PlayStation 5 unique Astro Bot has wowed critics and delighted gamers — however not everyone seems to be pleased with it.
Astro Bot, developed by Sony’s Japanese studio Group Asobi, is a 3D platformer that delves deep into PlayStation historical past for its many cameo bots. Take a look at IGN’s function, Astro Bot: Each PlayStation Character – Easter Eggs, for extra.
The bot cameos are little greater than enjoyable nods to PlayStation video games previous and current, and embrace joyful animations that lean on every character’s heritage. However for John Garvin, artistic director of 2019 PlayStation 4 unique Days Gone, together with protagonist Deacon St. John in Astro Bot promotional materials is the reason for upset.
Quoting a tweet from Days Gone developer Bend Studio that celebrated the launch of Astro Bot with a picture of Deacon St. John on a seaside, Garvin stated: “Kinda unhappy that Deek has been decreased to selling different video games… Effectively completed Bend Studio! Solution to defend your legacy!”
Kinda unhappy that Deek has been decreased to selling different video games … nicely completed Bend Studio! Solution to defend your legacy! https://t.co/LRGsPYSX9g
— John Garvin (@John_Garvin) September 7, 2024
Then, responding to the backlash to his tweet, Garvin doubled down: “Haha. I see my character decreased to a cartoon schill selling some small sport and I’m being harsh? Sit down, my brotha, adults are speaking.”
Garvin’s tweets had been roundly criticized (one present PlayStation Studios developer responded to name Astro Bot “a love letter to Ps video games. Not precisely certain what you are getting all scorching and bothered about. Very blissful to see video games I’ve labored on referenced on this method”). However they’re additionally unsurprising, given his earlier feedback on Sony’s therapy of Days Gone and the sequel that by no means occurred. In December 2022, Bend Studio addressed an outburst from its former worker, who had blamed “woke reviewers” for Days Gone’s essential reception.
“We’re conscious of the feedback made by our earlier artistic director on Days Gone concerning his private view on the essential reception of our mental property,” Bend stated at the time. “Bend Studio doesn’t share his sentiment, nor does it mirror the views of our staff.” It appears unlikely Sony or Bend Studio will reply to Garvin’s newest outburst.
Garvin, by his personal admission, was fired from Bend Studio for being “a disruptive personality”. In a talk with fellow former Sony developer David Jaffe, Garvin stated he “had a number of heated arguments” at the studio, and that he “sucked” at being a individuals individual, a ability required in his place at the helm of a big staff.
In our 9/10 assessment of Astro Bot, IGN stated: “A fantastically creative platformer in its personal proper, Astro Bot is especially particular for anybody with a spot of their coronary heart for PlayStation.”
Our Days Gone assessment, in the meantime, returned a 6/10. “Enjoyable in small bursts, however Days Gone’s repetition, bland world, and meandering story make for an unremarkable experience,” we stated.”
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.