Astro Bot Tips: How to Unlock Secrets and Make the Most of the Game

Astro Bot is a surprise for PlayStation players and beyond. What started as a simple tech demo mascot game evolved into a well-designed and highly entertaining adventure. It even went on to win major awards like the BAFTA, the D.I.C.E. Awards, and the 2024 Game Awards! It caught a lot of people off guard in the best way possible.

So why all the buzz? Astro Bot was crafted with a level of care and polish that’s rare in modern gaming. It launched bug-free, without the need for day-one patches or rushed updates. Unlike many AAA titles that are pushed out to ride the hype, Astro Bot feels complete and refined from the start.

In this 2024 release, Astro’s mothership is attacked by a villain named Nebulax. With the ship in ruins and his team scattered, Astro embarks on a mission across galaxies to rescue his friends and retrieve lost parts. Along the way, he faces off against bosses and saves Bots inspired by classic PlayStation characters in celebration of the brand’s 30th anniversary.

If you own a PlayStation 5 and have this charming little robot’s adventure in your game library, we’ve got a list of tips to help you get the most out of Astro Bot’s world. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments.

Patience is key in Astro Bot. Every level is packed with hidden secrets and subtle details. Many collectibles (like bots and puzzle pieces) are tucked away in places you might not notice at first, such as hidden walls or platforms that look purely decorative.

If you slow down and look closely, you can discover secret paths that make each level even more fun. So take your time, explore every corner, and you might find cute animations or rare items along the way.

Before starting or replaying a level, always check how many collectibles you've already found. The game uses a visual tracker to show exactly what’s been collected and what’s missing.

Press SQUARE to bring up the remaining items. A gold flag means you’ve 100% completed the level, while a blue one indicates there’s still more to find. This feature helps ensure you don’t miss anything. If you do, just go back and search again.

The world map in Astro Bot is more than a way to navigate between levels. It’s full of secrets and extra challenges. Occasionally, objects like meteors will appear, and you should definitely check them out.

These events can unlock new missions or hidden areas. For example, interacting with a fallen meteor might lead to valuable rewards. Be sure to explore the map just as carefully as the levels themselves, and always stay alert for new elements.

Astro has several abilities that seem simple at first but offer lots of creative uses. Shrinking and growing quickly can help you reach high places or find bots hidden under objects.

Try using powers in unexpected ways. Sometimes they’ll open new paths or reveal hidden secrets. Experimenting is one of the best ways to unlock everything the game has to offer.

Astro Bot is filled with tributes to other PlayStation franchises. Whenever you spot a familiar character or reference, take a moment to explore. Some are just fun Easter eggs, but others can actually affect gameplay.

These cameos bring charm and nostalgia. Look out for characters like Astro Kratos or Astro versions of Joel and Ellie. They often come with cute scenes, and some can help you uncover hidden items or access secret areas.

Astro’s laser is one of the game’s most underrated tools. While combat relies on jumping and movement, the laser is great for taking out hard-to-reach or spiky enemies quickly and safely.

It can also destroy certain platforms and obstacles. Using it wisely can save you time and open up new gameplay opportunities.

The spin punch is more powerful than it looks. Hold SQUARE and release to unleash an area attack that wipes out nearby enemies and breaks surrounding objects.

It’s especially useful for dealing with enemy swarms or solving specific puzzles. It can also reveal hidden paths or secret areas. When used effectively, it’s a game-changer. Don’t let Astro’s cuteness fool you... he can hit hard.

Coins are essential in Astro Bot. They’re the main currency for unlocking items in the Gacha Machine. While some are easy to spot, others are hidden and require a sharp eye to find.

You can unlock cool rewards like Astro outfits, DualSense controller skins, and bonus bots. Whenever you see a coin, grab it. You’ll need them to access all the game’s extras.

If you’re missing collectibles, the sonar bird is a handy tool. It becomes available after collecting some puzzle pieces and costs 200 coins to activate. It’s especially useful in tricky or hard-to-reach areas.

Once activated, the bird beeps when you’re close to a hidden collectible, like a bot or puzzle piece. This makes item hunting much more efficient and saves you from revisiting the same spots endlessly.

One great feature in Astro Bot is that once you collect an item, it stays saved. Even if you die or exit the level, you won’t lose it. This makes exploration much less frustrating.

It’s a huge help for players aiming for 100% completion. You can explore freely without the fear of losing progress after a tough section.

Astro Bot makes brilliant use of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller. Since the original Astro’s Playroom was built to show off the hardware, it’s no surprise that haptic feedback is used so well here.

The vibrations change based on what’s happening in-game. For example, the controller might buzz subtly if you’re near a hidden item or if an enemy is about to attack. Learning to interpret these signals can give you a real edge.

Once you’ve finished the main story and are going back for missing collectibles, power-ups make the process much faster. Abilities like shrinking or flying can help you move through levels quickly and reach hard-to-access spots.

These power-ups aren’t just helpful: they’re sometimes the only way to uncover certain secrets.

To unlock the final challenge, you’ll need full completion: all levels finished, all bots rescued, and every puzzle piece found. Many of these are hidden in warp zones or in places you can’t reach early in the game.

Once you collect everything, you’ll unlock the final and most difficult level. It’s a tough one but well worth it for completionists looking for a real challenge.

If you’re having trouble tracking down a specific item, take a step back and review what you’ve already collected. This can help you see what’s missing and where to focus your search.

The more familiar you become with how the game hides its secrets, the more efficient you’ll get at spotting patterns. A little organization goes a long way when you're aiming for 100%.

So what about you? Do you enjoy Astro Bot? Have you played this little robot’s adventure? Got more tips to share? Let us know in the comments and share your own discoveries from this fun and charming game.