Astro Bot’s free post-launch speedrun levels kick off tomorrow, October 17, with a new one released every week.
Five new levels each with two new Special Bots to rescue begin rolling out from tomorrow with the release of the Building Speed level, Team Asobi studio director Nicolas Doucet said in a post on the PlayStation Blog.
“These levels will test your platforming skills and alongside an online leaderboard, will give you the chance to compete against all your PlayStation friends,” Doucet said.
“In Building Speed, with the help of Barkster, the bulldog booster, you will blast your way through a sky-high city,” Doucet continued. “Dodge cranes, smash through crates, and even speed through a flying car wash on the way to rescue your stranded crew.
“Following on from this we will release a brand new speedrun level each week, so by the time you have perfected every jump, hover and spin in one level, a new challenge will await you.”
Here’s Astro Bot’s DLC speedrun level release schedule:
- Oct 17: Building Speed
- Oct 24: Let it Slide
- Oct 31: Spring-loaded Run
- Nov 7: Helium Heights
- Nov 14: Rising Heat
All Astro Bot updates from October 17 to November 14 will be available every Thursday at 6am PT / 2pm BST / 10pm JST.
This free DLC will end up adding 10 new Special Bots to the game. Sony has already revealed Eve from Stellar Blade and the Helldivers. “However, as for who is next, well that’s for you to find out,” teased Doucet. “So, get busy rescuing.”
Doucet then teased more post-launch support for Astro Bot, saying: “That’s all we have for today, however watch this space as there may be even more surprises coming soon.”
Sony's critically acclaimed PS5-exclusive 3D platformer features 173 bot cameos from PlayStation games past and present (check out IGN’s feature, , for more). Iconic Final Fantasy characters are conspicuous by their absence, however — an omission fans were quick to pick up on in the context of Final Fantasy's long-standing association with PlayStation. That means no Cloud from Final Fantasy 7, or any other character from the famous role-playing franchise.
Last month, asked Doucet about Cloud’s absence from Astro Bot. According to Doucet, Team Asobi had hoped to get Cloud in the game but failed for some reason. “It's difficult to comment on that,” Doucet said, before adding: “We really respect the choice of each publisher.”
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.