Ever since its launch back in February, the PlayStation VR2 has seen a curious drought of first-party titles, with only the humdrum Horizon: Call Of The Mountain gracing its software roster. A glaring omission, many have pointed out, is a sequel to the highly praised Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, a title often hailed as one of the best VR games to date.
In a fascinating turn of events, new trademark filings in both the United States and Europe suggest that the lovable bot may soon make a triumphant return, although details remain tantalizingly scant.
Astro Bot started as an obscure character in the free PlayStation 4 tech demo, The Playroom, but then morphed into a full-blown PlayStation icon with the advent of Astro Bot Rescue Mission for the first-generation PlayStation VR. But his fame skyrocketed with ‘Astro’s Playroom’, a title packaged with the PlayStation 5. Given Astro Bot’s evolution from the tech demo character to a first-party star, it’s hardly surprising that Sony’s Team ASOBI, now a full-fledged first-party developer, would want to expand upon the character’s adventures.
Sony Interactive Entertainment filed trademarks for Astro Bot on August 25 in Europe:https://t.co/IoWZq9goTnhttps://t.co/7vSaTQ1SsY pic.twitter.com/U5d4rYkhoh
— Gematsu (@gematsu) August 28, 2023
The intrigue escalated when the eagle-eyed Gematsu noted that Sony had submitted multiple trademarks for Astro Bot, not necessarily linked to a specific title. These filings were backed up by further discoveries in the U.S. Trademark Office. It’s the sort of coordinated legal maneuvering that typically precedes a significant announcement. Additionally, a recent presentation at the CEDEC 2023 developer conference included a slide showcasing Astro Bot as a VR game example, further stoking the fires of speculation.
While this is hardly an announcement, the breadcrumbs are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Insider murmurs have also started to surface. Shpeshall_Nick, a known industry insider, mentioned the possibility of a PSVR2 port of Astro Bot Rescue Mission.
If true, this would offer a fresh lease of life to the critically acclaimed platformer, given that backward compatibility issues have locked it onto Sony’s first-generation VR hardware. While many would undoubtedly prefer an entirely new adventure tailored for the PSVR2, a remaster could serve as an appetizer, introducing Astro Bot to a new generation of gamers and leveraging the enhanced capabilities of the updated VR headset.
Without a “cute” mascot, Astro Bot could be Sony’s answer to Mario – a timeless character appearing in a multitude of adventures across different worlds. It wouldn’t be the worst idea to put Team Asobi to work on a full-fledged platform. If these trademark filings are indeed heralding such a title, this would be a perfect time for Sony to incorporate a wide array of its IPs, channeling the spirit of something like Mario 64 to create an exclusive gaming experience that stands apart in a market saturated with run-of-the-mill titles.
Astro Bot’s unique charm, hinged on immaculate controls and clever level designs, has transformed him into a PlayStation mascot. His games serve as a meticulous exploration of the hardware they’re built for, infusing Easter eggs with a mix of innovative gameplay in ways that resonate with both casual gamers and hardcore fans. It’s evident that a full version could not only encapsulate these qualities but elevate them to a new level of gaming artistry, capturing the nostalgia and charm that has always defined great platformers.
A concrete announcement is yet to be made, but the signs are promising. Team Asobi is on record stating that they are working on their “biggest and most ambitious” project yet, and their staffing plans suggest scale and complexity.
If these clues are anything to go by, Astro Bot’s future looks as bright as a supernova, and the question is longer if but when Sony decides to pull back the curtain on this beloved character’s next escapade. Until then, the guessing game will continue, but one thing is clear: whatever is brewing in Sony’s creative cauldron is bound to capture imaginations and likely further solidify Astro Bot’s place in PlayStation history.
For now, those looking for a platformer can check out Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. The latest entry in the long-running first-party Sony franchise was nominated for GOTY in 2021 and was recently ported to the PC.
