Astro Bot delivers a delightful and innovative platforming experience, brimming with charm and clever nods to PlayStation’s rich history. This title isn’t just a great game in its own right; it’s a testament to the creativity and ingenuity that PlayStation exclusives can offer.
Astro Bot expands upon the foundations laid by Astro’s Playroom, the PlayStation 5 pack-in title. Much like its predecessor, Astro Bot celebrates PlayStation hardware and iconic characters, weaving them seamlessly into its vibrant and diverse levels. From Kratos of God of War to Nathan Drake of Uncharted, familiar faces abound, alongside deeper cuts sure to delight long-time PlayStation fans.
This nostalgic homage to PlayStation’s legacy is a significant highlight. As a long-time PlayStation player, I found the numerous callbacks and references incredibly endearing, evoking a sense of fondness without ever feeling forced or overdone. Importantly, the gameplay always remains center stage.
Across over 50 stages, Astro Bot offers a diverse range of abilities and environments. Players will jump, dash, and punch their way through colorful worlds, collecting bots and puzzle pieces in classic collectathon fashion. This gameplay loop, while familiar, is executed flawlessly, providing hours of engaging entertainment. The hub world serves as a delightful space to interact with rescued PlayStation-themed bots, further enhancing the game’s charm and personality. Unlocking specific items can even alter these bots’ appearance and behavior, adding another layer of enjoyable interaction.
Some of Astro Bot’s most memorable moments arise from the clever integration of PlayStation-specific mechanics within certain levels. These sections pay tribute to specific franchises, incorporating gameplay elements unique to those series. These surprises are best experienced firsthand, but suffice it to say they are incredibly well-executed and genuinely thrilling.
The DualSense controller also plays a crucial role, with Team Asobi utilizing its features in innovative ways. From blowing into the microphone to create in-game wind to using motion controls to repair Astro’s ship, the DualSense enhances the gameplay experience in ways rarely seen in other titles.
While the difficulty might not satisfy hardcore platforming enthusiasts, Astro Bot remains accessible to players of all skill levels. This broader appeal is refreshing, especially given PlayStation’s recent focus on mature titles.
Looking ahead, it’s exciting to consider the future of the Astro Bot franchise. While the PlayStation nostalgia is a key component of its current identity, it will be interesting to see how Team Asobi evolves the series moving forward.
Despite high expectations, Astro Bot surpasses them all. It’s not just one of the best games of 2024; it’s a standout platformer that deserves to be played by anyone with an appreciation for the genre or a fondness for PlayStation history.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Astro Bot releases exclusively for PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2024. A review code was provided by PlayStation for this review.
