Astro Bot is a masterpiece. Team Asobi basically took everything we loved about the PS5 Playroom tech demo and turned it into a full-blown, joy-filled celebration of PlayStation history. But if you're stuck on the Balloon Breeze level in the Tentacle System, you aren't alone. It’s a vertical climb that demands precision and a decent eye for detail. Honestly, it’s one of those stages where you can easily miss a single bot or a puzzle piece because you were too busy enjoying the haptics of the DualSense.
Navigating the Balloon Breeze Chaos
Balloon Breeze isn't like the standard horizontal levels. It’s all about upward momentum and using the octo-suit. You’ve probably noticed by now that the physics in this game are incredibly tight. When you inflate, you're floaty. When you deflate, you drop like a rock. Mastering that rhythm is the only way you're getting 100% completion on this map.
Most people struggle with the timing of the flower spins. You see them everywhere. Those yellow flowers that launch you into the air? They aren't just for show. They are the primary way you navigate the lower platforms before you even get the power-up.
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The First Few Collectibles
Right at the start, don't just run forward. Look behind you. Seriously. Team Asobi loves putting things right at the spawn point. Once you move past the initial area, you’ll find your first bot hanging out near some ladybugs. It’s simple, sure, but it sets the tone. You have to look in the "wrong" direction if you want to find everything in Astro Bot Balloon Breeze.
The first puzzle piece is tucked away on a floating island. You need to use the ladybug’s bounce to reach it. If you’ve played Mario Galaxy, this feels familiar, but with that distinct Sony polish. The haptic feedback when you hit the ladybug is surprisingly tactile. You can almost feel the shell.
The Power of the Octo-Suit
Everything changes once you grab the octo-suit. This is the core mechanic of Balloon Breeze. You press R2 to puff up like a balloon. It’s adorable. It’s also functional. But here is the thing most players forget: you can steer. It isn't just a vertical jump; it’s a controlled glide.
There’s a bot hidden behind a giant teapot. Yeah, a teapot. To get it, you have to inflate, float over the steam, and then quickly deflate to land on the handle. It’s tricky. If you stay inflated too long, you’ll float right past it. The game rewards "micro-adjustments." Pushing the trigger just enough to get height without overshooting your target.
Finding the VIP Bots
Astro Bot is famous for its cameos. In Balloon Breeze, you’re looking for specific PlayStation icons. One of them is the bot based on the Siren series. If you didn't play that horror classic on the PS2, you might not recognize the rain poncho and the flashlight. To find it, you need to look for a hidden alcove mid-way through the climbing section.
There’s another one. A Wild Arms bot. This one is tucked away behind a breakable crate. You have to use the spin attack while falling. It’s a bit of a "blink and you'll miss it" moment. Honestly, the level design here is a bit devious because it encourages you to look up, which means you often forget to look under the platforms you just left.
That One Annoying Puzzle Piece
There is a puzzle piece in the middle of the level that drives completionists crazy. It’s located near a series of moving platforms. You have to time your inflation perfectly to catch a gust of wind. If you miss the gust, you fall. If you fall, you have to restart the climb. It’s frustrating.
Pro tip: Don’t spam the R2 button. Hold it. Let the octo-suit reach its maximum buoyancy.
The wind currents in Astro Bot Balloon Breeze are visual. Look for the white streaks in the air. Those are your paths. They aren't just background effects; they are literal tracks for your balloon form.
The Secret Exit to the Lost Galaxy
Wait. Did you think you were done? There is a secret exit in this level. Not many people find it on their first run. Near the end of the stage, where the giant fan is blowing, there’s an area off to the left. It looks like "out of bounds" territory, but it isn't.
If you use the octo-suit to fly against the wind—yes, it’s hard—you’ll find a hidden platform with a disco ball. Punch the disco ball. This unlocks a level in the Lost Galaxy map. Most players just finish the level and wonder why they're missing a whole section of the game. This is why.
Technical Tips for Gold Medals
If you are going for the speedrun or just want to feel like a pro, you need to learn "fast-falling."
- Inflate to the peak of your jump.
- Immediately press the hover/laser button.
- This cancels the float and sends you down faster than a regular fall.
This is essential for the later sections where platforms disappear. You don't have time to float around like a lazy cloud. You need to be snappy.
Why the DualSense Matters Here
You can actually "feel" the air pressure. When the octo-suit is full, the triggers get tighter. It’s the adaptive triggers doing their thing. If you’re playing with a standard controller or a third-party one without these features, you’re honestly losing half the experience. The vibration tells you when you’re about to run out of air. Listen to the controller’s speaker too; the "pfffft" sound is your cue to find a landing spot.
Final Checklist for 100% Completion
Before you leave the level, make sure you've checked these specific spots.
- The very beginning, behind the starting ship.
- Inside the giant flower pot near the second checkpoint.
- Underneath the bridge leading to the final boss/goal area.
- The hidden island reachable only by the secret wind current.
Astro Bot Balloon Breeze is a masterclass in vertical level design. It doesn't overstay its welcome, but it packs so much into a five-minute experience that it feels much larger than it actually is. The game is currently sitting at a 94 on Metacritic for a reason. Every level, including this one, feels like it was handcrafted with a ridiculous amount of love.
If you’ve grabbed all seven bots and the three puzzle pieces, you’re golden. If you're still missing one, go back to the section with the moving clouds. There’s a bot trapped in a bubble that only appears if you stay in the air for more than five seconds.
To finish your run, head back to the Crash Site. You’ll need the bots you just rescued to build the human (robot?) tower to reach the next galaxy. Every bot counts toward the final total, and since Balloon Breeze is in the second nebula, these bots are crucial for mid-game progression. Check your collection bird; it’ll show you exactly which silhouette you’re missing if you still have a gap in your list. Use the coins you gathered to hit the Gacha Lab—there are specific items for the Siren and Wild Arms bots that only unlock once you’ve rescued them here.