Summary
Like many other platformers, levels inAstro Botare split into different worlds, which house a handful of stages each. Following genre traditions, Astro Bot is pretty linear in how you approach the levels, with only a couple of levels you can do out of order, but otherwise, each world has to be done one by one.
While there are fantastic levels in every world of Astro Bot, some worlds have a higher concentration of amazing levels compared to others. So, looking back at all the Nebulas featured in Astro Bot, which are the best, and which will you find yourself returning to more than others?
6Gorilla Nebula
World One
The first world in Astro Bot is the Gorilla Nebula, and while it is a lot of fun to work through for the first time, returning to some of the levels can be a little boring compared to later worlds. These levels are the perfect way to get accustomed to playing as Astro, but with little challenge, and fewer creative ideas compared to later levels, you’ll likely not want to return to this world too often.
Az-Tech Trial is a clear highlightof this world, serving as a good showcase of the rumble capabilities of the DualSense controller, while also being a good introduction to the frog punching gloves, which otherwise are one of the weaker power ups, but are used creatively in this level.
5Tentacle System
World Two
Continuing in a linear order, the second world, Tentacle System, still shares some of the same issues as the Gorilla Nebula, but with it being slightly later in the game, it luckily gets to try some more creative ideas and ramp up the difficulty a little bit.
It suffers by having one of the less interesting boss encounters with Wako Tako, but it makes up for it with one of the best cameo-focused levels with the God of War-themed world that follows the boss. It also features Downsize Surprise, one of the strongest levels whichuses the shrink abilityto intuitively interact with the unique scale of the level.
4Camo Cosmos
World Four
With most of the later levels in Astro Bot generally improving alongside the game’s progression, it makes Camo Cosmos stick out as slightly weaker compared to the worlds that follow and precede it. While none of the levels are particularly weak, there aren’t as many stand-out levels either.
A clear highlight amidst some of the more middling levels is Bubbling Under, the only level that utilizes the penguin swimming power up to make underwater traversal a breeze in a wide open space that’s a joy to explore. This world also ends strong with a fun boss encounter and a refreshing change of pace with a LocoRoco-inspired last level.
3Lost Galaxy
Secret World
Unlike all of the other worlds, the Lost Galaxy will likely be played out of order thanks to each level needing to be unlocked separately in different worlds throughout the game, and unless you’re incredibly thorough, most of these levels will probably be played after credits.
With less of a clear theme, the Lost Galaxy makes up for its randomness with numbers, having more standard levels than any of the other worlds. These levels are more hit-and-miss, but it still has enough interesting levels to qualify as one of the stronger worlds in the game. High-Suction Hero is the most creative use of the elephant suction power up seen throughout the game, and you use this free-form ability to find different solutions to open-ended platforming puzzles. Also, Ghouls & Bots is the best spooky level in the game, and is one of the most entertaining uses of the torch item as well.
2Feather Cluster
World Five
While it has theweakest boss encounterof any of the worlds in the game, which is unfortunate for the last standard world, Feather Cluster is a lot of fun to work through. Thanks to being the last world, it doesn’t hold back on the challenge, but mixes this in with an injection of unconventional design and signature lighthearted Astro charm to counteract any potential frustration at the difficulty.
While the boss is a bit of a snooze, the cameo level inspired by Horizon that follows after is plenty of fun, and Aloy’s bow ability shakes up the formula enough to make you wish there were more levels that featured this power up.
1Serpent Starway
World Three
Right in the middle of the game, it’s clear that Serpent Starway is where Astro Bot strikes the perfect balance of creative ideas and fun theming to have the highest concentration of strong levels in the game. It also ends with the best boss encounter throughout Astro’s adventure, and its only weakness is the slightly drawn out Uncharted-inspired last level.
A couple of the best levels in the world are Slo-Mo Casino and Bathhouse Battle. The first is the introduction and best use of the time-slowing watch ability, all housed in a flashy casino, and the second is the exclusive showcase of the adorable sponge power up that let’s Astro grow to a gargantuan size and then shrink back down dousing enemies in water, set in a stunning Japanese-inspired bathhouse at sunset.
