Astro Bot Review: A Wholesome Adventure Packed with Nostalgia and Innovation
A Heartwarming Tribute to PlayStation's History
Before playing Astro Bot, I spent the night in Astro's Playroom, grabbing my final trophy and participating in the in-game release party with the other bots. I even collected four secret bots from Ape Escape, Bloodborne, Returnal, and Gran Turismo. It was a great way for the game to set the stage for Astro Bot's playful journey.
Starting up Astro Bot felt like I was instantly transported on a journey that felt both nostalgic and fresh. With nods to classic games and innovative mechanics, every moment was a joyful experience. From Pikmin-like collectible hunts to Donkey Kong references, this game is a love letter to gaming’s past while standing strong as an exciting adventure on its own.
A Collectathon That Never Gets Old
The game begins with you and your robot friends flying through the galaxy in the PS5 ship (the original disc version, of course). A big green, goofy-looking alien disrupts the fun, destroying the ship, scattering bots, stealing the PS5's parts, and spreading them across various galaxies. The setup mirrors the simplicity of classic Super Mario games—no over-complicated explanations, just straight into the action.
There are six galaxies to explore, each with its own planets, offering many levels to discover. Each galaxy has its own boss, which leads to PlayStation-themed levels that are packed with detail and nostalgia! There are also secret challenges to unlock. One galaxy becomes available after you start finding secret goal portals in certain levels that transport you to entirely new worlds just as intricate as the others.
You start at the Crash Site, rebuilding everything from scratch—recovering your bots, PS5 parts, and puzzle pieces that unlock customization for Astro and his Dualsense Plane. The crash site immediately gave me strong Pikmin vibes, as your Astro Bots help you unlock new things, adding layers of charm and rewarding exploration. They can break open icebergs or let you climb on them to reach higher places. You need a certain number of bots to perform some actions, which feels so close to Pikmin, and you can even whistle to have them follow or stop what they’re doing.
With each galaxy you unlock, the alien that destroyed your ship taunts you in different ways with the stolen PS5 parts, then disappears with a fart noise as planets appear—a move that’s classic Super Mario, reminiscent of Wario or Bowser Jr.'s antics.
Each level is packed with collectibles like puzzle pieces, bots, and special bots. Unlocking these brings the Crash Site to life. When I completed the Fan Club level, I went back to the Crash Site and unlocked the Gatcha Lab, where I got cool items like Ratchet and Clank's wrench and Solid Snake's box disguise. Collecting bots is one part, but retrieving their signature items makes them even more interactive. Every collectible adds depth, and Astro Bot encourages replaying levels to uncover even more treasures.
The more puzzle pieces you collect, the more you unlock outside of the Gatcha Lab. You can change your character’s costume—whether that’s turning gold, becoming Ratchet from Ratchet & Clank, or transforming into the Hunter from Bloodborne. You can even customize the Dualsense Plane, changing its colorway to match your character. Playing this game made me realize how much I need that Astro Bot-themed controller. It’s an easy way to keep you coming back for more.
Innovative Gameplay That Surprises
What makes Astro Bot stand out is its innovative gameplay, bringing back fond memories of the Nintendo Wii and 3DS with their tilt controls and motion mechanics. The PS5’s adaptive triggers and motion controls felt intuitive and engaging. Whether flinging Astro Bots into the air, controlling an ability like the Dog Rocket to smash through obstacles, or piloting the Dualsense Plane with tilts and turns, the game makes full use of the console’s features. Many elements are expanded from Astro’s Playroom, but now within fully realized worlds. Swinging like a monkey, climbing walls, and manipulating objects were a blast.
Exploring planets is a tactile joy. You pilot your ship using motion controls to dodge walls, collect items, and defeat enemies. The immersive 3D audio combined with responsive triggers, like rolling around on an armadillo or grinding on rails, kept me locked in to the game for a while. The frog arms in the Az Tech Trial reminded me of ARMS—springy and punchy, perfect for breaking down walls or attacking enemies.
A standout visual feature is the moments where the game has you stop and take photos behind cutouts, like a fisherman or a construction worker, with beautiful scenery as a backdrop. It’s almost like creating postcards. I love how animals and other bots interact with you during these moments—posing or even a bird pooping on you!
Nostalgia and Cameos Galore
One of the best parts of Astro Bot is the abundance of cameos from classic games, including Okami, Spyro, and Ape Escape. The Ape Escape level was one of my favorites! It’s where you chase down taunting monkeys and have to capture them. It was hilarious with the way they were dancing around and dodging you - it made me want to play the original because I never got to play it!
The bosses and enemies are creative and fun, ranging from lizard slow motion battles to sumo wrestler-like encounters. The game’s design naturally teaches you everything you need to know to defeat them. Mini-games like shooting Shurikens to cut bamboo sticks are delightful additions that keep the action lighthearted and engaging.
I also loved how the Secret Levels are based on PlayStation’s signature buttons—Cross, Square, Triangle, and Circle. Completing these levels unlocks special bots like Kazuma Kiryu from the Yakuza series. But be warned—they’re extremely challenging. These levels had me raging and fighting for my life, but the satisfaction of completing them and earning unique bots made it worthwhile.
Visuals, Soundtrack, and Performance—Top Notch!
Visually, Astro Bot is stunning. Every part of this game is a visual treat, from the vibrant worlds to the adorable character designs. Some levels I played reminded me of Splatoon with its colorful paint aesthetic, while secret maps like Crumble Rumble 1 are bursting with charm with their retro style. The attention to detail—like throwing axes in a God of War: Ragnarok level and catching Odin’s ravens—shows the love that went into crafting each moment. Even something simple like standing on inflated balloons feels unreal because those are physics you must see to believe it!
The soundtrack is equally impressive, crafted by the same composer as Astro’s Playroom. Every track feels perfectly in tune with the level’s design. The Construction Derby track, in particular, gave me serious Jet Set Radio vibes with its funky beats and scratches. I almost regret not getting the digital deluxe edition just for the soundtrack alone!
Performance-wise, it’s flawless. Gameplay is smooth, and loading times are practically non-existent. Whether restarting after a death or jumping into a new level, everything happens seamlessly. It’s an upgrade from Astro’s Playroom that I didn’t think was possible. The only glitch I encountered was during the Az Tech Trial when picking up the fifth bot, but restarting the level fixed it—and that was the only issue in 20 hours of gameplay!
Wholesome Fun for Everyone
This game isn’t just for hardcore players—it’s wholesome too. My little brother, a big fan of Astro’s Playroom, was glued to Astro Bot for hours, collecting 41 bots on his first time playing and now up to 130! He’s been thinking about where more bots could be hiding and challenging himself with secret levels.
Watching him interact with the bots at the Crash Site was a joy, and it’s clear the game inspires curiosity. The idle animations—Astro Bot taking selfies or interacting with items—are the kind of charming details that give you a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s just as much fun to watch as it is to play.
The physical edition also comes with a two-sided poster and DLC costumes, adding extra flair. That’s why I went for the physical edition, especially since I want access to the game even without internet—and I’m happy to report that it works perfectly offline.
Endless Replayability and 100% Completion
For completionists, Astro Bot is a treasure trove. Unlocking special bots like Jak and Daxter or finding collectibles in challenging areas like Lost Triangle Void keeps the game interesting long after the main story is finished. Secret maps, hidden galaxies, and unlocking new areas at the Crash Site by collecting bots ensure endless replayability.
As someone who earned the platinum trophy in Astro’s Playroom, getting it in Astro Bot was equally satisfying. The rewards for 100% completion feel earned, and it’s fun to see how all the bots and PS5 parts interact with you after you’ve collected everything.
Final Thoughts: 5 Stars Across the Board!
In every way, Astro Bot is a masterpiece. From its nostalgic charm to its clever use of PS5’s features, there’s so much to love. The collectibles, innovative gameplay, and countless cameos offer something for everyone.
This game easily earns 5 out of 5 stars. There is so much more in this game than what I shared in this article. If you’re looking for a game that’ll make you smile, laugh, and reminisce about gaming’s golden days, Astro Bot is the one to play.