Each PlayStation 5 console will include a copy of the Astro game room, a joyful platform game based on the Astro Bot rescue mission PS VR game. But a new game demo by Geoff Keighley shows the true purpose of the game: introducing gamers to the console’s new DualSense controller, which adds a ton of innovations in addition to the DualShock 4’s long list of features.
Keighley’s practice marks the first public demonstration of the new controller outside of Sony, and offers the best insight into what to expect this fall. According to Keighley, the DualSense is heavier than the DualShock 4, and it has more “weight, in a good way.” But the most interesting part of the video comes from its short replay of Astro game room, which as it shows Keighley is specially designed to showcase the new and old DualSense features.
One part sees Astro jumping in a spring-loaded frog suit, which provides what Keighley describes as a “unique feeling” of tension as the spring compresses. It also describes haptic feedback as providing different sensations when Astro is fighting through the arena, running normally, or bouncing off blocks of ice. Other parts of the demo introduce players to the use of swipe gestures on the return touchpad or the use of the newly added built-in microphone to “blow up” a fan.
Keighley also highlighted the enhanced audio effects of the built-in speaker, which he describes as offering “more range” than the DualShock 4, with deeper links to on-screen gaming and haptic feedback. For example, you can hear Astro’s footsteps running on a beach or the individual pings and jingles of ice blocks moving aside.
The title is very reminiscent of The playroom, a package title that came pre-installed on PlayStation 4 to showcase the new PlayStation camera and DualShock 4 controller. (Although, where the original Playroom the demo required a camera accessory, it seems like Astro game room You won’t need any new hardware beyond what comes in the PlayStation 5 box.)
Sony has yet to announce a price or release date for the PlayStation 5, but the company has promised that it will be out sometime this holiday season.
