The 3D Platformer That Might Replace Astro Bot

by

For both me and a lot of other players, Astro Bot really raised the bar for 3D platformer games. Its tight controls, creative levels, and charming style quickly made it a hit with fans. It’s no surprise it won Game of the Year and got people excited about a potential return to great 3D platformers. A new game shown at the 2025 Game Awards seems to be inspired by Astro Bot, and early looks suggest it could be something special.

Classic 3D platformer games aren’t as popular as they used to be, with only a few recent titles like Astro Bot, Yooka-Laylee, and Donkey Kong Bananza finding success. However, Bradley the Badger aims to change that and build on the momentum started by Team Asobi. I’m really excited about this new action-adventure platformer and hope it can be as good as Astro Bot when it comes out.

Bradley the Badger Blends Classic Platforming With Inventive Mechanics

Bradley the Badger looks like a really promising new platformer, and I’m eager to see more of it. It’s being developed by Day 4 Night Studios, a new indie team made up of people who previously worked on popular games like Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope. They’re aiming for a big project that combines exploring, moving around, and solving puzzles in creative ways with the traditional fun of platforming. However, what really stands out to me is the enthusiasm of Davide Soliani, one of the developers.

What’s special about Bradley the Badger is its unique gameplay feature, called the Kit. Instead of just jumping, running, and attacking, players use the Kit to interact with objects that aren’t quite finished. Bradley can change the size of things to make platforms, take control of robots or vehicles to get around, and even turn parts of the environment into traps to solve puzzles or beat enemies. This Kit system changes how you explore and how levels are designed, pushing you to find creative solutions instead of just jumping on everything.

The story cleverly references video game history and the behind-the-scenes world of game development. It centers around Bradley, a former gaming icon now stuck in incomplete levels based on familiar game styles. The game mixes real-life footage with in-game visuals, creating a fun and engaging experience. Actor Evan Peters portrays Bradley, and he’ll highlight the comedic touch that the team behind Mario + Rabbids brought to the project in a fresh way.

A Team With Proven Platforming and Creative Credentials

One reason why Bradley the Badger feels like it could be as successful as Astro Bot is the skilled team behind it. Day 4 Night Studios is made up of developers known for their creativity, immersive world-building, and ability to combine different game styles. Creative director Davide Soliani, famous for his work on Mario + Rabbids, is known for creating games that are both fun and easy to pick up. And Christian Cantamessa, a co-founder and writer, brings experience in crafting deep, engaging stories from games like Red Dead Redemption and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Together, these two are responsible for some truly original and exciting games.

This game has the potential to offer a unique story and gameplay experience not often seen in indie platformers. If it captures even a fraction of the enthusiasm and appeal of Mario + Rabbids, Bradley the Badger could be a real surprise. Mario + Rabbids successfully combined different gameplay styles, taking platforming in a fresh direction. Based on what we’ve seen so far, the developers seem to have a strong understanding of how to blend precise controls with humor and genuine emotion, much like Astro Bot did.

What sets Bradley the Badger apart from the excellent platforming in Team Asobi’s games is its clever use of satire and references to other games. These aren’t just fun additions; they offer insightful thoughts on how game design is changing and what’s happening in the game industry. Because the game is built around the idea of unfinished worlds created by different developers, Bradley the Badger can experiment with new concepts, much like Astro Bot used unique worlds and gameplay in each level.

Bradley The Badger Could Shake Up The 3D Platforming Genre

3D platforming games haven’t been as popular lately, with many players now preferring shooters and action RPGs. But recent successes prove there’s still a demand for this style of game. Astro Bot is the standout example, and sets a high bar for future titles. To succeed, games like Bradley the Badger should learn from what made older platformers fun, while also introducing fresh ideas and a compelling story.

One thing that could make Bradley really popular is how players can use the game’s tools to solve problems. These tools let you get creative and interact with the game world in a dynamic way. This kind of freedom isn’t common in platformer games, which usually have you solving puzzles in a very specific way. Being able to change the environment to get around or fight enemies adds a creative spark that could help Bradley the Badger feel different from other, more straightforward platform games.

The first trailer showed a focus on exploring and finding new things – key elements of classic 3D platforming and adventure games. While we don’t know when the game will be released, we’ll probably hear more details soon, possibly during Xbox’s Developer Direct event. For those who enjoyed games like Astro Bot and Super Mario Odyssey, Bradley the Badger offers a chance to revitalize a beloved game style. If done right, it could not only capture the magic of Astro Bot but also help shape the future of 3D platformers.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

Read More

2026-01-13 01:41