Astro’s Playroom first launched in 2020 as a pre-installed PS5 exclusive that highlighted the DualSense controller’s features. The platformer also paved the way for the successful Astro Bot, Team Asobi’s hit game from 2024 that earned numerous Game of The Year awards. While Astro Bot may have eclipsed Astro’s Playroom, it seems developers have not forgotten about the adorable Astro’s first adventure, as the robot’s first game recently received new content.
While it was originally just a tech demo for the DualSense, it offers a colorful and expertly crafted platforming game to tie in all of that controller’s features. Astro’s Playroom is the latest platformer starring Astro Bot that comes pre-loaded on the PlayStation 5. Join Astro and his crew and experience a magical introduction through the PS5, exploring four worlds based on PS5’s console components. Each area showcases innovative gameplay that taps into the new features of the DualSense. Honestly, the biggest complaint I have with Astro’s Playroom is just that it’s too damn short. I finished all 16 of the main levels, the final area, and completed each of the speed run trials in around three hours.
Focus on rescuing Special Bots‚ as they unlock additional challenges and trophies. Use a checklist to track your progress and revisit levels to complete specific tasks. Since no trophies are missable‚ take your time to explore thoroughly and enjoy the game’s creative levels and DualSense features. Each of the four worlds are split up into four levels that are interconnected with each other. Two of these levels involve regular platforming whereas the other two involve a special power-up suit which makes use of the DualSense controller’s capabilities.
Skill Level
In terms of basic structure and mechanics, Astro’s Playroom is not surprising; it adheres closely to a comfortable formula. But that familiarity doesn’t drag the experience down, because the DualSense controller adds novelty in fun and surprising ways. Once collected, these artifacts are sent back to the main hub of Astro’s Playroom, where you can run and bounce on giant-sized (yet photorealistic) versions of them. Astro’s Playroom is also, surprisingly, a true love letter to PlayStation history. Each of the game’s four main levels is littered with tiny nods to various PlayStation games, reenacted by adorable robots. Some are more obvious — like a robot with a bandana that pops out of a cardboard box — while others are more subtle deep cuts to the retro library (like 1995’s Jumping Flash!).
Puzzle Piece 4/4 – When you reach the room with the fans blowing downward toward electrical hazards on the floor, this puzzle piece is between an electrified mine and these hazards. Puzzle Piece 2/4 – In this same starting area, go around the back of the rock pillar in the middle of the purple plants to find this puzzle piece. Puzzle Piece 2/4 – At the second hang glider section some rings will appear. You need to launch yourself through the ring on the right to grab this puzzle piece. Artifact 2/2 “Playstation Vita”– At the top of the above tower, jump and hold break the glass on top, then pull the revealed wire to get this artifact.
Astro then for a few seconds begins to rotate and hit everything in reach. Encourage children to “try, try again” until they succeed while taking regular breaks. Remember, you unlock a set of races by making it to the end of the four main zones, meaning this Trophy isn’t possible until you do that and open 1994 Throwback, which has the same unlock requirement.
Skate Story Review – The Best Skateboard Game Of The Decade
The smooth, 60-frames-per-second gameplay makes controlling Astro a real treat. While none of the sequences are terribly difficult, there’s enough of a challenge here to keep me busy for around six hours as I chase the Platinum Trophy. Summary Astro and his crew lead you on a magical introduction through PS5 in this fun platformer that comes pre-loaded on PS5.
My favorite track overall, however, was the SSD Speedway, featuring sounds that match the game’s presentation perfectly. The final neat feature of Astro’s Playroom is the Network Speed Run challenge levels. You can do normal platforming challenge levels with Astro or ones focused on each suit to earn the best times. But it’s not all suits and colorful levels to enjoy, there’s also a mountain of collectibles to find that tug on the nostalgic heartstrings of any PlayStation fan.
In Astro’s Playroom, the player has to complete 4 main locations divided into 4 levels. To collect all the collectibles, you will also need to walk around the main location – the CPU Plaza. PlayStation Labo lets you complete the collection by drawing prizes in a Gatcha-style game.
A full-length sequel, Astro Bot, was announced on May 30, 2024, and was released for the PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2024. As someone that has owned and loved every single PlayStation console from the PS1 to the PS Vita and PS4, it was an absolute treat to play Astro’s Playroom. I don’t hide the fact that I’m a genuine PlayStation fan, wearing PS symbol t-shirts often and sporting my Crash Bandicoot controller holder — it’s not really a secret.
Playstation Home
On the right-hand side of the CRT pile at the end of the level are some Bots huddled around gaming on a CRT. The game they’re playing references Ridge Racer, released in 1997 for the PS1 and made by Delphine Software International. The title screen has close similarities to the original Ridge Racer and sequel Revolution, particularly the latter with a full-screen chequered flag. When you first enter the rainy section of Gusty Gateway, far in the distance to the right is a giant bird harassing/helping a Bot with a giant feather. This is a reference to the infamous The Last Guardian which eventually released in 2016 and was made by Team Ico. The Bot holding a feather refers to the game’s boxart, while the moment where he falls off and is saved by the bird references the E gameplay demo.
In the picture above, you can spot the PSP, PS Vita and PSP Go port and button layouts from the top and bottom of the systems. The only unknown one is the one with the Ethernet port, which doesn’t match any PlayStation system. On one of the monitors in the Labo area is an image of a CD-ROM and a DVD. DVDs meanwhile aided the PS2 because its DVD drive meant that it could play DVD movies, an incredibly popular format for watching films at the time. Speaking of which, on a table is a Bot observing a gold plus with the Sacred Symbols on it.
Every bit of platforming presents almost no challenge, and so do the enemies. With rotating platforms, ones that disappear shortly after stepping on them, and lightning platforms that can take out Astro in one hit. As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators.
Is improved force feedback and the same funny little collection of gyros and touchscreens carried over from the DualShock 4 really the next-gen difference? I’m not entirely sure, and it may well prove to be another false dawn that, like HD rumble on the Switch, is a pleasant addition that soon fades into the background. It doesn’t stop at the collectibles; some bots pay tribute to past icons. You’ll see a bot holding a camera throughout the levels as they record their companions as fellow PlayStation characters.
