PlayStation's Fresh Mascot: Astro Bot Takes Center Stage
New and Improved Tack:
Sony's struggled to lock down a consistent brand mascot for decades, with names like Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, Sly Cooper, and God of War failing to stand out as the face of PlayStation. But that could all change with the arrival of Astro, a pint-sized robot who's now leading his own game in 2023. This shift is particularly significant due to the lack of major Sony exclusives in 2024, creating a perfect opening for Astro to shine.
Astro Bot is an upgraded version of the free pre-installed demo game that comes with every PlayStation 5 console. It knocked everyone's socks off with its tight controls, showcasing the DualSense's haptic triggers to impressive effect. The game was a delightfully entertaining diversion, filled to the brim with Sony memorabilia that would bring a tear to any longtime PlayStation fan's eye.
The question was, would Sony and developer Team Asobi be able to elevate Astro from a quirky sidekick to the main hero of his own game? Despite initial reservations about a game that seemed like a PR blitz for PlayStation, I soon discovered that it was anything but. The PlayStation branding isn't just there for show – it's part of the experience. Every PlayStation logo, from the coins to the mothership, contributes to the game's immersive world.
The story is straightforward: Your PS5 mothership gets wrecked, and it's up to Astro to rescue dozens of stranded Astro bots scattered across the galaxy. The controls are familiar – jump, hover, attack, and spin – but the variety of power-ups keeps things refreshing. I was blown away (quite literally) by a power-up that transformed Astro into a blimp, and another that turned him into a fast-moving dog. For a boss battle against a giant squid reminiscent of Super Mario Sunshine's Blooper fight, Astro was equipped with spring-powered boxing gloves.
Despite some initial skepticism, I quickly grew fond of the PlayStation-themed environments, thanks to the expressive character animations. The enemies and characters ooze charm with wide grins or sinister leers. Even recognizable faces from PlayStation's past, like PaRappa the Rapper and an adorable bot-ified Kratos, made an appearance.
Astro Bot isn't the most innovative 3D platformer I've ever played, but it offers plenty of enjoyable interactions, like the rocket pack that can launch enemies off the stage or bounce them on specific pads. The main levels might be a bit too easy for seasoned gamers, but the challenge stages require more precision and quick thinking.
I'm eager to see if the game can maintain its charm and inventiveness across all 50 stages. For less experienced platformer players, Astro Bot looks like it could be a fantastic place to start, hitting stores September 6 exclusively on PS5 for $60.
- The arrival of Astro, a robot mascot, could potentially establish a consistent brand identity for PlayStation in the future, overshadowing previous mascots like Sly Cooper and Jak and Daxter.
- The expressive character animations and PlayStation-themed environments in Astro Bot significantly contributed to the game's immersive world, notably featuring recognizable faces from PlayStation's past such as PaRappa the Rapper and a bot-ified Kratos.
- Hovering, spinning, and attacking through various levels and boss battles in Astro Bot, players can enjoy a unique experience that showcases the DualSense controller's technology, offering haptic feedback and expressive gameplay.
- Astro Bot offers a blend of enjoyable, interactive gameplay aspects, including the rocket pack for launching enemies and bouncing them on specific pads, and challenges stages that push platformer skills to the limit for seasoned gamers.
