Astro Boy: The Video Game
Encyclopedia
Astro Boy: The Video Game is an action video game based on the 2009 CG animated film
of the same name
. The game was released in worldwide on October 20, 2009 to coincide with the theatrical release of the film on October 23, 2009. It features the voices of Freddie Highmore
and Kristen Bell
, reprising their film roles. The game was published by D3 Publisher
in North America on the Wii
, PlayStation 2
, PlayStation Portable
, and Nintendo DS
. D3 Publisher will also publish the game in Japan, which will only see a release on the PSP.
, and take to the streets and skies on an epic adventure to save Metro City from the clutches of the evil President Stone and his robot army.
, utilising his array of weapons while fighting robot armies. The game features levels set on the ground, in which Astro fights while advancing by walking, and also in the air, which mainly includes Astro shooting airborne enemies down using his finger laser, reminiscent of Omega Factor
’s gameplay in a 2D platformer
format. Collectables include different costumes and also power-ups found in heard to reach or hidden areas. While attacking, alongside his normal attacks, a player may wish to activate a 'Special Attack', provided they have enough energy to do so. A meter limits the amount of Special Attacks a player can use, being Arm Cannon, Butt Machine Guns
and also Absorb (which allows the player to recharge a certain portion of their health).
It features both a single player mode as well as a multiplayer mode, with the second player being another Astro in an alternate costume. During Story Mode, if a player loses a life while the other is still playing he or she would, after a certain period of time, be able to re-join the game with full health. However, if both players lose lives that the same time, the game is lost. A separate mode allows both players to fight in the robot games ring, and the player with the most points at the end wins.
The game offers numerous unlockable and collectable elements that include exclusive art work, different versions of Astro Boy and more, as players live the story solo or side by side with a friend in 2 player co-op mode on Wii and the PlayStation 2 system.
Giancarlo Varanini of gamespot.com scored the game a 4.5/10. Varanini says the game features "sloppy hand-to-hand combat," "repetitive level design," "muddled and unimpressive graphics," and that the game is "too short." While he does find many problems with the game, he does say it is "slightly more fun with a buddy." He also criticizes the game for not "capitalizing on Astro Boy's skills."
Jack DeVries of ign.com called the game "a mediocre brawler with some pretty good shooter levels." DeVries also said that "The in-game cutscenes are hilariously bad." He summarizes the game by saying "It all comes off as bland." Ultimately, DeVries scored the game a 5.7/10.
Jon Carlos of gamevortex.com gave the game a fairly good review, scoring it a 67%. Carlos says "I give Astro Boy: The Video Game kudos for at least heading in the right direction when it comes to gameplay design." However, he does note "Unfortunately, Astro Boy: The Video Game isn't much more than another film cash-in. Nearly everything in this game is stale, uninteresting and forgettable."
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
of the same name
Astro Boy (film)
Astro Boy, also called in Japan, is a 2009 computer-animated film loosely based on the long-running Japanese series of the same name by Osamu Tezuka. It was produced by Imagi Animation Studios, the animation production company of TMNT. The studio announced the project in September 2006...
. The game was released in worldwide on October 20, 2009 to coincide with the theatrical release of the film on October 23, 2009. It features the voices of Freddie Highmore
Freddie Highmore
Alfred Thomas "Freddie" Highmore is an English actor. He is best known for his roles in the films Finding Neverland, Five Children and It, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Arthur and the Invisibles, August Rush, The Golden Compass, The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Toast.-Early life:Highmore was...
and Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell
Kristen Anne Bell is an American actress. Although her first film role was an uncredited appearance in Polish Wedding, Bell previously acted in stage and musical productions. In 2001, she made her Broadway debut as Becky Thatcher in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer...
, reprising their film roles. The game was published by D3 Publisher
D3 Publisher
D3Publisher is a Japanese video game publisher founded on February 5, 1992. Current CEO and president is Yuji Ito, and It is known for its Simple series of low-priced console games. Their games have been released for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2,...
in North America on the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
, PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
, and Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
. D3 Publisher will also publish the game in Japan, which will only see a release on the PSP.
Plot
In the game, players become the iconic hero, Astro BoyAstro Boy (character)
is a fictional character, and the main protagonist of the Astro Boy franchise. Created by Osamu Tezuka, the character was introduced in the 1951 Captain Atom manga...
, and take to the streets and skies on an epic adventure to save Metro City from the clutches of the evil President Stone and his robot army.
Gameplay
The game allows the player to be Astro BoyAstro Boy (character)
is a fictional character, and the main protagonist of the Astro Boy franchise. Created by Osamu Tezuka, the character was introduced in the 1951 Captain Atom manga...
, utilising his array of weapons while fighting robot armies. The game features levels set on the ground, in which Astro fights while advancing by walking, and also in the air, which mainly includes Astro shooting airborne enemies down using his finger laser, reminiscent of Omega Factor
Astro Boy: Omega Factor
is a beat 'em up video game developed by Treasure Co. Ltd and Hitmaker, and published by Sega. The game was released for the Game Boy Advance console on December 18, 2003 in Japan; August 18, 2004 in North America; and February 18, 2005 in Europe. The game is based on Osamu Tezuka's manga and anime...
’s gameplay in a 2D platformer
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
format. Collectables include different costumes and also power-ups found in heard to reach or hidden areas. While attacking, alongside his normal attacks, a player may wish to activate a 'Special Attack', provided they have enough energy to do so. A meter limits the amount of Special Attacks a player can use, being Arm Cannon, Butt Machine Guns
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
and also Absorb (which allows the player to recharge a certain portion of their health).
It features both a single player mode as well as a multiplayer mode, with the second player being another Astro in an alternate costume. During Story Mode, if a player loses a life while the other is still playing he or she would, after a certain period of time, be able to re-join the game with full health. However, if both players lose lives that the same time, the game is lost. A separate mode allows both players to fight in the robot games ring, and the player with the most points at the end wins.
The game offers numerous unlockable and collectable elements that include exclusive art work, different versions of Astro Boy and more, as players live the story solo or side by side with a friend in 2 player co-op mode on Wii and the PlayStation 2 system.
Reception
The game was met with mostly poor reviews.Giancarlo Varanini of gamespot.com scored the game a 4.5/10. Varanini says the game features "sloppy hand-to-hand combat," "repetitive level design," "muddled and unimpressive graphics," and that the game is "too short." While he does find many problems with the game, he does say it is "slightly more fun with a buddy." He also criticizes the game for not "capitalizing on Astro Boy's skills."
Jack DeVries of ign.com called the game "a mediocre brawler with some pretty good shooter levels." DeVries also said that "The in-game cutscenes are hilariously bad." He summarizes the game by saying "It all comes off as bland." Ultimately, DeVries scored the game a 5.7/10.
Jon Carlos of gamevortex.com gave the game a fairly good review, scoring it a 67%. Carlos says "I give Astro Boy: The Video Game kudos for at least heading in the right direction when it comes to gameplay design." However, he does note "Unfortunately, Astro Boy: The Video Game isn't much more than another film cash-in. Nearly everything in this game is stale, uninteresting and forgettable."
External links
- Official site
- Astro Boy: The Video Game at Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Astro Boy: The Video Game at IGNIGNIGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
- Astro Boy: The Video Game at GamespotGameSpotGameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...