Man, platformers have been sort of on the down low lately, that not even Nintendo held up this year. But then someone at Sony thought, "hey, what if Nintendo, but on a better system?". Thus, here we are. A PS5 tech demo that should have gotten its game years ago.
The very notion of platformers is dead on people's minds, but once in a while, we got a superb gem like these, redefining what it means to be a system seller. I could not stop joshing about Astro Bot soon as I started playing. From the visual spectacle, charming droids, inventive gameplay, amazing level design, to the immersive experience I've had with the dualsense.
Glad to own a PS5 this day and age. A better game couldn't have arrived and swooped in the awards like this did. Hell, even saved the platform from its downward slope of lackluster video games, and finally making the controller truly come alive instead of another gimmicky console.
Somewhere in the Galaxy, a blissfully unaware PS5 and its vessels come across an alien fiend. A bully attacking their ship, before ripping off its CPU and taking off. Leaving us to crash on some planet with the rest of the bots scattered across the galaxy.
Sounds like a paper thin Super Mario Galaxy plot (see what I did there?). But it's not, Astro Bot has worlds oozing with charm. The first of one is surrounded by flamingos, with islands separating parts of the level, some can be reached through various means either finding paths or using level specific skill gadgets to pass through. Like inflating to float and reach higher grounds.
Think of it like Super Mario Odyssey, but instead of possessing enemies to use their abilities. You use these level specific gadgets like frog gloves, to pull levers or punch high mob count of enemies out. There's a dozen of these, and some are reused. Most part, there's so much to do.
Best part of it all is how the Dualsense's adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and gyro has this symbiotic function to the game mechanics. Immersion has changed completely with this, like you're playing an entirely different game. The level designs are spectacular, with many hidden areas within each labyrinthine level. Nintendo has done it before, but not to the capacity this game has.
I cannot stress just invigorating it feels to learn something new, have to adapt to its mechanics, and just have fun platforming. All the while you're charmed by these cute little bots, and their spry energy to overcome things. What I mean by that? Well, plenty to find out. It is an adventure alright, where traversing the galaxy is also about doing each platforms to rescue dozens of my bot buddies.
Hell, if you're a PS5 fan, you'll feel right at home. It's a game that represents the home console and PlayStation brand as a whole. Many of these bots are based around video game characters from Snake, Nathan Drake, Ratchet, Dark Souls guy, Cloud Strife, etc.
Once done, the crash site serves as a hub where puzzle pieces collected also unlock multiple extra content from gacha content (no worries, you're paying in-game gold) and other mini-games. Rescuing minions also allow access to out-of-reach areas. Wait, this sounds like a whole Overlord design trope. I know the gyro isn't perfect, but I had so much fun, couldn't care less.
In fact, the best part of the gyro was turning left and right while climbing monkey bars. Like, damn, it's too charming not to giggle at. How can I forget the wonderful characters, gorgeous visuals, tight gameplay, and of course, the banger music score. Even if the playtime for each seems short, it's nothing short in breadth of quality to it.
Also, be remiss if you think it's a children's game with little to no difficulty. You have no idea how crazy hard it can be at times. I had to roll run with a robot armadillo across spikes. My death count here was so bad, I cringed at myself super hard when all said and done.
Astro Bot is an amulgumation of different experiences, all enhanced and brought forward thanks to the capability of both PS5 and the controller itself. It's so inventive in unseen ways. Like, finding a hole, and then holding attack to spin before digging down.
A level inside a level to save up one of my bot buddies, mixing 2.5D perspective platforming, it's all neat doing anything to spice it up. Wearing its inspirations further than just the skin of all. A faithful homage to Nintendo games in so many ways. Just when you fight a freaking gorilla, and you'd think you've seen everything. It keeps this stuff coming over and over.
System seller is a term used to define the games and their exclusivity to the system. Well, I think Astro Bot is going to be remembered for bringing something truly fresh to the platforming genre, while paying worthy homage. For most part, that is.
The camera doesn't always align, I mean it does. I do notice at times it can be a little more jarring than it should. Then just having some texture block my character's view while I'm battling doesn't help either. I also wish Sony didn't cheap out on analog sticks, those wear out easily, and it gets tricky playing. Especially with the gorilla boss fight, and that armadillo run.
Nitpicks here and there are small, pretty small. There's nothing much holding back the absolute blast of fun factor here. Like, I've never told to blow air on a controller before. Dare I say it, I can't wait to platinum this game soon as I'm done.
As for Asobi Studios, they deserve more projects. This is why the Japanese are good at making video games, because in their core, they understand the depth that fun games can bring. There's truly nothing like it. A hyper collectathon that keeps giving.
Yes, it's priced at 60 USD. It also happens to be over 10hrs long. I mean, so much within the hour, does it have to match Nintendo's quality standards? You can do plenty in the 10hrs to sum up for 20hrs fun. Least even keep it after being done.
I'll remember fondly, for so many years to come. I also would like to think this has changed Sony's mind. But, if the sales numbers don't pick up. That Tango GameWorks fiasco might not be the only footprint in layoff history. I sure hope that isn't the case. Least Knack of all games are dead. Good riddance of that trash, even if you're asking for third.
Extra Content
I saw this in someone's Best Games of 2024 list and liked it. Is it priced a bit too high with $60, might be. But atleast, they didn't seem to compromise on the quality. Love the GIFs, as always!