Astro Bot on PlayStation 5 is a platforming experience that effectively leverages the technical capabilities of Sony’s current-generation console. As the PS5 Pro approaches, this title delivers a captivating journey through a universe of inventive design, engaging platforming, and PlayStation nostalgia. Team ASOBI, known for introducing Astro in Astro’s Playroom (pre-installed on all PlayStation 5 consoles), has expanded that concept into a full-fledged title. It captures the essence of gaming and celebrates PlayStation’s history, presenting a compelling challenge within the platforming genre.
Astro Bot – a creative and colorful world
Astro Bot’s impressive visual presentation is a significant strength. Each level is rich with color and detail, resulting in a visually appealing experience. The meticulously crafted design ensures that each area, from grandiose, melodic trees to traditional Japanese bathhouses and eerie castles, feels distinct and vibrant. This visual diversity keeps players engaged and eager to explore, showcasing the expertise of Japanese developers in this genre. Comparisons to Nintendo and their Mario games are inevitable. While Astro Bot may not entirely match the depth of characters or overall polish, it occasionally approaches the excellence of titles like Super Mario Odyssey, particularly in its enjoyable and diverse range of course-specific abilities.
The narrative of Astro Bot is simple yet endearing: Astro and his companions embark on a quest to reclaim their PS5-shaped spacecraft after a green alien steals its CPU. This lighthearted premise allows Team ASOBI to concentrate on their forte: designing exceptionally imaginative and varied platforming stages. With over 50 levels across six galaxies, and 300 collectible BOTS to rescue, the game offers substantial content. Each galaxy culminates in a level referencing classic PlayStation titles such as God of War and Ape Escape, providing both nostalgic moments and innovative gameplay.
Innovative use of the DualSense game controller
Astro Bot effectively showcases the capabilities of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller. The controller enhances the gaming experience via haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and audio output from its integrated speaker (when headphones are not in use). Subtle details, such as nuanced vibration based on the surface Astro traverses or sounds that deepen immersion, establish a tangible connection between the player and the game. The near-elimination of loading times further contributes to Astro Bot’s seamless and engaging console experience.
These technological implementations elevate Astro Bot beyond a typical game, transforming it into an interactive demonstration of the PlayStation 5’s hardware potential. This is particularly apparent in the diverse mechanics introduced throughout the game, which maintain a sense of novelty and engagement (the attack dog being a standout feature).
A well-balanced challenge
Despite its lighthearted presentation, Astro Bot offers a well-calibrated challenge suitable for experienced players, patient younger audiences, and platforming veterans. Completionists can strive to unlock every collectible across the game’s extensive planetary system. The game promotes exploration through its numerous collectibles and concealed areas, providing a sense of accomplishment when unlocking new sections of the Hub world and its secrets. This focus on exploration makes the game feel cohesive and purposeful, rather than a collection of independent levels. The inclusion of a significant boss encounter at the end of each planetary system feels both organic and entertaining, as the showdowns are distinct, ranging from mechanical giant apes to aquatic octopuses.
The integration of V.I.P. bots, which reference iconic PlayStation characters and games, is a notable detail. These figures contribute to a sense of immersion and reinforce the feeling of being part of a broader PlayStation community, effectively serving as a tribute to PlayStation fans and their experiences with the platform.
Conclusion – Astro Bot
Astro Bot is undoubtedly a standout title on PlayStation 5, standing alongside other technically impressive and creatively rich games released during the console’s lifespan. The game effectively utilizes current-generation technology while delivering a rewarding and immersive platforming experience that blends nostalgia and innovation. Astro Bot is both a celebration of PlayStation’s legacy and a promising indication of its future.
Mario, consider yourself challenged.
Playstation provided review code for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial process.
