The true PlayStation mascot
Astro Bot feels like the Trojan Horse inside of Sony aiming to bring back the PlayStation brand us old folks have such fond memories of. Its appeal stems from creating solid game play foundations, while tapping into that nostalgia from the early years of the brand. The latest entry takes the final step by offering up a massive platformer that pays homage to nearly every brand that has made PlayStation as big as it is, both past and present. The choices made here are intentional, you can feel the love and care into each easter egg. The platforming is divine, and the boss fights and worlds are interesting. This is a game that shouldn’t exist in the current PlayStation ecosystem, but it does, and I could not be more thrilled that it does.
The Astro Bot series has always felt like a way to introduce new technology. From a playroom, to still being the best use of PSVR, and of course most recently with introducing players to the Dual Sense. Every game had a purpose, but underneath they were also experiences that resonated. Astro Bot for PS5 feels like a full-fledged game. This platformer features 80 levels, hundreds of bots to collect ranging from the classics in 1995 to more recent offerings, and a host of unlockable items that will take upwards of 20 hours to finish. This game is packed with greatness, and never during my time with it, did I want it to end.
Some of the levels are jaw-dropping.
MSRP: $59.99
Platforms: PlayStation
Price I’d Pay: $59.99
The premise behind the game is that Astro Bot is traveling along in his spaceship, which happens to be shaped like a PS5 console. He is diverted by a giant evil alien that steals the components, and each world invites Astro Bot to traverse a series of platforming puzzles to collect bots, and of course collect these pieces to get back on schedule.
The hub area of the game is the crash site, everything you collect shows up here, and it feels like a block party of PlayStation all-stars past and present. Keeping spoilers at a minimum as there are some deep cuts here, but seeing Crash Bandicoot dancing next to Joel is a sight to behold, and those are some of the more boring cameos. As the game progresses and more bots join the party, new areas of this hub world open up. This is a nice collection area that eventually will also allow for customization including costumes for Astro Bot and paint designs for the ship Astro uses, which just happens to be a Dual Sense.
The game is broken up into worlds with levels inside each one. What I always appreciate is when a game keeps track of my collectibles. That whole carrot driving me to get gold flags on each world was enticing. I kept going back to see who I would find, and of course unlock new worlds. Each level is themed and rarely did anything repeat. There are water levels, snow levels, and themed areas. Each new one was a treat, and I couldn’t wait to see what they came up with. The developers had fun creating these worlds and they are a blast to explore.
The new enemies and mechanics are really inventive.
Each level has a series of bots to collect alongside puzzle pieces, which are used to unlock the customization areas. Some levels also have secret portals that unlock more levels in a lost galaxy. These are mostly just treats with some unique bots to collect. The worlds also have a hidden set of challenges that are themed after the iconic PlayStation controller buttons. These are HARD. Most Astro Bot is pretty forgiving, but these challenges are kind of nuts. I spent an hour on just one of them, they require a perfect run, and I can see people running these for bragging rights when it comes to time. While it is simple to play Astro Bot, the underlying mechanics allow for some truly high-level play.
The main campaign will run about 10 hours running straight through, but I definitely didn’t do that. I spent a lot of time going through collecting items. Even after the credits rolled, I had plenty to do. To 100% this game I would guess anywhere between 16-18 hours. That is a hefty platformer, and one that never wears out its welcome. What I love is that everything new feels fresh. It is one of those games where I could not wait to see what was next. And that final battle. The track that plays was such a deep cut, I literally exclaimed with glee. This game tickles my PlayStation fanboy constantly and I loved it. It understands what makes the brand special, and we have been missing that for some time.
The game play is similar to the included game on the PS5. Astro can jump and attack. He also has a spin attack when you charge the punch button as well as his hover laser attack. What is new here is a series of mechanics that are specific to certain levels. These are power ups that can be used to take down various enemies as well as solve puzzles. These include things like frog gloves which can be used to punch enemies and swing to new areas. Astro can also roll into a steel ball that makes him impervious to attack as well as being shot across the levels. There are a bunch of these. Each world also has a themed level built off another Sony franchise. These have unique mechanics and feel like miniature versions of those games.
You won’t believe who he just saw!
Visually the game is amazing. I have a brand new PS5 slim, and the fan was going nuts when playing this game. The physics of little items is incredible. Watching a stack of apples move and interact with the level feels next level. The colors pop on a big screen, and the levels are absolutely gorgeous. This game looks amazing and runs without a hitch. It might not deliver realistic people and areas, but it is by far the best-looking game on the console to date. It is simply packed with joy at every corner. The music is equally impressive. That Astro Bot theme is now ingrained in my brain. There are tons of easter eggs in the music as well, so pay close attention as you play.
I cannot stress how much is packed in this. I saw cameos I never expected. The nostalgia overload is almost too much at times. I haven’t had this much fun with a game in a long time, and even though I have rolled credits, I am going back to 100% this. Astro’s Playroom was my first Platinum Trophy, Astro Bot will be my second. This game brings me more joy than I expected, and it will be at the top of my favorite games of the year.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
