Astro Bot Dev Won't Chase Hyper-Realism Like Other PlayStation Studios

In case you missed it Astro Bot dev Team Asobi -- born out of the defunct Japan Studio -- just put out a banger. The game is somewhat of a departure from what we’re used to seeing from PlayStation Studios, and instantly became one of the biggest hits of 2024. It’s light-hearted and fun, and Team Asobi says it wants to keep things that way.

[Lightning77]

Hope if this game sells well enough we can get a Sly or Jak game. They're the only Sony studio highly capable of bring those franchises back in a big way.

[pwnmaster3000]

Never a sly cooper fan but Jan series needs a series comeback.

[pwnmaster3000]

Thank god. I like Sony games but a lot of them chase that realistic fantasy feel. Sometimes I like games like these. Good for them.

[Obscure_Observer]

"Thank god?"

Asobi literally just killed any hope for new sequels for games like Demon Souls or Bloodborne to focus on kid/family games.

[toxic-inferno]

"...killed any hope..."?

Out of the big three, Sony are known for being able to simultaneously produce both "kid/family" games and "dark/serious" games.

I find it absurd to suggest that just because Sony have published a highly well-received, child-friendly game, means that they will immediately cease production of anything that is more mature...

[outsider1624]

"Asobi literally just killed any hope for new sequels for games like Demon Souls or Bloodborne to focus on kid/family games."

And?? Like that even matters to you.

[Pedantic91]

"Asobi literally just killed any hope for new sequels for games like Demon Souls or Bloodborne"

Asobi didn't "literally" kill anything, they are not the ones to decide what happen to games or sequels they aren't responsible for. What ? sony isn't allowed to have a smaller team working on more colorful games similar to Nintendo ?

[Gamehard]

Imagine having this obscure of an observation.

[Obscure_Observer]

"Out of the big three, Sony are known for being able to simultaneously produce both "kid/family" games and "dark/serious" games."

Out of the big three even Nintendo do that.

"I find it absurd to suggest that just because Sony have published a highly well-received, child-friendly game, means that they will immediately cease production of anything that is more mature..."

Who said Sony? I was specifically talking about Team Asobi? The one who used to be Japan Studios? The one who developed both Demon Souls and Bloodborne in partnership with From Software?

Asobi don´t want to mess around with that kind of games anymore so no new Demon Souls or Bloodborne from them. Got it?

@outsider1624

"And?? Like that even matters to you."

Of course it matter to me. Pretty sure I been playing "Souls" games from longer than you since the original King´s Field back in the 90´s.

I´m more of a "playstation fan" than a lot of you will ever be.

@Pedantic91

"Asobi didn't "literally" kill anything, they are not the ones to decide what happen to games or sequels they aren't responsible for.What ? sony isn't allowed to have a smaller team working on more colorful games similar to Nintendo ?"

Of course they are. It´s awesome news for platform fans who have been missing some charming kid/family friendly games.

But it also is bad news for those expecting new sequels for Demon Souls and Bloodborne, because as far as I can tell, Asobi is the only japanese first party studio at Playstation Studio.

Could Sony pass the torch to another first party studio? Definitely! Will they? I doubt that.

[LoveSpuds]

I was wondering what hot takes certain nipple heads would have in response to a PlayStation title garnering universal praise.

[northpaws]

@Obscure_Observer

I... I am speechless... your "insight" never cease to amaze me.

[OlderGamer17]

P,lease stop, do you are not aware that al your comments get downvoted in an instant? Does that not tells you something? Its time for you O_O to sing another tune, because your comments dont work...

[VersusDMC]

"But it also is bad news for those expecting new sequels for Demon Souls and Bloodborne, because as far as I can tell, Asobi is the only japanese first party studio at Playstation Studio."

Jesus christ you're thought process is quite something...can only a Japanese developer make a sequel to those games? You don't think there is overwhelming support for Bluepoint to do it after the Demon Souls remake?

And there is no way Sony looks at making all their games kid friendly when Helldivers 2 is their best selling game. Astro Bot being successful just guarantees a Astro Bot trilogy made by Asobi.

[Chocoburger]

Not every game needs to be ultra serious, dark, and gritty. Happy to see a non-indie studio embrace the weird, wacky, silly, and playful nature of games. They almost feel like a Nintendo first party studio, which Sony really needs in this current era more than ever.

Now make Ape Escape 4, please?

[ThatArtGuy]

There is a HUGE nod to Ape Escape in Astro Bot. It made me happy.

[Chocoburger]

Nice to hear. Many of the Sony Japan developers moved to Team Asobi, so they're the best team to make another Ape Escape game.

[VariantAEC]

And also Loco Roco!

Oh, right, no one cares about that franchise, except me.

[Jin_Sakai]

Thank you. We need both not one or the other.

[jaymacx]

Yeah, variety is what helped PlayStation become a trusted brand.

[jaymacx]

It may not have hyper realism but their use of the DualSense controller makes this game feel really immersive. Most fun I’ve had in a while playing a modern game.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Good we need diverse graphical styles

[purple101]

if the new jet set radio is not cell shaded, the'll be murders!!

[Zenzuu]

Sony has so many great dominant IP's that they can bring back, such as Infamous, Socom, Ape Escape, Jak & Daxter, Siren, Sly Cooper, Killzone, Twisted Metal, Little Big Planet, Gravity Rushy, Motorstorm, Wild Arms, Resistance, Wipeout, Alundra, Colony Wars, Cool Boarders, Knack, Syphon Filter, Dark Cloud, Omega Boost, The Legend of Dragoon, G-Police, The Getaway and so on. Many of these games is what defines Playstation and sets them apart in previous generations.

I rather they focus on that, instead of Live Service games that's been so heavily invested now days.

They could also work with third parties developers to bring these franchises back like Parasite Eve, Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver, Dino Crisis, Ridge Racer, SSX, Tenchu, Jade Cocoon, Xenogears, Lunar Silver Star, Nightmare Creatures, Vagrant Story, Shadow Hearts, Driver, Breath of Fire, Tomba, Legend of Legaia, Okami..etc

[jznrpg]

Well no sht? Games like Astro Bot have nice graphics but they don’t need to look realistic it’s not the goal.

[Rangerman1208]

Personally, Sony should strive for both just like what they did during the PS3 and early PS4 era. Relying solely on cinematic blockbusters and live service games isn't gonna help diversify their roster.

[Flewid638]

Neither did Insomniac with Ratchet & Clank. Still a beautiful game. Many different art styles can be AAA, not just realism.

[PhillyDonJawn]

That's the problem with a lot of games chasing hyper realism

[dmonee]

Been playing this last night and today. Its a game that, your partner will watch, your kid can try, and puts everyone in a good mood. There are even secret challenge levels for the hardcore gamer in you as well. It’s about time something like this came out.

[CobraKai]

Such a great pure game.