GAMERS DECIDE - astro's playroom

Is Astro's Playroom Good?

Nickolas W. — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 19:20:01 +0000

Is Astro's Playroom Good?

Look at the cute little robot! Astro’s Playroom is a bit of an oddity to review, as the only way to obtain it as far as I know is to buy a PS5. It's a pack-in game pretty much, already downloaded to any PS5 you might obtain. So there’s not really much of a purchase to be made here, since I doubt anyone is buying a PS5 just for this little guy. Therefore, this review will focus more on whether it's worth playing or not. So let us begin.

10. Graphics

Astro looks beautiful, even when jumping into a fan or the ocean

If like me this is your first PS5 game, you will be blown away by the visual performance (unless you have a beefy PC). It is a cartoony game of course, so it's not quite the same as seeing a more realistic game on the console. But it's still a very impressive first impression.

9. Gameplay

When tightrope walking contains a reference

Astro’s Playroom is a pretty simple 3D platformer, not much new in that regard. The power of the new console makes it much smoother, but it's nothing platformer fans aren’t used to.

There’s also some other bits of gameplay that break up the basic platforming, and they’re… fine? Some of these control kind of awkwardly and take some getting used to. Definitely the part of the game I was least fond of, but they never lasted too long at least.

8. Combat

These guys are kind of neat I guess

As expected from a simple platformer, there isn’t too much to the combat here. You can punch enemies as well as hit them with a jet stream while jumping. Aside from some situational attacks that are pretty obvious when they come, that’s about it.

So actually playing the game is for the most part simple and inoffensive… which is exactly what it should be. For what this game is, complicated game mechanics would get in the way. So having something you can get accustomed to quickly and explore the game is precisely what it needs.

7. Music

You know it's weird when a song about modern hardware is written on a cave wall

Aside from one notable exception I have featured in both the above image and through a link down below, Astro’s Playroom has about the sort of music you’d expect from a game like this. That is generally relaxing music that fits the mood, escalating in moments it's needed. It's a relatively solid soundtrack, but for the most part not super memorable.

And then one level, the GPU Jungle, has this song playing (the link below). It's not the greatest song ever, no. But it features a singing GPU you can see in the level, and the lyrics of the song are written on the walls of caves. I have to give it points for creativity here, cause that is very unique.

GPU Jungle FULL SONG “I’m Your GPU” - Astro's Playroom

6. Story

Big Brother looking for scraps of plot

Astro’s Playroom has…. a skeleton of a story? There’s something about Astro visiting each of the worlds to acquire their artifacts and restore the main hub area… yeah that’s kind of reaching.

Calling this story barebones would be an understatement. But really, it's not a bad thing. A complicated story would, like with the gameplay, get in the way of what this game is trying to accomplish: showcase what your new PS5 can do.

5. Characters

Astro and his many friends

Look at all the cute little robots! Unsurprisingly, these guys make up nearly the entire cast of this game, so at least they’re a pleasant design. There is a giant one who shows up very rarely seen above, but aside from that its little robots all around.

Astro himself seems to be quite similar to these guys, just more advanced. This isn’t actually his first outing as he was introduced in a PS4 VR game, so if there were more explanations there, I am unaware of them. But considering the light nature of the “story”, I doubt there’s much to explain. Just a bunch of goofy robots.

4. PS5 Showcase

Welcome to a giant burst of nostalgia, now faster than ever

Let’s not beat around the bush any longer: Astro’s Playroom’s main purpose is as a PS5 tech demo. It's a game you boot up when you get the system and marvel at how impressively it can do things.

And as far as tech demos go, this is unquestionably one of the better ones. Most are not proper games, and this one can take around 5-10 hours to do everything. So for a free showcase of the console, you could easily do much worse.

3. Fun Factor

This guy’s definitely having a good time

Yes. Yes, this game is extremely fun (aside from some of the other control stuff, but luckily they’re short). So for the most part, Astro’s Playroom is smooth and fun platforming with very few hiccups, running nearly flawlessly on the PS5.

There is one little thing I neglected to mention until now that does hamper this a bit: Astro dies in one hit. Thankfully there’s a lot of checkpoints, but this definitely can get annoying. Especially in boss battles where you have to hit them multiple times while avoiding increasingly complicated waves of projectiles. It's never too difficult, but this does stand out a bit with how ease of access the rest of the game is.

2. Replayability

Astro resting for another go at it

While I wasn’t exactly raring to go again right away, yeah, I would say Astro’s Playroom is very replayable. I did just that to an extent when I went for 100% completion, a task that is rather easy and largely enjoyable here. The hardest part was the speedrun trials trophy, which did take some time.

But for anyone who enjoys 3D platformers, there certainly is a lot of fun to be had here on your first, second, third, or even fourth playthrough. It definitely is a game well suited to returning to get better at, or even just to have some fun.

1. Nostalgia Factor

Totally not an instantly recognizable weapon, nooooooooo……

Yeah, I had to end with this. For while Astro is slowly becoming an important part of Playstation itself, it thrives on referencing that which came before it.

If you played a notable game on a Playstation console or handheld in the past, the chances are pretty high you’ll find it referenced here. Some are extremely obvious, like the Buster Sword above or a literal Crash Bandicoot complete with Wumpa Fruit. Others require a bit more thinking to catch, such as Patapon cave drawings or a distant giant robot referencing Shadow of the Colossus.

That is but a sampling of what you will find here, for there is a LOT. And that’s not even getting into the Playstation history consoles and accessories that feature as collectibles and show up in a plaza in the game’s hub once collected. Ever want to climb a PS2? Now you can.

In the end, Astro’s Playroom is absolutely worth playing at least once. Whether it's a brief dive-in to check it out or a full 100% playthrough, this tech demo will certainly be one you won’t forget.

Score: 9.5

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https://www.gamersdecide.com/pc-game-news/ps5-console-revealed-heres-list-confirmed-games

https://www.gamersdecide.com/pc-game-news/ps5-reveal-trailer-and-what-we-know-so-far

https://www.gamersdecide.com/articles/free-platformer-games

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A bunch of Astro bots trying to Pikmin a controller

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[Top 10] Best PS5 Kids Games (That Are Fun)

Jess — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:34:11 +0000

10. Kena: Bridge of Spirits (PS4, PS5, PC)

Kena: Bridge of Spirits - State of Play Trailer | PS5, PS4

Any indie game that manages to rival a triple A title like God of War definitely deserves commemoration. You play as Kena on a quest to aid spirits from moving on into the afterlife and save a forest village from an evil darkness.

While it may not have the polish of a triple A game, Kena’s smooth control scheme, wicked arsenal and swooning story is all you need to get lost in this whimsical adventure. Many games are rivaling Pixar studios and for an indie game to do that definitely puts it as one of the top indie games out there.

9. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time (PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5)

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time – Gameplay Launch Trailer | PS4

Toys for Bob were really put to the test on this one, too see how they can follow up from Naughty’s Dog’s master trilogy, and guess what, they succeeded. This is a direct sequel to Crash Bandicoot Warped where Crash and team have to save the world from a complete tear in time.

Crash Bandicoot 4 is as smooth and fun as the trilogy remake and Toys for Bob really knew how to keep the spirit of Naughty Dogs' vision from over two decades ago with both fresh and familiar features, a perfect follow up to veterans and newcomers alike.

8. Bugsnax (PS4, PC, PS5)

Bugsnax - Launch Trailer | PS4, PS5

Another colourful, childrens-looking adventure with heavy themes of mental health and… climate change? You are a critter traversing the island of Snathtooth on the hunt of various species of bugsnax while also searching for your lost friend.

There’s a variety of fun and creative ways of discovering over 100 species of bugnsax and laying out traps for them to bring back to your camp. But this isn’t just a run-of-the-mill, cartoony adventure, as there is so much care put into the writing and character voices, you can tell just how passionate the developers were when crafting this adorably weird world.

7. Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS4, PS5)

Sackboy: A Big Adventure - Story Trailer | PS5

In this endearing spin-off to Little Big Planet, Sackboy finds himself having to save his village from the evil Vex. This game puts a lot of focus on co-op level design and offers a fresh new take on the old formula.

The aesthetics pop for your eyes delight, and offer a rich variety of levels from ancient backdrops to futuristic spaceports. The music will make you want to groove with funk beats and epic scores and gameplay is fun, zany and cute and is sure to be loved by any fan of the original Little Big Planet.

6. Astro’s Playroom (PS5)

Astro's Playroom - Gameplay Trailer l PS5

The quintessential PS5 family and children's game. The game takes place inside the hub of a PS5, where you can explore, platform, and experience PS5’s new DualSense mechanics; all while playing as a cute robot a la Wall-E.

This game is a lot of fun if you’re a platforming fan, the controls are sharp, and yes, the dualsense controller is totally worth it as it puts you in a rich, immersive experience. The set design is outstanding, the characters are cute, and it is definitely fun for the whole family and a perfect introduction to the PS5 system. Oh yeah, and the game is free.

5. Spider-Man Miles Morales (PS4, PS5)

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Launch Trailer I PS5, PS4

If you’re a fan of 2018’s Spider-Man, this next chapter to quench our spidey-thirst before Spider-Man 2 is the perfect game for you. Peter Parker is on a well deserved vacation and now you get to swing as Miles as he finds his own identity.

The storytelling is fresh and does Miles justice without rehashing the first game and swinging is just as addictive as ever. Everything wraps up nicely and the stage is set perfectly for the next installment.

4. Chicory: A Colorful Tale (PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5)

Chicory: A Colorful Tale - Official Trailer | PS5, PS4

If our last entry was a storybook, then this is more like a colouring book come to life. Beloved artist, Chicory, has gone missing and it’s up to you to pick up her brush and fill in the colours of the world.

While it would have been fun just colouring in the world on its own, Chicory cleverly uses it’s paintbrush theme as a puzzle tool and fills you with charm and wonder as you name your character after your favorite food. If that wasn’t enough, there is a compelling story here with rich themes of tackling mental health issues and you’re own inner critic. Who knew a live-action colouring book could be so deep?

3. Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC, PS5)

Alba: a Wildlife Adventure - Accolade Trailer

Not all kids games need to be high octane adventures. Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is a down-to-earth story about tweenager, Alba Singh, visiting her grandparents in Spain and forms a wildlife rescue league.

The game’s not very long, but it is a wholesome experience with wholesome characters. It is surprisingly fun to explore the fictional Secarral as you engage in meaningful sidequests and snap some animals for your nature journal. If you want a break from shooters, explosions, and beating up bad guys, take a vacation, why don’t you, in this calm and serene adventure?

2. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5)

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Launch Trailer I PS5

It would seem its primetime for Insomniac Games as they’ve done it again with another installment of Ratchet & Clank. In Rift Apart we see our heroes having to hop interdimensional space after Dr. Nefarious literally “rifts” the universe apart.

To say the gameplay is fun and smooth would be an understatement. Given the timey-wimey tools at your disposal this game is an adrenaline rush of a shoot ‘em and beat ‘em ups but somehow still knows how to fill you with heart and feel good moments.

1. Spider-Man (PS4, PS5)

Marvel’s Spider-Man – SDCC 2018 Story Trailer | PS4

They did it! Spider-Man delivers on everything you’d expect from a post-Arkham, superhero IP. Here, Peter Parker is a veteran hero and must take on foes old and new to keep New York safe.

The best aspect of the game is the swinging mechanics, and being able to traverse the airways of the big apple has never been made more satisfying and addictive than it is here. Combat is as slick as Spider-Man himself, and the wise-cracking web-crawler is top notch as ever. And we can’t forget all of the gut wrenching character moments that take place throughout the narrative that provides a classic Spider-Man story for years to come.

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For the inner child in all of us

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[Top 10] Best PS5 Family Games That Are Fun

Jess — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 15:15:08 +0000

10. Just Dance 2022 (PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PS5)

Just Dance 2022 - Gameplay Reveal Trailer | PS5, PS4

If you’re in need of some family time, a good workout, and a little bit of fun, then do as the game says: just dance.

Ubisoft brings it again in the long running Just Dance series bringing you top hits from today and yesteryear. Everything this franchise offers is kid friendly, but in case you feel the youngins may need a little more “kid friendly” content, 2022 offers a kids section, so there’s no reason you can’t get the whole family involved.

9. Hot Wheels Unleashed (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5)

Hot Wheels Unleashed - Gameplay Trailer | PS5, PS4

Time for a nostalgia trip, because Hot Wheels are back from your bedroom to your 4K television set! Hot Wheels Unleashed is a racing game that features, well, you know, as you race around familiar environments like you did as a kid.

The cars are small and tracks are customizable just like they were in real life and you can build tracks along your living room, kitchen, office and other interiors just like it. The classic arcade gameplay runs like a dream, drifting is satisfying and races are intense just as they should be. Grab your mom, dad, brother or sister and take a hell of a ride, you won’t regret it.

8. Overcooked! All You Can Eat (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5)

Overcooked! All You Can Eat - Launch Trailer | PS5

There can never be too many cooks in the kitchen in this zany adventure. Overcooked is where 2 to 4 players must journey through a variety of cruel and unusual kitchens to become master chefs in order to defeat an ancient, edible evil that plagues the land.

All You Can Eat includes all the treats laid out in the first two installments and gives you a high res experience on next gen. If you’ve never played this before then now’s never been a better time to hop in with 3 of your friends and get slicing and dicing before the world ends. Controls are slick, gameplay is hilarious and the environments are quite literally, out of this world. A great party game! No cooking experience required.

7. The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC, PS5)

The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf - Launch Trailer | PS5, PS4

The Smurfs really know how to make a comeback; 70 years later and they’ve made it on gaming consoles in a quaint and charming way. In this story, Papa Smurf asks his fellow Smurfs to help him find ingredients for an antidote called Vileaf to help stop the evil wizard, Gargamel, from destroying their plants.

This game makes great use of popular characters and is a fun time for fans and newcomers alike. The platforming mechanics, while not revolutionary, does its job just fine and runs as smoothly as you’d expect. Grab your kids and bop along mushrooms and enemies in this charming addition to Smurfs lore.

6. MLB The Show 21 (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PS5)

MLB The Show 21 – Accolades Trailer | PS5, PS4

The greatest baseball simulator of all time comes back with some big upgrades. MLB The Show 21, is Sony San Diego’s 16th installment of MLB The Show’s franchise, and they have certainly shown no signs of slowing down.

The thing that stands out most in this installment is the Custom Stadium Creator, where players can, well, you guessed it, customize their own stadium. But it doesn’t end there, you can even customize the cities behind those stadium walls! There are a ton of other great features that let you refine your game and with the PS5’s dual sense controller and pulse 3D headphones this is one of the most immersive baseball experiences yet.

5. Bugsnax (PS4, PC, PS5)

Bugsnax - Launch Trailer | PS4, PS5

4. FIFA 22 (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC, PS5)

FIFA 22 - Official Gameplay Trailer | PS5, PS4

2022 and your favourite football/soccer simulator has made it to 4K. FIFA 22 is the 29th installment in the FIFA series and so far has shown no signs of letting up.

This is the first FIFA to introduce Hypermotion, which allows more fluidity in the simulation. EA had to generate over 4000 new animations that they harvested from real life matches. That combined with upscaled character models easily makes this the best looking FIFA yet. You can now even create your own club and stadium in career mode, so grab some friends and partake in some whacky mini-games or a full blown match like never before.

3. Kena: Bridge of Spirits (PS4, PS5, PC)

Kena: Bridge of Spirits - State of Play Trailer | PS5, PS4

2. Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS4, PS5)

Sackboy: A Big Adventure - Story Trailer | PS5

1. Astro’s Playroom (PS5)

Astro's Playroom - Gameplay Trailer l PS5

In a list that’s all about Playstation 5 and family games, there’s no way Astro’s Playroom wasn’t going to be number 1. The game takes place inside the hub of a PS5, where you can explore, platform, and experience PS5’s new DualSense mechanics; all while playing as a cute robot a la Wall-E.

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PlayStation's got a family too

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