Astros Playroom Review: A Stellar Showpiece For Ps5 & Dualsense Controller

It uses planar magnetic driver tech to deliver higher-quality sound compared to older earbuds. The case also allows you to charge the earbuds, which is what the light bar on the bottom of it is for. The “Slim” model of the PlayStation 5 is 30% smaller than the launch model and replaces the front USB “Standard-A” port with a second “Type-C” port. Perhaps the most significant adjustment is that the Digital Edition could be upgraded with a disc drive, which the launch model was unable to do.

An Astro Bop – Music & Audio In Astro’s Playroom

I don’t hide the fact that I’m a genuine PlayStation fan, wearing PS symbol t-shirts often and sporting my Crash Bandicoot controller holder — it’s not really a secret. So getting to literally dig up fossils of the past and then have the physical representations of my nostalgia gamified within a game even further was just magical. Toro the cat filled the role to a degree in Japan but he never fronted any major games and has since faded from the limelight.

Playstation 5 Pro

Is improved force feedback and the same funny little collection of gyros and touchscreens carried over from the DualShock 4 really the next-gen difference? I’m not entirely sure, and it may well prove to be another false dawn that, like HD rumble on the Switch, is a pleasant addition that soon fades into the background. Astro and his crew lead you on a magical introduction through your PlayStation 5 in this fun platformer that comes pre-loaded on your console.

But now there is a new challenger and while Astro isn’t much of a character his games are becoming some of the best in Sony’s line-up. Puzzle Piece 3/4 – Just after the pinball area you will slide across some ice blocks. This puzzle piece is just after one of the ledges you drop down on the blocks. You can hold the touchpad button down to bring yourself to a stop on the ice. Puzzle Piece 2/4 – In this same pinball area, knock out the 6 bowling pin enemies around the center bumper to make this puzzle piece appear.

Memory Meadow

To collect all the collectibles, you will also need to walk around the main location – the CPU Plaza. PlayStation Labo lets you complete the collection by drawing prizes in a Gatcha-style game. Every level has tons of retro tech to collect and store in the PlayStation Labo.

Two of these levels involve regular platforming whereas the other two involve a special power-up suit which makes use of the DualSense controller’s capabilities. Another example is the ball suit in which the player must swipe the touchpad to guide the ball. If Astro Bot falls or gets defeated, the level will restart from the latest checkpoint cleared. For starters, the load times are super-fast thanks to the SSD so getting into and out of levels never has you waiting. Even better is that if you find that you missed some collectibles and want to go back to get them then pulling up the Activities menu will give you options to instantly jump to where you need to go.

The trophies range from story completion to collectible-based achievements and unique in-game challenges. Notably‚ none of the trophies are missable‚ allowing players to enjoy the game without pressure. The system is designed to be accessible‚ with an estimated completion time of 5-7 hours for the Platinum trophy. Every function and feature of the controller gets a little time in the spotlight. Pervasive and distinct rumble effects steal the show, from the tiny sensation of Astro’s footsteps to thundering moments like an Indiana Jones-style boulder chase.

While platforming games do not appeal to everyone, players can spend a few good hours going through obstacle courses and hunting a few easter eggs tucked away by the developers. If you just bought a PlayStation 5 or had one at launch, it would be a shame to miss experiencing a game that is completely free in 2025. Alongside releasing the four special bots and a new launch trailer for Astro Bot, Sony has announced a “special celebration countdown” for the game in Astro’s Playroom. Players have until September 6 to pre-order the game and unlock costumes and paints for the DualSpeeder before everyone else. It’s worth noting however that this isn’t the same model from the demo. After jumping up the trigger platforms and tripping a Checkpoint, check the right-hand side for tow Bots hiding from a third with mushrooms on its head.

The use among games would vary, but it’s most influential game was Toro’s first game, Doko Demo Issyo in 1999, turning him into a PS1 mascot in Japan. Since Memory Cards were sold separately, many PlayStation 1 games (like Crash Bandicoot) offered a password system that allowed you to return to where you left off with all your progress. Sony would later release a USB adapter to connect PS1 and PS2 Memory Cards to a PlayStation 3, even PS3s that couldn’t play those games. https://win79casino.club/ acted as an interim between on-board cartridge memory and storing saves on a console’s internal storage (which the PlayStation lacked, outside of the RAM). Holding a whopping 1 MB of storage divided into 15 blocks, these allowed saves to be copied, backed up and shared among friends independent of the games and consoles.

Once collected, these artifacts are sent back to the main hub of Astro’s Playroom, where you can run and bounce on giant-sized (yet photorealistic) versions of them. It doesn’t stop at the collectibles; some bots pay tribute to past icons. You’ll see a bot holding a camera throughout the levels as they record their companions as fellow PlayStation characters. For example, you’ll see bots dressed up as Kratos and Atreus from God of War trying to row a boat. You’ll even see a bot dressed up as Snake from Metal Gear Solid, and when you kick the box, it makes the classic alert sound each time you kick. Sony boldly chose Astro Bot to lead the PlayStation 5 with the tech demo Astro’s Playroom.

These trophies are straightforward‚ requiring you to complete levels like “Memory Meadow” or “SSD Speedway.” There are approximately 10 such trophies‚ each tied to a unique world or area. While most are unlocked naturally as you progress‚ some may need replays to collect missed items. These trophies serve as milestones‚ encouraging exploration and ensuring you experience the game’s diverse environments and mechanics. Players can use weapons, such as plunger arrows and a pellet gun which shoots coloured balls, to destroy objects and defeat enemies.

This PS5 pack-in most certainly hues closer to a technical showcase, essentially a loosely-structured sandbox to mess around in and discover what the PS5 has to offer. But it has enough collectibles, creative ideas, and genuinely exciting uses of the DualSense that PS5 owners shouldn’t brush this one aside in the launch lineup. After months and months of hearing how the DualSense would immerse me like never before, Astro’s Playroom put promises into practice and impressively proved what’s possible with the PS5’s new controller. Whether it’s the main menu with its signature Astro theme to celebrate the character, or CPU Plaza’s grandiose techno track and even Cooling Springs having a nice and cozy tune in its ice level.