One of my earliest gaming memories is that I always used to play Rayman. Since then, I’ve barely looked back at platform games. In fact, I think it’s been about fifteen years since I last touched a platformer, let alone had any interest in one. My focus mostly shifted to games with compelling stories, and ideally, stunning graphics. Or to massive RPGs with beautiful worlds in which I could lose myself.
So when Astro Bot was announced, and the internet practically exploded with excitement, I couldn’t understand why. I didn’t have fond memories of Astro’s Playroom, as the triggers didn’t seem to work in a specific early game section. I thought it was a bug, but maybe I was just doing something wrong and gave up too quickly in hindsight.
But when Astro Bot received that overwhelming praise, I couldn’t ignore the fact that this must be a special game. This blog sometimes pushes me out of my comfort zone because I feel the need to stay somewhat informed about what’s happening in the industry. Still, 70 euros is a lot of money, especially in a time when big titles are being released left and right. So, I decided to dive back into the free Playroom first, just to make sure I wasn’t spending money on something that wasn’t for me after all.
At first, I had to get used to it again. But within an hour, I was so immersed in the cheerful, colourful, and downright delightful world of Astro that I couldn’t deny it any longer: this was an incredible experience. And if this was just an appetizer to Astro Bot, then the critics were absolutely right.
When I start up Astro Bot, I feel like that little kid again, having one of his first real gaming experiences with Rayman. No need to think about where the story is going, or trying to remember the names of important characters or locations. I can just switch off my brain, go with the flow, and have fun. My taste in games has naturally evolved over the years, but the core of it was always about one thing: pure entertainment.
And Astro Bot offers pure entertainment in spades. Just looking at the colourful, diverse levels already makes me smile. And I haven’t even mentioned the funny animations that happen constantly, the little sounds the bots make, the catchy soundtrack, and of course, the obvious nostalgia factor.
The interactivity also often brings a big grin to my face. Like when you can toss the rescued bots into the air by moving your controller. Or when you guide Astro to an empty beach chair, and he lies down, chills, and eventually falls asleep. Even a ‘snake bot’ isn’t something intimidating in this game, but simply a fun tool to swing around on.
And what about the special effects brought to life by the DualSense? Those satisfying sounds when we strike countless balls or bells that are scattered around. Or simply swiping through a sea of leaves, which all impressively flutter down, thanks to the accurate physics. My inner child is just as amazed as I was back then, jumping around with that limbless, blonde fellow.
As a kid, I always had a Gameboy glued to my hand. At family gatherings, my parents, uncles, and aunts would often talk about things I didn’t understand yet, so I focused on the worlds I did understand—those in the digital realm. And that’s exactly how it feels now, controlling that adorable little robot.
For a moment, there are no worries about work, challenging situations, or the household tasks that still need to be done. No stress, no problems. Just that same kid from back then, completely lost in a creation as special as everyone said it would be.
