I've had the PS5 for what... 3 years now? ...and I only now got around to play Astro's Playroom. For those unaware, Astro's Playroom comes pre-installed on every PS5 console and serves as a tech-demo of the new Playstation Controller.

Obviously the reason that got me around to finally check it out was the fact that Sony is releasing a sequel called Astro Bot in about 2 weeks. While this might seem baffling releasing a fully priced version of what was originally a free tech demo, I have to say that after playing this game I do see the appeal of it.

The Astro games - while maybe not in terms of brand recognition - do have the potential to be Playstation's alternative to Nintendo's 3D collectathon Super Mario games. Astro's Playroom is very much the same type of video game crack. Hands on controls, easy mechanics, colorful cartoony graphics, enough gameplay variety and is at the end of the day addicting as hell. Packaging this up as a game with hopefully 10+ hours of gameplay, adding a bit more challenge and more boss battles honestly sounds like a good idea to me now.

As far as this game goes it's honestly quite stacked for a controller demo or a baby's first PS5 game. You can complete it in about 3-4 hours, but as is the case with most collectathons there is more fun to be had, if you are the right type of person. Basically you are left in a Playstation hub world that I imagined as a representation of a Playstation's inner world with little astronauts running about, getting in all sorts of shenanigans and referencing some of Playstation's most iconic releases as you go along. There are 4 levels to explore, each dedicated to one of Playstation's previous 4 mainline consoles: the PS1 takes you to Memory Meadow a grassy area where your Super Mario platforming is switched up with the occasional Monkey Ball obstacle course. PS2 shows you the future with Blade Runner-esque cities and will catapult you into space with your very own space ship. PS3 is a mix of a beach resort and an ice skating rink. Astro will occasionally put on a frog suit to maximize his jumping powers for specific obstacle courses. Last but not least the PS4 takes you to GPU jungle, where you will also have to prove your climbing skills in a monkey suit. Finish all 4 levels and a boss battle awaits at the end.

So as hinted above each level is a mix of the usual Astro platforming with jetpack hovering and punching enemies and sections with a unique approach towards using the controller, utilizing every aspect of it in a creative and fun way.

More replayability is added with the collectathon elements and filling out your Playstation lab with collectables. There are puzzle pieces to cover up the walls of the laboratory, collectible gadgets from playstation's past and little Astronaut figurines which can be collected by spending money in the gacha machine.

What adds to the excitement is that it's in spite of it's simplicity also visually gorgeous and the soundtrack is on pair with some of Nintendo's best platformers.

So, if you want my take on it: Astro Bot can come. I will happily play more of what this game has to offer. But I'm not the first to tell you this little tech demo is worth it. Pretty much every vocal playstation voice on the internet already sang quite a bit of praise for Astro's Playroom and there is a good reason this little free test ride is often considered as one of PS5's better games at the moment.

Astro's Playroom

Even if it was just made to showcase the new controller technology, it still had me playing for a long time.

It would've worked even as a separate/standalone game, not being bundled with the PS5.

Even if it was just made to showcase the new controller technology, it still had me playing for a long time. It would've worked even as a separate/standalone game, not being bundled with the PS5.

I love the collectibles, especially being able to interact with them at first. I like the sound effects on the dual sense speaker, it's small but adds immersion more than I would think

I LOVE the level when you get the little gstlin gun type ball blaster. I wish there was a game with more cartoony over the shoulder shooting like that

My 4 year olds favorite game while still being fun and challenging to me, the 36 year old gamer

I love the collectibles, especially being able to interact with them at first. I like the sound effects on the dual sense speaker, it's small but adds immersion more than I would think I LOVE the level when you get the little gstlin gun type ball blaster. I wish there was a game with more cartoony over the shoulder shooting like that My 4 year olds favorite game while still being fun and challenging to me, the 36 year old gamer

surprisingly fun game with lots of little tastes of different gaming elements

This is such a good game for a tech demo for the Playstation 5. It seems like a legitimate game with good mechanics. A good way to start and be familiar with the PS5. The graphics are amazing as well. What I liked about this game is the entire control mechanics. I was really blown away by how the Dual Sense Wireless Controller actually had this kind of upgrade. The adaptive triggers and haptic feedback were an entirely new experience for PlayStation fans like me. This new generation of gaming really made me back to the world of gaming and will forever be part of the gaming community.

**VISUALS**

_Artistry: 11/12_

_Technical Merit: 7/8_

  

**SOUND DESIGN**

_Music: 11/12_

_Sound Effects & Vocals: 7/8_

  

**INTERACTION**

_Control & Interface: 8/8_

_Player Agency: 6/8_

_Accessibility: 4/4_

  

**MECHANICS**

_Feedback & Fun: 10/10_

_Depth: 5/5_

_Variety: 5/5_

  

**CHARACTER**

_Narrative: 4/8_

_Heart: 3/6_

_Originality: 6/6_

This is such a good game for a tech demo for the Playstation 5. It seems like a legitimate game with good mechanics. A good way to start and be familiar with the PS5. The graphics are amazing as well. What I liked about this game is the entire control mechanics. I was really blown away by how the Dual Sense Wireless Controller actually had this kind of upgrade. The adaptive triggers and haptic feedback were an entirely new experience for PlayStation fans like me. This new generation of gaming really made me back to the world of gaming and will forever be part of the gaming community.VISUALSArtistry: 11/12Technical Merit: 7/8 SOUND DESIGNMusic: 11/12Sound Effects &amp; Vocals: 7/8 INTERACTIONControl &amp; Interface: 8/8Player Agency: 6/8Accessibility: 4/4 MECHANICSFeedback &amp; Fun: 10/10Depth: 5/5Variety: 5/5 CHARACTERNarrative: 4/8Heart: 3/6Originality: 6/6

Loving my new Console!

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Astro and his crew lead you on a magical introduction through PS5 in this fun platformer that comes pre-loaded on PS5. Explore four worlds, each based on PS5’s console components. Each area showcases innovative gameplay that taps into the new features of the PS5's DualSense

Playscore of Astro's Playroom, based on critic and gamer review scores.

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