Astro Bot made his debut in The Playroom VR in 2016, and since then, the mascot has starred in his own VR adventure and pack-in game for the PS5. Many years later, the tiny robot finally embarks on his biggest journey with the self-titledAstro Bot, a full-length 3D platformer that’s overflowing with creativity and charm.
Featuring over 50 planets to explore and a surprise around every corner, Astro Bot uses PlayStation’s 30-year history as a backdrop for its playful atmosphere and colorful aesthetic. If you’re still on the fence about picking up this platformer, we’ll help you decide whether Astro Bot is worth it or not.
Review
Sony has dabbled with platforming in games like Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank, but Astro Bot truly feels like the company’s first 3D Platformer with its stage progression, challenges, and collectibles. For its first swing, it seems likeSony has nailed it out of the park, and Editor-in-Chief Stacey Henley gave Astro Bot a 5/5 in her “Astro Bot - A Masterpiece, Not a Museum” review.
Praising theinnovative gameplay, spectacular sound design, and creative use of the Dualsense controller’s many functions, Henley is impressed by how the game would still be amazing even if it didn’t have all of PlayStation’s greatest heroes backing it up. “…you could take out the Kratos costumes and the game would be as brilliant as it is now. Though the nostalgia or PlayStation love will eke up the excitement for some fans (and even put some off), it’s not a pillar of Astro Bot, nor is it going to be the reason fans keep replaying this for years to come.”
What I got was one of the greatest platformers I have ever played, in terms of creativity, consistency, and cleverness, that just so happens to have a bunch of PlayStation mascots inside it.
Henley is also complimentary of how the game paces out its brilliant power-ups. All of them are fascinating, but there can be too much of a good thing, and the developers understood how to best utilize each ability without ever allowing the player to get tired of it. “Every power is interesting, has a meaningful impact on the level it’s a part of, and feels like it unlocks a new way to play. While some return from previous Astro outings and others are quite standard, there is a unique flair to how they feed into the level design here.”
Astro Bot is visually dazzling, but its sound design is applause-worthy. “Astro Bot might also be the most ASMR game ever withpitch perfect sound designthat reacts to every single surface like no other game before. If you thought Playroom was a showcase for the DualSense, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
One of Astro Bot’s strengths is its scope and how it manages to makeeach level feel distinct and memorable. “It takes you through deserts, across volcanos, inside dojos, to outer space, up mountains, down rivers, and both visually and mechanically, offers something new every time that always hits the mark.”
There are a few things that could make Astro Bot a better game, and one of Henley’sfew complaints about the game is how often you have to fight the same minions over and over again. “If Astro Bot has a failing - and that is an if - it may be in the enemy design. There are only a handful of baddies to bash aside from the bosses, and while they get a little tougher with tweaks to their attacks, this is the one area where it risks growing stale.”
Ultimately, Henley praisesAstro Bot as one of the best games in the genre, which is impressive coming from a company that has often neglected it. Despite the PlayStation 5 launching in 2020, it finally feels like it has a game that showcases what it is truly capable of.
Time Expenditure
The amount of time you spend with Astro Bot will depend on how much of the game you intend to see. If you just want to play each level and defeat the final boss without searching for every collectible, you canexpect to spend roughly ten hours with the game.
If you’re a completionist who intends on searching every nook and cranny for collectibles, Easter eggs, and more, then you can expect to spendsomewhere between 15–18 hourswith Astro Bot before you’re finished.
Cost
Astro Bot is currently available as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, and you may purchase it either physically or digitally for$59.99 USD.
If you’re looking for extra goodies, you can spend$10 moreto upgrade the physical copy or$69.99on the digital version to receive: Astro’s Yharnam Hunter Outfit, Astro’s Golden Outfit, Neon Dream Dual Speeder Color, Champions' Gold Dual Speeder Color, ten PSN Avatars, and a digital soundtrack with an art gallery.
What Players Are Saying
A Jaunt Through PlayStation - Jerel Levy
Astro Bot finds itself in an interesting position. It’s familiar, and yet completely innovative. There’s a ton of fun packed in a tiny package, with references and Easter eggs galore that’ll have you smiling and testing your gaming knowledge at the same time.
Likened to Nintendo platformers, if you enjoy the genre, you’ll find a home in Astro’s world. The only thing to consider is how short the game is. You might be better off buying it during a sale and enjoying its seven to 14-hour playtime, depending on how much you plan on delving into it.
A Game Focused On Simply Being Fun - Lucas Olah
In an industry filled with many serious, gigantic triple-a games that don’t always deliver on their promises, Astro Bot swooped in and became a fresh air among other titles by offering nothing more than simplicity and quality.
It feels as fresh as it feels nostalgic, despite being a new entry, highlighting all the great features 3D platformers should have, while also being friendly to newcomers and casual players. Its biggest flaw is that it’s short, but every moment adventuring with Astro is a moment well spent.
