developers Choice nominees". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
- ^ Fogel, Stefanie (March 14, 2019). "'God of War,' 'Red Dead 2' Lead BAFTA Game Awards Nominations". Variety'. Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ Brian (April 5, 2019). "Famitsu Award 2018 winners announced - Smash Bros. wins Game of the Year, Sakurai named MVP, more". Nintendo Everything. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- ^ Wiseman, Andrea (1 December 2019). "BAFTA Children's Winners Include Emily Burnett, Bella Ramsay, CBeebies, 'Horrible Histories' & 'Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse'". Deadline. Archived from the original on 6 June 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- ^ "Italian Video Game Awards Nominees and Winners". Italian Video Game Awards. April 11, 2019. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- ^ Craddock, Ryan (September 13, 2019). "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Dominates The Japan Game Awards 2019". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ Stephenson, Suzi (September 19, 2019). "TIGA Announces Games Industry Awards 2019 Finalists". The Independent Game Developers' Association. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2019.