Astro’s Playroom
Astro’s Playroom is probably the star of the PlayStation 5’s launch lineup despite being the pack-in game on the system. What amounts to a glorified tech demo of the PS 5’s DualSense controller and Adaptive Triggers, it manages to capture decades worth of nostalgia in a small unassuming package. This game is a love letter to PlayStation fans the world over and is packed to the brim with amusing, cute and awesome sites of nostalgia scattered across it’s main hub (CPU Plaza) and it’s 4 main worlds (each filled with 4 levels each).
Amidst the romp through PlayStation history, there are numerous collectibles to be found by way of jigsaw puzzle pieces and PlayStation peripherals and hardware known as Artefacts. The puzzle pieces form one of 2 murals within the collectibles hub, known as PlayStation Labo, which is where all of the Artefacts will also be on display to investigate and appreciate.
The game play is simple enough and involves the typical platforming mechanics, but the purpose of the adventure is to show you how developers can utilize the new controller and the Adaptive Triggers. As an example, the game does a fantastic job of introducing elements that allow you to feel wind, through the improved rumble, the pressure of which forces you move at different angles. It also demonstrates the input pressure changes required to fully depress the triggers, like when getting a prize bubble from the claw vending machine and you need to “crush” the prize bubble open.
Japan Studios did an amazing job of building out the environments and each one is very unique and stands out on its own. Couple that with a great soundtrack and you’ll be hovering around gunning for all of the hidden treasures in no time. Add on the speed runs and online leader boards and there is some level of replayability here.
My only complaint about this game was that I wish it were longer. I really hope Sony fleshes this out into a larger adventure through DLC or creates a fully realized game because this could easily stand with other greats of the genre and deserves to have a full platforming experience on PS5.
9.2/10
