Read our full Astrobot review
Astrobot is a gorgeous 3D platformer with a lovable protagonist, dozens of planets to explore, and a wide range of ultra-satisfying mechanics to perfect. It requires patience, awareness, and a high degree of platforming skill, although restarts are generous and failure costs nothing but your time. The main character, Astro, is endlessly charming as he flies between galaxies on a mission to rescue 300 of his friends, many of whom embody characters from Sony's library and the gaming world in general – franchise bots abound from Capcom, Konami and Sega.
Many of the planets Astro lands on introduce new mechanics, such as spring-loaded boxing gloves that look like frog faces, an octopus that inflates Astro like a balloon, a backpack for a mouse that shrinks him at will, a swimming booster powered by a penguin. and a stopwatch that temporarily freezes time. The stages are designed around these unique mechanics and the diversity on display is impressive.
Beyond pure tenderness, Astrobot it's lovely. Its landscapes are sharp and full of interactive detail, and every pixel looks like it has been polished to perfection. But it's the game's physics that power it all: When Astro lands on a giant inflatable daisy, the material flexes under his tiny feet, bleeding with every step and sway, and making the whole scene look completely squeezable. When rain hits Astro's umbrella, the sound is reflected perfectly on the DualSense, along with the feel of raindrops on the grips. AstrobotSound effects, tactile sensation, graphics and physics harmonize perfectly, transforming every surface into a playground. It's magical.
Astrobot It seems designed specifically for video game fans. It's a skill-based celebration of everything that makes the format so memorable and joyful, while also being a great introduction to the language of gaming. With precise and responsive controls, lovable characters, and an exciting variety of mechanics and environments, Astrobot It's easily one of the best games Sony has ever produced. — Jessica Conditt, Senior Reporter
