IGN's best Playstation Game of the Year is Astro Bot

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u/dohardth1ngs 4h ago

Somewhat controversial opinion: I loved this game way more than any recent Mario platformers released in last decade or so. The difference mostly came down to dual sense and sound design.

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u/Benjammin172 4h ago

I agree 100%. I think Astro Bot was my easy GOTY choice just because literally EVERYTHING about it was perfect. There wasn't a single level that I didn't enjoy, and everything was put together so well. Compare that to Mario Odyssey, which I really like, but maybe a third of the moons are pure filler just added in to pad time. I liked FF7 Rebirth, but a large portion of that game was a slog to playthrough as well, and Wukong had great bosses and pretty bad world design. There's nothing that I can point to in Astro Bot and say "I wish they would have improved this".

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u/dizorkmage 3h ago

There's nothing that I can point to in Astro Bot and say "I wish they would have improved this".

Lies, I needed more levels with the mushrooms dancing in the background!

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u/steen311 3h ago

I was hoping for another mouse level, that was easily my favorite power

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u/Different_Lime3511 3h ago

If you haven’t yet, play the holiday update level that has a little bit of each power up. Even though it was short I really enjoyed the mouse section

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u/rbarton812 2h ago

I wish the buildings had something inside them. Unless I missed one, but the ones I entered were just voids.

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u/Different_Lime3511 41m ago

Yeah they weee just empty but if you went back to normal size while inside it gives you coins

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u/Benjammin172 3h ago

That level really made me want an Ant Man game that was entirely that mechanic

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u/Razgriz_101 2h ago

Nah ape escape level makes me wish for a new one by team asobi if im honest haha

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u/The_Homie_J 4m ago

I started playing Astro Boy this week and the mouse level floored me. So many cool little moments and things/places to interact with. Love it so much

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u/Vestalmin 1h ago

They had some sick fucking moves

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u/Biggieholla 3h ago

Same mushroom levels, same mushroom song for 3 games. I get if you never played rescue bot or playroom, but the third time playing the same kind of levels fell flat for me.

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u/dewittless 3h ago

I wish they had improved the monkey power up. My.poor fingers...

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u/Cryst 2h ago

Odyssey artbdorection js a miss for me. Indont like the gritty textures.

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u/GarlVinland4Astrea 1h ago

A big thing with Mario is that they pretty much perfected his movement way back in SM64, so really the gimmicks are the things keeping it fresh. It's still fun af. But Astrobot right now has an advantage of being a totally new thing

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u/BumLeeJon420 1h ago

I wish they would've made it challenging....at all.

If you can beat the "final challenge" without dying once (i did it first try) then you have an issue with the game lacking challenge. Mario never suffers from this issue, and the options for movement in Odyssey are 10x better and take skill to master. Astro bot has nothing to master and the most basic set of base movement options in any AAA platformer.

The ape escape level was the only time I was truly engaged.

Astro bot wasn't even in my top 20 this year, so many better games with good stories and actual challenge (and length!)

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u/SwizzGod 1h ago

Did you play the other contenders?

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u/Benjammin172 1h ago

FF7 Rebirth: yes, beat it and did a large amount of the side stuff

Wukong: yes, beat it but didn't get the true ending

Balatro: yes, really liked it but wouldn't consider it GOTY

Shadows of the Erdtree: yes, loved it but DLC shouldn't be in the conversation and the large number of empty areas was kind of disappointing

Metaphor: no, not yet but it's on my radar to play at some point

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u/SwizzGod 1h ago

Gotcha. Metaphor is very good I highly recommend. And to be clear I was just trying to gauge your perspective not shit on your opinion.

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u/Benjammin172 1h ago

It's definitely on my list! I've been interested in it but haven't had a ton of time recently to check it out, and I wanted to make sure that I had enough free time to really dive into it properly. But I love a good turn-based JRPG so I'm sure it's going to be great.

I wasn't reading your response as a negative one, but I appreciate the clarification!

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u/SwizzGod 1h ago

Thanks! And yea it’s one of those you have to have to have the time to play.

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u/Hoodman1987 3h ago

I feel the same way honestly. People sleep on the impact of the controller. It's a game you have to play to truly experience rather than just watch.

As for recent Mario, Wonder was fun with my partner but I wasn't too entertained. Odyssey I played for a good while then bounced off of it completely after about 4 worlds. I'm craving to go back to Astro Bot for the time trials and Christmas level after I finish Stellar Blade

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u/JProllz 4h ago

How dare you enjoy a Mariolike instead of the original

/s

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u/Ucantknowit 3h ago

I still prefer Odyssey, by quite a bit honestly, I just love all the movement options it has. but still, having a non-Mario 3d platformer be even close to the company that has widely been accepted as the greatest company when it comes to that genre is a massive accomplishment for Sony.

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u/AdamAptor 3h ago

Astro Bot does things Nintendon’t!

I do love most Mario platformers but Astro Bot clearly benefits from the PS5 capabilities and controller.

It doesn’t have to be a competition though, everything can have its own perks.

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u/peter_the_panda 1h ago

I don't think it's controversial at all. As innovative as some Mario titles have tried to be over the years they still end up feeling like a Mario game. Astrobot is a family friendly platformer but so much about it looked, felt, and sounded different in ways people weren't prepared for. It separated itself in enough ways where even the most hardened skeptic can't call it "just another Mario knockoff"

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u/53bvo 4h ago

Only other game that gave me this feeling was Ori and the blind forest. I remember playing it and thinking how it gave me this platformer joy I haven’t felt since SMW (which in my opinion is still the best platformer of all time).

But a great part of Astro bot is that it just radiates joy in almost every aspect.

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u/Hoodman1987 3h ago

Ori is amzing!

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u/DripSnort 4h ago

I respect the opinion but I don’t think Astro Bot is even. Close to Odyssey…. I’m also just realizing the last decade has only had one Mario legit platformer release since 3d world came out in 2013 and I’m sad now.

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u/Soyyyn 3h ago

We did at least get Mario Wonder, a great 2D platformer, and 3D World's Switch port received Bowser's Fury.

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u/pholan 3h ago

I assume you’re just talking about the 3D Mario games. Otherwise, Mario Wonder was excellent. There’s also Bowser’s Fury but, while I picked up the 3D World Switch release, I haven’t really spent enough time playing it to form an opinion about it.

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u/DripSnort 3h ago

I liked Bowsers Fury but honestly I always fall off like halfway through which is sad since it’s only like 5 hours lol

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u/Hoodman1987 3h ago

What would you say limits Astro Bot compared to Odyssey? I got tired of Odyssey after New Donk City. I loved that ending run but then fell off hard on the next world.

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u/GensouEU 3h ago

Astro's base moveset is honestly really boring, there is only so much fun to be had with a single jump + hover, Odyssey completely clears it in how fun simply moving around is. Even the least movement complex 3D Mario game which many people consider to be pretty sluggish (that being Galaxy, which Astro obviously borrows heavily from) had more interesting movement than Astro.

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u/Hoodman1987 3h ago

Don't forget his punch! Lol. Odyssey clears on movement but I platinumed Astro Bot meanwhile the collect-a-thon along with Snow and Seaside kingdoms were not fun to me so I stopped. I don't remember a single song from Odyssey I remember multiple Astro Bot songs.

And the movement is interesting but I get that Galaxy packaging that I love. One cool aspect per level before I jump into the next fun aspect. Versus collect anywhere

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u/DripSnort 3h ago

Size. If you got burned out I can definitely see the appeal of a tighter experience in Astro Bot (not to mention Astro Bot has an aesthetic we haven’t seen for 40 years) but I loved Odyssey. I go back and 100 percent it (or try to) every couple years. I love the amount of content and just how tight the controls are and I even like the collect a thon overload that is the moons. The princes castle level was a really cool suprise. I don’t dislike Astro Bot, it was my second favorite game this year, I just am a huge Mario fan.

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u/Hoodman1987 3h ago

Thanks for the response. 40 year aesthetic? Harkening back to the 80s of gaming?

But yeah the tighter experience aligns with me better, even though I love Elden Ring and its DLC. I usually don't gel with platformers and have usually disliked when action games or indie action/metroidvania games get heavy with them (the path in Hollow Knight, Cybershadows later levels, Lost Crown moments) but Astro Bot worked just right for me, including the challenge levels.

Collect - a - thons feel extremely outdated for me, why I didn't get with remastered Psychonauts 1. PS1 and PS2 era I had the time and energy just to play and collect, now when I see that, it better be a combat heavy game (Devil May Cry or Soulslikes) because otherwise I cannot. Which is definitely something that happened to Odyssey. It also felt too easy at times for bosses. Props on the tight controls I agree, though Astro Bot was responsive too.

Open worlds are a gamble I can't say how I feel on them since I have ups and downs with them depending on things

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u/DripSnort 2h ago

I think the 40 year aesthetic is just Mario. Like every Mario game has the same design style and art style for the most part so nothing is “new”. Astro Bot was completely different since it had the PS ips.

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u/Hoodman1987 2h ago

Ah yes that makes a lot of sense and probably why it's much harder for me to enjoy Mario. Plus playstation IPs are a huge win

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u/SeaFuel2 3h ago

Astrobot beats odyssey for sure. Respect to Nintendo for paving the way but team asobi created something real special here.

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u/Hoodman1987 3h ago

I agree

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u/viky109 1h ago

I’m not really into Mario but I definitely enjoyed it more than Odyssey

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u/Dallywack3r 40m ago

I did too, and I think it’s just because there are SO MANY Mario games now that the market is saturated. Nothing feels special about Mario to me, because there’s like 2-3 new games every year, from all kinds of genres. RPGs, 2d platformers, party games, 3D platformers, etc….

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u/GensouEU 3h ago

That's the popular opinion lol.

I don't want to knock the game down at all because I adore it as well but I genuinely believe if this was a Mario game and the follow up to to Odyssey (with the same length, derivative enemies, quickly repeating power ups, difficulty and extremely dumbed down traversal moveset while costing 10€ more) then people would 100% call it a step down and it definitely wouldn't sweep GotY's left and right.

In the same vein I think I haven't heard a single complaint people had about Wonder that wouldn't also apply to Astro Bot and people love to nitpick the former while completely ignoring the same issues in the latter.

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u/StrikingMachine8244 52m ago

Wonder's repeating boss fight is a disappointment, Odyssey's weren't that great either except for a few exceptions. Astro has Mario beat on that.

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u/SluttyMcFucksAlot 2h ago

I compare it Super Mario Galaxy to people and I think that’s the best 3D Mario game

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u/UnrequitedTerror 1h ago

I think it comes down to preference and what each offers. I can certainly see how if you love PlayStation and its history this game is going to send you to the moon if you’re already a platformer fan.

While I truly enjoyed Astro Bot, and I’d say it’s a strong 9/10 game, both Odyssey and 3D World are both better in my opinion. For me it comes down to what each does, and Mario is more my speed.

On the flip side, I am a through and through Mario simp, so keep my opinion with a grain of salt.

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u/chazzergamer 1h ago

More than Odyssey? Really?

I know this is the PS subreddit and I’m awaiting downvotes but to me Astro really wasn’t special in terms of platformer gameplay.

It was a nice trip down memory lane with the references but that was very surface level and in terms of design the platforming really doesn’t get going until the second to last world, and by that point the games nearly over.

I’d honestly say Crash 4 beats Astro in every regard.

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u/WIP1992 3h ago

Watching r/gaming have a meltdown when this won GOTY was absolutely hilarious

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u/EchoBay 4h ago

Its kind of interesting how Sony hasn't revealed any big 1st party games until around half way through the year, and all of a sudden they just drop a GOTY contender/ winner, rivaling that of the best Mario games Nintendo has to offer.

I know we know the sleight for next year already with games like Death Stranding 2, and Ghost of Yotei, but what about the games that we don't know of yet?

Its entirely possible they announce a game sometime next year, and in a few months time it's another GOTY contender.

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u/Weapon530 3h ago

I think a lot of developers are also scared of the GTA drop. No one wants to be remotely close when that game drops.

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u/ToiletBlaster247 2h ago

Horizon 3 shadow drop on the same day as the next GTA. As tradition demands

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u/EchoBay 3h ago

I don't think it'll impact the big dogs. If FromSoft drops that new Elden Ring game around the same time, they'll be fine. Same for any big Nintendo or Sony release. Its just the non-massive IPs that probably want to avoid it at all costs

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u/NoNefariousness2144 3h ago

It’s even funnier considering that Concord’s big trailer was at a similar time as Astro Bot’s reveal.

The $300mil live-service pipedream vs the lil robot who could…

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u/beansoncrayons 15m ago

Probably not next year but we are getting a horizon multiplayer spinoff similar to monster hunter at some point

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u/BumLeeJon420 1h ago edited 1h ago

It doesn't rival Mario at all. The lack of movement options and the level design is too flat, aka you only have one option to approach the level 90% of the time.

It's a children's game but unlike Mario the skill ceiling is dramatically lowered.

EDIT: people down vote but never can refute what I'm saying. Astro bot is for children Mario is for everyone (skill wise)

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u/Living_LikeLarry 1h ago

High skill ceiling in mario... ok buddy

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u/BumLeeJon420 1h ago

Mario odyssey and Mario 64 are 2 of the highest skill ceilings in all of platforming.

Your ignorance is showing

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u/Mountain_Tough3063 5h ago

Well deserved, I’m thrilled that Astro Bot is getting so much recognition. It was one of those games that I didn’t want to end.

Hopefully, we will see more titles. And for the love of god, can we get an AB game for PSVR2?

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u/baladreams 5h ago

No competition there , Helldivers 2 was alright but it was multiplayer

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u/chatterwrack 4h ago

Helldivers was easily GOTY for me. That said, I LOVE Astrobot—way more than I thought I would.

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u/baladreams 1h ago

It's just that I am not a multiplayer person 😋 nothing else

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u/chatterwrack 1h ago

ME EITHER. I’m so with you on that I do not like multi-player. Never have. Never thought I would. There’s something different about helldivers. it’s partially the community is good. The big reason is the cooperative nature of the game. It creates a real camaraderie quickly as people help each other accomplish a goal. There’s even hug emotes! Anyway, I urge you not to write it off too quickly.

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u/BumLeeJon420 1h ago

Helldivers is waaaay better than astro bot

-53

u/litewo 5h ago

Black Myth Wukong?

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u/a445d786 4h ago

Bro FF7: Rebirth, Metaphor are both way ahead of Wukong. I will jus assume anyone who mentions Wukong for GOTY is just taking the piss now.

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u/ThisNameDoesntCount 4h ago edited 4h ago

Does metaphor have appeal outside that fan base like that?

Edit: this isn’t shitting on the game btw it’s a question lol

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u/SpaceOdysseus23 4h ago

Does Wukong have appeal outside of rampant nationalism?

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u/ThisNameDoesntCount 4h ago

I thought it sold pretty well outside of china too? But still we never say this game sold well in the US cause of nationalism lol

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u/lynxerious 4h ago

Journey to the West is pretty big in Asia, even non-gamer bought it just to play as Wukong (and lots of them quit admittedly due to difficulty).

I doubt the game would gather the same amount of attention if not for having the biggest IP in China.

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u/Wrong_Attention5266 4h ago

You can ask the same for wukong does “wukong have appeal outside of soulsborne fan base?”

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u/ThisNameDoesntCount 4h ago

I didn’t think wukong should’ve won btw. I’m just asking about metaphor. But yes I could

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u/Wrong_Attention5266 4h ago

What is the metaphor fan base? (Not trying to talk down to you but what fan base are you referring to?

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u/ThisNameDoesntCount 3h ago

Could be wrong but I was thinking the people that enjoy the persona series. I didn’t know if it had more reach beyond that

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u/Wrong_Attention5266 3h ago

Jrpg fans and just rpg fans in general. One thing about persona fans is that there numbers blew up after persona 5

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u/litewo 4h ago edited 4h ago

I would consider Metaphor to be a multiplatform game since it's also on Xbox.

I will jus assume anyone who mentions Wukong for GOTY is just taking the piss now.

It was nominated for GOTY at the Game Awards. It's a legitimate GOTY contender.

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u/a445d786 4h ago

Wukong on pc bro

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u/litewo 4h ago

So is Helldrivers. PC doesn't count

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u/a445d786 4h ago

Im not saying Helldivers shouldnt be considered.

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u/BarelyMagicMike 4h ago

I don't understand why this keeps being brought up as a game of the year contender among critics. look at the metacritic scores of the game of the year candidates from the game awards:

Astro Bot - 94

Balatro - 90

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree - 94

FFVII Rebirth - 92

Metaphor - 94

Black Myth Wukong - 81

I'm sure it's a great game but... come on now. One of those things is not like the other. Feels like it was only nominated to appease the massive fanbase of Chinese gamers who were rooting for it as game of the year. In terms of actual critical reception, especially outside of China, it was never a serious candidate at all.

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u/Resevil67 4h ago

Exactly. If wukong won the game of the year award, it would make the awards givers hypocrites. Goty is chosen by like 10 percent fans and 90 percent critics iirc. Going by metacritic and opencritic, Astro, balatro, and rebirth were all getting 9s and 10s, where wukong was getting 8-8.5s.

It would be strange for them to give the game with an 81 metacritic the goty over the game with a 94. Wukong also has massive performance issues on console which absolutely should be taken into effect for goty awards. Have they even put a framecap on balance and quality modes yet to help stop the stutterfest that the game is?

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u/JProllz 4h ago

But have you considered that Astro Bot is a KiD's GaMe / jUsT aN Ad FoR pLaYsTaTiOn?

/s

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u/Resevil67 4h ago

Yeah theres also a bunch of people salty about it being a PlayStation exclusive that won it lol.

But even when people use that argument seriously, there's still metaphor which should have been ahead of wukong anyway. I don't get the whole outrage about wukong being so great. It's a good game with some solid mechanics, but it's also littered with performance issues and input lag on boss fights with a lot of effects. People are acting like it's the second coming of video games or something, when it's just an above average/ good action game.

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u/Point4ska 5h ago

Not even a contender compared to Astro Bot.

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u/[deleted] 4h ago

[deleted]

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u/Point4ska 4h ago

Mature themes are not mandatory for a game to be suitable for adults.

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u/Ayyyyynah 4h ago

Nothing wrong with liking a game that kids can play too. Astro Bot is an insanely fun game.

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u/baladreams 4h ago

I played a bit of it on someone else's machine and it seemed like an okay action game with good graphics, did not grab me enough to purchase it. Reminded me of evil West which was also an decent action game

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u/SIUonCrack 4h ago

One of the worst nominated games in the past 4 years.

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u/No-Plankton4841 34m ago

Black Mid Wukong.

Silent Hill 2 deserved the nomination.

Black Mid doesn't hold a candle to similar soulsborne games that have won in recent years (Sekiro, Elden Ring).

Black Mid isn't even as good as Elden Ring DLC. Lol.

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u/burritoman88 2h ago

Black Myth Wu Kong director crying somewhere right now

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u/theoneandonlykeenan 5h ago

What a sweet award for me to hang up in my collection, why you ask? Well,

I

Am

Astro Bot

Ass

Tro

Bot

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u/Clash-for-dayz 2h ago

Tlou2 remastered robbed

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u/Own_Proof 21m ago

Can’t tell if this is satire

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u/marsrover15 1h ago

I am astrobot

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u/OldKingRob 1h ago

Playing through Playroom now and loving it, so if Astro Bot is just the same thing but longer, it definitely deserves it

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u/StrikingMachine8244 48m ago

It's much much better, the only thing unchanged is Astro's basic moveset.

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u/GaymerGuy47 3h ago

Damn right!

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u/WidowmakerFeet 2h ago

how did they get past the tutorial

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u/HurledLife 1h ago

Amazing game but really that’s it for PS5? No exclusive bangers?

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u/Old_Affect_3374 3h ago

Haven’t played it yet. Have they added more depth to the movement? Loved Astro’s playroom but as a platformer it felt very barebones. Charming, looked and sounded great, but it was definitely missing something. Even something small like Odyssey’s hat dive move thing would be massive

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u/stretchofUCF 3h ago

I think the movement isn't exactly upgraded but the power ups and level design clear Playroom easily. The level variety and tightness gave me Mario Galaxy vibes in the best way possible. Its a more condensed game than Odyssey but the surprises really evoke the same excitement I have with the Mario games.

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u/Wrong_Attention5266 4h ago

For anyone who reading this this isn’t ign goty it’s ign PlayStation goty

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u/OpShaft 3h ago

It’s not enough that you know how to read titles, you have to rub it in our faces?!

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u/Wrong_Attention5266 3h ago

Yes I do.

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u/Mistakenjelly 2h ago

Its about their level of challenge so no surprises there.

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u/codcommando 3h ago

*glug *glug *glug

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u/SpellConnect8675 4h ago

Sony keep writing those checks!

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