When Astro’s Playroom debuted as a pre-installed game on every PlayStation 5 console, it exceeded all expectations as the best launch title by making full use of the DualSense wireless controller. Having previously worked on Astro Bot Rescue Mission, Team Asobi proved they could do even more with their franchise if given the chance.
Fast forward to 2024 and the launch of the next entry in their popular series. Astro Bot is the perfect culmination of all their years of hard work and without a doubt the best PS5 exclusive title so far this year. Here are more thoughts on why you should check out this game.
An Incredibly Charming 3D Platformer
Astro Bot opens with our beloved hero and the crew casually coasting across the galaxy. After an unexpected attack from Space Bully Nebulax, the mothership explodes and several parts and bots are left stranded across various planets. Once Astro Bot recovers on a nearby desert planet, he uses a satellite and a smaller ship known as the Dual Speeder to track down the missing parts and his friends. His main objective is to reassemble the spaceship and restore peace in the galaxy by defeating Nebulax.
From start to finish, the story was a much-welcomed treat. Exploring all 80 levels across six galaxies and 50 planets never once felt like a chore and it was fun uncovering every secret and finding all 300 bots. Each level served as the perfect showcase for the team’s creativity in both creating these unique platforming worlds and developing the bosses represented within them. If you are a completionist like me, you’ll find yourself replaying levels to capture everything and luckily there is a helper bot that can be purchased when playing these levels a second time to help you complete that goal.
Paying Homage To PlayStation IPs
Another aspect I love about the story is the tributes to PlayStation brand franchises old and new across the last 30 years. Once you discover a bot synonymous with an iconic character, you’ll be eager to see what other secret characters and tributes are highlighted within the game. I was surprised by how many gaming callbacks are in this title and fans will get a lot of satisfaction after finding everything.
Astro Bot is a visually stunning 3D platformer from top to bottom. The adorable character designs, imaginative environments, and PlayStation-centric hardware models are insanely detailed and pull you deeper into the adventure. It feels exactly like Astro’s Playroom but on a much larger scale with higher stakes.
A Wonderfully Immersive World
At the beginning of every level, Astro Bot is shown landing at a designated place on each planet. As I described above, your main objective is to rescue every bot hidden within each level and discover all the secrets. This includes finding portals to lost galaxies and acquiring collectibles scattered throughout. Once you have collected most of the bots in each galaxy, you’ll unlock a boss level which you’ll have to complete to clear that entire galaxy.
The controls are very straightforward as Astro Bot can run, jump, and punch enemies. When holding down the jump button while in the air, Astro Bot can temporarily hover over enemies and the fire from his boots can take them out. There are also several levels where you’ll acquire a temporary weapon or tool that helps you navigate your new surroundings. Solving puzzles and traversing through each level can be both challenging and exhilarating at the same time. The game is designed to keep you on your toes and make you feel accomplished after beating each level.
One of the strongest aspects of the overall gameplay experience lies within just how impressive the DualSense wireless controller support is for this game. Team Asobi went above and beyond to make you feel every sensation from this adventure in the palm of your hand. Hearing all the sounds radiating from the controller also adds to the ambiance you get from the game. Simply put, Astro Bot brilliantly showcases the full power of the DualSense and I hope more devs consider better utilizing this feature in their games.
Final Verdict
Astro Bot is a simply phenomenal 3D platformer. It’s Team Asobi’s best project and arguably the best PlayStation exclusive of 2024. If you’re a fan of creative platformers oozing with charm, look no further than Astro Bot.
This review was written based on a digital review copy of Astro Bot for PlayStation 5 provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
