Astro Bot Review – A PLAYSTATION LOVE LETTER WRAPPED IN ADDICTIVE GAMEPLAY!

When you say the word PlayStation, what comes to mind? Is it breaking crates as a spinning marsupial? Shooting up bad guys as a wisecracking Treasure Hunter? Or maybe it’s being an Angry Dad with a frosty axe? Well, according to Team Asobi’s Astro Bot, it is all of that and much, much more. This little guy might have first appeared in Playroom VR in 2013, but it was in Astro’s Playroom that he truly caught most of our attention. Now he makes his return in Astro Bot, which promises a “myriad of memorable planets”, “weird and wonderful ways to explore” and “over 150 iconic PlayStation heroes” to reunite with. So, is it worth picking up? Especially considering the substantial price tag?!

Astro Bot’s New Adventure

Astro Bot begins with a PS5 rocket ship flying through outer space before being stopped by an enormous Alien, that somehow fits inside his tiny UFO,  as he grabs the ship, tearing it apart and sending various parts, and bots, all over the galaxy. Playing as Astro Bot, it is up to you to traverse the galaxy, find your friends and repair your PS5.

Now, we are dealing with a platformer here, so naturally, the narrative isn’t the most integral part. Team ASOBI could have phoned it in and ignored it all together… but, they didn’t! Instead opting for a style similar to the older LEGO games, Astro Bot does most of its story telling through its adorable visuals, with the occasional bit of slapstick comedy thrown in for good measure. This was the perfect approach for this title, as it says enough whilst not taking away from the game’s main focus.

The Addictive Platforming

Astro Bot is a direct follow up to Astro’s Playroom, and feels more or less identical, with a few tweaks. Astro’s controls are incredibly intuitive and responsive, and he is an absolute joy to manoeuvre through the various stages. The new power-ups, just like playroom, take full advantage of the DualSense features to make this experience feel even more immersive than before. From extendable boxing gloves to a jetpack dog, these new host of upgrades make things more interesting and adds a decent amount of variety to the gameplay. It is just so much fun and very addictive. And don’t worry, there is still a degree of challenge to the gameplay, especially if you go on a trophy hunt!

There are also levels that take much more direct inspiration from previous PlayStation exclusives to create a unique gameplay experience. I’m not going to spoil them for you now, but I can say this, they are definitely worth playing through. Especially if you have played PlayStation through the years like I have. There are way too many times to count where this game had put a smile on my face or surprise me with the new ways that the team have implemented various aspects of the PlayStation universe.

The Stunning Level Design

Nothing shows this more than the various levels themselves. The game is broken up into five main systems, each filled with a number of planets, which are the individual levels, to explore. Each level is unique and interesting to adventure through, and there are a tonne of secrets hidden in each. Yes, there are the puzzle pieces and Astro’s numerous crew members to find, but I think you’ll find that there are a few more things to uncover as you traverse each environment.

Each level is also buzzing with energy, regardless of whether you are in a snowy mountain scape, or in the lush green forest. And this is heightened even further by the game’s music. Astro Bot has an absolutely killer soundtrack, not unlike its predecessor! Each track is bouncy and fun, making playing through each area feel even that bit more entertaining as you bop along to the music whilst Astro spins like there is no tomorrow. Maybe there is a bit more marsupial to him than I first thought.

These levels are not only creative and entertaining, but they are a real treat for your eyes. The bright colour schemes mixed with the detailed visuals makes each moment in Astro Bot absolutely incredible. And my word, the water looks absolutely stunning. Not only does it feel great to swim because of the haptic feedback, but the water just looks so beautiful that it almost makes me want to go outside to experience the real ocean… Almost… I can’t remember the last time that I took so many screenshots in a game! With Astro being cute as he interacts with the environment, it took me a great degree of self-control to not continuously spam the share button.

A Puzzling Collection

As I mentioned before, there are plenty of puzzle pieces to collect and crew members to rescue in the various levels, and they serve more than just as simple collectible items. The crew members help Astro to reach new areas at the crash site, and it is honestly so adorable watching them pile onto each other to achieve each task. The puzzle pieces on the other hand open up small areas where you can customise your appearance, play around with another Gacha Machine and much more. This just makes going out of your way to collect them feel much more rewarding.

PlayStation Through the Ages!

Astro Bot is undoubtedly a very nostalgia driven experience. Whilst it is a fun filled experience that is great for younger gamers, it is clear that it is a love letter to PlayStation’s history that would be much more enjoyed by long-time fans. There are so many moments where I couldn’t help but stop and giggle joyously, and yes I do mean giggle, when Astro Bot referenced some of my all-time favourite PlayStation titles. And it is not done seriously at all, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you find yourself chuckling often throughout your play through. Each crew member can also be interacted with, which just lets loose even more moments of joyous laughter. At least, it did for me.

Like any game, Astro Bot is not perfect, no matter how damn close it might seem. Whilst I have had a great deal of trouble finding these aspects, there were a few small moments that irked me ever so slightly. For one, on the odd occasion I found myself dying to absolutely uncontrollable circumstances. Sometimes it was an enemy that shot me completely off screen, other times it was popping around a corner straight into an enemy. The worst of these was in a boss battle where I lost a life from getting hit, but was also pushed straight into another hazard which caused me to lose my last life straight away and causing me to have to restart the boss sequence. Now mind you, these occurrences are very few and very far between, but occasionally, you might run into one.

Decision

So, to go back to the question at the start of the video. You should absolutely play Astro Bot. This nostalgic treat is one of the best platformers that I have played in recent years. Whilst it is definitely not the most challenging platformer out there, Astro Bot is much more of a relaxing experience that allows you to relive your early PlayStation memories in a fresh new experience. Astro Bot seamlessly blends a family-friendly atmosphere, perfect for introducing young players, with nostalgic call-backs that resonate with older fans. This one is a must have for any PS5 owner!

By Samuel Incze – Reviewed on PlayStation 5

Must Have

Astro Bot is a delightful platformer that excels in delivering a fun, nostalgia-filled experience for PlayStation fans. The intuitive controls, immersive DualSense features, and visually stunning levels make it a joy to play. While the challenge might be lighter than some platformers, it more than makes up for it with its charm, creativity, and heart-warming nods to PlayStation’s history. If you’re a PS5 owner looking for a feel-good adventure, Astro Bot is an absolute must-play.

This game was reviewed using a download code provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The Beta Network uses affiliate partnerships, however, this does not influence reviews or any other content published. The Beta Network may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links that are on the website.