I got the Platinum for Astro Bot – Review (PS5)
In a world with over-inflated budgets, near decade-long dev times, and games that are released unfinished or broken, Astro Bot has been a refreshing addition to the lineup of games released in 2024.
A strong contender for game of the year for many, Astro Bot combines polish and performance, fun gameplay, and tastefully placed nostalgia that makes you remember what gaming is supposed to be… FUN!
Astro Bot was what I needed after coming off of Shadow of The Erdtree and while simultaneously playing Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2. A game that is not super difficult, not 100+ hours long, and exciting and fun from start to finish.
With 5 different galaxies, an extra galaxy, and multiple worlds within a galaxy there is more than enough content provided. Each world has varying lengths to get through the level but none were too long or short. Unless you are just flying through a level without trying to save bots, explore, or find the collectibles, there is a lot to appreciate about how each level is crafted around a central idea.
Some of the level designs are a big standout for me. Each galaxy has a special world centered around an iconic PlayStation character or theme that plays to that nostalgia factor that I mentioned earlier.
For someone like myself who unfortunately has not played a good chunk of the revered PlayStation catalog, it made me want to go and play a couple of titles to see what a full game in this style presents. That’s a win for audiences old and new. It speaks to the thought process and care that Team Asobi put into the game.
With the additions to the themed levels, Astro Bot also has challenge levels that you have to complete to obtain the Platinum.
The challenge levels are the best levels of the game. Having to go through a short mini-level with nothing but obstacles and enemies without dying adds that sort of challenge/adversity that is not super present in the regular levels. The DLC for the game looks to be in this vain too and that is a massive win for players like myself!
In my article leading up to the launch, I expressed how I hoped that Astro Bot could be an experience that truly felt “next-gen”.
Though I think it slightly missed on that, they did do a great job of including the features of the dual sense in the design of the game. From tilting the controller to fly, or having the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers play a role, to the controller audio being a factor, and even blowing in this dang controller to advance in certain parts, Team Asobi included a lot.
The only disappointment for me was the lack of use of the touchpad. In Astro’s playroom, there were parts of the game that used more of the touchpad that I enjoyed and these were not present in Astro Bot.
This is a minor complaint and didn’t take away from my experience. It is just something I noticed and would be wrong to leave out.
However, the addition of new gadgets and tools for Astro Bot to traverse through levels does make up for it.
Astro Bot has a plethora of weapons and tools that have multiple uses geared toward the levels and enemies that you face. A special jetpack, go-go gadget-type fists, blow-up suit, shrinking suit, and more highlight the creativity that makes Astro Bot an amazing platformer.
The aesthetics, characters, and costumes that the team thought to include were impressive as well. A lot of IPs and games that have not had a new release for PlayStation in some time made an appearance.
Again that speaks back to the effort and work that the team put into delivering a true hit for PlayStation fans old and new alike. With a bloodborne fit, Ratchet and Clank fit, God of War fit, and color schemes for the controller you fly around on, you can spend quite some time with what is there for you to interact with.
There is a trophy case-esque world where you see all of the bots you have rescued as well as items collected that puts into perspective the many different games and experiences that people have been able to have with PlayStation over the last 30 years.
After getting the platinum for Astro Bot it makes sense why this game will be in the running for GOTY. It may not necessarily be my pick at the moment but it is certainly deserved to be in the conversation!
We need more games like this and I hope this is not the end but only the beginning of many more experiences that build upon future characters, systems, and iterations of the PlayStation brand!
