Astro Bot was originally going to be an open-world adventure, says Team Asobi’s head Nicholas Doucet. Read on to learn more why they went for the platform route instead, and more Astro Bot news!
Astro Bot Almost Became An Open-World Game
“Level-Based Approach” Gives More Control, Says Studio Head
Astro Bot could have been an open-world game instead of a 3D platformer with a level-based approach, said Team Asobi head and creative director Nicholas Doucet. Team Asobi did consider that path. But ultimately, the studio decided against the idea as the game’s 80 planets, plot, and platformer gameplay "gave us the most control over the game’s variety," he shared to Edge Magazine in its 400th issue milestone.
"The way we work at Team Asobi is that we do a lot of prototyping of gameplay mechanics, without necessarily knowing what game we're making yet," Doucet added. Team Asobi created dozens of gameplay mechanic prototypes, not exactly knowing what they wanted for the game. These demos were made with the DualSense in mind, as the team looked for "new and expressive" ways to use it and to further elevate the game experience.
Astro Bot Following Super Mario’s Platformer Footsteps
So far, based on its announcement trailer, it will play out as a 3D platformer akin to Super Mario Odyssey. Astro Bot will have a total of 80 planets for our adorable protagonist to visit across six vivid galaxies and over 150 VIP Bots dressed as legendary PlayStation title characters from the long 30 year history of the console, such as Kratos from God of War, Aloy from the Horizon series, Nathan Drake from Uncharted, and the classic Ratchet and Clank. Definitely a "PlayStation fiesta" as Doucet himself called it. After all, Astro Bot is coming out in time for the 30th PlayStation anniversary. Astro Bot will cross paths with these characters, each with a part in the cute little bot’s story.
The game really was designed to be huge, as shared by Doucet to Entertainment Weekly in May. "We wanted to make a big game. This is really about going up one notch—really several notches—and having Astro's big story. We call it Astro Bot because we treat this as a new beginning. That's a really, really big game. I think for us, that's the biggest game we've ever made."
Astro Bot Graces The Cover Of Edge Magazine 10 Times
Astro Bot is surely becoming one of the faces of PlayStation, as he already has his very first featured cover! Video game magazine Edge Magazine celebrates their 400th edition with ten variants of Astro Bot gracing the front page, with three varieties. Online subscribers can see Astro Bot flaunt his Bloodborne or The Last Guardian gear, while physical UK retailers will have Shadow of the Colossus, Journey, God of War, and Returnal outfits. Overseas fans are not out of the loop either—overseas retail will have the Horizon, Gran Turismo, Ghost of Tsushima, and Ratchet & Clank versions of Astro Bot on sale.
Source:
First full-fledged Astro Bot game blasts into the PlayStation multiverse
