Astro Bot [Review]

Astro Bot is one of those games that I wanted to open just to walk around in it. Filled with feelings of discovery and accomplishment, so intense with lots of different ideas, many originals and some kindly borrowed from other platformers.

One of those inventive games that use everything it can to wow players: controller speakers, haptics, mic, and gyro; in many and innovative ways. And it is always flawless, without the need to constantly calibrate or 'prepare' to play a certain section. Everything is seamless and works really well.

Flawless is almost a perfect word to describe this game. On the technical side, it is a showcase of artistry and sound design that not many projects in entertainment really deliver. This game has PHYSICS! Surfaces, fabrics, rubbers, and metals are relevant and interact with the world in believable ways; it is one of those games that if I am set to do something, anything really, it will probably work.

The platforming itself is almost as good as everything else, but some arbitrary sticky corners and ledges and not that fast and precise camera makes some stages either too easy or too hard. It is an exception, though, and the majority of stages are delightfully balanced in difficulty.

One other thing that bugged me as well is that some stages have some checkpoints that, when reached, I couldn't return to the previous part of the stage. Not a big issue, really.

It was about 22 hours of playtime for me to get all the bots and puzzle pieces. Gorgeous, fun, with great music, amazing art direction and inventive game design filled with PlayStation nostalgia. The only reason to avoid this game is if you're allergic to having a good time.

9/10