This Acclaimed Franchise Deserves a Bigger Spotlight in The Next Astro Bot

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This Acclaimed Franchise Deserves a Bigger Spotlight in The Next Astro Bot

As someone who’s spent countless hours navigating the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us, it’s safe to say that Naughty Dog’s masterpiece has left an indelible mark on my gaming life. So when I stumbled upon Astro Bot, a game that pays homage to PlayStation’s rich history, you can imagine my delight when I found references to my beloved The Last of Us tucked away in the corners of this vibrant adventure.

It’s evident that anyone who has given it a spin recognizes that Astro Bot serves as a heartfelt tribute to the rich history of PlayStation. Starting from when players choose their save slot shaped like a PS1 memory card, right up until they complete the last level and witness an astonishing display of PlayStation mascots, it’s undeniable that Team Asobi’s affection for the PlayStation legacy shines through.

173 out of the 301 bots that require rescue in ‘Astro Bot’ are connected to PlayStation’s history, either through iconic characters like Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot, or popular third-party figures such as Lara Croft from ‘Tomb Raider’. Notably, several of these cameo characters originate from more modern PlayStation games, including ‘Uncharted’, ‘God of War’, ‘Horizon’, and ‘The Last of Us’. However, one franchise doesn’t receive as much spotlight as the others.

The Last of Us Deserves More Screen-Time in The Next Astro Bot

How Astro Bot References The Last of Us

173 appearances of cameos make it unsurprising that Astro Bot pays homage to The Last of Us. All the references to The Last of Us within Astro Bot are located in the mission “Wormy Passage,” which is predominantly set in a cave illuminated by bioluminescent mushrooms, allowing players to swing from and rebound off them.

At the beginning of the game’s stage, players will encounter a character resembling Bot dressed in Ellie’s distinctive palm tree-embellished shirt, styled with her signature hairstyle, and strumming an acoustic guitar. As they progress through the level, players can spot Joel, wearing a green shirt and sporting gray hair. Near the end of the stage, players will have the opportunity to save a Clicker character with a mushroom head.

Upon returning to the Crash Site hub with their freshly obtained Last of Us robots, players can unlock unique items for each bot via Astro Bot‘s Loot Box Lab. Joel’s special item is a sturdy brick, while Ellie’s is her covert bow and arrow set. As players engage with Joel and Ellie in the hub world, they swiftly leap into action – Joel wielding a brick, and Ellie readying an arrow for her wooden bow. These nods to The Last of Us in Astro Bot are delightful, but the focus on The Last of Us within Astro Bot is soon eclipsed.

The Next Astro Bot Should Feature a Last of Us Level

In Astro Bot, you’ll find five stages inspired by a popular in-house PlayStation series, with each one becoming accessible after defeating a boss. As Astro progresses, he transforms into well-known PlayStation icons, gains unique skills derived from the gameplay of the associated titles, and navigates through levels brimming with nods to the intellectual property.

In essence, The Last of Us isn’t featured among the five games showcased individually in Astro Bot. Although each franchise selected for these special levels merits attention, it would have added an extra layer of excitement to include a level based on The Last of Us, considering its current popularity and long-standing status as one of PlayStation’s prominent intellectual properties for over a decade.

It’s great news that Astro Bot appears to be doing exceptionally well, suggesting a sequel might be in our future. If/when we get a new Astro Bot, it could outshine even the acclaimed The Last of Us series by incorporating its stealth elements and introducing characters like Abby, Tommy, Dina, and Jesse from The Last of Us Part 2.

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2024-10-05 15:35