On top of this, the robot protagonists are super cute in every situation. The fact that some of the characters and settings in Astro Bot are recognizable from popular video games only makes the whole thing sweeter. When we arrive on a planet, we typically have to complete a series of skill-based challenges, which, importantly, aren’t frustrating and remain enjoyable even in the endgame. Along the way, we rescue robots, find collectibles, and solve very simple environmental puzzles.

Games nominated in the Family category rarely win Game of the Year; the only other time it’s happened was when It Takes Two took the top prize in 2021. The Game Awards voting jury generally prefers games aimed at an adult audience, with more “mature” themes and presentation. The jury also favors games with strong narrative elements, which Astro Bot just doesn’t have. There’s a sentimental and emotive appeal to adults inherent in both games — more so than in, say, Super Mario Bros. Wonder — and this might have helped Astro Bot strike a deeper chord in the voting jury’s hearts. This is because while Astro Bot is that celebration of PlayStation’s history, it’s also a visual graveyard of IP that will never again see the light of day, making their appearance absolutely sting.

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Progress the level normally until you reach the ladybug trampoline burrowed in the snow. If you jump on it, you’ll notice a rather large seal made out of ice perched on a nearby tower. Ignore SC88 LINK for now and continue a bit further up the path, where you’ll find a charging pig. Dodge the pig and then grab its tail to spin it around and around.

It truly takes advantage of all the different features the PS5 remote offers and is just pure awesome joy. Here are the games released during 2025 that have won major industry awards or received nominations for those awards. We’ll update our awards tracker whenever new awards and nominations are announced. It even feels like some popping candy has smuggled its way into your controller as it fizzes and pings away, sweetly reacting to whatever is happening on screen. Astro Bot is a showcase for the DualSense’s bells and whistles unlike anything since, well… Triggers tighten in your fingers and rumbles are sent through your thumbs.

With the help of your simian backpack buddy, you will climb, swing and fling yourself up to the summit. So stop monkeying around and beat those birds to the top to rescue your special bot friends. Test your skills in five additional speedrun levels available now, and collect new Special Bots.

Continuing with the God of War example, Astro will use the Leviathan Axe to attack enemies, and just like Santa Monica’s action games, it can be thrown and recalled, freezing enemies and helping progress through the stage. We won’t spoil the others, but PlayStation fans will be delighted with these Astro Bot renditions of some favourite franchises. The game doesn’t seem to use any specific name for them, but players have taken to calling them cameo bots, secret bots, or hidden bots, depending on who you ask. Whatever you call them, they’re made much more reachable thanks to our Astro Bot collectibles guide, which reveals an in-game mechanic that allows you to track down hidden cameo bots with ease. It’s not the only hidden in-game mechanic either, as you can unlock a secret photo mode in Astro Bot, too.

All of this is incredibly fun and allows the PS5 to truly shine (more on that in a moment). After completing several planets in a galaxy, we unlock a boss level, which is essentially a simple puzzle that requires the efficient use of previously introduced mechanics. Occasionally, after a boss battle, a special level inspired by Sony exclusives awaits us. These special levels are truly amazing, and I won’t elaborate further because experiencing them firsthand is something really unique.

Dualsense™ Integration

At times, it’s so extensive that, even as a Sony fan, I wasn’t able to recognize all the brands and references. Perhaps an in-game encyclopedia would be useful, briefly describing the robots dressed in non-familiar outfits. Such a feature would make the game an even greater treat for fans of the Japanese console. Astro Bot is a stunning 3D platformer, and easily among the best games in PS5’s library. It fully delivers on the promise of Astro’s Playroom, building on the rock solid core of tight controls and inventive gameplay and turning everything up to 11. With tons to see and do, almost endless fresh ideas, innovative use of the DualSense’s features, and truly charming presentation, it’s a confident and cohesive experience that players of all ages will love.

The technology is important but the core design and what they do with it is what made me fall in love with the game. Firstly, when talking platform games, getting the basic move set and control nailed down is crucial. This has always been a strong point for Nintendo and Team Asobi as well have managed to pull it off. Astro’s basic running and jumping have a satisfying feel and rhythm to them.

Feel every hop, punch and crack through your DualSense wireless controller. [newline]Following its release, Astro Bot received multiple updates which included new levels and V.I.P. Bots, among a number of other minor additions. Once the actual credits finish rolling, a badly beaten Nebulax and his minions are seen floating through space; they threaten the player, but are sent flying by the sudden appearance of the words “THE END”. The crew mourns Astro and sad credits begin to roll, but are interrupted by a broken Astro falling back onto the mothership. Several Bots from the crew find replacement parts and help the mothership’s repair systems rebuild their captain, who springs back to life.

I know this OST is going to be in my regular rotation once it finally drops on Spotify, because it’s simply too good to leave locked within this game. Astro Bot has proven to be not only one of Sony’s most successful games but one of the most successful games of all time, at least critically speaking. There are three puzzle pieces in “Trapped In Time.” The first is before the level starts, the second is before you go inside, and the third is before you go back outside. Astro Bot may feature a simple tale, yet it is a gleeful game that absolutely nailed all the aspects of a platformer. It became the highest-rated standalone game of 2024 for a reason, right?

A fantastically colourful and creative romp through a huge variety of settings, it’ll have your thumbsticks clicking, your heart racing, and even your lips blowing – yep, that’s a mechanic in the game. Each level across five main galaxies and one unlockable one features a swarm of bots (many based on beloved PS characters) to rescue, as well as jigsaw pieces and some secret black holes too. Here, you’ll find your one-stop shop for every single collectible in the game, and the Trophies too, arranged into each zone Astro blasts off into. Astro Bot is technically the fifth entry in the Astro universe, though it’s the series’ first fully fledged — and fully priced — installment. Astro Bot takes ideas from these earlier titles and compiles them into a focused 3D platformer with dozens of main worlds, a bevy of additional unlockable planets and a wide range of satisfying mechanics.

Controlling Astro is a joy, with him being extremely responsive as he runs, jumps, uses his foot-lasers to hover a small distance, and lash out at enemies with his short metal arms. You’ll use these basic skills liberally as you explore the levels found within each star system, negotiating platforms, avoiding traps and overcoming a wide range of enemies. Thought it was the best platforming experience since Bowsers Fury. But im very frustrated by how cruel the last extra level can be.

A work made that overflows with love from the first minute of play to the last and that keeps you smiling all the time. Simply put, this feature makes collecting all bots and other secrets in the game trivially easy. It’s a lovely idea, and we hope it finds its way into other games that could use it similarly in years to come. Astro’s Playroom is just pure, unadulterated fun, and Astro Bot somehow manages to better it in just about every way.