Game review 10 September 2024, 04:04

author: Maciej Bogusz

Astro Bot Review: A Joyful Experience

In 2024, Astro Bot not only comes to Sony's rescue but also in a big way reminds us why we play video games at all.

The review is based on the PS5 version.

Some games just can't help but keep a smile on our faces, and Astro Bot, a 3D platformer developed by Team Asobi, is one of them. In 2020, to coincide with the launch of the PS5, every console came with Astro's Playroom pre-installed, completely free of charge. This game allowed players to test the new capabilities of the SSD drive and controller. It's great that Sony has chosen to develop this humble brand, as it has the potential to become one of the Japanese giant's flagship exclusives.

Interstellar bots

The game begins with a scene of traveling through space in a huge spaceship that resembles a PS5 console. Suddenly, we are attacked by a green alien, who destroys the spaceship and scatters its parts across various galaxies. Of course, we weren't traveling alone on the mothership; other bots were with us, and as a result of the wicked attack, they now find themselves in danger. Our charming main hero is rescued by a smaller ship that looks like a DualSense controller. What remains of the PS5 console crashes onto a small, sandy planet, which will serve as our home base from now on.

That, in a nutshell, is what the first minutes of the game look like. There's nothing beyond familiar forms and frameworks, yet it still manages to bring a smile to our faces. There's not much to say about Astro Bot's plot; it serves as a simple introduction, giving the player a reason to rescue bots in need and search for console-ship components to continue the journey through the vast cosmos. What truly sets Astro Bot apart from the competition, however, is the gameplay.

Abundance of mechanics

Astro Bot surprises with its smooth gameplay. I can't recall the last time I had so much fun jumping on platforms. Every action I performed with the little robot was not only incredibly satisfying but also addictive—almost like a drug. At this point, I should also mention the amazing capabilities of the DualSense controller. When our robot walks on a metal surface, we can feel it through the controller. When we launch our little 'spaceship,' we experience resistance on the triggers. All these features enhance the sensory experience of the game and showcase the power of ninth-generation technology.

But I digress. To gather console components and rescue our robo-friends, we must unlock specific galaxies and then the planets within them. Typically, when we land on a planet, we are provided with a tool that introduces new gameplay mechanics, offering fresh ways to complete each level. These tools, in a word, are fantastic. They add variety, keeping the game engaging and far from boring.

When we arrive on a planet, we typically have to complete a series of skill-based challenges, which, importantly, aren’t frustrating and remain enjoyable even in the endgame. Along the way, we rescue robots, find collectibles, and solve very simple environmental puzzles. All of this is incredibly fun and allows the PS5 to truly shine (more on that in a moment). After completing several planets in a galaxy, we unlock a boss level, which is essentially a simple puzzle that requires the efficient use of previously introduced mechanics. Occasionally, after a boss battle, a special level inspired by Sony exclusives awaits us. These special levels are truly amazing, and I won't elaborate further because experiencing them firsthand is something really unique.

As for the audiovisual aspect, this is where Team Asobi has truly outdone itself, delivering a somewhat candy-colored but beautiful graphic design, with each planet offering a unique visual style. Familiar pop culture motifs frequently appear in the game, but they never feel repetitive, always introducing something new and fresh. The music, while occasionally repetitive, can also pleasantly surprise at times. One level even features a singing tree, and its song is something I’ll be humming for a long time.

Sony’s best ad

Astro Bot will, without a shadow of a doubt, become the Holy Grail for Sony game fans. It serves as both a celebration and an advertisement of the fun that Sony Interactive Entertainment offers. The number of references to games released over the years is overwhelming. At times, it’s so extensive that, even as a Sony fan, I wasn’t able to recognize all the brands and references. Perhaps an in-game encyclopedia would be useful, briefly describing the robots dressed in non-familiar outfits. Such a feature would make the game an even greater treat for fans of the Japanese console.

There are games that remind us why we fell in love with video games in the first place. In my opinion, Astro Bot is one of those games. It’s a phenomenally polished title, featuring great audiovisuals and, above all, brilliant gameplay that never gets boring. It's also a family-friendly game, perfect for everyone to enjoy together.

It will take about 15 hours to complete Astro Bot. The game includes hidden levels that can pose a challenge even for veteran platformers, which makes it even more appealing in my eyes. For most of the gameplay, however, the difficulty is more balanced and generally easy, but this doesn’t detract from the almost childlike joy of completing each level. The game also has an endgame, as I mentioned earlier. There’s plenty to do in the galaxies haunted by the green alien. I can't wait to buy my own copy and work toward earning all the achievements in this charming game.