If you managed to score a PlayStation 5 when it first became available back in November 2020, you were likely thrilled to encounter Astro Bot, the fantastic and endearing character who headlined Astro’s Playroom, the game that came bundled with the PS5. The game was designed to get owners aquainted with the system’s Duel Sense controller, and it did so admirably. It was hard not to fall in love with the robotic character in this fun platformer.
Nearly four years later, Astro Bot just received its own standalone, self-titled game that builds upon the previous game, but magnifies it ten-fold, creating a must-have platformer that shows off the fun one can have with their PS5.
Nintendo has a world of characters that are instantly familiar with its brand: Mario and Luigi, Donkey Kong, and Zelda, to name just a few. PlayStation hasn’t really had their own instantly identifiable character that fans can equate with their consoles. That is until the last few years, as they’ve gotten behind Astro Bot. At the recent Fan Expo Canada here in Toronto, there were multiple Astro Bot banners situated around the convention, a great way of raising awareness of both the game and the brand itself.
The focus wouldn’t mean much if the game wasn’t any good, mind you, but Astro Bot is simply a good time, and one that gamers of all ages can actually sit down in front of together and invest their time into. Being able to pick up and play a title can sometimes be a rarity, but Sony’s creative team have given us a game that doesn’t require much explanation, thanks to one’s intuition and the handy on-screen instructions that easily explains what we’re supposed to be doing when playing Astro Bot. Simply put, across 80 massive levels that range in difficulty, Astro Bot is tasked with collecting robots across the galaxy. It’s really that simple. And it looks great on the PS5.
Not every game can be a must-buy on a system, especially with so many options and people’s varying tastes. However, Astro Bot can safely fall into the “you should get this” category, as it works hard to show off the PS5 controller and system. It’s not a punishing experience, it’s simply a fun one, and one of the most enjoyable games you’ll find for your PlayStation 5.
