You’re sweating. Your little robot hands are gripping a levitating sheep, and you’re staring at a wall of shifting sand wondering if you missed a single hidden coin. We’ve all been there. The hieroglyph pyramid Astro Bot level—officially known as Hieroglitch Pyramid—is easily one of the most charming yet deviously designed stages in Team Asobi’s masterpiece. It’s a love letter to classic platforming tropes, wrapped in that shiny, haptic-heavy PS5 aesthetic.
Honestly, this level isn't just about jumping. It’s about observation. If you’re rushing through it like a speedrunner on their tenth cup of coffee, you are going to miss the best parts. The developers tucked away cameos and collectibles in places that feel obvious once you see them, but they’re practically invisible if you’re just looking for the exit.
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Why the Hieroglitch Pyramid Level Matters
Platformers live or die by their "gimmick" levels. In the case of the hieroglyph pyramid Astro Bot stage, the gimmick is transformation and physical interaction. You aren't just running; you're inflating, flattening, and smashing through ancient "history" that feels remarkably tactile thanks to the DualSense controller.
Most players hit a wall here—literally. The level uses depth in a way that previous stages don't. You have to think about what is behind the foreground elements. Team Asobi, led by Nicolas Doucet, has always preached that "play is in the feel," and nowhere is that more apparent than when you're crunching through pottery or feeling the grit of the sand through the triggers.
It’s easy to get lost. The pyramid structure isn't a straight line. It's a vertical climb mixed with internal chambers that loop back on themselves.
The Collectibles You’re Probably Missing
Let's talk about the Bots. There are seven of them. Most people find the first four and then get stuck. Why? Because the game expects you to use the environment as a tool, not just a floor.
One of the sneakiest Bots is hidden right after the section where you use the jewelry-style scales. You’ll see a series of breakable pots. Most people smash them and move on. Don't. Look at the wall behind them. There's a slight discoloration—a classic gaming trope—that hides a secret cavity. Inside, you'll find a Bot themed after a legendary PlayStation franchise. It’s these little nods that make the hieroglyph pyramid Astro Bot experience so dense.
Then there’s the "Cursed" Bot. Near the midpoint, there’s a vacuum-like mechanic. If you don't clear all the loose debris, the platform won't rise high enough to reach the hidden alcove on the left. It’s a physics puzzle disguised as a combat encounter.
Master the Mechanics: The Power of the Puffy Suit
The star of the show in the hieroglyph pyramid Astro Bot level is the power-up that turns you into a round, buoyant balloon. Or a heavy weight. It’s all about the R2 and L2 triggers.
When you’re inflated, you’re vulnerable. One stray cactus needle and you’re back to the last checkpoint. But the trick to mastering this level is "feathering" the inflation. You don’t need to be full of air all the time. In fact, if you want to reach the highest rafters where the Gold Coins are hidden, you need to time your deflations to gain momentum. It’s basically physics. Sorta.
Secret Trophies and Easter Eggs
Did you notice the mural? If you stop and actually look at the "hieroglyphs" on the walls, they aren't just random Egyptian symbols. They are simplified icons of the history of the PlayStation hardware. You can see the original "Grey Box" PS1, the DualShock controller, and even the PocketStation if you look closely enough.
There’s also a specific interaction with a sarcophagus near the end. If you spin-attack it multiple times, it doesn't just break—it triggers a mini-event where a hoard of "mummy" bots emerges. Defeating them all isn't required to beat the level, but it’s the only way to get the "Pharaoh’s Treasure" trophy for this specific zone.
Navigating the Final Chamber
The climax of the hieroglyph pyramid Astro Bot stage involves a giant rolling boulder. It’s very Indiana Jones. But here’s the thing: most players run away from the boulder immediately.
If you have the guts to wait until the last second, there is a small gap underneath the starting ramp of the boulder. Tucked away in that dark corner is a Lost Galaxy warp portal. This is the biggest "missable" in the entire level. If you finish the pyramid without finding this, you’re locking yourself out of the 100% completion rank and a few secret levels that are arguably harder than the main game.
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The boss encounter at the end—a giant mechanical sphinx—requires you to use everything you’ve learned. You have to balance the weight of your bot to tip the platforms. If you’re too light, you’ll float into the hazards. Too heavy, and you’ll sink into the sand pits. It’s a rhythmic fight. Watch the eyes. When they glow red, the sand is about to shift.
Nuance in the Design
Some critics, like those at Digital Foundry, have pointed out that the sand physics in this level are some of the most advanced seen in a platformer. Each grain is technically a physical object for a brief moment when it's displaced. This isn't just tech-bro talk; it actually affects gameplay. If you build up a pile of sand in a corner, you can actually use it as a makeshift step-stool to reach higher ledges. It’s a level of emergent gameplay that you don't expect from a "family" game.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the Gold Butterflies: If you see a cluster of gold butterflies, follow them. They aren't just decoration. They usually lead to a hidden "X" on the ground that requires a jump-and-hover move to unearth a chest.
- Rushing the Vacuum Sections: The vacuum isn't just for clearing the path. Sometimes, pulling in a specific object triggers a switch.
- Forgetting to Look Up: The ceiling of the inner pyramid has several breakable glass tiles. Use the jetpack hover to smash them.
The hieroglyph pyramid Astro Bot level is a masterclass in level design because it rewards curiosity. It doesn't punish you for taking a wrong turn; it usually just gives you a different type of reward. It’s refreshing. Truly.
Actionable Steps for 100% Completion
If you're staring at a 6/7 Bot count and feeling the frustration, follow this sequence:
- Check the Entrance: Right at the start, turn around. There is a hidden platform behind the initial spawn point with a crate.
- The Scale Puzzle: Ensure you have the exact amount of "weight" bots on the left scale to match the symbol on the wall. This opens a door in the floor, not the wall.
- The Boulder Run: Do not exit the level until you have checked the void behind the boulder's starting position. This is the most common "missing" item.
- The Haptic Cues: Close your eyes for a second when walking near walls. If the vibration in your hands changes to a "hollow" tap, there’s a breakable secret nearby.
- Use the Camera: Use the right stick to look around corners before jumping. The game often hides Bots on the "lip" of a ledge that you can't see from a standard top-down perspective.
The beauty of Astro Bot is that it feels like playing a game from the 90s, but with the technology of the future. The Hieroglitch Pyramid is the perfect example of that balance. Once you’ve cleared it, make sure to head back to the Crash Site to see how your newly rescued Bots interact with the environment—they often unlock new areas of the hub world itself.