Key Takeaways
- Rising Heat is the final, challenging DLC speedrun level in Astro Bot, requiring skills and precision.
- Players can find Destiny's Cayde-6 at the end of Rising Heat, connecting the game to the Destiny universe.
- Cayde-6's appearance includes a heartwarming animation and an Easter egg referencing Colonel the chicken.
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Astro Bot is one of the biggest surprises of 2024, for being such a simple platformer game and yet polished, creative, and family-friendly. One of the biggest highlights of Astro Bot is the vast number of Sony cameos players can find as they play through the game, including the likes of Kratos from God of War and Sam Porter Bridges from Death Stranding. However, with the addition of Astro Bot's latest and final speedrun, Destiny's Cayde-6 has joined the roster of cameos in all his glory.
Cayde-6 is one of the most beloved characters from the Destiny 2 universe, so it's fitting that he found his way into one of the best games of the year. As it is with many of Astro Bot's cameos, there are some things about Cayde-6's appearance that non-Destiny fans might wish to know.
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Cayde-6's Appearance in Astro Bot Explained
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Rising Heat Is Astro Bot's Final DLC Speedrun Level
Since its release, Astro Bot has added a handful of DLC speedrun levels to put players' skills to the test. The final speedrun level, called "Rising Heat," has been universally deemed the most difficult and therefore the most frustrating. Much of this is due to the fact that it requires players to use the monkey power-up, which is arguably one of the worst and most challenging to control. Completing Rising Heat in a decent amount of time requires players to think ahead at all times, and for their eyes to be locked onto every hazard spread throughout the course — including its frequent magma pools that will send Astro Bot to an early grave.
The whole of the level revolves around the gameplay loop of crossing these magma pools and using the bananas scattered along the walls of a mountainous tower to eventually reach the top. Along the way, players will also grab bananas that take them for a zipper ride for a brief moment, as well as swinging ropes and even spikes that will unapologetically smash Astro Bot if players aren't quick enough. If they manage to reach the end of the course, players will rescue the Exalted Exo bot resembling Destiny's Cayde-6 and earn the "Flaming Rescue" Trophy when they complete it for the first time.
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Players will also rescue the Suave Traitor bot upon completing Rising Heat.
Rising Heat Ends With Players Rescuing Destiny's Cayde-6
The biggest treat for Destiny fans comes at the end of Rising Heat once they've rescued the Exalted Exo bot, which doubles as a cameo for the franchise's beloved Hunter Vanguard, Cayde-6. Cayde-6 has had an emotional history with Destiny fans, after being killed off in Destiny 2's Forsaken expansion, resurrected in its Final Shape expansion, and then killed off once more as Cayde sacrifices himself to save the Guardian's Ghost. It has long been debated whether killing off Cayde-6 was the right move, but the character has nonetheless been one of the most important aspects of the Destiny franchise — especially considering the fact that both expansions where Cayde-6 dies are considered two of Destiny 2's best.
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Once players rescue the Exalted Exo bot in Astro Bot's Rising Heat speedrun level, they can witness an animation between him and Astro Bot that sees him practicing his aim before Astro scares him, sending a chicken flying out of his coat in the process. Cayde quickly retrieves the chicken and puts her back in his coat. Destiny 2 fans should understand the Easter egg here, as it is a reference to the chicken that Cayde found on The Farm, whom he eventually named Colonel. Colonel occasionally helped Cayde on his missions, but was left without an owner after his death. Colonel was then relocated to the new Tower where she remains to this day with the name "Pigeon Lord" given to her by Saint-14.
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Destiny 2
Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian's look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.
An Immersive Story
You are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.
Guardian Classes
Choose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.
FPS
Systems
- Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:88%
- Franchise
- Destiny
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC , Stadia
- Released
- August 28, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Bungie
- Publisher(s)
- Bungie
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer , Online Co-Op
- Engine
- Tiger Engine
- ESRB
- T For TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 100+
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- no
- X|S Optimized
- YES
- PS Plus Availability
- Essential, Extra, & Premium (The Witch Queen)
- Expansions
- Destiny 2: Forsaken , Destiny 2: Shadowkeep , Destiny 2: Beyond Light , Destiny 2: The Witch Queen , Destiny 2: Lightfall
- Number of Players
- 1-6 (Co-Op)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Cross Save
- yes
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
