How to Astro Bot: Splashing Sprint

by Rian

While Astro Bot is truly a GOTY contender for 2024, there are several quirks the game didn’t iron out. I think “Splashing Sprint” level is the epitome of such issues. Here is how I managed to get past the level, perhaps the hardest level I have seen so far in the game.

Walkthrough

The time stamps are available on the YouTube video as chapters, so if you need to skip the section, use the time stamps on the player.

1. Lava lake with spiky balls. You do need both ducks to get across, and there is no shortcut as far as I am aware. Jumping and hovering on the same spot is a good way to create a path, but you will need to eyeball the range and the gaps between the paths.
2. Toad with missiles. If you have missed it due to my poor camera works, you do need to throw the duck at the toad, otherwise there is no reliable way to get past the homing missiles. It is not impossible, but it’s more reliable.
3. Flamethrowers. I’ve seen other players tip-toeing to the duck to get rid of the slimes without triggering flamethrowers. I couldn’t do it reliably; instead I ignored the slimes and ran past the black goo while washing them away using the duck. This was the most unreliable part of the level.
4. Lava slimes with tilting platforms. The solid platforms don’t tilt any further, so it won’t throw you off. Take your time and figure out a safe route out of this.
5. Lava covered floors with slimes and a duck. I couldn’t see where the duck was pointing at the first time I got to this part. You do need to spend some time in the air to make sure the floor is cooled, otherwise small bits of lava can kill you. And don’t forget to take aim at two slimes while at it.
   

Afterthoughts

It’s simply not intuitive to take proper aim with the duck water gun. The gun doesn’t even cover the area I thought it would. It’s not just the range, the area the water covers seems spotty. And the camera —oh, my lord— simply can’t compensate for some of the level designs. Water gun and missile toad, they seem to be the product of the same problem, the skewed depth perception from limited 3D camera angles for 2D platformer.

On less serious note, it took me awhile to consider throwing the duck at the toad. I knew the duck was throwable, but, seeing an amphibian, I didn’t think some water would do much damage, let alone a rubber duck. It was my D’oh moment. Astro Bot is a one joyous game, it just has that Homer moment we can laugh about later.