Summary
When developingAstro Bot, it’s clear that the team behind the game wanted to prioritize quality, and that can be seen in the consistently strong design that has been put into every single level in Astro Bot.
Instead of focusing on packing as many levels in Astro Bot as possible, each world of the game is filled to the brim with fantastic levels for you to traverse and explore to your heart’s content. But out of all the amazing gameplay in each of these levels, which levels in Astro Bot are the ones you’ll want to keep coming back to?
8Bubbling Under
World 4 - Camo Cosmos
One slight downside of Astro Bot is that some power-ups are unfortunately under-utilised, with a few only featured in a couple of levels. An example of this is the swimming penguin ability, which features heavily in Bubbling Under.
This level from the game’s fourth world gives you a short starting section to get comfortable using this power up, and then presents you with a wide open area to swim through and discover collectibles. With almost no set order to tackle the level in, freeing the giant starfish can be done however you like, and finding all of the hidden secrets is a joy swimming around with the penguin.
7Orbital Blitz
World 5 - Feather Cluster
A strength of later levels in 3D platformers like Astro Bot is that they can really start to pull out all the stops and not have to hold back on difficulty, but sometimes this difficulty can start to overshadow the fun of the levels.
This is why Orbital Blitz is such a great level. While it will prove to be a challenge to not only reach the end, but also find all of the hidden collectibles, it doesn’t change the fact that the theming of the level is still wonderful, and there are light-hearted sections to break up the challenges.
6Bathhouse Battle
World 3 - Serpent Starway
Another level that takes full advantage of a one-off power up isBathhouse Battle, which is the only level in the game which focuses wholly on the sponge ability. Even before getting the power-up, the design of the level is wonderful, themed after a bathhouse and lit beautifully at sunset.
This is then contrasted by the chaos you can create when trampling around as the giant sponge Astro. The ability is used creatively, making you feel powerful as you use it, but not overpowered since there are clear weaknesses, and you’ll need to use your water supply strategically.
5Trunk Of Funk
World 2 - Tentacle System
After starting the level with a charming open area where you may explore the grassy plain finding secrets,Trunk of Funkpicks up the pace once you finally decide to water the massive seed. It sprouts into a gargantuan singing tree that you’ll need to scale to reach the end.
This level introduces and creatively implements the elephant suck ability that lets you create platforms out of different liquids the backpack sucks in. This makes the platforming up to the top of the tree as thoughtful as it is fun.
4Az-Tech Trail
World 1 - Gorilla Nebula
Az-Tech Trail is one of the strongest levels in the earliest world of Astro Bot for how much variety it throws at you, with a strong combination of combat and platforming to keep you on your toes.
The frog punching gloves are used creatively as a tool to give you extra range, but also for swinging around and pulling on certain objects. While it is nowhere near as challenging as some of the later levels, it is definitely one of the first proper skill checks in the game.
3Slo-Mo Casino
The time slow ability gets to be the star in a few different levels throughout Astro Bot, but where it is arguably used the best is in its debut inSlo-Mo Casino. Casino levels are always bright and colourful, and this one is no exception, and all of its secrets are cleverly hidden.
The slow motion ability is at its best here, with it being useful for platforming in creative ways, but also against certain enemies that can only be beaten if you use it. This is likely one level where you won’t be able to find everything the first time, so be prepared to find yourself back in this casino to scour for secrets.
2Luna Sola
Sometimes the simplest concepts can be the most effective, and that is true forLuna Sola, which focuses on using buttons to switch between day and night, each time rotating the whole level 90 degrees in one direction.
The level is designed with this gimmick in mind, and it makes for a unique approach to exploration, leading to some satisfying discoveries. While the level uses childish theming, it is actually one of the more complex levels in the game, befitting its late-game status.
1Downsize Surprise
Perhaps the worst casualty of only getting one level to itself is the mouse shrink power up that stars in Downsize Surprise. As soon as you get the ability to shrink and grow on command, the level is throwing unique encounters and exploration opportunities at Astro.
There’s something so effortlessly charming about getting to shrink and see a more detailed version of the same level, and the lack of any boundaries on where you can shrink makes this a level that is packed full of details and charming surprises.
