Astro Bot was named Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024, crowning Team Asobi’s PS5-exclusive platformer after its September release and wide critical acclaim. The title drew praise for its inventive gameplay, striking visuals, and strong nods to PlayStation history.
Premise and goals
In Astro Bot, players guide a small, endearing robot named Astro on an interstellar quest to rebuild his PS5-shaped mothership. After a space accident scatters the crew across diverse planets, the player must rescue bots, recover ship parts and navigate puzzles and hazards on each world.
The story is straightforward and focused on exploration: recover lost bots and salvage the vessel. Each planet introduces unique challenges, thematic enemies and vibrant environments, while interactions with the world use the DualSense controller to enhance immersion.
How Astro Bot relates to the franchise
Astro Bot expands the franchise that began with Astro’s Playroom (2020), which served as a DualSense tech demo bundled with the PS5. Unlike that shorter, free experience, Astro Bot is a full, standalone game that enlarges the character’s world while preserving the franchise’s charming aesthetic.
The connection between the two titles includes the ability to transfer special collectible bots from Astro’s Playroom into Astro Bot, reinforcing the ties and rewarding longtime fans with continuity.
Release date and platform
Astro Bot launched on September 6, 2024, as an exclusive for PlayStation 5. The game leverages PS5 hardware to deliver its visual and tactile features and quickly became one of the year’s highest-rated releases.
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Key features and mechanics
The game distinguishes itself through advanced DualSense support and several mechanics that refresh platforming conventions. Notable features include:
- Innovative haptic feedback: the controller simulates textures and surfaces encountered across planets to deepen immersion.
- Group-based exploration: rescued bots work together to solve puzzles, unlock paths and perform actions in the central hub.
- Signature ability crossovers: Astro can gain skills inspired by other PlayStation franchises, such as wielding a Leviathan Axe or equipping armor reminiscent of Aloy.
- Extensive collectibles: there are 300 collectible bots in the game, with 150 serving as direct references to classic PlayStation titles.
- Dynamic environments: each planet presents distinct challenges, shifting climates, themed enemies and hidden secrets to discover.
Critical and public reception
Astro Bot earned strong critical approval, posting a Metacritic average score of 94/100. Reviews highlighted the polished platforming, high-quality visuals and nostalgic appeal as primary strengths.
Some critics noted the game’s relative simplicity might not satisfy players seeking highly challenging gameplay or complex narratives, but that view did not prevent Astro Bot from becoming a platformer favorite among fans and critics alike.
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Award reaction and industry impact
While many celebrated Team Asobi’s win at The Game Awards, the decision prompted mixed responses from parts of the community. Some players felt other titles such as Black Myth: Wukong or Metaphor: ReFantazio were strong contenders for Game of the Year.
Nonetheless, Astro Bot’s victory emphasized the continued relevance of platformers in an industry frequently dominated by action and RPG releases, showcasing how inventive design and homage to a platform’s legacy can resonate broadly.
Who should play Astro Bot
For players who enjoy platformers, accessible yet well-crafted gameplay and experiences that celebrate console history, Astro Bot offers a compelling experience. Its blend of nostalgia, exploration and DualSense-driven mechanics makes it particularly appealing to those seeking a polished, engaging title on PS5.
