Astro Bot, developed by Team Asobi and published by Playstation Studios, is a model for what 3D platformers can be at their peak. Its adorable artstyle and full use of the Playstation 5’s graphical capabilities allow it to be one of the most pleasing games to look at on the market. While its seemingly-simple yet fun game mechanics are enhanced and complemented by the masterclass level design, well-crafted enemies, and hidden secrets that fill this lovable robot’s galactic adventure. With his latest foray into the gaming industry, Astro Bot continues to prove itself as a worthy mascot for Playstation and a brilliant showcase for their technology.

A Simple, yet Super Story

The game starts with Astro Bot piloting the mothership, which is a Playstation 5 from the previous game, Astro’s Playroom, through space. Suddenly, an evil alien crashes into the ship, taking its five core parts and hiding them throughout the game’s five main galaxies. The ship crashes onto a remote desert planet, losing all of its robot crew in the process. So, as Astro Bot, you’re tasked with getting your Bots back and repairing the ship so you can get out of there. The game’s story, while simple in its premise, helps to nail down the tone of the game. It’s very lighthearted and enjoyable for all audiences, helping provide a single “big-bad” to try and take down during your journey. 

I give Astro Bot’s story a nine-out-of-ten.

Platforming Perfection

At the core of all three of Astro Bot’s adventures is a very similar 3D platforming style. Astro has a pretty simple moveset of a jump and spin that can destroy enemies. But, this incarnation of Astro Bot expands on these abilities through interesting enemy design and unique power-ups. Take, for example, the new Sumo enemy. He has big metal hands that electrify and can push Astro off of whatever platform they are on. Luckily, Astro can equip different power-ups like the Bulldog, a cute robot dog that doubles as a rocket. Astro can use this ability to run around the Sumo Robot and push it off instead. There are over 20 new abilities like this that are all fun and unique. 

The level design is also fantastic. Across the game’s over 50 levels, there are 300 hidden bots to find. There are also numerous “puzzle piece” collectables that unlock different areas in the Crash Site (which is the hub world), like a Gacha Machine and Costume Store. In each galaxy there are two to three secret exits to levels that unlock new levels in the sixth “Lost Galaxy,” with their own secrets to find. 

The game also has fun boss battles against animals that the galaxies are named after. Whether it be a big gorilla with teeth to break, an octopus with a snorkel or a serpent with golden jewelry, each of the game’s bosses are unique and interesting to fight. Defeating a boss also gives you a specific Playstation legend Bot to collect, along with a whole bonus level to conquer using that character’s abilities.

 There’s loads of different series like Ape Escape, Uncharted, and God of War that all have uniquely intriguing power-ups, puzzles, and locals to explore before you find one of the five missing pieces of the Mothership to repair it. 

Overall, the gameplay of Astro Bot, while simple in nature, is really intuitive and interesting. It’s constantly fleshed out and challenged by different enemies, power-ups, puzzles and secrets that help move the game forward and keep it interesting throughout its whole runtime. 

Gameplay gets a ten-out-of-ten from me.

Artistry at its Apex

Astro Bot is a Playstation 5 (PS5) exclusive, meaning that it can be optimized to create a seamless and graphically smooth product. The PS5 is one of the most powerful consoles ever released, even rivaling specialized gaming-PCs in quality and speed. Team Asobi, through the development of their previous game Astro’s Playroom, is very experienced with the PS5 and its capabilities. This allows Astro Bot to be one of the best looking games currently available. Every object has realistic reflections, water ripples and moves when Astro swims around in it. The game features numerous breakable objects, like glass panels or bridges, that crack and smash away into tons of particles. 

One of the most impressive showcases of the rendering technology that I saw during my playthrough was in a specific room in a desert level, which had tons of falling, colored coins coming from the ceiling and smashing into each other, all while the game still held strong at 60 frames per second, which is no easy feat. 

The game’s art style is also one of its greatest strengths. Astro Bot is one of the cutest mascots that Playstation has ever had. If you leave him standing in one spot for a while, he’ll pull out a piece of Playstation hardware and start playing with it. Also, if you turn the camera to face him, he’ll wave at you. Every character in the game’s expansive levels has a cutesy, mechanical touch. Monkeys are robots with the same black and blue visors that Astro Bot and his team have. Mushrooms and trees scattered around the different levels playfully hop up and down to the music.

The game’s worlds feel alive in a way most games don’t have. The same robo-artstyle is also brought to the game’s 150 special bots, which are all different characters from both Playstation and other franchises, lovingly remade to fit Astro Bot’s vibrant world. Every level is also completely unique, hosting tons of different assets, buildings, costumed enemies, and such all contributing to a memorable experience for any player. The game’s masterful use of its technological hardware and its fantastic artstyle help cement it as one of the most iconic looks for a game I’ve ever played. 

I give graphics a ten-out-of-ten.

So, Why Care?

Astro Bot is one of the most enjoyable games of the year, containing tons of innovative new ideas and gameplay systems while also providing a big collection of callbacks to beloved Playstation franchises and Astro Bot’s own history. The game shows the true potential of the Playstation 5 platform, the 3D platformer genre and the gaming industry as a whole. With free Downloadable Content (DLC) coming soon, Astro Bot is a model for what gaming should be. This is a must play for anybody who has a PS5, and maybe is a reason to get one. Other critics and players agree with this conclusion. Metacritic is a website that combines all professional reviews of different games, movies, and TV shows. They proclaim that Astro Bot has gotten “Universal Acclaim,” sitting at a score of 94-out-of-100. This is the highest score any game released this year has gotten. This game is probably a frontrunner for Game of the Year for numerous publications and at the Game Awards on Dec. 7. Students also agree with this outlook.

“The entire gaming community is thrilled that such a great game is coming out, “ gamer Charl Blom ‘26 said. “After last year and previous years of such great games, this year has been pretty dry with great games. But, Astro Bot has certainly risen out of those dry games to become a top contender [for Game of the Year].”

If you’re looking for a great 15-20 hours of fun and innovative gameplay, then look no further. Astro Bot is here for you.

I give Astro Bot a ten-out-of-ten.