PlayStation Astro Bot became an incredible success for the publisher and a perfect museum to its history. Besides being a joyous 3D platformer in its own right, Astro Bot it's like stepping into a time machine through the PlayStation line, with loving odes and tributes to the iconic PlayStation line of systems. This history lesson helps include special levels that allow the titular Astro Bot to take control of some notable PlayStation franchises.
One of the most surprising special levels revolves around Astro Bot transforming into playable characters LocoRoco. A somewhat obscure franchise that first made a name for itself on the PlayStation Portable, LocoRoco's inclusion seems notable compared to other PlayStation franchises that get special levels such as God of War, Unchartedand Horizon. More than anything else, this surprising inclusion provides some hope that maybe something new LocoRoco title could come sooner rather than later.
Astro Bot's LocoRoco section enables new gameplay
Fans won't have to look for the LocoRoco series
Compared to other franchises represented in Astro Bot, LocoRoco is much more obscure. All of its main titles were released on the PlayStation Portable in the late 2000s, and the franchise never received a proper original home console release. Fortunately, fans looking to get into the franchise won't have to look too far to find its biggest titles.
Both original LocoRoco and its sequels were remastered on PlayStation 4 in 2017, and these titles are also playable as backwards compatible games on PlayStation 5. LocoRoco Midnight Carnivala spinoff title that also serves as a sequel LocoRoco 2it was re-released in 2022 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. All three games are also available as part of the premium tier of Sony's PlayStation Plus service, making them all very affordable for newcomers looking to get into the series for the first time.
LocoRoco could return with PlayStation VR2
LocoRoco could benefit from the inclusion of some PlayStation VR2 compatibility in the future. Sony has had a very tough time selling its latest virtual reality headsets, and rumors have been rife that Sony is cutting back some of its support for the PS VR2. But before Sony officially decides it's a lost cause, they should at least try to experiment with some new VR2 games and LocoRoco would be a perfect place to start.
Of course, a flat mode would probably be best to help sell the game, but it would be great to see some VR2 integration in the new one LocoRoco title. Since the game focuses on tilting the stage to move its jelly-like LocoRoco characters around the level, VR2's range of motion can allow players to tilt their heads and guide the characters across the environment. It would be a unique piece of hardware that Sony is practically begging for given the current VR2 issues.
LocoRoco
's inclusion seems notable compared to other PlayStation franchises that get special levels such as
God of War
,
Uncharted
and
Horizon
.
The Asobi team is the perfect developer for LocoRoco Revival
That Asobi is the last remnant LocoRoco the franchise's original developer, Japan Studio, the Astro Bot a developer would be a perfect candidate to bring back LocoRoco. The developer clearly showed their love for the original game with this integration Astro Botto the point where it almost feels like an audition to take over the role LocoRoco's new developer. Perhaps this new special level could be an exciting springboard for Team Asobi to take the bull by the horns and bring it back LocoRoco in large.
What's more, given that Team Asobi has a clear experience with virtual reality in 2018 Astrobot rescue missionthis developer could make those VR2 dreams come true. This team has done an incredible job showcasing PlayStation hardware for several years now, and the Asobi team seems to be the right developer to really sell the audience on PlayStation VR2. Whether it comes true or not, LocoRoco deserves a revival and hopefully his appearance in Astro Bot is only the tip of the iceberg.
