Astro Bot Rescue Mission (2018), the VR platformer that’s still wowing PSVR users well after its October 2nd launch, took home the title of ‘Best VR/AR Game’ at last night’s Game Awards.

The category specified that the winner would be crowned this year’s “best game experience playable in virtual or augmented reality, irrespective of platform.” Other games competing in the category were Beat Saber, Firewall Zero Hour, Moss, and Tetris Effect.

Developed by Sony Interactive entertainment’s JAPAN Studio, Astro Bot is essentially a full length spin-off of a mini-game called ‘Robots Rescue’ that was part of The Playroom VR, a free collection of co-op mini-games bundled with PSVR.

The charming, well-realized platformer puts you in control of a robot named Astro, tasking you both with collecting his missing buddies with the help of an ever-growing array of unique tools that pop out of your DualShock 4 controller.

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'ASTRO BOT' Behind-the-scenes – Insights & Artwork from Sony's JAPAN Studio

In our review, Road to VR Executive Editor Ben Lang called Astro Bot a “superb game; the promising result of tasking a group of clearly talented game designers and developers with building a game around a brand new medium like VR.”

Continuing:

The game expertly executes every idea it brings to the table. There’s charm throughout, derived from excellent animation, art direction, FX and SFX, right down to the interactive credits sequence. Astro Bot Rescue Mission claims our first 10 out of 10 because it’s full of smart VR game design, and plays to the platform’s strengths while avoiding its weaknesses. In addition to having the right amount of content to leave the player with a truly satisfying experience, it’s hard to imagine many ways in which the game could have been better made.

Check out our in-depth review of Astro Bot to see why we gave it our first [10/10] rating.

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Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 3,500 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • NooYawker

    Shame it’s only on PSVR, I would have loved to try it.

    • Alexisms

      Another way to look at it is if it wasn’t for PSVR it wouldn’t exist.

      • Tanneseph

        Absolutely. Here’s hoping it comes to PC after an exclusive period anyway, though. We gotta share games back and forth and this point. Like Beat Saber, ha!

        • Alexisms

          Games created by Sony never appear on PC ie. God of War. So don’t get your hopes up.

        • More like its just exclusive. Japan Studios is a first party developers for Sony so dont hold your breath.

        • Tanneseph

          Ugh, I didn’t catch that that was the studio. As a PS4 owner, I’ve certainly benefited in the past from Sony’s great work with their exclusives. I can’t hold it against them. But I’m a little sad, heh.

  • bschuler

    And the winner for first ever Heavy Metal Grammy award goes to…. Jethro Tull! History repeats, what can I say. Many awards are a bit sketchy and history proves the winners are often long forgotten while many losers are not only remembered but considered classics. Is Beat Saber Metallica to Astro Bot’s Jethro Tull? Only time will tell.

    • Shadow Mist

      Jethro Tull is hardly “forgotten”. They are a big name in Classic and Progressive Rock.

      Like Metallica, they got screwed out of awards in their heyday because they didn’t suit critics taste, so their win over Metallica is seen as critics correcting that.

      • Alexisms

        Too much mad eyed jumping around playing the flute ;)

    • Sai G

      Astro Bot is unarguably the best VR game made so far, and certainly a game that can’t be appreciated until experienced.

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    • namekuseijin

      Astro Bot is the most revolutionary platformer ever since SM64, precisely because it changes the way you play them and for integrating the player into it. It’s not my favorite VR game – that honor goes to Skyrim – but it’s very well done regardless.

      Beat Saber may be popular, but it’s really Just Dance VR. I can’t care less for that

  • Well deserved

  • oompah

    Japanese stuff is always great