One of the harder tasks of being a parent of a toddler is introducing my son to video games. I can't necessarily play Space Marine 2 in front of him, so I actually have to select and select the spots. I used to be in the midst of reviewing Astro Bot when he got here in and saw me playing the video game while a cute hero ran around.

His eyes widened as he asked, “What is that?” I told him it was a robot, and he was delighted to observe the PlayStation mascot run, jump, and navigate platforms. I'd all the time assumed Mario could be his first memorable video game encounter, but Team Asobi's latest project is a piece as inventive and quirky as anything that comes out of Nintendo.

FROM TECH DEMO TO MAIN CHARACTER
The “Astro Bot” characters were first introduced as a tech demo for PlayStation VR, and that evolved right into a full-fledged virtual reality game called “Astro Bot Rescue Mission.” The robots made it to the PlayStation 5 as one other tech demo. The included software demonstrated the capabilities of the Dual Sense and the ability of the system, however the core experience, built on PlayStation nostalgia and inventive platforming gameplay, was promising.

This developed right into a spectacular experience for gamers. “Astro Bot” follows Captain Astro, who pilots a PS5-like ship, when an alien named Space Bully Nebulax attacks the spaceship and steals its CPU. The ship breaks apart and Captain Astro lands on a desert planet. His mission is to rebuild his ship and save as most of the 305 crew members as possible.

MARIO-LIKE PLATFORM GAME
Using his Dual Speeder spaceship, which looks just like the PS5 controller, players travel to worlds in six different systems, occasionally stopping off on the crash site. Much like a Mario game, each world has its own theme. Players will encounter lush tropical environments, haunted house stages, and Egyptian-style temples.

These varieties of levels are common in platform games, but Astro Bot puts a refreshing twist on them. Almost every level is linked to a special power-up. It attaches to Captain Astro and helps him climb or whiz through the air. Each device is vital to completing the world and adds a touch of playfulness to the extent design. It's comparable to the gimmicks of the Wonder Flowers in Super Mario Wonder.

Innovative design
The levels are built around this ability, offering greater than just the standard extra height for a jump or quick sprint through the degrees. In Downsize Surprise, players can shrink Captain Astro so he can investigate under plant pots or tiny holes where robot mice live. A second press enlarges the protagonist, and players must use this power to navigate a house-like level.

In the Bathhouse Battle, Captain Astro transforms right into a sponge that may suck up water to make the hero larger and crush enemies and smash obstacles. Because he's a sponge, the robot can squeeze the water out of himself to douse fiery enemies or enlarge other sponges nearby. “Astro Bot” is superb for letting players mess around with these unconventional powers.

Even the more conventional levels have some innovations inbuilt. The haunted house levels feature a lightbulb that Captain Astro must pick up to disclose invisible platforms, while the “Free Big Brother!” level requires players to free an enormous robot that has been tied up by villains. This robot later returns to assist the hero in other levels.

Some of the perfect worlds are based on popular PlayStation titles. These levels are unlocked after defeating the large bosses of the most important systems. Players play the “Astro Bot” versions of God of War, Uncharted, and other big hits. Team Asobi expertly captures the essence of those adventures while also offering a dose of nostalgia for long-time Sony fans. You'll also find other VIP bots, that are essentially video game cameos, scattered throughout each of the 75 levels.

Those searching for pure platforming challenges will find those at Team Asobi. Astro Bot features hidden levels that revolve across the PlayStation controller's front buttons. These require expert platforming know-how as players must overcome relentless obstacles. If they miss a jump and fall, they have to play the entire level again.

Even after completing the sport, I keep playing it because my son desires to “see robots.” The game's graphics are good and higher than among the animations he sees on YouTube. The only problem is that not all levels are suitable for young children. For that, the Crash Site is place. It serves because the fundamental base where Captain Astro sends all rescued bots. It's a world with few enemies where I can walk around and just explore and speak about among the video game characters I grew up with.

He shows some interest, but mostly he wants to observe me collect coins, and that's high-quality with me.

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“AstroBot”

4 out of 4 stars
Platform: PlayStation5
Evaluation: Everyone aged 10 and over