If you’re a fan of PlayStation, then you’re probably familiar with Astro Bot, the charming little robot that’s become one of the platform’s most beloved mascots. Recently, at the State of Play event, Sony unveiled the latest installment in the Astro Bot series. The new game promises not only stunning visuals but also a variety of engaging and diverse gameplay mechanics. I had the privilege of getting an early hands-on experience with this game, and I’m excited to share my impressions with you!
Piloting the DualSense to Rescue Your Friends
The story begins with the PS5 mothership being destroyed, scattering ASTRO and his robot crew across different galaxies. As the player, you’ll take control of ASTRO as he embarks on a mission to rescue his friends scattered across over 50 planets. ASTRO’s spaceship? A massive DualSense controller, of course! With this unique ship, ASTRO navigates the cosmos, hopping from planet to planet.
The demo version I played featured five planets, each with its own theme, terrain, objectives, and special abilities for ASTRO to discover. Some levels require you to find lost companions and hidden puzzle pieces, while others challenge you to defeat a boss to progress.
The core gameplay involves running and jumping to traverse terrains, with a long press of the jump button allowing ASTRO to hover briefly in mid-air, emitting laser beams from his feet. These lasers aren’t just for show—they can damage enemies and break open treasure chests, adding a combat element to the platforming.
A Variety of Planets and Themes
The first planet I explored was a summer-themed island reminiscent of a water park. Lush trees, colorful fish swimming in pools, and a cheerful, relaxed atmosphere made this level a joy to explore. Here, ASTRO can gain the ability to inflate like a pufferfish, allowing him to float upwards to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
In contrast, another planet featured an industrial theme, with concrete and steel dominating the landscape. The mechanics here were entirely different—you could pick up magnets to gather metal, then use the magnet as a projectile to trigger switches. On this planet, ASTRO’s special ability is a jet-powered backpack that lets him dash across distant platforms or break through fragile glass to create new paths.
Next up was a planet where you had to defeat a boss to progress—an octopus-themed world. On this planet, ASTRO gains a pair of frog-themed boxing gloves, capable of launching a tongue attack to hit enemies and even swing from poles like a monkey. After navigating a series of parkour challenges, I faced off against the planet’s boss—a boxing octopus.
This boss had four tentacles, each wearing boxing gloves and attacking in different ways. It also summoned smaller octopuses to disrupt my attacks. Using the frog gloves’ extendable tongue, I could grab onto the tentacles and fling myself like a slingshot to slam into the octopus, alternating between rapid punches to target its weak spots. The variety in gameplay made the boss fight both challenging and fun.
The last two levels I experienced were particularly challenging, testing both reaction time and platforming skills. The first level involved jumping across precarious ice platforms while avoiding spinning spike traps. Precision was key, as the landing spots were tiny, and missing a jump meant restarting the section since these levels had no checkpoints. The second level was a race against time to reach the finish line, adding an extra layer of pressure.
Immersive Gameplay with the DualSense
Beyond the diverse levels, one of the game’s highlights is its seamless integration with the DualSense controller. Tilting the controller left or right caused ASTRO’s DualSense ship to sway in the same direction, enhancing the sense of immersion. Additionally, some levels made excellent use of the Haptic Feedback feature. In one puzzle, you had to carefully feel the vibrations of the controller to identify the correct brick to activate a switch.
Overall, Astro Bot offers a well-balanced experience that’s easy to pick up but full of surprises. Each planet’s theme and gameplay feel fresh, with hidden paths and mini-puzzles to keep things interesting. While the game’s main content is accessible to all players, it also offers more challenging levels for those looking to test their skills.
The visuals are absolutely stunning, with the summer island leaving the strongest impression. Sliding down water slides and splashing in pools felt incredibly real, with water droplets even appearing on the screen as you emerge from the water. The attention to detail and immersive graphics make this an adventure worth experiencing.
Conclusion
Astro Bot is shaping up to be a delightful addition to the PlayStation lineup. With its variety of gameplay mechanics, engaging level design, and seamless integration with the DualSense controller, it’s sure to captivate both new players and long-time fans of the series. Whether you’re exploring summer islands or battling space creatures, ASTRO’s latest adventure promises to be both fun and challenging. Keep an eye out for its release—you won’t want to miss this charming journey through the cosmos!
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