Astro Bot Review: PS5 Gameplay Impressions, Videos and Top Features
September 5, 2024
Astro Bot from Sony and developer Team Asobi has traveled one of the most interesting paths to an anticipated release seen in quite some time.
Technically, Astro Bot is a sequel to 2020's Astro's Playroom, which was a bite-sized romp at the PlayStation 5 launch largely meant to show off the features of the DualSense controller's haptic feedback features.
Those innovative features wound up feeling like perhaps the lone must-experience staple of next-generation consoles, at least now that visuals have seemingly reached a point of minimal upgrades, yes.
But it was the character of Astro Bot, his galaxy, and the sheer fun factor that left players yearning more.
Hence, the emergence of one of PlayStation's marquee platformers and a possible Game of the Year contender with this sequel that greatly expands on a beloved, small introduction.
Graphics and Gameplay
Playroom was...short, in the range of fiveish levels and a boss battle.
So, here comes Astro Bot with a boasted 80 levels across 50 planets found...across six galaxies.
That small taste of the universe in Playroom is expanded as fans of the intro might expect, too. There are a jaw-dropping number of different themed worlds, whether it's an ice-cream locale that features sprinkles the player can kick all over the place and trees made of ice-cream cones to spooky mansion-type areas, and so much more.
Astro Bot is colorful and incredibly expressive in its character's emotes, sure. Players can even just let go of the controller and see some of the varied, funny things Astro Bot does. But the real treat of the immersion is the sheer creativity poured into every little bit of environment and character across so many different levels.
While the series started as something of a tech demonstration for the controller technology, it's also a case study for the graphical horsepower the console can generate too. There's a staggering level of detail and fidelity, with things like even underwater segments impressing.
It sure doesn't hurt to mention that the sound design holds its own too. The soundtrack fits the themes of the worlds and is addictive in the best way, while the sound effects tied to actual gameplay are punchy and distinct.
Even traversal between worlds and characters is handled creatively, with Astro Bot traveling in a ship shaped like the controller while players tilt analog sticks and the DualSense itself to navigate.
As Playroom veterans could have predicted, there's a "just one more attempt" mentality that games like Mario and otherwise have managed to trigger here. The levels are quick and snappy enough that failure isn't the end of the world. And, barring 100 percent completion, there's always something interesting or another bot players have yet to uncover that adds high replay value to most spots.
Astro Bot boasts the same base moveset as before, including jumping, hovering, punching and a spin attack. That is, unless, Astro Bot happens across a world inspired by other Sony protagonists. Players then receive abilities similar to those characters while traversing special themed levels.
Beyond those, there is now a double-digit list of new abilities Astro Bot can use, with one of the most basic being an ability to climb on walls. The game goes to great lengths to make these new Astro Bot add-ons a staple of tough or even boss encounters.
The game feels snappy in a way platformers must get right, sure. Inputs are responsive and the general feel of the platforming is as good as a player could hope.
But that haptic feedback is downright staggering. Even feeling the minute difference in feedback based on what surface a player walks on is one of the most impressive things going in gaming at the moment.
The game arrives with easy, normal and hard difficulties, with the latter often being optional challenge areas. As expected, this affords Astro Bot with the ability to appeal to as broad of an audience as possible.
Story and More
Astro Bot keeps it simple—there are literally hundreds of Bots to save across the galaxies. Many fall into the "normal" column, while the most notable will be the V.I.P. Bots that serve as nods to other Sony franchises.
Given the all-ages appeal of the game, the story doesn't need to be much more complex than that. There is plenty of environmental storytelling and the emotes of the characters do some heavy lifting, anyway.
Otherwise, the approach pins the main focus on the gameplay, where it should be for a game as precise and as technically impressive as it is, both in a player's hands and on a screen itself.
There is a museum-like area where players can view all of the Bots they have saved during the journey, too, which feels like a no-brainer of an inclusion that will be popular with players.
It's appreciable how the game permits other Sony franchises to spotlight like this. That might sound silly, but the game could have just as easily said no thanks to including characters that will overshine the Astro Bot character. Instead, this decision might make players appreciate Astro Bot as a protagonist even more while really leaning into that "Playroom" namesake of the prior game.
Progression includes coins that players scan and collect to then spend on randomized rewards and even additional help through levels. The latter isn't necessary, but it does seem like it can point out some tricky things players might have missed.
As most modern games do these days, Astro Bot promises an infusion of future levels as post-release support. Presuming the same high-quality, quick-hitting playspaces in the base game, these additions for however long the game is supported could give it incredibly long legs.
Astro Bot manages to stand out with a massive list of accessibility and general options in the menus, too, to the point the game even permits turning features like gyro controls and adaptive triggers off.
Conclusion
Astro Bot, thankfully, doesn't get caught up in chasing that Mario lane and instead carves its own path. A game in this space isn't going to beat allegations of taking some things from the top dog in the genre anyway.
Straight-up fun, snappy and with a touch of heart that will get players emotionally invested, Astro Bot is a worthwhile expansion of a beloved, smaller debut.
What's just as impressive as the technical feats and creativity, though, is the careful attention to accessibility and open arms to all ages. Ditto for the groundwork laid here that is perfect for high-quality additions over time.
While a platformer might not outright win Game of the Year these days, Astro Bot certainly deserves its space in the discussion.
B/R Recommends