Astro Bot: The Review

*Note: Updated in June 2025 in an effort to remove AI-generated content from the blog.

Overview

Astro Bot might just be the most fun I’ve had with a platformer this year. Every level throws something new at you: clever mechanics, wacky abilities, and constant surprises that never overstay their welcome. It’s also bursting with love for PlayStation history, packed with little tributes that’ll hit home if you’ve grown up with the brand. But beyond the nostalgia, this is a smart, joyful game that knows exactly how to make the most of the PS5’s hardware, not just as a gimmick, but as a real part of the experience.

Score: 10 out of 10

The Positives ✅

Astro Bot is pure joy from start to finish. Right away, you can feel the effort that went into extracting every bit of potential from the PlayStation 5 – not just in gameplay, but even in little things like the menus and world map using haptics, adaptive triggers, and sounds in smart, satisfying ways. It doesn’t feel like a tech demo, though. It’s a real game, with surprising level variety: haunted mansions, volcanoes, outer space, and even full-on tributes to Uncharted, Horizon, and God of War.

You get to actually play with things like Kratos’ axe or Aloy’s bow – not just look at them. They’re short sections, but super fun and totally nail the vibe of each series. There are over 150 bots, each referencing different PlayStation franchises – even including some of the lesser known properties of PlayStation too. It’s not just fan service for the sake of it; this whole thing feels like a celebration of PlayStation history.

The various options for customization are a fun little bonus. You can deck out your DualSense with colors and tweak Astro with outfits from characters like PaRappa, Ratchet, or even the Hunter from Bloodborne. It doesn’t change gameplay, but it adds charm. Under all the nostalgia and polish, though, this is just a great platformer. It plays smoothly, feels good to control, and it’s got a nice mix of relaxed and tricky bits – easily up there with the best in the genre.

The soundtrack deserves some praise too. Each track matches perfectly with the atmosphere of each level, and what can be said about that main theme? It’s an absolute banger that doesn't leave your mind. It's one of those songs you’ll randomly hum weeks later.

Performance-wise, I have a grand total of zero things to complain. I finished the game to 100%, clocked over 20 hours, and never hit a single bug or crash. Honestly, not even a hiccup. Plus, the developers have been putting out DLC pretty regularly, which is a nice bonus if you want to keep going after the credits roll.

The Negatives ⚠️

While Astro Bot is packed with loads of content and polish, its overall runtime feels a little bit short. Like many modern titles, a full 100% completion typically takes anywhere between 10 to 20 hours. It does not detract from the experience, but some players may find themselves wishing it lasted just a bit longer, especially considering how fun the whole game is.

The one-hit death system is another point that feels a tiny bit "outdated". While most of the time your progress is not pushed too far back, certain moments – particularly in the longer and more challenging stages – can become frustrating. A single mistake near the end of a harder level can sometimes mean repeating the same portion of that level multiple times, which may not feel entirely fair and fun.

One other small annoyance comes from how the game handles secret level portals. If you find one hidden in a main stage, the game immediately kicks you out of the current level and sends you back to the World Map to play the secret one. It’s especially frustrating when the portal is located at the end of a stage, because that means you’ll need to replay the whole level just to get back to where you were. It’s a small design flaw, but it adds unnecessary "chores" to an otherwise smooth experience.

The Experience 🎮

Playing Astro Bot was the kind of experience that reminded me why I fell in love with video games in the first place. From the moment I finished the first "galaxy," it was clear to me that this wasn't just another platformer—it felt handcrafted, playful, and absolutely packed with charm. Every new world, every little secret, and every clever PlayStation reference made me have a grin on my face throughout the entire game.

It's a simple platformer, but it's so full of charm and heart that it's impossible not to be completely won over by Astro. Whether I was using Kratos' axe in a quick challenge, spotting a bot from one of my favorite franchises, or just running through a fun level with a fun gimmick, it all just clicked. There’s a kind of love and care baked into Astro Bot that’s hard to fake. It doesn’t rely on nostalgia alone, but it uses it in a way that feels earned. After 100%ing the game, I walked away with the sense that I’d just played one of the most thoughtful and polished platformers of this generation...and one that’s going to stay with me for a long time.

If you're interested, check the remaining of our Astro Bot coverage:

• Astro Bot: Stellar Speedway DLC;
  
• Astro Bot: Winter Wonder DLC;
  
• Astro Bot: Vicious Void DLC: Part I;
  
• Astro Bot: Vicious Void DLC: Part II (coming July 2025).