The PlayStation 5 generation has been great so far. Within the last year we’ve had games like Final Fantasy XVI, Spider-Man 2, Helldivers 2, Stellar Blade, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth come as console exclusives. I’ve never been one to buy into the “PS5 has no games” sentiment that so often goes around but I’d be lying if I said the generation hasn’t been missing something. It wasn’t until a few months ago at PlayStation’s State of Play that I realized what we’d been missing. Fast forward to today and I couldn’t have been more correct in thinking that Team Asobi’s Astro Bot is exactly what PlayStation needs. Astro Bot is not only an extremely competent platformer, but a serious love letter to the PlayStation brand and a wonderful gift to fans of the platform.
Astro Bot is practically a sequel to 2020’s Astro’s Playroom which came free with every PS5. At the time I didn’t think much of Playroom, all that I heard was that it was fun, short, and showed off what the Dualsense could really do. So I just shrugged it off as some over glorified Dualsense demo. However, in the week leading up to Astro Bot I completed and platinum’d Playroom and seriously regret not giving it a shot sooner. That in and of itself was a love letter to PlayStation hardware with easter eggs and levels built around each console generation. I smiled every time I unlocked artifacts such as UMD discs, the PSP Go, or the PS Vita. Aside from all the fan service though, it was a really fun platformer that had some room to grow, but it got me very excited for Astro Bot. With all that being said about Astro’s Playroom, I’m happy to report that Astro Bot is the perfect sequel. Astro Bot improves on everything I wanted more of from Playroom and more.
Something I left wanting from Playroom was more gameplay variety. As someone who grew up with platformers like Mario, the more modern entries are known for their creative gameplay variations and gadgets. Astro Bot directly tackles this aspect perfectly. Throughout the game there are different gadgets that Astro Bot can use to get through the level. For example Astro can use: Frog gloves to reach out and punch objects from afar, PSVR to slow down time, a dog backpack to rush walls and enemies, an elephant backpack that sucks up liquids to allocate them, and a chicken backpack that allows him to fly up in the air just to name a few. These make for incredibly fun levels that require some thought as to how you’re gonna take out enemies and platform to the finish line every time.
A big reason why I’m not so much into platformers anymore is because I feel like they don’t really interest or challenge me. I find myself having fun but not really putting all of my mind into it. Astro Bot however, has some challenging moments and genuinely complex level designs. As part of your galaxy map there are planets to land on which are levels. In each galaxy there are challenge levels that are represented by the 4 PlayStation (sacred) symbols. These levels can be very challenging with a lot being thrown at you with no checkpoints. As a Persona fan, I had to really work to get Aigis and Teddie’s Astro Bots in these levels. It’s not “Astro Souls” but the challenge was very welcome every now and then.
Astro Bot is more than just a great game, it’s one of those games that reminds us why we love video games. I had a huge smile on my face from start to finish during this game. There is genuinely not a bad or okay level in this game. Every adventure Astro goes on is a blast filled with brilliant level design and gorgeous art direction. People have been making the comparison to Super Mario Galaxy and honestly I can’t refute that. I grew up playing the Galaxy games on Wii and Astro Bot took me back to that joyous feeling of adventure. It’s hard not to feel the amount of love and care put into every aspect of this game. Even more so it’s hard to ignore the absolute love and reverence the game has to PlayStation as a brand.
One of the game’s biggest selling points was the easter eggs spread about the game referencing 30 years of PlayStation history. While I think Astro Bot as a game succeeds even without the cameos, they are a strong part of what makes this game so unique and amazing. Throughout the game you’ll be tasked with finding the bots that were separated from the PS5, they’re basically this game’s collectibles in each level. I loved how subtle yet effective these bots were. Chances are there are very few people out there that will know every single bot reference in this game. Even PlayStation historians I follow had some blindspots. The way these bots are implemented allow for you to appreciate them without needing to know the lore. You don’t feel like you’re missing out on the experience for lack of knowledge, you feel inclined to learn more.
The way this game engages with it’s audience is most effective in the final levels of each galaxy. After you beat a boss you find a special bot. This bot unlocks a level where you play as this character in their world. These levels were an absolute joy every time. The first level for Ape Escape was brilliant and definitely put the game on my list (available now on PS Classics for those wondering). The God of War level was so much fun to play with Astro using Kratos’s Leviathan axe just like in the game to throw around and freeze things. But of all the levels, the one that hit me hardest was Uncharted. The amount of love I felt from this game when running around as a Nathan Drake bot and shooting enemies with a toy gun was palpable. The main theme remixed with little props everywhere referencing the games made me so happy as a fan. It’s these levels that make Astro Bot feel like a sincere love letter to PlayStation and it’s fans.
I’m probably lost in a sea of constant praise for Team Asobi’s Astro Bot. One could easily look at the game as PlayStation fans clinging to the first decent exclusive as the game for the PS5 (which is what I was inclined to think when it was revealed). However, Astro Bot is everything people are saying it is and more. This game is a pure labor of love that rekindles the same child like joy I had when playing 3D platformers growing up. From the fun gameplay variety, beautiful art style, and creative level design, Astro Bot delivers on all fronts that every platformer strives to reach. This is a once in a generation game and easily the best PlayStation 5 exclusive to date. Astro Bot not only reminded me of why I love PlayStation, it reminded me of why I love video games.