I remember, vividly, the review process for Astro Bot’s Rescue Mission. There were certain segments of the media, bound by embargo, who were bursting to talk about the PlayStation VR game. I actually recall one critic – I apologise, I can’t remember who – comparing the title on Twitter to Super Mario 64, in terms of its impact on the platformer genre. While I wouldn’t go quite that far myself, I remember seeing the comparison hand-waved away by forum posters and social media users, and thinking to myself: you have no idea.
Because make no mistake, Astro Bot’s Rescue Mission is not just one of the Best PSVR Games available – it’s also one of the Best PS4 Games period. And I think it’s really important that Astro’s Playroom has opened the franchise to a wider audience, because now perhaps more non-VR players will understand what everyone was so enthusiastic about back in 2018.
So for those of you who haven’t played it – and you can enjoy it on PS5 if you want to through backwards compatibility, you just need the PlayStation Camera adaptor – I’m going to give you the hard-sell on this wonderful title one last time. It plays much like Astro’s Playroom in many ways – there’s light combat, you can glide by double pushing the jump button – but the main difference is that the levels completely immerse you.
Think of it like this: in Astro’s Playroom, you’re looking through a window into the game. Make no mistake, it’s a wonderful, whimsical window – but it’s a window nonetheless. In Astro Bot’s Rescue Mission, however, there’s no window – instead, the levels are built around you. That means there are platforms below you, above you, and from side-to-side. It’s like sticking your head inside a fish bowl, except Astro’s world is being beamed onto the entire inner-surface.
It’s an unbelievably immersive experience, and it feels surprisingly natural to play. When you need to run from left-to-right, your head naturally follows the path of the character, meaning you’re seeing different parts of the world as you look around. The gameplay is similarly imaginative, using the DualShock 4’s various features and functions to provide a surprisingly tactile experience – although it obviously lacks the haptic feedback you’ll have experienced with the DualSense in Astro’s Playroom.
The level design is just as good, though, and crucially there’s more of it. Where you can see all four worlds of Astro’s Playroom in a couple of hours if you’re not a completionist, it’ll take you a good seven or so hours to complete all of the levels in Astro Bot’s Rescue Mission, and there are multiple boss fights spread across its campaign.
Look, I know PSVR is not for everyone, but I do think it’s worth reiterating: Astro Bot’s Rescue Mission is every bit as good as Astro’s Playroom – in fact, it’s almost like an extension of that game, with more levels but equally enjoyable gameplay. I personally think platformers excel from this perspective in virtual reality – there’s just something unique about having the levels physically surround you.
If you loved Astro’s Playroom, and you’re looking for more, then just remember this is an option. Yes, you’ll need a PSVR headset – but it’s worth it the price of admission for more Astro Bot!
Has your interest in Astro Bot Rescue Mission increased since the release of Astro’s Playroom? Were you already a fan of the lovable platforming mascot? Locate all of the hidden bots in the comments section below.
Comments 43
I've said this many times: even as someone who physically cannot play many VR games due to motion sickness, this game is wonderful and well worth buying a PSVR for.
Best 3d platformer I've ever played.....mainly because I typically hate 3d platformers. But being able to see everything in VR takes a lot of the "guess work" in your jumps as you actually have depth perception.
Playing VR playroom I was one of many who played the rescue mission demo and immediately wanted a full game. A mere 2 years later and this masterpiece was already developed
For me it's the best PSVR game, and one of the best platformers ever made. It is THAT good.
Astro Bot Rescue Mission is the best VR game I've played and top 5 of all PS4 games. An absolute joy from start to finish and it was genius to make you a physical character in the game, as it feels like you're on the journey with the little robot. A great soundtrack, some very clever secrets and simple Nintendo like fun such as just heading a football because you can. Up there with the best 3d platformers and I've played a lot over many years
I need to go back to the VR game. Just gotta tidy my floor so I got room to use my headset
I wish I could play it- Astro's Playroom was right up my cobbled alley - but PSVR isn't an option for me right now. I'll likely get PSVR 2 when it's eventually released and enjoy the VR games I've been keeping an eye on, like Blood and Truth and this. In an ideal world there could even be a 'deluxe edition' that runs at a higher resolution and uses the Dualsense like Playroom did.
Wonderful game. Well-deserved plug.
Until there are less tech demos that come out for the VR I am not getting one. Not enough full fledged games to make it worth that purchase.
Agreed! Great VR game 🤗
I bought Rescue Mission months ago (maybe years?) but I’ve never played it.
I have to be in the right mood to play PSVR and there have just been too many good non-PSVR games that I wanted to play more.
I was hoping to play it over Christmas break but AC Valhalla, Miles Morales, Crash Bandicoot 4 and Immortals: Fenyx Rising got in the way ...
great game!! keep it up boyss
You kind of touch on it above, and i've said it many times. If you stuck mario in the game this would be lauded as one of the games on the generation.
Its absolutely outstanding and everyone owes it to themselves to give it a try. It was the first game that really made me believe in VR as a medium for the future
love them both, Haven't plugged in my VR headset since I got my PS5 though!
I stopped using my PSVR when I got a 4K TV. The processor unit does not allow pass-through of the HDR signal. I bought Astro Bot last year but have not played it. There where rumors the PS5 would have a built-in Processor that would allow HDR pass-through with PSVR but that seems not to be true. I am still waiting on the camera adapter.
It’s really quite a lovely game but PSVR makes me feel like I’m about to hurl and then collapse into a sweaty heap on the floor. It’s a bit of a boke machine.
One of the greatest games of all time and hands down the best PS4 game of the generation. If you haven’t played this you really don’t know how good gaming can be.
@JohnKarnes
Shame they don’t let you swap for the new processor box that does let you have HDR pass through.
First class VR gaming experience. Still can't understand how some people havnt even considered playing this. Please give this game a try 👍
It looks great, but there's nothing else I want on VR, and I wouldn't buy VR purely for this game.
I think it's actually better than Astro's Playroom, by quite a margin. Astro's Playroom is heavy on nostalgia, but Rescue Mission is all about the gameplay. I think saying it's as big a revolution as Mario 64 is not hyperbole - in my opinion Mario 64 was a big deal, and VR is the only thing that has wow-ed me to the same degree. Astro Bot is the full realization of VR platforming.
And the music is better, too!
@thefourfoldroot I would buy a cable that did offer HDR pass-through if they offered a one for sale.
Coincidentally I literally started this game yesterday! Thought I'd play a level or 2 but ended up finishing the whole first world and a few of the challenges. I'm in love with it!! It's by far the most fun I've had on PSVR so far. Gives me the same sense of whimsy I got playing Tearaway for the first time.
I’ve compared it to Mario 64 on multiple occasions and it’s 100% right to do so. It’s the first time since Mario 64, I’ve actually had that same joy and wonder while playing a game.
It’s simply brilliant and leaves you amazed as each level unfolds.
It’s absolutely worth the entrance price of VR. You won’t regret it and you get access to top quality PSVR games (of which there are now loads) afterwards.
@JohnKarnes
It’s not the cable you need to replace, it’s the processor box. You need version 2 that has the pass through. I’ve seen them on eBay for about £25.
I talked about this a couple of episodes ago, I let it pass me by . How stupid was I astrobot VR is a system seller and is right up there with blood and truth and NMS VR in my eyes. If you played the ps5 in built astrobot and thought it good your mind will be blown by this . A particular highlight for me was the whale level to say too much would be to ruin it but the changing water levels is inspired. PSVRs are going super cheap at the moment so do you self a a favour and get this game and a headset - it uses the DS4 to so no need to worry about the move controller. Now enjoy and thank me later because you will.
@thefourfoldroot sadly and bizarrely they aren’t interchangeable
Only reason I haven't played it is because I don't have a PSVR. Always thought it seemed cool and was interested in it based on reviews though. Not surprised Astro's Playroom turned out so well based on the reception Rescue Mission got.
This is by some distance my favourite VR game, it is the most fun I have had with a platformer since Mario World on the SNES!
PSVR in general has some great games I just wish we could get Half Life Alyx.
Ace Combat, Blood & Truth, Tetris, Iron Man, SW Squadrons and Moss are but a few others which are amazing VR games.
@thefourfoldroot unfortunately you can’t seem to just swap it out. I’ve got the day one PSVR and I also bought PSVR v2 just to get the pass through box.
I did try and plug my day one headset into the v2 box and it didn’t work.
Agree with all the praise of this game - above all, it shows the capacity of VR to make you smile.
With respect to the original PSVR and modern TVs, the easiest solution for now is to buy a HDMI splitter. I picked up a Portta 2X1 4K HDMI switch off Amazon for £12 and it works fine, plus doesn’t need any additional power. It in theory maxes out at 4k@60 Hz so that might limit the odd game on PS5 that supports 4k@120 Hz, but otherwise it’s a cheap solution to the problem that seems to just work.
@SoulChimera
That’s...incredibly bad. And bizarre. Can’t think for a second why the headset would need to be version 2 as well.
I'd love to pick it up but I'd want to experience it in VR and I don't have my PS4 anymore, so I'm hoping that PS5 VR supports PS4 titles when it eventually arrives.
Along with Super Mario 64, it's the best 3D platformer ever made. Period.
It brims with original ideas, heart, fantastic and original level design - even insanely vertical - and amazing character design.
@thefourfoldroot will that box work with Gen 1 PSVR?
Ok I checked 2nd gen Processor box will not work with 1st gen headsets. As stated by a seller on EBay. Thank You for trying to help.
Pity the PSVR never seems to go on sale anymore. There are a few games I'd love to check out on it, but I'm not paying the price of a full console for one.
Oh well.
I've played loads of PSVR games and never had any motion sickness problems... Except for Astro's Playroom. I can't play that game for more than 15 minutes before feeling dizzy and lightheaded. I don't know what it is about it...
I still think they should offer a flat mode for the game. It's certainly better in VR, but it would hit a wider audience in flat.
@JohnKarnes
Yeah, just found out myself. Incredible they’d do that. The whole things a bit of a mess. I’ve decided not to even connect my PSVR to PS5, despite having version 2 and the adapter, as I’m not convinced the pass through box can handle 4K HDR at higher frame rates, and I know that PS5 can’t even run 3D Blu rays...
That final boss though lol took me days to get it haha brilliant game though
This game alone is worth investing in VR for. Its mind blowing from a tech standpoint and is a platformer worthy to stand next to any of the great Marios. One of the best PS4 games, period. If you haven't played it, you are seriously missing out on something special.
You learn all you need to know about the new dual sense within the first few minutes of Astro's Playroom.
Thereafter, it's just another platform game. If you've played one, you've played them all.
Deleted after ten minutes.
@Nepp67 I bought PSVR for RE7 and didn't disappoint. Also love Superhot VR.
@DanM same here, I get like 2 levels done then have to stop and lay down. I can play beat Saber, super hot and satin and sinners for hour's at a time
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