Developer Team Asobi has been rr9988 delivering brilliant 3D platformers since PSVR’s Astro Bot Rescue Mission, so it should come as little surprise that this latest entry in the young series is among the best games PS5 has to offer. There are fun mechanics found throughout the levels, from powered up punches to the ability to spit out platforms to full-on slow motion, and each level is designed expertly around those. On top of that, thematically, these are not just “desert, snow, jungle” levels, as if you pay attention, you can see things like how the rainbow-colored mushroom level is where you’ll find…The Last of Us characters. If you have read my Astro Bot review, you must be already aware of how this game is an elated love letter and a rich celebration of Play Station’s legacy. This videogame has the outright power and quality to challenge your perception of platformer games and it will make you say it duly earned the GOTY 2024 once you take Astro Bot for a spin. There are more levels like the Ape Escape one, in which Astro fully absorbs the personality and toolkit of another PlayStation hero and romps through a level based on that character’s own games.
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This bird, which seems to be nameless, actually pings any remaining collectibles in the level. This includes all undiscovered bots, puzzle pieces, and Void levels, which are the secret levels found within other levels (as opposed to those found in the space map). The bird pings collectibles from quite far away, and the pinging intensifies as you get closer. It was tempting to spin a narrative around Balatro’s chances, especially after we at Polygon selected it as our own game of the year.
It was easily one of the best games available on the system at launch. To this day, its creative use of the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers showcase what the controller can do better than pretty much any other game. Longtime gamers will find rescuing the bots in Astro Bot to be an absolute treat. It’s exciting to see who will pop up next, especially since there are a few very unexpected cameo bots that I won’t spoil here.
However, I have to say that the delight, the sense of pure joy, and the wholesomeness I got out of playing Astro Bot was truly unmatched and unforgettable. The secret exit in Djinny of the Lamp is at the very end of the level, after you defeat the Djinny. Punch the ladybug trampoline so it’s as close to the pot as possible, then jump on it and activate your power-up mid-air.
Hit the snake with your ship and it’ll release the puzzle piece ahead of you. The final bot is near the exit, so proceed forward until you boost into the upper part of the level. If you stand on top, you’ll see a bird flying around with the final bot in its clutches. Wait for it to get close and then jump off and hit the bot mid-air.
You can be sure that a game awarded this score has the highest quality presentation and expertly honed gameplay, but also breaks boundaries and pushes the industry forward in a meaningful manner. Maybe because im my late 50s is the reason this doesn’t grab me at all. I don’t have any children to let play it, and I’m pretty sure my wife would be none too happy if spending £60-£70 for gameplay that lasts less than most days I work and then would say why am I playing a kids game. Pre-ordered as I have no idea when or what the next Sony game is I’ll get. Will be playing this next week after getting through the Blops 6 beta this weekend.
But it’s the temporary abilities that come with each level that make things truly exciting. The Twin Frog gloves are a particular favourite, with their sticky tongues flinging out to provide a grapple swing option. They’re also spring-loaded, meaning any incoming projectiles can be sent back from whence they came, exploding in an enemy’s face. I also very much enjoyed the mouse mechanic, which reduces you down to a super small size, effectively turning on a “Toy Story” mode that lets you clamber up oversized shelves and leaves in search of secrets. For 30 years, Sony has given us a vast library of top-quality PlayStation games, but there has never been a mascot platformer among them to rival the heights that Nintendo’s Mario regularly reaches. Packed with dozens of colourful levels and experimental abilities, Astro’s latest outing thrusts him onto centre stage, joined by a supporting cast of PlayStation’s past heroes to provide hours of pure joy.
That includes the Lovestruck Lyricist, an homage to PaRappa the Rapper, the Yharnam Hunter, an homage to Bloodborne, and many more. It was a long night, but the 2024 The Game Awards ceremony is finally over. This year was an amazing one, and while the big 6 games of this event were impressive, only one had the opportunity to walk away with the biggest recognition of the night.
Kill the enemy train and pop the hourglass open to get the second puzzle piece. The first puzzle piece in “Trapped In Time” appears before you even land in the hourglass. As you’re flying in on your DualSense ship, you’ll pass some coin containers and then a large sand dune on your left. On this sand dune, you’ll see a golden snake with a familiar glow emerge as you get close.
Lost Galaxy Levels
Astro Bot will, without a shadow of a doubt, become the Holy Grail for Sony game fans. It serves as both a celebration and an advertisement of the fun that Sony Interactive Entertainment offers. The number of references to games released over the years is overwhelming.
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Astro Bot is, without a shadow of a doubt, this year’s best platforming game. Hell, it could even be a contender for Game of the Year (GOTY) because of how complete the game is as a whole package. The game is visually stunning, has great sound design, has simple yet fun gameplay, makes use of the exclusive PlayStation controls, and, most importantly, has a ton of content. Sony and Team ASOBI have knocked it out of the park with this game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this game is regarded as one of Sony’s best releases to date. In its never-ending chase for maturity and realism, the video game industry is leaving kids behind. It makes me sad to think that today’s young players have so few options if they want to play something like Spyro the Dragon.
When it comes to the challenge levels, however, you may find yourself struggling. While there’s a plethora of things you could do, the number one tip is to keep moving. Try to press on and not stop, as you’ll become an easy target for projectile enemies or obstacles like fire or thin ice. Not every level does require you to be quick on your feet, but it’s a good reminder for when you’re tackling some of the harder levels. A new batch of five levels were added in July 2025, adding five new cameo bots including a couple of Final Fantasy characters. This is more of a nitpick, mainly because the game is actually catered to everyone.
The main levels, and even the bosses – which are otherwise very imaginative – are also very easy. The lack of story in Astro Bot reflects the character’s origin in PlayStation 4 tech demos The Playroom and The Playroom VR. As such, he’s never been given any backstory and he only communicates in baby talk. Each of the 11 levels can be found by finding a secret exit in various other levels throughout the universe. I am annoyed I can come up with animal abilities for better navigation/quest access in BIomutant, oh no we have gliders (other features, a merchant like BOTW I’ll never find again) and vehicles but why can’t I dig, fly, swim?