A charming platformer with surprises, excitement and nostalgia

Sony proves with Astro Bot That the company can still put out charming action platformers, but the Love letter to Playstation fans Fails to include features that made the previous games of the genre so fun to replay. While PlayStation platforming or adventures first made a name for itself with delightful games like Crash Bandicoot And Game Spyro the DragonSeveral decades later, developer Team Asobi has recovered the thrills the games provided, even if they were short-lived.

When the PS5 launched, it included a free game called Astro’s playroom. The short adventure worked as an effective tech demo, starring Astro, for the PS5’s multifaceted (and severely underutilized) DuelSense controller. It also provided a look back at previous PlayStation releases, including beloved characters and hardware of varying popularity.

Gameplay is a blast from the past in more ways than one

Much like the colorful and timing-based jumping puzzles that helped create many fan-favorite PS1 games in the franchise, Astro BotIts gameplay will feel nostalgic for any long-time PlayStation fan What’s going on? Crash Bandicoots fruit-filled boxes or rescued Game Spyro the Dragons hidden dragon statues. Environmental puzzles and exciting set pieces await players in Astro BotThere are dozens of stages that can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to a quarter of an hour to complete. Fans of PlayStation history will be sorely tempted to spend more time on each stage, thanks to the many nods to past franchises and moments.

Astro Bot Begins with a PS5-shaped spaceship traveling the stars when its crew of ​​300 bots suddenly encounter a mischievous alien who breaks the ship and scatters its pieces and crew across multiple galaxies. As players take control of Astro, they will work to repair the ship and save their crew. Coins to be collected and an abundance of well-designed platforming stages await players, some of which include special abilities, which thankfully Help Astro Bot Feel more like a complete game Instead a self-congratulatory tour of Sony nostalgia.

Throughout the 10-12 hour campaign – around 15 for full completion – Astro encounters power-ups that give them abilities like shrinking, stretchy arms, rocket jumping, and more. It is a highlight of how great Astro BotThe level design is, which easily ranks high among other action platforming gems with its reasonably hidden secrets and gravity challenging stages. yet, Astro Bot Fails to feel as revolutionary or varied as games that pushed the genre, vi Super Mario Odyssey. While the game has many exhilarating moments, Astro Bot‘s desire to showcase PlayStation gear and characters can feel like it’s holding the game back from something unique.

Nostagia is a double-edged sword in Astro Bot

Except many of Astro Bots creative and exciting boss battles, nostalgia fuels much of Astro Bots most thrilling moments, especially with the few stages specifically themed after PlayStation’s most beloved properties. However, the experiences Risk feeling empty for those who haven’t played the games that Astro Bot Seems desperate to mention. While some beloved characters like BloodS Hunter and resident evils squad of zombie killers are reserved for the role of his bots to save, the few more involved moments will see Astro equipped with iconic gear to tackle stages reminiscent of PlayStation’s best titles.

Hardcore PlayStation fans will likely be pleasantly surprised and disappointed to discover what characters are included and how much love their franchises get. Astro Bot. After rescuing bot crew members, half of whom resemble beloved characters from PlayStation games, they return to the game’s hub world, and as more are uncovered, it grows into a playground for the rescued to occupy. As the player progresses, they unlock new pathways and cosmetics not only for Astro but for the PS-themed bots.

As galaxies are explored and bots are rescued, Astro Bots hub world stations begin to unlock, including a closet with outfits for Astro and a bead machine that gives players a place to spend all their collected coins. The machine dispenses new Astro costumes, cosmetic options for the PS5 controller spaceship and joy for the rescued bots with PS. Everyone is missing a beloved item that can, once regained, give them a clever new animation to perform in the hub world. However, some long-time players of platformers produced by Sony will be disappointed Astro Bots current end game offerings.

Links want more excellence after a short runtime

3D action platformers have many ways to keep their players engaged long after defeating the final boss. Time trials and secret areas that unlock after collecting enough hidden materials can provide many more hours of entertainment, especially if time trial modes exist for friends to compete against one another. While there are hidden levels to discover in Astro BotAfter they are completed, there is little incentive to revisit previously conquered stages. This means that After the thrill of the game’s nostalgic moments wears off, there isn’t much reason to play after the 15 hours are up.

After the real credits start to roll after Astro Bots incredible final battle – which feels like the PlayStation version of the Super Smash Bros. Credits mini-game built into a multi-section boss fight in the absolute best way – players can re-explore each level to find something they might have missed. One of the many smart design decisions allows players to spend 200 coins at the beginning of completed stages to enable a helpful bird bot that will signal when players are close to a secret they missed, which helps reduce the amount of​​​​ Playtime required, even if ultimately I’d rather have spent another 10 hours with the game if possible.

Final Thoughts & Review Score

Team Asobi has teased that tools will eventually be added to Astro Bot Which should appeal to speedrunners. With this tool and a few post-launch content updates, Astro Bots fun could last a lot longer than it does, and this would be a welcome inclusion for a game with a short run time. Still, any frustration with the game ultimately stems from wanting more of that Astro Bot Provides, which at its heart is a top-tier platformer with innovation, charm and enjoyment to spare.