Astro Bot
Sony proves withAstro Botthat the company can still put out charming activity platformers , but thelove letter toPlayStation fansfails to include feature film that made previous games of the genre so fun to play back . While PlayStation platforming or adventure first made a name for themselves with delicious game likeCrash BandicootandSpyro the Dragon , several decades later , developer Team Asobi has recapture the thrill those game provided , even if they are short - lived .
When the PS5 launched , it include a free game calledAstro ’s Playroom . The unforesightful adventure worked as an effective techdemo , starring Astro , for the PS5’smultifaceted ( and heavily underutilized ) DuelSense comptroller . It also provided a look back at previous PlayStation releases , including beloved type and hardware of varying popularity .
Gameplay Is A Blast From The Past In More Than One Way
Much like the colorful and timing - base jump teaser that helped make manyfan - favorite PS1 games into franchises , Astro Bot ’s gameplay will feel nostalgic for any long - time PlayStation fanwho spun intoCrash Bandicoot ’s yield - filled boxes or rescuedSpyro the Dragon ’s hidden dragon statues . Environmental puzzles and exciting set pieces await players inAstro Bot ’s dozens of phase that can take anywhere from a couple minutes to a quarter of an hour to complete . fan of PlayStation history will be very tempt to drop more time on each stage thanks to the many nod to past franchises and moments .
Astro Botbegins with a PS5 - shaped spaceship travel the stars when its gang of 300 Bots suddenly chance a mischievous alien who breaks the ship and scatters its pieces and gang across multiple galaxies . As players take control of Astro , they ’ll work on to renovate the ship and deliver their crewmates . Coins to be accumulate and a overplus of well - design platforming stage await actor , some of which include especial abilities , which thankfullyhelpsAstro Botfeel more like a concluded gameinstead of a self - preen tour of Sony nostalgia .
It ’s a highlighting of how greatAstro Bot ’s level design is , which easy ranks luxuriously among other action at law platforming gems with its middling hidden secret and gravity - challenging stages .
Throughout the 10 - 12 minute campaign - around 15 for full pass completion - Astro encounters power - ups that give them abilities like shrinking , stretchable limb , rocket jump , and more . It ’s a high spot of how greatAstro Bot ’s level design is , which easily ranks high among other action at law platforming gems with its passably hidden mystery and gravity - challenging stages . Still , Astro Botfails to feel as radical or wide-ranging as games that pushed the genre , likeSuper Mario Odyssey . While the biz has many inebriate moments , Astro Bot ’s desire to showcase PlayStationgear and characters can feel like it ’s hold the biz back from being something unique .
Nostagia Is A Double-Edged Sword In Astro Bot
Besides many ofAstro Bot ’s creative and exciting boss battles , nostalgia fuels much ofAstro Bot ’s most thrilling moments , especially with the few stages specifically theme after PlayStation ’s most beloved properties . However , those experiencesrisk feeling hollow for those who have n’t played the games thatAstro Botseems desperate to reference . While some beloved characters likeBloodborne ’s Hunter andResident Evil ’s squad of zombie killers are reserved for the character of being bot to rescue , the few more involved moments will see Astro equip with iconic gear to tackle stage reminiscent of PlayStation ’s best deed .
Hardcore PlayStation fans will likely be both pleasantly surprised and disappointed to expose what characters are include and how much make out their franchises receive inAstro Bot . After rescue Bot crewmembers , half of whom resemble beloved characters from PlayStation game , they pass to the game ’s hub mankind , and as more are uncovered , it develop into a vacation spot for the rescue to fill . As the player progresses , they ’ll unlock new nerve tract and cosmetic not just for Astro but for the PS - themed Bots .
A leak accomplishment included in the upcoming PS5 undivided Astro Bot suggests developer Team Asobi is already design a sequel undertaking .
As galaxies are explored and Bots are rescued , Astro Bot ’s hub world station start to unlock , let in a wardrobe with outfits for Astro and a claw simple machine that gives players a place to expend all their collected coin . The machine dispenses unexampled Astro costumes , decorative choice for the PS5 accountant spaceship , and joy for the rescue PS - themed Bots . Each is overlook a darling item that can , once regained , give them a cunning new invigoration to perform in the hub macrocosm . However , some prospicient - time players of platformers produce by Sony will be disappointed inAstro Bot ’s current endgame offerings .
Left Wanting More Excellence After A Short Runtime
3D action platformers have many way to keep their players engaged long after defeating the final foreman . prison term tribulation and secret areas that unlock after collecting enough hidden material can provide many more hour of amusement , particularly if time trial manner exist for friends to compete against one another . While there are hidden levels to discover inAstro Bot , after those are finish , there is lilliputian inducement to revisit previously conquered stages . This means thatafter the shiver of the secret plan ’s nostalgic bit wears off , there is not much reason to act after its 15 hr are up .
After the substantial credits begin to roll afterAstro Bot ’s incredible final struggle - which itself feels like the PlayStation version of theSuper Smash Bros.credits mini - plot built into a multi - section boss conflict in the absolute best way - player can re - explore every grade to detect anything they may have missed . One of the many ingenious purpose decision allows player to spend 200 coins at the start of completed stage to spawn a helpful bird bot that will bespeak when player are close to a closed book they missed , which helps further foreshorten the amount of playtime take , even if ultimately I ’d rather have spent another 10 hours with the biz if potential .
Final Thoughts & Review Score
Team Asobi has teased that tools will eventually be added toAstro Botthat should appeal to speedrunners . With that tool and a snatch of post - launch subject matter updates , Astro Bot ’s fun could last a mountain long than it does , and that would be a welcome inclusion for a biz with a short run time . Still , any frustration with the game ultimately stems from wanting more of whatAstro Botprovides , which at its meat is a top - tier platformer with innovation , charm , and enjoyment to save .
