Astro Bot
Developer: Team ASOBI
Publisher: Sony
Platforms: Playstation 5
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $59.99 – Available Here
Overview
Big things come out of unexpected places sometimes. Earlier this year, Team ASOBI showed off Astro Bot, a fully realized adventure for that little robot who showed up on all our Playstation 5 consoles at launch. While the “Playroom” was a nice tech demo, Astro Bot is a lot more as it marks the first original platformer of its scope in years for the publisher, and an exclusive with a lot to talk about. What makes this adventure so grand? Let’s find out.
Story
Astro Bot starts off with a ship (which is a PS5) cruising through the universe before it comes under attack. This causes the ship to crash and one lone robot named Astro with the responsibility of finding his 300 kin and getting his ship recovered and up and running again. Astro sets off and so does our adventure. Sure, it’s a plot that has been done before, but the way Astro Bot tells its story isn’t the whole story. This game is basically graced with a simple plot that kind of rides backseat to its true narrative, which is to pay homage to Sony’s legacy in a universe built for that one company’s impact on video games.
There are cameos galore. A lot of the robots are themed-like characters such as Crash Bandicoot, Kratos, and so on, and there are a ton to find and enjoy, as you get to celebrate them at a hub world boosting with personality and charm once rescued. I feel Nintendo kind of leaned into this idea when they did Nintendo Land, but that concept is more fully fleshed out here as the amount of fan service never stops. If I had any critique whatsoever with the lovely, smile-inducing plot here it’s that Astro Bot doesn’t have a ton of its own identity to shine through compared to everything surrounding our protagonist. That said, I had a blast with this little tale and any PlayStation fan will surely forgive that as there is just so much joy and wonder to discover, it’s hard to not indulge even if you are not versed with the nearly thirty year old brand.
Gameplay
This is everything here. Astro Bot may be not only one of the best platformers to release on the PlayStation but also one of the most refined titles in the entire genre I have ever played in my thirty plus years of gaming. Think about the scope of Super Mario Galaxy, now turn that up about five notches and add in a ton of creative game design and actual implementation of the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller. A world booming in life and colour and non-stop discovery. That is Astro Bot, and it’s hard to explain how well it’s executed, so we kind of need to break down what works so well.
The controls are seamless. This is a platformer, so one would hope for tight controls, but everything here is tight and fluid. The concept for the game is to pick a stage, jump in, and take off on foot in a semi-open environment as you hunt down robots and other collectibles such as puzzle pieces. Astro has a few tricks up his sleeve as well, such as laser shoes that allow him to attack with a hover, and a spinning punch that can be charged for basic enemies. This spin can also unlock dig spots and interact with the environment, which brings new doors and secrets if utilized correctly.
Along with the standard fare of attacks are ever-changing power-ups, which all complement the stage you are on. In Astro Bot, players do not gain an ability for a long period of time, but instead, are rewarded it at the start of a level, to which you then know it will be used for that particular stage. For instance, punching gloves can be used to box enemies from afar, but also work with the platforming as they can act as a grappling hook that sticks to beams in order to be pulled to higher areas. This is usually so silky smooth and done in areas where you will be roping along multiple spots in an effortless fashion. There are also animals that can give Astro a boost depending on the terrain, the ability to shrink, slow down time, and so on. If you haven’t noticed, there is a lot here and they never get old they are built to be used and in some of the most creative ways possible where the user gets a ton of enjoyment out of exploring.
The worlds themselves are magical, to say the least. Not one of the stages here feels boring or tired. That is because they are all themed and varied, from snowy faunas to factories. Yeah, it’s like Mario, but somehow more. One minute you will be on a sandy beach, the next you will be soaring through a midnight sky as you gain some acrobatics. To name everything would spoil a lot of the surprise, but I don’t think I have been this immersed in a non-Nintendo platformer ever. There is just so much to do, and the world is littered with interactivity. Almost everything is made to give you a little moment to yourself. For instance, on one stage I saw a bunch of basketballs littered on the ground and gave one a smack. I then noticed a hoop, smacked the ball towards the hoop and made it, to which I was rewarded with a few coins. Despite the low reward, it’s the non-stop moments like that that make this adventure so satisfying and endearing. This is a game design that wears its inspirations on its sleeve, yet still oozes its own distinct feel due to how well it returns to the core platforming mechanics.
Adding to all of this is the way the controller is used. Haptic feedback is on full display with players able to turn ships with motion, and even feel (and hear) every little footstep of Astro. This goes a long way to pull the player into the game and make the platforming feel more important and immersive. There were even techniques used such as blowing on the controller that I didn’t even know existed, so I give full credit to Astro Bot for using the tools it has to work with so efficiently.
Boss stages are equally as enjoyable. Each area has a set number of stages that appear with progression. There is usually a theme that pulls out a final boss for every area, such as a giant gorilla, a squid, and so on, where Astro takes on a giant enemy with some clever mechanics attached. Yeah, we have seen this before too, but I cannot stress enough how well these fights were crafted. To continue to push that ceiling higher, the player is also rewarded with an entire stage themed around one PlayStation title just for fun. Yeah, there is non-stop rewards here, but it doesn’t end there. I mentioned the hub area for a reason as well, as it itself becomes a nostalgia-soaked paradise that you build by completing stages and rescuing bots. A Gacha machine comes into play that gives the bots toys, which you exchange for your hard-earned currency within the game. These toys matter too, as it gives Parappa is mic, Crash his tiki mask, and so on. Sure, you get the joy of unlocking the cosplay covered character, but you also can unlock the piece of them to make them whole. After that you can just explore and smile as you watch your hard work come alive. It’s really special, folks.
Audio
Astro Bot has a phenomenal soundtrack. Sure, the music is catchy and memorable, but every tune is built for the stage you are on. There was a moment when my volume was a little low and I went into a giant talking tree. I thought I heard rap, so I turned it up as even for this game that was a bit odd. The stage, or the tree, in this case, was rapping as I played. There are vocal tracks, melodies, and so on, making this adventure feel larger than life, and so many moments that beg for your volume to remain up and focused. There isn’t much traditional voice acting, but Astro does have a little voice that is quite cute. The sound in general is that of a AAA title, and yet more quality work from a developer that must have spent a hefty amount of time perfecting their masterpiece before delivering it here.
Visuals
The graphics here are probably the finest on the PlayStation 5. Stages feel large, colourful, and are soaked in warm animations throughout. Everything feels alive and interesting here, with such an animated environment that makes you want to dig in and explore. This game also runs perfectly, as I never had a wink of slowdown, and never once worried about a janky camera or anything that might cause a hiccup throughout the entire experience. It’s literally a sight to see, and so much variation and polish went into every stage it would be a shame if a player went in and didn’t get to see everything involved.
Overall
When Astro Bot was announced, it looked good but I didn’t know what we were getting, as Sony has really only pushed this little robot to show off their tech. I was wrong in the best ways, as Astro Bot may be the most important title to ever release on the PlayStation. This is the first major release in this franchise, and already it has no problem standing side by side with other greats of the genre. The gameplay, music, and so on are just so consistent and fun throughout, it’s hard not to just stop for a moment and appreciate this. As a kid who grew up during the platforming boom and who has had the itch for a fully realized platformer outside of Nintendo for years, this is a dream title. Team ASOBI have not just created a game, not just a “celebration of PlayStation ” title, but an instant legacy with what will always go down as one of the greatest of all time. The future is limitless for this brand, and it was a pleasure getting to spend time with this robot and all of his goofy little friends. Amazing stuff here.
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