Ever since Team Asobi formed within Sony's Japan Studio, they’ve consistently delivered top-tier games, but with Astro Bot, they've truly outdone themselves. You’ve probably heard of Astro’s Playroom, the charming PS5 launch title. Well, Astro Bot takes that charm, cranks it up, and throws in some incredible surprises. Trust me, if you’re a PS5 owner, this is one game you must get your hands on. Here's why.
A Brief History of Team Asobi’s Success
Before we dive into the magic of Astro Bot, it’s worth looking at the journey that led to this. Team Asobi’s earlier work, like The Playroom and The Playroom VR, were cool tech demos showing off the potential of the PlayStation Camera and VR hardware. But things really heated up with Astro Bot Rescue Mission – a game that proved these guys know how to make a full-length, high-quality game. Then came Astro’s Playroom, a pack-in game for the PS5, which blew everyone away by showing off the power of the DualSense controller. That’s where Astro Bot comes in, taking all the elements we loved about those previous titles and elevating them to new heights.
The Story and Gameplay of Astro Bot
So, what’s Astro Bot all about? If you’ve played Astro’s Playroom, you’ll be familiar with the tiny white robots that make up Team Asobi’s world. The game picks up after Astro’s Playroom, where these bots are attacked by an evil green alien (the same final boss from Rescue Mission), and their PS5 spaceship gets destroyed. Astro, our hero, is tasked with traveling across galaxies to rescue them.
What’s awesome is that many of these little bots are made to resemble iconic video game characters – think Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and even some hidden gems from PlayStation’s past. It’s a fun nostalgia trip for longtime PlayStation fans, and the excitement of seeing who will pop up next is part of what makes Astro Bot so special.
Nostalgia Meets Gameplay
I’ll admit it – seeing those little bots dressed up as familiar PlayStation icons is more than just a cool Easter egg. Some of these cameos actually influence the gameplay in big ways. Each galaxy wraps up with a level based on a PlayStation game, where Astro can use the hero’s abilities. One of my favorites? The God of War level where Astro gets to wield Kratos' Leviathan Axe. It works exactly like it does in God of War – you can use it as a weapon or freeze objects to solve puzzles. It’s an insane amount of fun, and it left me excited to see which game would get the next cameo treatment. But I won’t spoil any more – discovering these levels yourself is half the fun.
Boss Fights That Pack a Punch
Let’s talk boss fights because, in Astro Bot, they’re not just filler content. The bosses in this game are creative, challenging, and a pure spectacle to fight. They perfectly blend classic 3D platformer vibes with unexpected twists, keeping you on your toes. There are mini-bosses scattered across the levels too, adding even more variety to the game. I honestly can’t remember a platformer where every boss fight felt this satisfying.
Astro Bot Makes DualSense Shine
One thing that really sets Astro Bot apart is its perfect use of the DualSense controller. Whether it’s feeling the raindrops on Astro’s umbrella or the rumble of rocket boosters, the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers make every action feel immersive. Combine that with the controller’s speaker, and you’ve got a fully interactive experience. Most PS5 games don’t even come close to taking advantage of this hardware like Astro Bot does. It’s a real game-changer – literally.
A Platformer That Keeps Surprising You
What’s wild is that Astro Bot never stops throwing surprises your way. Sure, at its core, it’s a 3D platformer where you collect things – but every level introduces some new, creative twist that keeps it fresh. Some levels add new tools to help you explore, and that gives the developers the freedom to build each world in a unique way. And it’s not just a walk in the park – once you get past the first couple of worlds, the game gets seriously challenging, especially the checkpoint-less levels.
The Hub World That Makes Collecting Addictive
As if the levels weren’t already fun, Astro Bot’s hub world adds even more incentive to hunt down every collectible. The Crash Site is where all the bots you’ve rescued gather, and it’s also where your collected puzzle pieces turn into interactable buildings. The first one you’ll get is the gacha machine (throwback to Astro’s Playroom), and it’s where you’ll spend your coins to unlock more goodies. There are also a few other surprises in the hub world, but I won’t spoil them. All I’ll say is it’s worth going for 100% completion in this game. Plus, if you’re stuck hunting down a collectible, there’s an optional bird companion you can hire to help – for a price, of course.
Conclusion: Astro Bot is a Must-Play
With around 10 hours of main story gameplay and 15 hours to snag that Platinum trophy, Astro Bot is an absolute gem of a game. It’s packed with charm, creativity, and enough nostalgia to make any PlayStation fan smile. If you own a PS5, this game is a no-brainer. Here’s hoping Team Asobi keeps making masterpieces like this one for years to come.
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