Summary
One of the core strengths ofAstro Botis its wide level of variety in its levels. When playing through the main story, you’ll see just how many creative ideas the team behind the game had for levels, but if you’re not keeping an eye out for secrets, there are multiple levels you could completely miss.
In two levels per main world of Astro Bot, there are hidden warp holes that unlock another level in the Secret Galaxy, adding up to ten new levels that are pretty easy to overlook. With the Lost Galaxy being the largest world in the game, there is plenty of variety, but which levels in this hidden area are the best?
10Boxel Bust-Up
With all the references to PlayStation’s history being literally unavoidable in Astro Bot, it only makes sense that they would try making a level with a more retro theme, but unfortunately, it just misses the mark.
Boxel Bust-Up feels a little too stuck in the concept phase, and while it is fun enough to get to the end of the first time, it’s not a level you’ll be begging to return to. The pixelated style is functional, but with the strangely dim lighting, it feels dull compared to the rest of the game.
9Rocket Pull Power!
The chicken jump power up is one of the more fun abilities Astro can use throughout the game thanks to its snappy speed and satisfying integration into Astro’s existing moveset. The main problem with how it is used in Rocket Pull Power! is how it clashes against the rest of the level.
Going for a fire/ice contrast, neither of these design choices feels fully realized, and there is no real creative contrast between them. The chicken jump power up is still fun enough to use, but it’s used a lot better in other levels throughout the game.
8Light Bulb Limbo
On top of the various power ups Astro can use, there are also some parts of the game where he can equip items to uniquely interact with the levels you’re playing through. One of these is the torch, which lights up invisible platforms in darker levels.
This is a fun concept, but it is a little overused and could’ve had one of its levels cut and likely the perfect candidate for this is Light Bulb Limbo. It’s perfectly inoffensive, but there is a better use of the torch item in the same world, so this one feels wholly forgettable.
7Furnace Fever
Furnace Fever has the fun idea of working your way toward an ill volcano that is letting its fever take control. This fiery level is full of tricky obstacles and has abalanced but challenging difficultybefitting of its secret world status.
The main issue is the use of the slightly finicky squirty duck item. Supposedly used to create tiny hexagonal safe spots on lava, the item occasionally leaves uncovered spots that can lead to some pretty frustrating deaths.
6Fan Club
The first levelin the Lost Galaxy, Fan Club, feels a lot easier than some of the other levels in the world, but it uses a simple main concept effectively to create a strong level overall. Fan Club is packed with extendable fans that you control with the triggers, and this is used creatively throughout the level.
Because of the simple motif, the level is quick to work through, and most of the secrets are satisfying to uncover. Even on your first run-through of this level, you can appreciate the strong pacing. You can have even more fun speeding through on a return when you aren’t worried about collectibles.
5Turtles In Trash
You would think that an anti-littering level might be a drag, but the concept of cleaning up a beach is surprisingly refreshing in Astro Bot. Thanks to the style of the game, all of the beach levels look fantastic, and even covered in trash, this one is just as good.
This leveluses DualSense turretsas vacuums to clean up different parts of the level, and it even has an enjoyable but pretty challenging mini-boss at the end, too. Turtles In Trash also utilizes grind rails, an unfortunately overlooked feature in most other levels of the game.
4Danger Dojo
Another level that creatively uses the DualSense turret feature is Danger Dojo. One of the more challenging levels in the secret world, Danger Dojo, will often allow you to use the turret to shoot shurikens to destroy obstacles or create platforms, giving you more opportunities for creative platforming.
The level also has thoughtful theming, with the dojo motif being used innovatively from start to end.
3Funky Fungi
One of the earlier levels in the Lost Galaxy, Funky Fungi has plenty of variety and visually distinct areas. Starting in a jungle, you’ll soon work your way into a stunning cave system full of fluorescent fungi and awe-inspiring waterfalls.
While the gameplay of the level is nothing out of the ordinary compared to the rest of the game, the visuals are what sets this level apart.
2Ghouls & Bots
Perhaps the best spooky level in the game, Ghouls & Bots features the most interesting use of the torch item, as well as taking full advantage of the mischievous, occasionally invisible ghost enemies.
The level will keep you on your toes throughout, and the climax is at the end, with a DualSense turret section that gives you control over a giant torch to take out ghosts in a shooting gallery-style mini-boss.
1High-Suction Hero
Some of the best levels in Astro Bot are the ones that take full advantage of the unique power ups that the game provides, and one of the best examples of this is High-Suction Hero. Giving you the elephant suck backpack, this extraterrestrial exploration level gives you a more open-ended approach to platforming.
The highlight is a big open section of space that provides all different types of liquids to feed your elephant and traverse it however you please. It’s not too challenging, but it encourages experimenting in an intuitive and enjoyable way.
