• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Astro Bot Vs. Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze

Which is better?

  • Astro Bot

    Votes: 209 66.6%
  • Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze

    Votes: 105 33.4%

  • Total voters
    314

Dacvak

No one shall be brought before our LORD David Bowie without the true and secret knowledge of the Photoshop. For in that time, so shall He appear.
For the last several years, DK Tropical Freeze has been my favorite platformer.

I know one is 2D and one is 3D, but in terms of pure enjoyment, which do you prefer?
This is a really tough question imo. Both are basically 10/10 games for me, but for different reasons. I probably slightly give the edge to Astro Bot, since I love 3D platformers and it’s soooooo rare to get a good one not from Nintendo.
 

kevboard

Member
Really? Every level has different gameplay. You haven't played it

I have platinum...

also that's absolutely not true lol. the enemy variety is pretty low, the variety on powerups/items is relatively low as well, and the most boring ones got used the most often, while interesting ones like the shrinking one only gets used in a single level.
 
Last edited:

Dacvak

No one shall be brought before our LORD David Bowie without the true and secret knowledge of the Photoshop. For in that time, so shall He appear.
I have platinum...

also that's absolutely not true lol. the enemy variety is pretty low, the variety on powerups/items is relatively low as well, and the most boring ones got used the most often, while interesting ones like the shrinking one only gets used in a single level.
Almost every single stage has a novel gameplay gimmick. What the hell are you talking about?

You’re right that the general movement and traversal mechanics aren’t as versatile as any of the 3D Mario games, but that does not mean the overall gameplay isn’t varied or has no depth.

But that’s not the intention of the game. It obviously revolves around the wide variety of stage gimmicks, and in many cases even outpaces some of Nintendo’s own 3D platformer gimmicks.
 

DaleinCalgary

Gold Member
I have platinum...

also that's absolutely not true lol. the enemy variety is pretty low, the variety on powerups/items is relatively low as well, and the most boring ones got used the most often, while interesting ones like the shrinking one only gets used in a single level.
Okay then, I respect everyone's opinion if you have the plat. I just don't see how you can say this game the game is shallow, I would say the opposite.
 

Ogbert

Member
Really? Every level has different gameplay. You haven't played it
No, it doesn’t.

I’ve platinumed it and it’s my game of the year, but you’re mistaking power ups for platforming mechanics. AB is actually a very basic platformer. There are zero jumping mechanics to master.
 

ungalo

Member
because Astobot isn't even that great of a platformer. it's mostly held up by the nostalgia for other franchises it pays homage to.

the core gameplay is mediocre and extremely shallow.
I really don't think the reception comes from the references, outside of the few dedicated levels that are important. The game is just so well made from start to end, accessible and designed so you never get bored, i'm not surprised people like it. They clearly understand what they had to do to get great scores.

Although I do think it's fundamentally shallow yes.
 
Last edited:

Topher

Identifies as young
and the fact that this poll is going the way it is is kinda sad tbh.

Sad because others don't share your personal opinion?

Meme Reaction GIF
 

kevboard

Member
Almost every single stage has a novel gameplay gimmick. What the hell are you talking about?

You’re right that the general movement and traversal mechanics aren’t as versatile as any of the 3D Mario games, but that does not mean the overall gameplay isn’t varied or has no depth.

But that’s not the intention of the game. It obviously revolves around the wide variety of stage gimmicks, and in many cases even outpaces some of Nintendo’s own 3D platformer gimmicks.

did we play the same game? I'm pretty sure the game has at most like 10 power up gimmicks, while having around 90 levels.

other than these powerups there's not much happening Leveldesign wise.
maybe the ghost levels where you have to light the way could be counted as an 11th gimmick, but that's about it.

and sadly, IMO, the most boring powerups are the ones reused the most. while the mouse is only in a single level.


Okay then, I respect everyone's opinion if you have the plat. I just don't see how you can say this game the game is shallow, I would say the opposite.

well, shallow in the sense that Astro Bot himself can't do much. you can jump, hover and attack. that's it. and there's not much challenge to 99% of the game either.
 

DaleinCalgary

Gold Member
well, shallow in the sense that Astro Bot himself can't do much. you can jump, hover and attack. that's it. and there's not much challenge to 99% of the game either.
You must be much better than I am, this is the first game that made my hands sweat in a long while :)
 

brenobnfm

Member
Both 2D and 3D do things that the other cannot. This is how you can tell whether someone started gaming pre or post 3D.
I started on the NES and it was a revolution when 3D arrived for real with the PS1 and N64, it's literally another dimension added to games. Actually seems like you are the one who started playing with these pixel art indie games on the last 10 years.
 

BlackTron

Gold Member
I started on the NES and it was a revolution when 3D arrived for real with the PS1 and N64, it's literally another dimension added to games. Actually seems like you are the one who started playing with these pixel art indie games on the last 10 years.

It's difficult to appreciate what is lost in the transition from 2D if you were not already intimate with it. There is golden gameplay there that can't be replicated in a 3D game (and vice versa). While SM64 is certainly more technically impressive and impactful, if I had to pick one to be stranded with I'd probably choose Mario Bros. 3 as I simply think it's a more fun game.

If you play games more for the exploration aspect with less focus on gameplay changes I can see 3D being nothing but an upgrade in any series.
 

Dafegamer

Member
It kinda depends based on my mood. Both are masterpieces or among the best in their genre. Astro Bot is more enjoyable, but DK: Tropical Freeze is deeper in the sense of providing an actual challenge consistently. I voted AB but Donkey Kong isn't really far off
 

Dafegamer

Member
because Astobot isn't even that great of a platformer. it's mostly held up by the nostalgia for other franchises it pays homage to.

the core gameplay is mediocre and extremely shallow.
Yikes, you consistently have bad takes. Mediocre in what? The tight near perfect controls, or the insanely varied and imaginative Level design? Or the earworm worthy soundtrack. Which of it mediocre? At least elaborate in what makes the gameplay "mediocre". People love using that term without explaining themselves
 

Dafegamer

Member
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is my favorite Nintendo game, yet Astro Bot is still better.
But yeah, 2D vs. 3D. Super Mario Galaxy 2 would have been a better comparison.
I agree, but to me no Platformer (2D or 3D) will ever beat Super Mario Galaxy 2, that game is basically Perfect. One of the few I consider timeless
 

Aldric

Member
Also the only thing you need to look at is the scores journos gave it, journos love Astrobot because it's braindead but they talked shit about TF because it was too hard for them. Sad to see the supposed hardcore enthusiast forum Neogaf.com agrees with game journalists!!
 

Dafegamer

Member
There's absolutely no way Astrobot is a better platformer than Tropical Freeze. It is significantly easier, more derivative, mechanically shallower and shorter. It's much closer to Kirby and the Forgotten Land than any of the standouts of the genre like TF.
ASTRO BOT has way more actual gameplay mechanics than DK Tropical Freeze, it's also more varied, but yeah tropical freeze is the "deeper" game regarding challenge
 

Dafegamer

Member
Why do people think "hard = better game"??? That logic never made sense to me, a game is made of different things like the mechanics it has, the variety it offers or how unique the level design is. Plenty of hard games that are mediocre as hell. If all you need for a game to be challenging to be good then wow, I now understand the hype Wukong got lol 😂(I'm joking)
 
I have not played astrobot but i don´t trust the media, i bet it's not GOTY material. The reason is Tropical Freeze is one of the finest 2D platformers of this century, with one of the best soundtracks of recent memory.
Poll result doesn't surprise me since you guys always praise the Ratchet and Clank series and those games are ASS. It just reflects the fact that some of you have not played platformers in years
 

Aldric

Member
I have not played astrobot but i don´t trust the media, i bet it's not GOTY material. The reason is Tropical Freeze is one of the finest 2D platformers of this century, with one of the best soundtracks of recent memory.
Poll result doesn't surprise me since you guys always praise the Ratchet and Clank series and those games are ASS. It just reflects the fact that some of you have not played platformers in years
They unironically believe Sony first party games have the best gameplay in the entire industry despite the fact their action games don't even have real jumping because they don't trust their audience enough to let them cross a gap by themselves. They're a lost cause.
 
There's absolutely no way Astrobot is a better platformer than Tropical Freeze. It is significantly easier, more derivative, mechanically shallower and shorter. It's much closer to Kirby and the Forgotten Land than any of the standouts of the genre like TF.

Big Eyes Whatever GIF by BrownSugarApp
 

Dafegamer

Member
Yes easily I'd say. Almost every stage has a unique stage mechanic or a powerup unique to it that is highly utilized. DK Tropical Freeze despite it being some goat 2D platformer, is kinda more like DK Country or the Wii version country returns, meaning the overall Game design is established already, just perfected. Saying it's more varied than ASTRO BOT in it's level design, ideas etc is crazy. You would have a point with Mario Wonder but yeah..
 
Last edited:

Danjin44

The nicest person on this forum
I honestly think Astrobot looks fun but the fanboyism here is insufferable. You know they'd talk shit endlessly about it for being a nothing game for toddlers if it was published by Nintendo.
They are not same games and they are not same type of platformers, is like comparing DMC to Monster Hunter just because the both have action combat and swords.....make zero sense.
 

Dafegamer

Member
I honestly think Astrobot looks fun but the fanboyism here is insufferable. You know they'd talk shit endlessly about it for being a nothing game for toddlers if it was published by Nintendo.
So you think it "looks fun" yet you say Tropical Freeze is more varied??? Ok
 

Aldric

Member
Yes easily I'd say. Almost every stage has a unique stage mechanic
Every single stage in TF has unique stage mechanics, emphasis on the plural. Have you played the game?

or a powerup unique to it that is highly utilized.
Astrobot has 9 powerups. If you add them to Astro's core abilities it's still not more than TF basic mechanics.

Saying it's more varied than ASTRO BOT in it's level design, ideas etc is crazy.
TF has you platforming through an avalanche, in the middle of an african themed carnaval, traverse cheese caves where you have to dodge a giant wheel of swiss cheese while riding a rocket barrel, go through a sawmill in a minecart and has an entire world where you essentially follow the steps involved in the industrial process of tropical fruits to create giant popsicles.

It's one of the most inventive games I've ever played and I don't know how anyone could think that a game that lifts most of its mechanics and themes straight out of 20 year old Mario platformers could surpass its creativity.
 

Dafegamer

Member
Every single stage in TF has unique stage mechanics, emphasis on the plural. Have you played the game?


Astrobot has 9 powerups. If you add them to Astro's core abilities it's still not more than TF basic mechanics.


TF has you platforming through an avalanche, in the middle of an african themed carnaval, traverse cheese caves where you have to dodge a giant wheel of swiss cheese while riding a rocket barrel, go through a sawmill in a minecart and has an entire world where you essentially follow the steps involved in the industrial process of tropical fruits to create giant popsicles.

It's one of the most inventive games I've ever played and I don't know how anyone could think that a game that lifts most of its mechanics and themes straight out of 20 year old Mario platformers could surpass its creativity.
ASTRO BOT power ups

1. Barkster dog boost
2. Frog glove
3. Sponge
4. Octopus
5. Mouse
6. Monkey
7. Chicken boost
8. Penguin
9. Armadillo
10. VR Headset time stopper
11. Iron invincibility suit
12. Teddy Bear
13. Elephant Suction power up
14. Leviathan Axe
15. Aloys Caster thingy

That's without mentioning the several uses of them regarding mechanics(apart from the time stop, and chicken power up, which are more straightforward or simpler in use)
And stage exclusive mechanics like say a magnet, the lightbulb or that flower levitate thing.

The last time I played Tropical Freeze was in 2016 and I don't remember it having the same level of variety Astro bot has at all.
 

Unknown?

Member
did we play the same game? I'm pretty sure the game has at most like 10 power up gimmicks, while having around 90 levels.

other than these powerups there's not much happening Leveldesign wise.
maybe the ghost levels where you have to light the way could be counted as an 11th gimmick, but that's about it.

and sadly, IMO, the most boring powerups are the ones reused the most. while the mouse is only in a single level.




well, shallow in the sense that Astro Bot himself can't do much. you can jump, hover and attack. that's it. and there's not much challenge to 99% of the game either.
So much like Mario 64, not much to do except jump and punch. Seriously? It's not about how many different things you could do, it's how it is utilized.
 

Hugare

Gold Member
Apples and oranges

With that said, I preffer Tropical Freeze, by a mile. It has its unique charm and ideas, while Astro feels like a Sony themed Mario Galaxy.

TF is also much more challenging than Astro. And I like my platforms to be challenging.

Poll will be very one sided tho. GAF is a Sony forum and Astro is much more recent than TF.
 
Last edited:
Yikes, you consistently have bad takes. Mediocre in what? The tight near perfect controls, or the insanely varied and imaginative Level design? Or the earworm worthy soundtrack. Which of it mediocre? At least elaborate in what makes the gameplay "mediocre". People love using that term without explaining themselves

The guy thinks Odyssey is some massively challenging game. It's not. The core game structure until the end is as simple as it gets. Only once you get to side stuff does it get challenging.

The truth is that most platformers are not enormously challenging, and challenging is not a barometer for quality.
 
Last edited:

Aldric

Member
So much like Mario 64, not much to do except jump and punch. Seriously? It's not about how many different things you could do, it's how it is utilized.
I bet you thought this was clever. Mario 64 (which is an almost 30 year old game mind you) has far more moves than Astrobot. As you said though it's "how it is utilized" which is why Astrobot is shallow while Mario 64 is deep: the moves in 64 combine with eachother and can be chained like combos in fighting games to open up new traversal possibilities while there's very little you can do with Astro's moveset besides the intended path devs want you to take.
 
Top Bottom