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Packaged games for new consoles are nothing new for PlayStation, but they haven’t exactly been big hits. Recently, The playroom on PlayStation 4 and Welcome park on PlayStation Vita there were more technical demos than games. In this case, Astro Game Room it succeeds in being both, and to a high degree.
Astro Game Room It comes pre-installed for free on the PlayStation 5, which launched on November 12. It’s a 3D platformer that, by its own description, “was created to show you some of the cool tricks possible with your DualSense wireless controller.” However, it is much more than just a demo of the PS5 controller. It is also an incredibly fun platform game.
From the title screen, the PS5’s DualSense controller begins to bounce and rattle in a way that the PlayStation 4’s DualShock 4 did not. This game uses four main tools that are new or improved on the new controller.
One of them is adaptive triggers, which have received a fair amount of publicity. The DualSense triggers can have variable voltage. They mostly look like a gimmick, but they’re awesome. In Astro Game Room, used to create a sense of resistance when pulling something or feedback when pulling a bow or firing a weapon. The kickback from a rapid firearm is something that could add a new dimension of immersion to shooters.
Screenshot: Astro Game Room
The touch panel may vibrate in response to your touch. There is a motion sensor, which is nothing new, but when combined with variable vibration it can create the illusion of something falling from inside the controller. Finally, the microphone can tell when you inhale. Holding my controller in my mouth and blowing on it to advance Astro Game Room it’s one of the weirdest things I’ve ever done in a video game.
Many of the implementations that the developer ASOBI Team has created are smart. The game as a complete package really shines. The platforms are responsive, the levels are fun and beautiful, and there are so many little details that put the game over the top. My favorite was that if you move Astro to face the screen, it will greet you.
Screenshot: Astro Game Room
There are PlayStation references everywhere. Each of the four areas of the game matches one of the four previous PlayStation systems. Astro also has cute idle themed animations. If you don’t touch the controller for a few seconds, Astro will appear on a PlayStation VR or sit down to play a Vita. The other bots are also worth keeping an eye on. They often do something adorable.
Screenshot: Astro Game Room
The game even has a good sense of humor about the history of the PlayStation. A set of collectibles are artifacts, which are various controllers and peripherals in the history of PlayStation. A PS VR processor unit was one of the artifacts. It came with the caption “Nobody really knows what happens there …”
This game is so good that it looks like Sony might have a new mascot on its hands with Astro. The Astro franchise technically started with The playroom in 2013 and continued with The VR game room three years later, but 2018 Astro Bot rescue mission it was the first full-featured game and it was a well-regarded virtual reality title. This game puts Astro Bot in front of a lot more people (eventually when the PS5s become more available) and it will make a good impression.
Screenshot: Astro Game Room
From a game perspective, most of the mechanics are typical of a 3D platformer. Jump from one place to another to reach the end of the level. There are different obstacles, some enemy robots, alternate paths, coins to grab, and plenty of collectibles. However, the game gets weird when the controller’s unique abilities are used.
My favorite was when Astro was ice skating. The controller gently vibrates to reproduce the blade scraping against the ice. When Astro takes a step to gain speed, the vibration differs from when Astro glides on ice.
Another highlight was a gymnastics-style high bar section. When Astro grabbed the bar, it really felt like it was bending with you based on the sound and vibration of the controller. There was a perfect amount of oscillating vibration to replicate the elastic bending stress.
Screenshot: Astro Game Room
Some of the more unusual mechanics are a bit tedious to control, but that’s where the short duration of the game works to its advantage. The game can be beaten in a couple of hours, a couple more if you want to collect everything. If you don’t like a section, it will be ready soon enough. If you like one, there’s a reason to come back and get collectibles.
Astro Game Room it’s a fun, stress-free time. It is worthy of a new generation of consoles. In the last eight months, the world has been terrible for many people and, at best, really annoying for almost everyone else. This game made me forget all that and I just enjoyed it. I could not stop smiling. It’s too short to call it a systems vendor, but it’s not a game people should skip over because it’s a bundle game.
Astro Game Room is available now as a free pre-installed game on PlayStation 5.
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