The fun factor is unparalleled for a game of this genre, despite it’s obvious simplicity. The biggest thing to take away from the game is how well it uses the DualSense to its advantage. The usage of the controller’s haptic feedback, gyro controls, and adaptive triggers makes the game a way better experience. Not only that, the game also has unique gimmicks in each level, which make them fresh and interesting to play. Team Asobi further drills down on the toy-like charm of gaming by fully committing to the DualSense’s unique features.

A sequel, Astro’s Playroom, was released for the PlayStation 5 as a launch title that is pre-installed on every console and serves as a tech demo for the new DualSense controller. When it’s all done I’m left with that strange feeling of being very well cared for. But when I close my eyes I see the tumbling fruit, the hundreds and thousands, the gems stacked so high I can kick through them as if I’m wading through autumn leaves. I think, more than anything, of all the glorious bits and pieces. The gimmicks introduced in the game are reminiscent of Super Mario Odyssey’s level design, where stages have a central gimmick that you have to work around.

Dualsense use are be fine, level design/movesets look done before. @nicc83 I would say around the hour mark if you just do the main levels and that’s it, but if you want to see and do everything, likely 20 hours or more. Obviously it depends on how much exploring you do and how much you’re bothered about collecting everything — it’s a very meaty 3D platformer in my opinion and a really nice length. It’s a perfect recipe for a 3D platformer, encouraging you to explore every nook and cranny in search of those adorable little droids. Team Asobi has a special treat for Astro Bot players today, as a new update is available for download now, and this adds new levels and bots for free. One power-up — which I won’t describe beyond saying it’s really cute since figuring it out is a big part of the fun here — truly captures the essence of Astro Bot.

Astro Bot: All Bots Locations

If you’re looking for even more savings this season, check out the entire PlayStation’s 2025 Black Friday sale for deals on games, consoles, and more. To unlock the levels in “Lost Galaxy” you must find the 10 Secret Level Exits (‘Lost Galaxies’) in the other Nebulas. The Puzzle Pieces are needed to unlock new areas in the Crash Site hub area. After finishing all 10 Secret Levels you unlock the 11th Secret Level.

I arrived at the end credits after nine hours but had only collected 206 out of a possible 301 bots on my journey. There’s plenty to do after the main levels are done, including finding the remainder of the crew, building out the rest of the hub base, and unearthing new secrets among the stars. There’s so much, in fact, that it took me another nine hours (so, 18 in total) to 100% Astro Bot and acquire the platinum trophy that comes with it. While I’d never say any of its main worlds ever approach being truly “difficult” in the pursuit of that 100% completion goal, some enemies or obstacles did take a few tries. Thankfully, checkpoints are often generously and frequently located, meaning you’re only ever moments away from the spot of your previous demise.

Proceed through the level like normal until you reach the large mountain. As you climb up using your monkey backpack, you’ll see a map carved on a wall with a red X near the skull. If https://mb66.golf/ purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Most of the Astro Bot cameo characters are pretty easy to identify, but there are a few VIP Bots who are obscure and thus can be difficult to place. For more PS5 game deals, check out the list of PlayStation console exclusives that are still up for grabs for major discounts this holiday.

It feels like a celebration, with deep meaningful references that truly understand the quirks of the series it’s featuring. But on top of all those references, there’s a phenomenal game that forges its own identity and boldly does its own thing. Astro Bot received universal acclaim from both critics and players. Game8 rated it 96/100, calling it the best platformer of the year, praising its stunning visuals, great design, and fun, simple controls. They compared it to Super Mario Odyssey but noted it still feels unique.

I can’t speak to Bowser’s Fury (yet), but I wouldn’t doubt that’s great company to be in. I personally slot it a level below It Takes Two – if looking to other recent platformers. Honestly, I come away so surprised how outside the aggregate I am here too. I feel like most of my critiques are readily obvious for the standard game critic, especially its terribly-sparse launch accessibility settings for a Sony title. However, those future Astro Bot games may be in a bit of a tough spot.

Sony themselves said not to expect any major titles this year, meaning that they don’t consider this a tentpole release. Yet I bet Astro Bot does significantly better than many titles that have spent years in development and cost double the price to make. I think this is clearly the frontrunner for game of the year now and it doesn’t look like there’s anything upcoming that has a chance of dethroning it. PS5 desperately needed this, now they need to reveal the big games 1st party is working on alongside the Pro and 2024 can be saved. I was expecting an average of 8s, but almost all reviews I saw are 9 and above.

What Is Astro Bot?

Astro Bot doesn’t care about such baggage, but if it did you’d probably use your mechanical arms to throw it at a giant robotic ape before smashing in said ape’s teeth and propelling yourself into its soon-to-be exploded head. Astro Bot only cares about fun, and I genuinely can’t think of a single moment it made me wish something had been handled differently, tweaked to be easier, or expanded upon. Very tight of Sony on that as on my series x, as long as it is my home console all that log in get cloud saves through my subscription. I hope it is something Sony are going to do more of in the future. It means a family or friend can play on my profile and get cloud saves as well using one of the save slots. If you have any lingering questions about the game, this section of our Astro Bot guide should have you covered.

This is because while Astro Bot is that celebration of PlayStation’s history, it’s also a visual graveyard of IP that will never again see the light of day, making their appearance absolutely sting. It’s great to see ASOBI showing this level of appreciation of what has come before, but it also shows Sony’s very apparent inability to leverage what built them up in the first place. Jigsaw pieces can also be discovered if you’re skilled and/or keen eyed, which eventually open up a variety of features that enrich the entire experience.

Astro Bot is a 3D adventure platformer that features the PlayStation mascot, Astro, as he travels to different worlds in search of his lost crew members and to repair the PS5 mothership. It features numerous collectible items, from puzzle pieces to accessories for the other Astro Bots and even secret levels to discover and complete. The game also features numerous designs of Astro inspired by several IPs that have been on PlayStation over the years. For those hoping to get as much playtime as possible out of the package, Astro Bot packs in plenty to do. There are secret levels to find, puzzle pieces in each level, a gacha machine filled with outfits, and a home base that evolves into a full-on playground over time.

While there’s plenty to like about the hub, which we’ll get into later, the main attraction is the game’s range of levels, which are as varied, playful, and fun as you’d hope. Each galaxy contains four or five main stages, a boss, and a special last level themed around specific PlayStation franchises. On top of that are numerous shorter challenges — tougher platforming or combat trials to test your skills — and a selection of secret stages to discover. It’s a generous package, and what’s most impressive is the sheer variety it offers. Environmental puzzles and exciting set pieces await players in Astro Bot’s dozens of stages that can take anywhere from a couple minutes to a quarter of an hour to complete.