Astro Bot Review PS5: What comes to mind when you say the word PlayStation? Does it splatter boxes like a spinning marsupial? Shoot bad guys like an energetic treasure hunter? Or is it an angry dad with a frozen axe? Well, according to Team Asobi’s Astro Bot, it’s all of that and much, much more.
This little guy may have first appeared in 2013’s Playroom VR, but it was Astro’s Playroom that caught our attention the most. Now he’s back in Astro Bot, which promises “multiple memorable planets,” “weird and wonderful ways to explore,” and “over 150 iconic PlayStation heroes” to reunite with. So is it worth buying? Especially considering the hefty price tag?!
Table of Contents
Astro Bot’s New Adventure
Astro Bot starts with a PS5 rocket flying through space before being stopped by a giant alien that somehow adapts to its tiny UFO, taking over the ship, tearing it apart, and sending various parts and robots across the galaxy. As Astro Bot, you’ll travel the galaxy, making friends, and repairing your PS5.
We’re dealing with a platformer now, so the narrative is naturally not the most important part. The ASOBI team could have called them out and completely ignored them…but they didn’t!but they didn’t! Instead of using a style similar to the old LEGO games, Astro Bot tells most of its story through charming visuals, with the occasional joke thrown in. It was the perfect approach for this game, as it says enough without distracting from the game’s main plot.
A fun platformer
Astro Bot is a direct sequel to Astro’s Playroom and feels more or less identical with a few tweaks. Astro’s controls are incredibly intuitive and responsive, and navigating the various levels is a blast. Just like the arcade version, the new updates take full advantage of the DualSense, making the game even more addictive than before.
From retractable boxing gloves to a jetpack-equipped dog, this new set of power-ups livens up the game and adds a decent amount of variety to it. It’s just a lot of fun and addictive. And don’t worry, there’s still some challenge in the game, especially if you’re looking for trophies!
There are also levels inspired by previous PlayStation exclusives, making for a unique experience. I don’t want to spoil the surprise for you now, but I can tell you one thing, it’s definitely worth playing. Especially if you’re like me and have been playing PlayStation for years.
There have been too many times to count that this game has made me smile or surprised me with the new ways the team has implemented different aspects of the PlayStation universe.
Amazing level design
Nothing demonstrates this better than the various levels themselves. The game is divided into five main systems, each containing a certain number of planets that are individual levels to explore. Each level is unique, fun to explore and each has tons of secrets. Yes, there are puzzle pieces and plenty of Astro crew members, but I think you’ll find that there are other things to discover as you travel through each environment.
Each level is also full of energy, whether you’re in a snowy mountain landscape or a lush green forest. And this is further emphasized by the music in the game. Astro Bot has an absolutely killer soundtrack, no different from its predecessor! Each track is lively and fun, making the game even more fun as you bounce along to the music and Astro spins around like there’s no tomorrow. Maybe it’s a little more marsupial than I originally thought.
Not only are these levels creative and fun, they’re also a real treat for the eyes. The vibrant color schemes combined with the detailed graphics make every moment of Astro Bot absolutely incredible. And my word, the water looks absolutely stunning.
Not only does swimming feel amazing thanks to the haptic feedback, the water is so beautiful that I almost want to get out and feel the real ocean… Almost… I can’t remember the last time I soaked up so much water. screenshots from the game! Since Astro interacts so well with his surroundings, it took a lot of self-control not to hit the share button.
Mysterious collection
As I said earlier, throughout all the levels there are plenty of puzzle pieces to collect and crew members to rescue, and they serve as more than just collectibles. The crew members help Astro reach new areas of the crash site, and it’s a lot of fun watching him rally around each other to complete each task.
On the other hand, the puzzle pieces open up small areas where you can customize your appearance, play with another Gacha machine, and more. This makes it much more rewarding to get out of the box and collect them.
PlayStation through the ages!
Astro Bot is undoubtedly a very nostalgic experience. While it’s a fun experience that’s great for younger gamers, it’s clear that this is a love letter to PlayStation history that longtime fans will appreciate much more. There were so many moments where I couldn’t help but gleefully laugh, and yes, I mean laugh when Astro Bot referenced some of my favorite PlayStation games.
And it’s done in a completely easy way, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you laugh a lot throughout the game. You can also interact with each crew member, leading to even more hilarious moments. At least that’s what happened to me.Minor inconvenience
Like any game, Astro Bot isn’t perfect, no matter how close it seems. While I had a lot of trouble finding these aspects, there were a few small things that slightly irritated me. First, one day I found myself dying due to completely uncontrollable circumstances. Sometimes the enemy would shoot me completely off screen, other times from around the corner directly into the enemy.
The worst was in a boss fight where I lost a life because I got hit, but I was also pushed straight into another hazard, which immediately resulted in me losing my last life and forcing me to restart the fight with the bosses. Note that these events are very rare, but occasionally you may come across one.
End
So let’s go back to the question at the beginning of the video. You should definitely play Astro Bot. This nostalgic gem is one of the best platformers I’ve played in years.
While it’s certainly not the most challenging platformer, Astro Bot is more of a relaxing experience that lets you relive your earliest PlayStation memories in a fresh new experience. Astro Bot perfectly combines a family atmosphere, perfect for introducing younger players, with nostalgic attractions that resonate with older fans. This is an essential item for any PS5 owner!
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