Games  September 8, 2024

Astro Bot: The Game That Makes Owning a PS5 Worth It

It’s 11PM, and all I want to do is sleep. After a long day, the last thing I feel like doing is playing a video game. But I have a job to finish—a review of Astro Bot before its release. So, I make a deal with myself: play just two levels, and then I’ll call it a night.

Fast forward five hours later, and I’m still playing. My cheeks hurt from smiling, and I’m filled with a contagious sense of energy. This isn’t just any platformer; Astro Bot has an undeniable charm that pulls you in, making you feel like you can accomplish anything—even running through a brick wall.

Released exclusively for the PlayStation 5, Astro Bot is a joyous platformer that reminds us of the golden age of gaming while seamlessly blending in modern innovations. The story follows Astro, a small, adventurous robot navigating through space on his PS5-shaped mothership, accompanied by 300 of his robotic friends. But disaster strikes when an Xbox-green alien monster attacks, leaving the ship in ruins and scattering Astro’s companions across different worlds. What follows is an adventure filled with humor, nostalgia, and heartwarming moments as Astro embarks on a quest to rescue his friends and restore his ship.

A Familiar Formula With a Twist

At first glance, Astro Bot seems like a typical collect-a-thon platformer with levels that take players through various themed worlds. There’s the standard jungle planet, a fiery volcano planet, and other recognizable settings like pirate ships and ghostly mansions. But while the setup may seem familiar, the way these worlds are presented feels fresh and imaginative. Each planet is a whimsical playground filled with inventive platforming mechanics that constantly surprise and delight.

One of the core elements that sets Astro Bot apart is its power-ups. Many platformers give players abilities to jump further or move faster, but few do so in as creative a manner as this game. For example, instead of just having a generic boost ability, Astro Bot lets you shoot across the screen by strapping a robotic bulldog to your back. This kind of quirky design is a recurring theme throughout the game, making each level feel unique and memorable.

The game also boasts a wide array of different power-ups, each tied to specific levels. There's the monkey power-up that allows Astro to scale vertical walls, and the mouse ability that shrinks him down to access hidden spaces. In a nod to classic platformers like Super Mario Sunshine, there's even a power-up reminiscent of the F.L.U.D.D device, but here it uses green goo instead of water to create new platforms and defeat enemies. Each power-up feels distinctly original, and mastering them is essential to progressing through the game's various levels.

Captivating Levels With Depth

While Astro Bot may sound like a simple platformer, it hides layers of complexity beneath its charming surface. The game’s level design is filled with surprises. Every stage is carefully crafted to provide new challenges, puzzles, and secrets to discover. Many of these moments are designed to reward players for their curiosity and attention to detail, providing ample incentive to explore every corner of the game’s vibrant worlds.

What truly makes Astro Bot stand out, however, is how it leverages the capabilities of the PlayStation 5. Thanks to the console's cutting-edge technology, the game offers stunning visuals and smooth gameplay that breathe life into each environment. From the lush greenery of jungle worlds to the molten lava of volcano planets, every detail is beautifully rendered in 4K resolution, making the world of Astro Bot feel immersive and dynamic.

Additionally, the PS5’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add an extra layer of immersion, allowing players to feel the game in ways that traditional controllers can’t match. Whether it's the resistance of the triggers as you pull yourself up a steep cliff or the subtle vibration of footsteps on different surfaces, the DualSense controller enhances the experience, making every action more engaging.

The Magic of Astro Bot's Gameplay

While Astro Bot brings back fond memories of the platformers many of us grew up with, it also introduces innovative mechanics that feel perfectly suited for a modern audience. One of the standout features is how the game communicates with its players, offering a delightful balance between challenge and accessibility.

Take, for example, one of the most memorable power-ups, which I won’t spoil here. It’s an ability that seems almost useless at first, and the game gives you no clear instructions on how to use it. Frustration starts to build as you fumble around, trying to figure out what this seemingly ineffective power-up does. But here’s where Astro Bot shines: this moment isn’t a flaw in game design—it’s an intentional choice by the developers.

The lack of a tutorial in this instance is a subtle way for the game to spark a sense of curiosity and exploration in the player. It’s a reminder that gaming isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the journey of discovery. When the “aha” moment finally arrives, the sense of satisfaction is immense, as if you’ve cracked a secret code. The developers, Team Asobi, clearly wanted players to experience the joy of figuring things out on their own, and it works brilliantly. It’s one of those moments that make you smile, laugh, and feel like you’ve shared an inside joke with the game’s creators.

The Heart of the Game: Nostalgia and Love for PlayStation

Beyond its solid gameplay mechanics and inventive design, Astro Bot is also a love letter to the PlayStation brand itself. Throughout the game, you’ll encounter nods to the platform’s long history, with iconic PlayStation-themed bots appearing as hidden Easter eggs. These bots wear costumes inspired by beloved characters from games like Uncharted, Horizon Zero Dawn, and God of War, and they bring a wave of nostalgia to longtime PlayStation fans.

Rescuing these PlayStation-themed bots isn’t just for show, though. Many of them offer their own special abilities or unlock hidden bonus levels based on the franchises they represent. For instance, finding a bot dressed as Kratos might take you to a level inspired by God of War, complete with its own mini side quests and unique challenges. It’s a delightful way to pay tribute to the legacy of PlayStation while keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.

But the nostalgia doesn’t stop there. The final boss fight, along with the closing credits, is an emotional rollercoaster that will tug at the heartstrings of anyone who’s been a fan of PlayStation over the years. There’s something magical about seeing a PlayStation Move controller used in a way that brings both laughter and sentimental value to the experience. It’s clear that Astro Bot was designed with a deep love for PlayStation and its community.

The Future of Platformers?

From the moment I first played a demo of Astro Bot at Summer Game Fest earlier this year, I knew this game was going to be special. It’s a game that takes the classic elements of platforming and elevates them with modern touches. Initially, I thought it would simply be a fun, short-lived experience—a charming detour before the big releases like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Echoes of Wisdom, or Indiana Jones and the Great Circle later this year. But the more I played, the more I realized that Astro Bot is so much more than that.

At its core, Astro Bot is not just a game; it’s a celebration of why video games exist in the first place. It embodies the creativity, fun, and sheer joy that make gaming such a beloved medium. Sure, there are plenty of flashy AAA titles on the horizon, but sometimes, it’s the simpler games—those built with passion and a deep understanding of what makes gaming special—that resonate the most.

A Game That Stays With You

It’s easy to dismiss Astro Bot as just another mascot platformer, a genre that was all the rage in the late ’90s. But this game is so much more than that. It’s a reminder of what video games can be at their best—immersive, joyful experiences that remind us why we fell in love with gaming in the first place.

By the time the credits rolled, I found myself thinking back to those early hours when I promised I’d only play two levels. Astro Bot is the type of game that refuses to let you stick to such promises. It keeps you engaged, smiling, and wanting more. And isn’t that what we all look for in a great game? Something that doesn’t just entertain us but leaves a lasting impression long after we’ve put the controller down.

Whether you’re a fan of classic platformers or simply looking for a new reason to fire up your PS5, Astro Bot is a game that shouldn’t be missed. It’s a gem that combines nostalgia with modern gameplay innovations, and it’s easily one of the most delightful gaming experiences of 2024. If you’ve ever wondered why video games have such a special place in our hearts, Astro Bot is the answer.

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