When Astro Bot dropped in September of 2024, it came with all the sparkle and polish you’d expect from PlayStation’s blue-tinted mascot. Critics loved it. Fans adored it. And for a hot minute, it felt like Astro was PlayStation’s answer to Mario – a fun-loving platformer icon with just enough charm to carry a franchise. But here we are, months later, and the hype has cooled. So let’s ask the real question: how is Astro Bot holding up now that the dust has settled?
After spending more time with it well beyond the launch window, revisiting stages, chasing collectibles, and exploring some of its deeper layers, the picture is a little clearer. This isn’t just a good game – it’s one that might’ve been overlooked as just another ‘cute’ platformer. But truthfully? There’s a lot more going on here.
A Platformer That Knows Exactly What It’s Doing
Astro Bot doesn’t waste your time. It knows what it is, what it wants to be, and how to deliver it with style. It’s playful without being childish, nostalgic without being lazy, and constantly inventive without turning into a gimmick-fest.
Each world is packed with clever platforming ideas that get just enough screen time to feel exciting, but never so much that they wear out their welcome. You’ll glide on wind currents, launch yourself through giant cannons, surf across gooey space jelly, and punch through breakable walls – all within the span of a single level. The design is tight, focused, and wonderfully playful.
The game leans heavily into PlayStation nostalgia, sure – but it doesn’t rest on that. Even if you stripped away the references to Kratos, Ratchet, and Solid Snake, Astro Bot still stands tall as a mechanically strong, creatively rich platformer.
Months Later, the Charm Still Holds
What’s maybe most surprising is just how well the charm has aged. A lot of games built on cutesy visuals and mascot energy lose their magic once the initial sugar rush fades. But Astro Bot? It still makes you smile.
The animations are ridiculously good. Astro’s little nods, gasps, and cheers feel alive, and every single action is backed with a satisfying bounce or rumble that connects you to the world. Months later, even after you’ve seen the gags and nods, it’s still fun to watch these tiny bots play out scenes in the background.
This is a game that clearly had a team behind it who cared deeply about the details. From the tiny particle effects when Astro skates on water to the punchy haptics when your hand cannon fires – everything feels deliberate.
Is There Depth Beyond the Gimmicks?
This is where opinions start to split. On the surface, Astro Bot, which had five brand new levels added earlier this year, is a pretty breezy experience. It’s not punishingly hard, and most levels can be cleared without too much trouble. But if you’re just playing to reach the credits, you’re missing half the game.
Hidden throughout each level are collectibles, secrets, bonus bots, and alternate paths that demand precision and timing. The deeper you dig, the more the game reveals its teeth. Speedrun challenges, boss rushes, and optional harder routes give the game legs – especially for those looking for a platinum trophy.
The combat, while still simple, evolves as you unlock more gadgets. There’s actual satisfaction in stringing together melee punches with gadget moves and aerial dodges. It never becomes complex, but it doesn’t have to. The joy comes from flow, not friction.
Boss Fights, Set Pieces, and the Big Moments
Every good platformer needs memorable boss fights, and Astro Bot delivers in spades. Each one is a spectacle – big, bold, and often hilariously absurd. One moment you’re dodging the stomps of a giant bear-shaped rocket mech, the next you’re climbing a robotic monkey that flings lava with PlayStation-branded bananas. Yeah, it’s weird, but it works.
Months after launch, these set pieces are still fun to revisit. There’s a cinematic quality to them that makes them more than just mechanical challenges – they’re visual showcases too.
The final levels, in particular, go all-out. There’s a constant escalation in both gameplay and spectacle, and the last stretch of the game ties everything together in a way that feels earned. Even after the credits roll, there’s a reason to go back – whether it’s to clean up missed bots or just replay your favourite stages.
Does It Have That Replay Power?
Here’s the thing: yes, it absolutely does. This is one of those rare games you can return to after a long break and still find satisfying. It plays fast. It runs like a dream. And it just feels good to move around in.
There’s also a lot to love for trophy hunters and completionists. Chasing the 100% is legitimately fun thanks to the game’s snappy structure and fast reloads. The VR-style hub world also gives you reason to revisit unlocked characters and build out your collection.
Unlike so many games that burn bright and then fade into the backlog, Astro Bot has lasting power. Not in the sense of daily logins or battle passes, but in that it’s comfort food gaming. The kind of thing you fire up for 30 minutes and leave with a smile.
So… Has Astro Earned a Place Next to the Greats?
This is the big one, right? Can Astro stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the platforming elite – your Marios, your Kirbys, your Sackboys?
Honestly? At this point, yeah. Astro Bot has quietly carved out a space for itself as one of the best modern 3D platformers, and it’s not even close. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but what it does do, it does exceptionally well.
If PlayStation keeps nurturing this little bot, giving him room to experiment and grow, he could very well become the face of fun-first, polish-packed gaming on Sony’s ecosystem. The seeds are already planted.
Final Verdict – Still a Must-Play?
Absolutely. Whether you skipped it at launch or just forgot about it in the post-release flood, Astro Bot is more than worth circling back to. The charm holds up. The mechanics hold up. And above all, it’s just fun. Months later, that’s what matters most.
This isn’t just a nostalgia ride. It’s a platformer firing on all cylinders – and it proves that Astro isn’t just a tech demo mascot anymore. He’s the real deal.
