Microsoft has the Master Chief.
However, Sony haslong struggled to have consistent brandingfor its mascots.
Sackboy was supposed to take that title, but hes been supplanted by a little robot called Astro.
Astro Bot’s various levels include power ups, like the dog companion that rockets Astro forward in a straight line.Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment.
It doesnt have just one mascot; it now has dozens.
Astro Botis an expanded version of the demo game that comes pre-installed on all PlayStation 5 consoles.
I wasnt alone in feeling surprised thatAstros Playroomwas as good as it was after I first unboxed my PS5.
Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment.
It had tight controls that took advantage of the DualSenses haptic triggers far better than any game has since.
It was a cute diversion with the added benefit that it was honestly creative and fun to play.
It was stuffed full of enough collectible Sony memorabilia to soften the eyes of longtime PlayStation fans.
Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment.
All the coins are emblazoned with PlayStation logos.
Your rocketship is literally a PlayStation 5 DualSense controller you’re able to command with motion controls.
I played through three levels ofAstro Bot, plus two challenge stages.
The controls involve jumping, hovering, attacking, and holding the attack button to do a spin move.
The novelty comes from the various power-ups you get from each level.
In my demo, one of them blew up Astro like a blimp for simple platforming puzzles.
Another, shaped like a dog, makes Astro rocket forward in a straight line.
The more I played, the more I stopped worrying and learned to love the PlayStation-themed set-dressing.
Those main levels were perhaps too easy for anybody experienced in these types of games.
Astro Bot comes out Sept. 6 only on PS5 for $60.
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