Read our full Astro Bot analysis
Astro Bot is a gorgeous 3D platformer with adorable protagonists, dozens of planets to explore and a wide range of ultra-satisfying mechanics to perfect. It requires patience, awareness and a high level of platforming skill, although resets are generous and failure costs nothing except your time. The main character, Astro, is endlessly charming as he flies through the galaxies on a mission to rescue 300 of his friends, many of whom contain characters from Sony's library and the wider gaming world β bots from Capcom, Konami and Sega franchises abound.
Many of the planets that Astro lands on introduce new mechanics, such as spring-loaded boxing gloves that look like frog faces, an octopus that makes Astro puff up like a balloon, a mouse backpack that shrinks him at his will, a penguin-propelled swimming booster , and a stopwatch that temporarily freezes time. The stages are designed around these unique mechanics and the variety on display is impressive.
Beyond pure cuteness, Astro Bot is beautiful Its landscapes are sharp and alive with interactive details, and it seems like every pixel has been polished to perfection. But it's the game's physics that make it all the more exciting β when Astro lands on top of a giant inflatable daisy, the material snaps under his tiny feet, indenting with every step and swaying, and making the whole scene. When the rain hits Astro's umbrella hat, the sound is perfectly reflected in the DualSense, along with the feel of raindrops on the grips. Astro BotSound effects, haptics, graphics and physics harmonize flawlessly, turning every surface into a playground. It is magical.
Astro Bot seems purpose built for video game fans. It's a skill-driven celebration of everything that makes the format memorable and fun, and at the same time, it's a great introduction to the language of games. With precise and responsive controls, interesting characters, and an exciting variety of mechanics and environments, Astro Bot is easily one of the best games ever made by Sony. β Jessica Conditt, Senior Reporter
