We were invited by Sony Interactive Entertainment to give their upcoming 3D platformer game, Astro Bot, a try. It looks like they are doubling down on Astro as their mascot, and while his appearance has been rather limited thus far with The Playroom VR, Astro Bot Rescue Mission, and Astro’s Playroom, it will be significantly different this time as it will be his first full-length game. In fact, this might be the closest they could fight against Nintendo’s own Mario.
Good Amount of Playability with a Teaser for A Whole Lot More for the Final Release
Right from the start, Astro Bot feels fresh and exciting. You pilot a DualSense-shaped spacecraft around a galaxy map, with different systems and planets to explore. Entering a system (only one was available in the demo) reveals different levels represented by planets. Our demo featured two main stages, a boss fight, and a challenge level. Interestingly, a “secret” challenge level popped up after completing all the available stages, in the form of an innocuous asteroid that needed to be interacted with at point blank.
The transition from spaceship to on-the-ground gameplay is seamless, with your ship coming out of warp and flying through a short section before crash-landing as the level begins. Astro Bot appears to utilize the same technology as Astro’s Playroom, delivering a slick and visually appealing experience with Team ASOBI’s distinctive style. I’m not certain of the exact resolution the game played in but one would assume it’s either 4K or very close to that resolution that most won’t be able to tell a difference. It did look great, that’s for sure.
Plenty of Interactions and Creative Level Design
The physical interaction and creative level design truly set this game apart, which is rare in today’s gaming landscape. One standout feature is the impressive fluid simulation, exemplified by a section where you use a paint cannon to reveal hidden platforms, with colorful paint cascading off walls and platforms in satisfying blobs. Another area features a walkway filled with metal bolts that tumble and jostle as you pass through. The glass destruction system is equally remarkable, with shards flying out at varying speeds based on your Astro Bot’s velocity when breaking windows.
Astro’s Playroom impressed me with its use of the DualSense controller, and Astro Bot takes it even further. Developers aim for every interactive element in the game to provoke a tactile response on the controller. The game offers a wide range of subtle sensations, allowing you to distinguish between different surfaces while walking, making it one of the best haptic feedback experiences ever. All of these elements collectively make the game world feel dynamic and vibrant.
For a better experience when the game is out, the Sony Pulse 3D wireless headset would be your best bet.
Beyond haptic feedback, the controls are as snappy and responsive as expected from a top-tier platformer. There’s a certain level of polish and fluidity here that you’d expect from a top-tier game, though my only complaint is that moving the camera around feels a little slow for my liking, and it didn’t have the option to adjust the speed for our preview, so hopefully it will be available in the final release. The game’s creativity and nods to PlayStation’s past are evident, with characters from previous PlayStation franchises making appearances, with Ratchet and Rivet being the most notable ones that I noticed.
The soundscape of Astro Bot is also impressive, featuring catchy tunes and fun integration of Astro Bot vocals. The attention to detail in every element of the game is evident. If the demo’s quality is indicative of the full game, Astro Bot could be the next big hit that PlayStation needs. The game is filled with unexpected, imaginative, and joyous elements, with me going from not caring about it to excitedly looking forward to its launch.
For more hands-on experiences, stay tuned to Pokde.NET.
Great insights on the Astro Bot PS5 DualSense Controller’s popularity! It’s fascinating to see how the demand for limited edition gaming accessories like this one continues to surge in 2024. I completely agree that Astro Bot’s charm and the controller’s innovative features play a huge role in its rapid sell-out.
I recently wrote an in-depth article exploring the top 5 reasons behind this controller’s skyrocketing demand, including the influence of social media hype and the impact of the gaming boom during the pandemic. If you’re interested in diving deeper into what makes this controller a must-have, feel free to check it out here https://trendingcoolnews.com/astro-bot-ps5-dualsense-controller-selling-out/ . I’d love to hear your thoughts on the factors driving its success!”