ASTRO BOT

Fun fact: when attending big showcases, invitations to go hands-on don’t always say what games you’ll be playing.

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Usually, because they haven’t yet been properly announced. Which had us umming and ahhing about what Mystery Sony Game was going to actually be. Top of our mostwanted list though, was Astro Bot. It’s never felt better to be right.

The game has long been rumoured to be in development, ever since Team Asobi, the developer of PS5 pack-in Astro’s Playroom, was spun out of the shuttered Japan Studio. The PS5 launch game was so much fun we still find ourselves booting it up to noodle around its stages and be reminded of the console’s full potential – which many others still can’t touch. Yet, as a free title, it’s short but sweet. Can the concept even carry a full-length release? So far, this bot is bobbing his head up and down: yes, absolutely.

HE’S A REAL BOT

In fact, we’re more confident in our love of the new robo PlayStation mascot than ever. When announced at the PlayStation State Of Play, the game was the star of the show – it has shot up preorder lists. What’s more, just as we left our own session with the game abuzz with excitement, a revolving door of other peers who also had time with the game felt the same – it’s all anyone wants to talk about. Comparisons to rival mascot platformers are often part of those conversations, but in this case lil’ technician Astro Bot feels as good to control through his opening stages, if not better, than his premium plumber competition.