Astro’s Playroom is a fantastic showcase of the PS5 and Dualsense controller and a fun little game overall. It’s relaxing to play and full of collectibles and Playstation references, making this a great first game to play on your PS5.
Astro’s Playroom
Developer: Team ASOB
Price: Free (Pre-installed on all PS5 consoles)
Platforms: PS5 (reviewed)
Since it comes with the PS5, it’s fair to say that most people will play Astro’s Playroom at some point. If you’re not sure as to whether or not it’s worth it, I’m here to tell you that it definitely is. It’s like if Sony made their own free platformer with elements of Nintendoland, all while cleverly taking advantage of the PS5’s many new features.
As the game starts, you’re given a brief interactive overview of the features of the Dualsense controller. It’s a fun way to get you familiar with the hardware, as you can mess around with the controller as it guides you through things. You’re then put into the PS5, where you’re given a number of levels to choose between. Each is based on a different part of the PS5, like the GPU Jungle and Memory Meadow. Each level has its own theme that makes it stand out from the rest, as they cleverly mix fantastical environments with parts of the PS5. It’s never too challenging (understandably,) but it’s never boring either. Astro controls well and feels perfectly weighted, making platforming a pleasant and breezy experience.
For most of Astro, you’ll primarily be jumping through stages while hitting away enemies to collect coins. These coins can be used on a gachapon machine to unlock dioramas and relics of Playstation’s history from the PS1 to the PS5. It’s a nice touch that makes the HUB much nicer while tipping a hat to even the most obscure Playstation consoles and peripherals. I’m a bit biased, but I adored seeing the Vita love that Astro has in its collectibles. If that wasn’t enough for you, there are tons of Playstation references littered throughout each stage in the form of Astrobots that are dressed up. From Devil May Cry’s Dante to the rabbit from Jumping Flash, it feels like everything Playstation has had a hand in is represented one way or another, which made me smile quite a bit.
“Throw in some very catchy music that is themed around whatever level you’re in, and you have some very memorable stages.“
Throughout the stages, there are a number of transformations that allow you to traverse environments in different ways. From a large monkey that uses motion control to a rocket that shows off the Dualsense’s adaptive triggers, the transformations let you try everything the controller has to offer while providing gameplay variety in each stage. You go back to controlling Astro just before each transformation would become dull, which I appreciate.
Despite having such a simple visual style, Astro looks great. The clear water on the Cooling Beach looks sharp and gorgeous, as do the various weather effects and backgrounds of each stage. Throw in some very catchy music that is themed around whatever level you’re in, and you have some very memorable stages.
The Final Word
Astro’s Playroom is a light and fun platformer that serves as a fantastic introduction to the Playstation 5. It’s not the longest game, but the way it uses the Dualsense and references Playstation’s history is enough to make any Playstation fan hyped as they enter the new console generation.
MonsterVine Rating: 4.5 out of 5 – Great
