Astro's Playroom Reviews
Just as Astro Bot Rescue Mission was the perfect title to introduce PS VR, Astro's Playroom is a gem that works better than any manual or datasheet in creating a true man-machine relationship, informal, very pleasant and extremely fun. The DualSense proves to be an exceptional controller with absolutely unique sensory possibilities, able to bring the player even closer to gameplay, without upsetting but moving to a new and unknown level of intimacy that, VR aside, had never been achieved in the "traditional" video game. Its nature as a pre-installed software, which I strongly advise you to start before anything else, to end in an afternoon of non-stop play, gives the ASOBI work a resounding value in empathic terms and "first impact" with the new generation, communicating in the language of fun and surprise everything there is to know about the characteristics of the newcomer. A much more important goal.
Review in Italian | Read full review
With its much hyped status as a showcase of the DualSesne controller's fancy new haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, it's equally important to recognise that like Astro Bot before it, Astro's Playroom is a fundamentally excellent platformer that commendably stands on its own merits. Equal parts a stirring demonstration of the capabilities of the DualSense and PS5 console as it is an excellent traditional platformer, Astro's Playroom might just be the best pack-in title of all-time.
Alas, Astro’s Playroom is only a few astonishing, magical hours long. There are lots of collectibles to go after and a leaderboard driven speedrun mode, but when I finished I was still hungry for more. And that’s kind of the only criticism I can levy against it. The way it leverages PlayStation’s history, I can’t wait to see what irresistible creation Team ASOBI comes up with next. In the here and now, Astro Bot has earned a place in my heart among the very best of PlayStation’s franchises.
Astro's Playroom is deserving of every single superlative you're likely to hear associated with it. As a platformer, it's a varied and entertaining experience that's constantly introducing new and exciting ideas over the course of its campaign. And as a DualSense tech demo, it's similarly effective at showcasing the power and potential of Sony's new hardware. But perhaps above all, this is a love letter to the legacy of PlayStation, and it feels fitting that as we enter an exciting new chapter from an undeniably iconic gaming brand, we take a moment to remember the milestones that got us to this point.
All in all Astro's Playroom is a perfectly charming little platformer. It's obviously not a mind-blowing display, but as a game to get up to speed with how the PS5 operates and enjoy a look at some PlayStation hardware of day's gone it's hard to find fault. After all, it’s free and can be played while waiting for other games to install. What’s not to love?
As a showcase for the PS5 and DualSense, Astro's Playroom is more than just a tech demo; it's also a playful and remarkably fun platformer.
More than just a tech demo for the DualSense controller, Astro's Playroom is a stunning showcase for the PS5 and the very first game that you have to try out on the next-gen system. Fine-tuned for maximum haptic feedback fun, Astro's return is a marvel that celebrates the past and the future of the PlayStation.
Astro's Playroom is more than just the perfect demo to see the DualSense's capabilities. It is a PlayStation Celebration
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Astro's Playroom is a tangible demonstration of dualsense's incredible potential, but also the sublime meeting point between playstation's past and future. It is difficult, if not impossible, to determine at the moment whether the admirable route traced by ASOBI Team in exploiting the features of the new PS5 controller will remain a little beaten path or the high road taken by most. In doubt, it is still worth abandoning yourself to a colorful party that will make you laugh, entertain, excite and gasp. A very first step in the new generation of those not to be underestimated, as well as the perfect showcase of gaming in sensory format that Sony would like us to live on PlayStation 5 (celebrating its origins from A to Z in the meantime).
Review in Italian | Read full review
While many may initially see it as a throwaway free demo for the features of the next-generation console it comes installed on, Astro's Playroom is a wonderful surprise whose price does not speak to its quality. Though it certainly does showcase what the PlayStation 5's new DualSense can do, the game actually has far more value being just that: a game.
In the modern landscape it's easy to believe we've seen everything the medium has to offer, but then a title such as Astro's Playroom comes along and redefines all previous conventions. It's pure platforming excellence and hopefully spells a bright future for one of Sony's finest current mascots.
Astro's Playroom is a truly adorable and joyful platformer. Even if a bit short and not very difficult, it shows the potential of the DualSense as we go through some lovely levels with some funny ideas and a lot to remember about the whole PlayStation brand. Definitely worth your time.
Review in French | Read full review
Astro's Playroom is the epitome of the PlayStation 5. It's the foundational software kicking off the next generation of PlayStation gaming. ASOBI Team from Japan Studio could have just phoned it in with a handful of gimmicky levels to distract players while they wait for Miles Morales or Demon's Souls to download, but they didn't. They developed a full fun platforming experience that not only demonstrates the PS5, but celebrates 25 years of PlayStation history in some pretty special ways. It's a powerful showcase that honors everything that led to the "5" in PS5, while also providing a pretty clear picture of what makes this new generation so special.
While Astro's Playroom is designed as a tech demo for the PlayStaton 5's DualSense controller, Team ASOBI! have taken those extra steps to make the experience something truly memorable. I would urge anyone firing up their PS5 for the first time to make this their first stop on the path to next gen.
A love-letter to PlayStation and PlayStation fans, Astro's Playroom also happens to be the killer app for showing off just how cool the DualSense controller is. Whatever you do, don't forget about this one.
As a free pack-in game, Astro's Playroom is a great showcase of the new DualSense controller. More importantly though, it goes above and beyond in celebrating the history of PlayStation. There's throwbacks to PlayStation's greatest games and moments at every turn and it's a genuine delight from start to finish.
Astro’s Playroom serves as a stellar introduction to the PlayStation 5, working both as a persuasive proof of concept of the DualSense controller as well as an engaging 3D platformer. The fact that it’s also the most endearing celebration of Sony’s history in gaming to date just projects it into the upper echelon of meaningful launch titles.
More than a tech demo or a fleeting curiosity, Astro's Playroom is a phenomenal game in its own right that paints a bright future for both the PlayStation 5 and Astro himself
So the question heading into Astro's Playroom becomes - is it actually a game, or more of a tech demo to showcase the fancy new next-gen controller Sony has been cooking up for years?.