After the third and final use of the Hang Glider, on the right you’ll find a Bot in a slingshot, which you can Punch to send flying into some boxes. This references the 2007 game PAIN on PlayStation 3, developed by Idol Minds. It’s notable for becoming the most popular downloadable game on the PlayStation Network at the time.

In addition to these Special Bots, the PlayStation Labo received an update, so we invite you to check it out and add new artefacts to your collection. We will be back soon with 2 more riddles on the run-up to the release of Astro Bot. And by the looks of it, we might have to make the next ones even harder. Thank you all for playing along with us, and we will see you soon! First, he was a newsman in the Technology department, over time he began to get involved in games and journalism, as well as edit and supervise the Technology newsroom. He previously shared his thoughts on video games in, e.g. various thematic groups.

Astro’s Playroom

This references 2001’s Devil May Cry on PS2, developed by Capcom Production Studio 4. This scene depicts protagonist Dante keeping a Marionette enemy in the air by constantly shooting at him, showcasing the franchise’s famous juggling mechanic. Also right after the third Hang Glider use, look for a lower area to jump down to near the ramp with the Wires sticking out. Here you’ll see a Bot with a triangular object on its head pulling a hapless victim. This is Pyramid Head from 2001’s Silent Hill 2 on PS2, developed by Team Silen in Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo. Pyramid Head is a manifestation of the protagonist James Sunderland’s guilt and want for punishment.

Downloadable Content

But in all honesty, this isn’t so much a game as it is a showpiece for what the DualSense controller can do. And as a result, this isn’t so much a review, as it is an opportunity to highlight how well the features on the PS5 controller work. These four bots are completely optional, so if you don’t have the time (or the storage space to redownload Astro’s Playroom), know that they won’t give you much of an advantage in Astro Bot. Bots are used to access new areas and puzzles, and since you’ll encounter most of the 300 bots in the sequel without too much effort, you can unlock what you need without what Astro’s Playroom can give you. And yet, even when Astro is pulling off his most basic moves in familiar environments, this game feels revelatory. The PS5’s new controller combines a built-in speaker with vibrating haptics to make interacting with the world feel like it’s literally happening in your hand.

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It deserves a place among the greats though – Astro’s Playroom has the coherence, character and abundance of ideas, executed with real clarity, of the very best platformers. The slight downside is that Astro’s Playroom is concise, as completing the game will take you an hour and a half. However, there are many collectibles to obtain, and Team Asobi has added free content updates.

The list goes on, and while some mechanics feel like gimmicks (steering with motion controls will never be fun), the majority of them are cool. Even more than that, they make a substantial difference in your connection to the action, conveying an amazing tactile sense of the world. In the game, you control your little character as he jumps, dodges and explores his way around the levels.

During the side-path to the PSone LCD Monitor, you’ll find a Bot in samurai attire next to a tree. This refers to Jin Sakai and the tree in his childhood home, as seen in 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima on PS4, developed by Sucker Punch. Ghost of Tsushima was the last first-party PlayStation game developed exclusively for the PS4, after which the PS5 released. F168 on PS3, made by thatgamecompany. Jump onto the thin ledge behind the tree and head left to the Everybody’s Golf VR easter egg. From here you can jump back down to cloud blowing the rotating platform, with the Piposaru container nearby.

This references 2015’s Until Dawn on PS4 by Supermassive Games. The purple beanie refers to character Ashley Brown, while the one next to it with classes is Christopher Hartley. Further along the beach from the God of War easter egg is a giant Bot head. This is a reference to 2006’s LocoRoco for PSP, developed by SIE Japan Studio. Punching it will cause it to split into many tiny heads that then merge together, referencing the signature ability of the LocoRoco.

For instance, in one area, Astro is atop a floating ice chunk attached to a pinwheel. The game’s also loaded with hidden items, which will appeal to players who like to collect trophies or find more to do once they finish a level. Completing levels unlocks rewards, encouraging players to replay. AR Bots is a minigame that places forty robots in the DualShock 4 controller, which can be seen by swiping down on the touch pad in-game. When in the in-controller view, players can interact with the robots through the controller, utilizing the motion sensor and the buttons.