[GAME] Astro Bot (2024)
Astro Bot is one of the most delightful games of the year. I was previously very impressed with both the PSVR exclusive Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, and with the free tech demo packed in with the PS5, but with this release Team Asobi really took things up a notch.
Playing through this game evokes a sense of joy that was previously reserved for Nintendo games, and in particular 3D Mario platformers. Everything you do has a tangible effect on the world, and mechanics are introduced, squeezed for all their worth, and discarded in the space of a single 15 minute level. There is some truly exceptional level design here.
There are quite a lot of references to Sony properties here, and even some levels based around specific franchises. This at times feels a little bit excessive as the game is good enough not to need this kind of nostalgia referencing - it can absolutely stand on its own. Hopefully with a hypothetical sequel Team Asobi continue their wonderful, creative approach to level design and try to lean further into making Astro Bot its own, original franchise as opposed to something that can at times feel like Sony Smash Bros.