As a pack-in title for the PS5, 2020's Astro's Playroom highlighted the DualSense controller's features. But beyond serving as a tech demo, this bite-sized experience demonstrated that Sony might have its very own Super Mario Bros. among its first-party lineup.
Sony and the talented Team Asobi have fulfilled that promise with Astro Bot, crafting a polished, near-perfect platformer. It deserves comparison to Nintendo's flagship series and even rivals the best of Mario's adventures.
Like its predecessor, Astro Bot stars the adorable, space-hopping protagonist. This time, though, the lovable robot isn’t on a proof-of-concept mission built around the DualSense. Instead, he embarks on a sprawling, standalone adventure that can easily consume 20 hours for completionists.
That said, Astro Bot still fully utilises the PS5’s innovative DualSense features. The game leverages haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, the built-in speaker, microphone, and gyroscopic motion to enhance immersion.
However, where Astro's Playroom sometimes felt a bit gimmicky, Astro Bot organically uses these elements. Whether piloting Astro’s spaceship with motion controls or experiencing the sensation of pulling a slingshot, the controller's features seamlessly integrate into the gameplay. The use of sound, in particular, is remarkable. Detailed audio emits from the controller’s speaker, making every action, from splashing in the water to gliding down a slide, come to life in a vivid, sensory-rich way.
Astro Bot would remain a joy to play even if stripped of the controller's tech. The controls are snappy, responsive, and precisely tuned. Movement, jumping, and meleeing objects feel more satisfying here than in most games, regardless of the genre.
The platforming goes far beyond the basics, too. Spread across over 50 levels, the game sees Astro collecting parts to repair his crashed spaceship, which looks suspiciously like a flying PS5, and rescuing hundreds of robot allies. To succeed, players must master Astro's core moveset and utilise various level-specific power-ups. These upgrades, ranging from animal-inspired abilities to size-shrinking skills, allow Astro to climb, swim, and explore in imaginative ways.
The diversity of these power-ups keeps the gameplay fresh. For example, Astro’s sponge transformation offers surprising benefits, allowing him to soak up water and grow in size to barrel through obstacles. At the same time, players can expel water to shrink Astro back down, extinguish fires, or create platforms.
What's impressive is that these power-ups rarely feel repetitive. Even when familiar abilities return, they often come with new twists. Early on, for instance, an elephant backpack with a vacuum trunk lets Astro float as a balloon. Later, this same ability evolves, allowing Astro to inflate enemies until they burst.
The excitement of exploring each new planet is another highlight. Each one offers something different, from underwater worlds to cloud-filled skies. The creativity of these environments is astounding, with six planetary systems containing varied and unique destinations. Even the game's secret levels, bonus challenges, and crash site hub brimming with collectables ensure that no two experiences are alike.
Astro Bot also offers fan service for PlayStation enthusiasts. Iconic franchises like God of War and Uncharted inspire some levels. While these homage levels are fun, they aren’t as creative as the more original stages, often sticking to themes dictated by the respective series—like blasting through a jungle as an Uncharted-themed bot.
Despite this minor quibble, these fan-pleasing levels feel like an added bonus. The game also features dozens of PlayStation references, with robots designed after characters from games dating back to the PS1 era. Collecting these bots is part of the game’s progression, and you can also spend in-game coins on cosmetics to personalise them.
At your home base, these rescued robots provide a charming spectacle as they engage in various activities. For instance, you might spot The Last of Us Joel and Ellie fighting an infected just a few feet away from Journey's Traveler, knitting a scarf.
Visually, Astro Bot is a masterpiece. It’s vibrant, polished, and detailed, making it one of the most stunning games to grace a PlayStation console. Its presentation rivals the quality of Pixar films, and the game itself is a strong contender for Game of the Year. Astro Bot not only justifies owning a PS5 but stands as one of the best platformers ever created. It’s a must-play for anyone looking to experience the console's full potential.