Astro’s Playroom Special Bots began appearing in June 2024 following a stealth update that introduced them into the game. Each month, players have the opportunity to unlock a new Special Bot by solving various challenges related to different popular games. The Special Bots are themed around Bloodborne, Returnal, Gran Turismo, and Ape Escape.
Successfully completing these challenges not only rewards players with unique bots but also ensures that these bots will be available at the launch of Astro Bot, giving players a head start with an expanded crew.
For players who haven’t checked Astro’s Playroom recently, there is now a Secret Labo area accessible from the PlayStation Labo near the PS5. In this area, you can access the Mission Room, where you can view and track the Special Bots you’ve unlocked. This area also features a countdown to the launch of Astro Bot, providing a visual reminder of the upcoming game release and your progress.
The Bloodborne-themed Special Bot challenge, named “Hunted Down,” was introduced in June 2024 and can be found in Renderforest, specifically in the GPU Jungle. To unlock this bot, players need to navigate through various areas and solve a puzzle involving a hidden clock.
By setting the clock to the release date of Bloodborne (November 24, 2015), players will trigger the challenge, earning them the Hunted Down Trophy and the Bloodborne Special Bot.
In July 2024, the Returnal-themed Special Bot challenge, known as “Deja Phew!,” was added to the Deep Dataspace level of SSD Speedway. This challenge requires players to survive a series of enemy encounters and navigate specific areas to collect an astronaut doll. After being defeated by a green spitter enemy while standing on the doll, players will unlock the Deja Phew! Trophy and the Returnal Special Bot.
The August 2024 challenge, “Grand Tourist,” is themed around Gran Turismo and takes place in Bot Beach, Cooling Springs. Players must interact with a series of starfish in a specific order to reveal a hidden steering wheel. By using this steering wheel to follow a precise route on a map, players will unlock the Grand Tourist Trophy and add the Gran Turismo Special Bot to their collection.
The final Special Bot, themed around Ape Escape and titled “No Escape!,” is scheduled for release in early September 2024, coinciding with the launch of Astro Bot. While the exact location in Memory Meadow has not yet been revealed, players can expect to find the Ape Escape-themed Special Bot based on the upcoming release. Further details will be added to the guide once they become available.