Players got to experience Astro’s Playroom as a test of PS5 technology, and Astro Bot offers players a full-fledged gaming experience. Team Asobi developed the title outside of Japan. The developers are the architects of Astro being a PlayStation mascot. The first game developed by them was Astro Bot Rescue Mission, a PSVR title. However, the latest entry by Team Asobi gives players on the PS5 a true gaming experience. Additionally, it needs to be played by all, as it is a true masterpiece of a game.
The Astro series is strong with its titles; both Rescue Mission and Astro’s Playroom offered great advances in gaming. Team Asobi, though, ups the ante by giving players plenty of content to experience and explore. The title is not just a love letter to PlayStation, but gaming as a whole. Furthermore, it allows players to take part in a game that at its core is one constant: a unique and fun platformer. All of the components of Astro Bot work incredibly well together. I can guarantee that players are going to step away from the game with smiles after playing what Team Asobi has created for the gaming world.
A Simple and Fun Narrative
The story of Astro Bot is straightforward. Astro and all of the various bots are traveling through space on their PS5 mothership (it truly is a PS5 spaceship). Soon, they are attacked by the alien villain, Nebulax, and they crash land. Astro then embarks on a mission to reunite all of the separated bots, fix the mothership, and defeat Nebulax. Along the way, Astro visits over 80 different levels of stunning environments, rescuing friends while taking down Nebulax’s henchmen and recovering the various lost PS5 mothership parts to continue the adventure.
Right off the bat, the story is engaging. Although simple and not as deep as other PlayStation titles, it works well. Upon first crashing landing, I was determined to take down Nebulax and find the scattered bots in the game. Additionally, there are various PlayStation mascot levels where players experience micro-stories about that bot’s narrative. Whether Uncharted or Horizon, players get a small taste of what the various other exclusive series offer. Furthermore, Astro Bot doesn’t feature dialogue but sound effects and movement to express communication. Team Asobi did a great job of accomplishing this feat, having Astro waving or gleefully making noise to say hello or express happiness. Each time the bots did any sort of communication, it was easy to pick up on the cues and felt refreshing to see.
Overall, the Astro Bot story has players reunite a scattered family and defeat the five major bosses in different worlds before taking on Nebulax. The narrative is simple but adorable and fun. Rather than approach with convoluted or confusing aspects, it is easy to pick up on. It offers a great callback to PlayStation’s lone gaming lineage in both console and handheld form, while giving a face to it in the process.
Classic Platforming Meets Incredible Technology
From the very beginning of booting up Astro Bot, players are diving into the platforming aspects of the game. Across the various levels of the game, Astro needs to be navigated over, under, and through obstacles. Along the way, players will use various abilities to aid them on their journey in the levels. These abilities include boxing gloves to destroy walls and doors to a PSVR-looking device to help slow down time and get through fast-paced areas. The abilities change each time, with some levels not having any to use. This aspect of Astro Bot provides a great change of pace between levels, allowing players to see what each of the many items does and to master their uses. Furthermore, being able to use them against bosses provides a test of a player’s proficiency with the item, something that feels satisfying when taking down the big foe for that area.
Moreover, as with Astro’s Playroom, the latest game makes use of the PlayStation 5’s haptic feedback technology. Players can feel the struggle of opening different doors, or be required to blow into the controller’s microphone to control fans, which could lead to secret areas or new locations. The game has a constant use for the haptic feedback and while for some titles I have it switched off, Astro Bot is one of the few where I had it on, as it further enhances the gameplay. Additionally, each time I collected the over-300 bots within the game, I could feel the haptic feedback kicking in as the characters were bouncing around in the DualSense controller. It’s a small detail but further goes to show that Team Asobi have gone above and beyond to provide the most optimization and use of the notable DualSense feature.
Motion Controls Make Astro Bot Even Better
Team Asobi also continues the trend of using motion controls in Astro Bot. There are different levels where players have to aim and move the controller: from helping to clear out fires with a water hose to aiming a mechanical arm to fix the PS5 mothership. The motion controls feel very accurate. I usually do not find a big appeal to using them. However, while playing through Astro Bot, the controls didn’t feel delayed or lacking in any way.
Rather than just feel like a backseat player, using the motion controls to move around, Astro Bot has players take the driver’s seat. These parts of the game provide more meaning. When I was controlling the robot arms to fix the PS5 mothership, I felt like I was the one helping to repair it. Not only is it eye-catching but it provides a deeper appreciation for the way that gaming technology is advancing with each generation. You are not just a player in Astro Bot with haptic feedback and motion controls, but rather a participant, barreling through the worlds with Astro, and Team Asobi has my utmost respect for how well the mechanics work in unison.
Overall, the gameplay for Astro Bot is superb, from the mechanics to the creative platforming that felt almost exclusive to Nintendo. The title has assured me that if done correctly, the platforming gameplay can be among the best in its class. In terms of Astro Bot, it’s more than ahead of the curve.
A Great Amount of Things to Collect & Unlock
Like its predecessors, players have a goal of collecting the lost bots throughout the game’s worlds. However, in this entry, there is a sizeable 300 to find in the over 80 levels. The adorable companions range from various lookalikes to VIP bots who are gaming characters such as Nathan Drake and Deacon St. John. Each level contains numerous amounts to rescue, with some being in the open to others being hidden. None are difficult to find but some require a little searching off of the beaten path and it’s great. Furthermore, I found some hidden holes that need to be burrowed, upon doing so a character will be waiting. While 300 seems like a lot, the bots being spread across the levels make it feel like a steady progression rather than overwhelming.
Additionally, players can unlock Lost Galaxies, locations in levels that take you to separate levels. The implementation of this feature is amazing. Many times I was shocked upon finishing a level and finding a lost galaxy, only to realize I had more adventuring to do. Furthermore, the galaxies only add to the content, providing more for me to experience. In a game like Astro Bot, I am always welcome to it, especially because many of the lost bots are stowed away in these areas. As I progressed through the game, I was deeply investigating areas to be able to find the entrances to these unique places.
Players can also find puzzle pieces and coins throughout the game’s levels. By collecting the pieces, they allow players to open new vendors in the Crash Site hub area. Vendors like the Changing Station and Gatcha Machine only add to the items that players can unlock.
Eye-Pleasing Visuals and Incredible Sound
Astro Bot is incredibly pleasing to the eyes. From the crystal clear water in the worlds, fire from enemies or even the bots, the game is beautiful. Each of the levels is great to look at, from snow-covered to deep-space destinations. The lighting doesn’t feel harsh but rather perfectly tuned for each setting. I had plenty of moments of being astounded; even something as simple as a cherry blossom tree had me stopping to admire the beauty. Also, when it comes to the frame rate, it performs at a solid 60, flawlessly. Throughout my time, I did not see a single drop in frames, something that feels rather rare for a recent game. Astro Bot may not feature facial rendering, but it keeps up with modern graphical standards perfectly.
When it comes to sound design, Team Asobi knocks it out of the park. The unique noises from the bots and various enemies being distinguishable was a nice detail. However, where the audio truly shines is in its music. Composed by Kenneth CM Young, the composer behind Astro’s Playroom, the Astro Bot soundtrack is phenomenal. Each level has a different score, each one providing catchy tunes that feel reminiscent of former platforming titles. Many times I felt my feet tapping to jams. But, nothing brought a smile to my face faster than hearing both a new rendition of the Uncharted theme in its level and the ever-fantastic song, I’m Your GPU. While all of the audio is impressive, the soundtrack is amazing.
Limited But Fantastic Accessibility
Accessibility in Astro Bot may look limited, but it suits what it needs to for the game. No subtitles are present, but because there is no dialogue, it makes sense. As there may be players who choose to not play with haptic feedback, they may be curious if it is mandatory for the game. Well, they are in luck! The title can be played completely without needing the feature. In addition, the game still feels like a fun platforming experience. However, I will recommend trying it with the feedback, to feel the full potential that is on offer. The motion controls can also be averted, and by selecting the tilt assist option, players can use the DualSense’s left stick rather than move the entire controller.
Some of the puzzles in the game require the use of the vibration in the DualSense. But, Team Asobi thought ahead and added a visual aid option. Therefore, if you wish to not have vibration on, selecting this feature helps to give you cues when pushing certain puzzle buttons, to assist in completing the puzzle easier.
The accessibility options presented in the game suit players with different needs in ways that continue to make the game function well. Rather than sacrificing the quality of the experience, it circumvents features to provide an almost equal experience for players.
Astro Bot Is a Must-Play For All
Astro Bot is an exceptional game by many different means, whether it is the various collectibles to uncover or the easter eggs of PlayStation exclusives. Few games in my life have had me speechless or left with damp eyes as the credits roll (looking at you, Snake Eater). However, Astro Bot did, and it shows that developers continue to love the art form they’ve created. Furthermore, it’s an engaging and fun time. I completed the game in just over 15 hours while exploring areas and the length feels perfect. It doesn’t feel short nor overstay its welcome, but ends perfectly. As I said previously, the game is a love letter. Not just to PlayStation and its lineup, but to gamers in general.
Team Asobi has something truly special with the Astro Bot franchise and has risen to one of my favorite studios. The game itself is easily one of my all-time favorites now and I hope that we get to see more adventures for the adorable robot in the future. While Mario is a prominent figure in the platforming world, he has serious competition now with Astro Bot, and it’s fantastic to see. Whether you are new to PlayStation or curious overall about a new game to buy, this title is more than worth the price tag and has my vote for the game of the year.
