Astro Bot The Game That Makes You Want to Hug a Robot

Astro Bot is the kind of game that makes you wonder, “How can something so cute be so deadly addictive?” Seriously, this little robot has more charisma than half the triple-A protagonists out there. (I'm looking at you, Kratos). From the moment you enter this colorful and vibrant world, it's as if the gaming universe is saying: “Here, take this nostalgia, this intuitive gameplay, and don't forget to come back here to get platinum, okay?” But, before you start thinking that Astro Bot is just another “Mario wannabe”, hold on to this: the game not only celebrates the history of PlayStation but does so in a way that will keep you hooked for 20 hours if you're the type of person who loves collectibles (and who isn't?).

Astro Bot: An Ode to Playfulness

Astro Bot is not just a platform game. No, no, my dear gamer friend. He is the concentrated juice of what makes a video game… a video game. You know when you go into “let me just get this last item” mode and suddenly three hours have passed? Well, Astro Bot makes it like a competition to see who can make you lose track of time the most. Everything in the game has a reason for being. No useless collectibles that only serve to give you a silly trophy (looking at you, Assassin's Creed Unity and its 300,000 feathers). Here, every little thing you pick up has a direct function in the gameplay. It's as if the game is saying: “Hey, we're not here to mess around, take this and let's go to the next adventure.”

And the DualSense? Ah, the DualSense. The controller practically becomes a character in itself. You know that vibration on your phone when it's on silent and it falls off the table? Now imagine that, but refined and on the PS5 controller. You feel every little jump, every little laser coming from Astro's feet, and even every punch he takes from the bosses. It's like the PlayStation said: “Remember how we made you feel the game back in the PS1 days? Because now you can even feel Astro’s screws shaking with every hit.”

Creative Bosses? We have them!

The heads of Astro Bot These aren't those tired old platform monsters that you just jump on their heads three times and that's it, GG. No, this is a different story. Each boss is a puzzle in its own right, with attack patterns that make you think (i.e. no “autopilot” here, Mario). One of the coolest moments in the game is when you gain special abilities, like the Kratos' axe. That's right, you don't just throw in a reference to God of Waryou literally throw the axe and freeze enemies. That's part of the game's charm: it's always surprising you with something new, as if to say, “Oh, you thought that was it? Just wait until you see the next level.”

Inevitable comparisons: Mario better watch out

Now, I'll tell you the truth: if you played Super Mario Odysseyit's impossible not to make comparisons. Sure, Mario has more years under his belt than any other platform character, but Team Asobi did his homework. Astro Bot manages to not only be as entertaining as the mustachioed plumber, but he also brings something that Mario doesn't have: an almost sentimental connection to the hardware of the PlayStation. It's like each level is a love letter to old Sony games. You can feel the attention to detail, from the references to games like Uncharted even the care with which the worlds are built. And let's face it, it's a bit of nostalgia mixed with the joy of seeing your favorite console being honored every second.

Gameplay: Simple but Ingenious

The gameplay is what makes Astro Bot truly addictive. Oh, and if you think you'll finish it in half an hour, get ready. There's a lot more depth than meets the eye. Each planet you visit has its own mechanics and challenges, and there's always something hidden to make you come back and explore again. For example, in one level, you need to use Astro's gloves to punch from a distance, while in another, you have a bulldog attached to your back to destroy obstacles. This variety ensures that the game never gets boring.

And the bonus stages? Oh, my friend, these are the cherry on the cake. Short but extremely creative challenges that test not only your platforming skills, but also your patience. And what's more: as you collect the jigsaw pieces and rescuing the 300 robots (yes, there are 300, almost a Spartan troop), you unlock new features, which only makes you want to keep playing. And when you think you're done, the game says “hold on, there are about 20 more hours of content for you to complete everything.”

DualSense: The real star of the show

Look, I know Astro is the protagonist, but let's agree that the real star here is DualSense. This controller is simply magical. Every interaction in the game is amplified by haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and even the sound coming out of the controller. Seriously, it's a sensory experience that you only understand when you play it. I've already mentioned how Star Does it “feel” like it in your hand while you’re controlling it? It feels like the controller is alive, man! I never thought I’d say that about a controller, but there it is.

Nostalgia in Astro Bot is practically a character in its own right. Each stage of the game is a true journey through time, full of references to iconic PlayStation games. If you grew up with a Sony controller in your hands, you'll feel right at home. From subtle Easter eggs to big tributes to the franchise's most iconic titles, the game works as a love letter to the classics. It's as if Team Asobi had mixed the best of each generation of PlayStation and played within a modern experience, but with that childhood flavor. Even the scenarios, with their textures and interactive elements, refer to games that shaped the history of video games, making Astro Bot a nostalgic celebration that will warm the hearts of old fans and pique the curiosity of new players.

Pros:

• Flawless graphics and performance on PS5showing the maximum potential of the DualSense.
• Varied gameplaywith creative mechanics and always surprising levels.
• Interactivity with DualSensewhich transforms the experience into something immersive.
• Nostalgic references to other PlayStation gamescreating a strong connection with longtime fans.

Cons:

• Repetitive enemies at some levels, decreasing the diversity of the challenge.
• Some minor levels can be solved quicklyreducing the replay factor.
• The mechanics of upgrades can frustrate players who don't enjoy collecting everything.

Final Grade: 9/10

Astro Bot is the kind of game that makes you love the simple things in video games again. It doesn't try to be a 100-hour epic like Horizon Zero Dawndoesn't even try to compete with the realistic graphics of The Last of Us. It just wants you to have fun, and it does that masterfully. If you own a PS5, this is one of those must-have titles, not only because it uses the console to its full potential, but because it reminds you why you started playing video games in the first place: for the fun.