If you purchased a PS5, you likely recall Astro’s Playroom, a “demo” game aimed at familiarizing players with the innovative features of the PS5, especially those of the new DualSense controller: a tactile pad, gyroscopic effects, an integrated microphone, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers. The 2020 experience was quite impressive and enjoyable. To clarify, Astro’s Playroom came bundled with every PS5 purchase and could be compared to Wii Sports for the platform. The only drawback of this “demo-game,” a term its creator Nicolas Doucet prefers not to use, is that it was too brief. With just 5 levels and a final boss encounter, players could complete it in one evening. However, there’s positive news: a sequel is in development. It was announced during the most recent State of Play event on May 31st and will be released next September. I had the opportunity to play it for over two hours yesterday at PlayStation France, and I can confidently say that PlayStation may have its own Mario here, without exaggeration.
FINITION AUX PETITS OIGNONS
For this first hands-on session, Sony allowed us to explore several planets to familiarize ourselves with the gameplay and engage in a battle against a boss, an absolutely brilliant giant octopus, which I will revisit momentarily. We also had the opportunity to test our patience and stamina on two bonus missions that were quite challenging, demonstrating that Astro Bot is more than just fun. However, I want to reassure children and parents who will watch this video: the extremely easy missions are typically optional side quests that do not detract from the main adventure’s narrative. Rest assured. However, if you platinum the game, meaning completing it at 100%, you’ll need to face these challenges absolutely.
Given that our gaming session was timed, I couldn’t linger too much in the levels, but all I wanted to do was traverse and discover every bit of what was offered in these environments. Indeed, a thousand things happen on screen. There are enemies everywhere, on the ground, in the sky; vegetation moves, even flowers, everything interacts realistically with Astro’s passage. There is indeed an incredible physics engine, and combining all these elements gives the game a next-gen feel. And since it’s a platformer game, we’re not used to seeing such visual rendering. After all, the genre’s references are Nintendo games, with Mario leading the way, so we have to limit ourselves to the Switch’s limited performance. Of course, the console can offer us crazy things, as seen with Super Mario Odyssey, which was incredible, but here we’re not in the same league anymore.
This Astro Bot shares many similarities with Super Mario Galaxy in its structure and gameplay concept, and the control mechanics also evoke memories of Nintendo’s game. If Astro Bot impresses with its graphics, it equally astonishes with the quality of its playability. Every aspect is meticulously fine-tuned, from movement speed to various jumps, jump distance, attacks, obstacles to overcome; everything is seamlessly polished, with an intuitive feel that demonstrates Team Asobi’s mastery of the genre. Additionally, the game boasts another outstanding feature: its rhythm and the way it integrates gameplay ideas in perfect harmony and coherence with the world it presents, featuring a slightly robotic and mechanical aesthetic that is pleasing to see. For PlayStation enthusiasts, the game is rich with references and Easter Eggs, which are enjoyable to uncover. Throughout the adventure, players encounter characters from other PlayStation titles: Ratchet & Clank, Parappa the Rapper, Kratos and Atreus from God of War, Journey, Nathan Drake, and even the storyline ties directly into the PS5 narrative, where the console is crushed on a planet after engaging in space battles. Like any worthy platformer game, Astro Bot places significant emphasis on replay value and replayability, featuring secrets to uncover, hidden levels to explore, artifacts to collect; the goal being to encourage players to engage in thorough exploration.
A GAME THAT BRINGS A SMILE
What is also notable about Astro Bot is that its gameplay evolves continuously throughout the adventure. As our little robot explores different planets, it acquires various powers and abilities. For example, it can attach frog heads to its hands, which act as grappling gloves for climbing walls or grabbing objects. Another power comes from a rocket dog attached to its back like a jetpack, allowing short bursts of speed and the ability to break through fragile walls. An octopus-like creature also enables the robot to inflate like a balloon, with additional powers becoming available as the game progresses. The robot transforms into a giant form and gains time-freezing abilities among other planet-specific powers, none of which can be used simultaneously. This vibrant, engaging adventure offers something for all types of players, balancing enjoyment and challenge. The game is designed to be played with pleasure and delight, but it also presents challenges for more experienced players who must complete levels without dying even once, risking a restart from the level’s beginning upon failure. Some sections required retrying up to 20 times due to their intensity. In summary, there is something for everyone in Astro Bot.
Astro Bot Rescue Mission presents itself as an extremely enjoyable adventure, featuring a remarkable pace and considerable variety, as showcased in the first trailer. It is known that the complete game will consist of 80 levels, each brimming with hidden robots, puzzle pieces, boss battles, quirky bonus items, coins, and minor challenges leading to delightful secrets. I am genuinely looking forward to September 6th to see how Nicolas Doucet and his team will surprise us. One thing is certain: when you finish the game, you will have an immediate smile on your face, which is already a significant achievement.
