Sony’s latest mascot has quickly become a recognisable figure in the gaming landscape Astro Boy, the creation of the outstanding Team Asobi, has starred in some truly great titles in the past few years. Astro Bot Rescue Mission showed the best of what the PSVR could do. Astro’s Playroom, a free pack-in, remains one of the most creative and enjoyable experience on PlayStation 5 so far. Astro Bot, the third game in the Astro Boy series and the first game untethered from its role as a tech demo, feels almost overdue.

The timing is impeccable nonetheless. Astro Bot is the perfect celebration of PlayStation’s 30th anniversary.

So Much More

On the surface, the game is a 3D platformer where the player controls Astro Bot as he jumps, hovers, punches and spin-attacks his way around a very cute and charming world.

As he must find as many of his bot friends, to help fix their mothership – a PlayStation 5. Each world is packed to the rafters with nods and winks to PlayStation’s past.

With the bits you find along the way to fix the ship, actually being named after core parts of the system, which is a very nice touch.

If you have played Astro’s Playroom, Astro Bot is basically this but beefed up with more levels, content and, of course, secrets. Astro Bot also takes full advantage of the DualSense controller, and shows off exactly what PS5 can do.

Friends Old and New

Astro Bot is a real love letter to the history of the brand. There are 300+ friends to find on your journey, with 150 of them being VIP Bots.

These are mostly well-known faces; – Ratchet and Jak, to Solid Snake and Crash Bandicoot. However, there are some lesser-know names that only add to the nostalgia.

Half the fun is hunting them down and then working out how to save them. Several are hidden behind a couple of tricky puzzles that flex the DualSense, or mine your character knowledge.

There are also a few fun and delightful mini-games that you find along the way too. All are built and fuelled by a nostalgia for the PlayStation brand. There are also more than a few levels that throw you into fully themed levels around past hits. Ape Escape and God of War, to name just a few, are particularly memorable.

Dual in the Crown

Gameplay, as you may expect, takes full advantage of the DualSense and uses every feature it has. In particular, the haptic tiggers and the motion controls. Astro Bot uses some features forgot the controller actually had. Each utilisation hits the mark and avoid feeling like a gimmick.

While this is amazing experience, it also reminds you that in the four years since Astro’s Playroom hit, the tech hasn’t been pushed as much as much at it could have. The more involved DualSense tricks add so much to your time with Astro Bot, it’s a shame that so few other titles have done the same.

Subtstance

Beyond all the Dualsense glam, the actual gameplay is drum tight. Astro has a number of abilities that breathes life into the platforming, similar to the ones seen in Astro’s Playroom.

Many levels are around these unique abilities, with an almost Super Mario level of detail and wonder to them. The pacing is also perfect – Astro Bot lets you learn just long enough before it up the gears and deliver a new challenge.

Astro Bot‘s visual presentation is colourful, brilliant and full of whimsy and joy. From the levels, to the bots you’ll meet; each feels full of life. The game runs also runs like melted butter – a flawless and smooth experience. While it’s not on the technical level of Sony’s other AAA offerings visually in some respects, Astro Bot is gorgeous.

The audio also feeds into the joy and wonder, and has the same polish you would expect from the series.

Complete Experience

Astro Bot is an outstanding 3D platformer that is challenging and rewarding in its own right. Add in the PlayStation celebration and the DualSense functionality, and Astro Bot becomes something truly special that all PS5 owners should play.

Astro Bot is a true love letter to the brand and the creativity that makes Sony a powerhouse in the gaming space. Astro Bot shows what can be crafted on their console if given time, respect and care. A true modern classic.