A dazzling celebration of PlayStation’s past and a joyful leap into the future—one unforgettable jump at a time.
Astro Bot is an unashamed celebration of all things PlayStation, and in doing so, it delivers one of the most charming, inventive, and visually stunning platformers of the modern era. More than just a technical showcase, this is a game bursting with heart, humour, and a level of polish that rivals the very best in the genre.
Let’s start with the obvious: Astro Bot is absolutely gorgeous. Every level is a vibrant playground packed with colour, detail, and whimsy. From the soft sheen of metallic surfaces to the lush, almost tactile environments, it feels like you’re stepping into a Pixar movie. The animations are buttery smooth, and the lighting is phenomenal—especially in levels that play with scale and perspective. My 7-year-old daughter couldn’t stop smiling, and honestly, neither could I. It’s the kind of game that reminds you why you fell in love with gaming in the first place.
But Astro Bot isn’t just a visual feast—it’s also a heartfelt nostalgia trip for anyone who’s grown up with PlayStation. Whether it’s spotting a Kratos bot hauling a tiny boat, or seeing Solid Snake hiding in a cardboard box, the game is jam-packed with clever nods to classic franchises. These Easter eggs are woven seamlessly into the levels, encouraging you to explore every nook and cranny just to see what might be waiting around the corner. My daughter might not have caught all the references (in truth, neither did I), but she laughed at every funny little character we met. For me, it was like walking through a theme park designed by and for lifelong PlayStation fans.
What makes Astro Bot truly special, though, is how it manages to be an experience for all ages. I played the entire game with my daughter by my side, and watching her eyes light up as we discovered each new world was pure joy. It’s accessible, intuitive, and full of moments that made us both gasp and giggle. That said, I do worry we’ve set the bar a bit too high—she now thinks all games are supposed to be this good. Sorry, princess, it’s not always going to be Astro Bot.
From a gameplay perspective, Astro Bot stands tall with some of the most creative uses of DualSense I’ve seen. It’s not just a gimmick—the haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and built-in microphone are all cleverly used to enhance the gameplay. Blowing into the mic to spin a fan, feeling the tension of a spring-loaded jump, or using motion controls to aim adds a tactile, almost physical connection to the world. It’s a love letter not just to PlayStation’s legacy, but to the hardware itself.
The game also continues to impress post-launch, with new content being added, keeping the experience fresh and giving players a reason to return. In an era of bloated live-service games, Astro Bot feels refreshingly lean and lovingly curated, while still offering a reason to come back even after the credits roll.
If there’s one gripe to be had, it’s that some of the power-up suits can be a bit fiddly, especially the monkey fists. These climbing sections, while visually impressive, often felt more frustrating than fun. The precision required didn’t quite match the otherwise breezy pace of the game, and I’d occasionally find myself wresting with the controls in a way that took me out of the experience. It’s a minor blemish on an otherwise stellar adventure.
In the end, Astro Bot is more than just a platformer—it’s a celebration of joy, imagination, and the history of gaming. Whether you’re a veteran PlayStation player or introducing someone to gaming for the first time, this is a game that connects generations. It’s a new benchmark for family-friendly gaming and a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you share.
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