Astro Bot, a game that showcases both the best and worst of what current-gen first-party games have to offer, has left players with mixed feelings. While it is undeniably a well-designed and enjoyable game, its heavy reliance on Sony branding and nostalgia has raised concerns about the direction of first-party titles from Sony Interactive Entertainment.
The game’s predecessor, Astro’s Playroom, was a free pack-in title that served as a showcase for the PS5’s DualSense controller. The Sony veneration in that game made sense, as it was a free hardware demo. However, in Astro Bot, a full-priced game, the excessive brand promotion feels out of place. The game’s relentless trademark fetishism, while charming at times, can also come across as shallow and inauthentic.
Despite these concerns, Astro Bot is actually a good game. It offers solid platforming gameplay and pays homage to classic Sony franchises like Ape Escape and LocoRoco. However, the game’s heavy focus on brand identity and nostalgia may limit its potential for innovation and originality. In an era where many first-party games play it safe and stick to established formulas, Astro Bot’s success could be seen as a win for IP-first, art-by-committee video game development.
While Astro Bot excels in capturing the fundamental joys of 3D platforming design, it falls short in pushing the boundaries of the genre. The game’s reliance on established gameplay mechanics and familiar tropes may prevent it from being truly groundbreaking. In a landscape where indie games like Penny’s Big Breakaway and Spark the Electric Jester 3 are pushing the boundaries of game design, Astro Bot’s adherence to traditional norms feels somewhat dated.
The game’s connection to Sony’s history of taking risks and supporting innovative developers is evident in its references to past Sony franchises like PaRappa the Rapper. These nods serve as a reminder of a time when Sony was known for nurturing creativity and originality in game development. The question remains whether Astro Bot’s success will lead to more inventive and iconoclastic games from Sony in the future.
In conclusion, while Astro Bot is a well-crafted and enjoyable game, its heavy reliance on brand identity and nostalgia may limit its potential for innovation. As players, we should demand more from the industry than just familiarity and nostalgia. The next generation of talented developers is out there, waiting to make their mark on the gaming world. It’s up to us to support and encourage them to create truly innovative and groundbreaking experiences.
