Astro Bot is now under the debate of becoming one of the most beloved platformers for the PlayStation family. Developed by Team Asobi, it stands out always in imaginative designs with engaging power-ups and challenging platforming. Astro Bot is chockfull of references to PlayStation’s past and delivers a platformer that easily can be compared with the best of the Mario games. With more than 80 levels packed full of collectables and dynamic mechanics, no wonder Astro Bot found its place within the pantheon of the greatest PlayStation platformers of all time.
| RRP | $59.99 |
| Price At EF | $56.99 |
Reasons Behind Astro Bot Success
Inventive Gameplay
Astro Bot stands out based on its inventive gameplay. It is unlike other general platformers that focus strictly on the standard jump and punch mechanics. You will see several power-ups that augment the core gameplay. For example, there are frog gloves for Astro that make him have springy arms, or he can be made to turn into a giant sponge to solve puzzles. Every power-up seems indispensable, so every level is completely new and exciting, thanks to Team Asobi.
DualSense Integration
Astro Bot fully leverages every feature available on the DualSense controller, so you won’t have this experience on any other platformer. Conversely, you do feel a difference when Astro’s feet hit different types of terrains, such as sand or metallic floors, because the vibrations send through the controller.
Many players report spending more time walking around the levels just to get the feel of how different surfaces could be felt through the controller. The features for DualSense don’t feel gimmicky-they add another layer of interaction and fun to the experience in the platformer.
PlayStation References
One reason Astro Bot resonates is because of its hommage to PlayStation’s history. References don’t come at the price of just being fan service: The game smartly integrates these references into the levels and collectibles. You play as bot versions of some of the most famous PlayStation characters, ranging from Nathan Drake to Kratos, and even Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn.
Of course, for fans of PlayStation in general, these are simply excellent nods to the old times. It is really a merging of game history through the decades while remaining fresh and engaging. The V.I.P. bots you collect represent such characters, and dealing with them constitutes one fantastic, nostalgic value for the long-time fan of PlayStation.
Challenging Platforming
Astro Bot is one of the game developers that pools together accessibility and challenge well; it is this possibility that younger players will find accessible, and simple, while its other levels test the skills of even the greatest of gamers. Those who like a challenge will relish in the harder levels, based on PlayStation’s icon symbols, requiring precise platforming as one-shot completion.
Completionists will enjoy over 80 levels filled with collectibles, each with a secret hidden just well enough to make finding it feels rewarding.
Level Design
The second area in which Astro Bot excels is with its level design. Every world is different, and while it has variable visuals to make it fit into a unique environment or new mechanics, you move through varied places-from tropical beaches to dark caves, from robot-filled castles to vast skies. Even the Uncharted series received a nod in one of the levels as a robot Nathan Drake awaits you.
We’d say Astro Bot stands out just because it doesn’t follow the pattern of repetition in its mechanics or ideas. Between swinging across platforms with extendable arms and sucking up water in puzzles, Astro Bot always keeps you on your toes.
PlayStation’s Answer to Mario
The launch of Astro Bot was great to witness since it drew comparisons with Mario, one of the most legendary platforming franchises. However, although Mario has long been at the top, Astro Bot does very well as a competitor.
Nothing can be taken from the title of Mario, but it sure fills the corner as the PlayStation attempts at trying to be the answer to the iconic platformer. Astro Bot boasts beautiful worlds, and a loveable protagonist, and is overall very satisfying, so the game will firmly take its place in being one of the best platformers PlayStation has had.
A Game for All Ages
Astro Bot is not something for one kind of gamer, only. It is entertaining, both to old ones having the console since childhood and to new ones. Its controls are intuitive and allow easy picking up for novices, while the depth of gameplay keeps the more experienced players occupied.
Generous checkpoints and very simple combat mechanics make the game accessible to younger players, but the more seasoned gamer will enjoy the kinds of platforming sections that are much more challenging. Astro Bot walks this fine line so effortlessly that anyone will be able to enjoy playing it, regardless of skill level.
Verdict
Astro Bot is more than just a fun platformer, it’s more like a gift to PS fans and depicts what the console is capable of. Astro Bot has inventive gameplay, immersive use of the DualSense controller, deep connection to PlayStation’s past, and that proves to be one of the greatest platforms on the PS5. If you want a game that’s nostalgic and innovative at the same time, then it should be at the top of your list, both as a casual player and as a hardcore fan who will want to experience this solid platformer in PlayStation’s catalog.