PlayStation’sAstro Botcontinues the legacy set byAstro Bot Rescue MissionandAstro’s Playroomwhich, while surprisingly well-received by audiences, were more like tech demos and love letters to PlayStation history than full-fledged games. But now thatAstro Botis shaping up to be a proper franchise, things are starting to seem oddly similar to another PlayStation-exclusive series.
LittleBigPlanetis a trilogy of games developed by Media Molecule, a studio that is now perhaps best known forDreams, the open-source PlayStation video games engine. TheLittleBigPlanetfranchise was, without a doubt, Sony’s leading platformer during the PS3 era, carving out a space for the console within a genre that is typically dominated by Nintendo, whose instantly recognizable brands likeMarioandDonkey Konghelp secure consistent success.Sackboy: A Big Adventure, a spin-off title launched alongside the PS5, took the IP in a slightly different direction, though one that is still clearly inspired by classic platformers likeSuper Mario 3D World. TheLBPtrain has seemingly stopped chugging along for now, though, and withAstro Botrising to prominence, it could usurp the other as Sony’s premier platformer.
Astro Bot and LittleBigPlanet Are Cut from the Same Cloth
Family-Friendly Platformers Are Rare On PlayStation
There are definitelykid-friendly games on PlayStation, and Sony exclusives of old, likeCrash Bandicoot, spring to mind when discussing this subject, but it’s rare for more than one AAA, exclusive platforming game to exist on the console at once. There are a number of reasons for this, but the most obvious is that Sony probably isn’t interested in investing too heavily in the genre space while other games, like live-services and open-world action titles, tend to be more profitable.
Another reason for this could be brand unification. Historically,PlayStation mascots have come from the world of platforming, with notable examples including:
There are other PlayStation mascots, like Nathan Drake and Kratos, but those from family-friendly games are probably a bit more desirable from a marketing perspective, as they are inoffensive, simple, and malleable;Astro Bot and Sackboyaren’t tethered with the same baggage as a character like Joel from theLast of Us, of course. This makes them effective brand ambassadors, able to appeal to all ages and capable of appearing in any number of different games. It may seem cynical, but Sony is a business, and having a mascot that “checks all the boxes,” so to speak, has a number of benefits. Sack Boy and Astro Bot certainly check a lot of boxes.
It’s also worth noting thatLittleBigPlanetoffers a lot of PlayStation fan service via cosmetics and the like, which seems to be exactly whatAstro Botis doing, though to a greater extent.
Why Astro Bot Could Be Replacing LittleBigPlanet
WithLittleBigPlanetbeing Sony’s resident family-friendly platforming series for so long, it will be interesting to see if it can coexist alongsideAstro Bot.Media Molecule is working on a new, unrevealed project, but after passing the reins to Sumo Digital for theSackboyspin-off game and leavingLittleBigPlanetin the background for so long, it seems like the developer might be moving on. And whileSackboy: A Big Adventurehas its fans, no sequel has been announced since its release four years ago, meaning that it could be curtains for theLittleBigPlanetuniverse, at least for now.
Sony could always have multiple exclusive platforming franchisesrunning concurrently—Nintendo has been doing it for years, after all—but this may be unlikely. Nintendo’s brand image is designed around these sorts of games, while Sony tends to cater to an older audience with franchises likeGod of WarandThe Last of Us. Plus, expensive, exclusive games are proving to be more and more financially risky as time goes on, meaning that diversification across genres will likely be important for the company’s business strategy. If there’s only one spot for a 3D platforming franchise on PlayStation,Astro Botmight be the one to occupy it.
JOIN ASTRO IN A BRAND-NEW, SUPERSIZED SPACE ADVENTURE
The PS5® mothership has been wrecked, leaving ASTRO and the bot crew scattered all over the galaxies. Time to ride your trusty Dual Speeder across more than 50 planets full of fun, danger and surprises. On your journey, make the most of ASTRO’s new powers and reunite with many iconic heroes from the PlayStation universe!
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Power up your platforming
With your new powers, battle out a whole new roster of quirky baddies and huge bosses. Feel every hop, punch and crack through your DualSense wireless controller.
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Reunite with over 150 iconic PlayStation heroes and celebrate 30 years of PlayStation history!
