Astro's Playroom is one of those games that, at first glance, seems to serve a very specific purpose: showing the player what the PlayStation 5 and the DualSense controller are capable of. After all, it comes pre-installed on the console and was clearly designed as an introduction to the new hardware. However, it takes only a few minutes to realize there's much more here than a simple technical demo.
In reality, Astro's Playroom turns out to be a genuine love letter to PlayStation's history. A game that's small in scale but enormous in personality, packed with references, details, and tributes that will make any fan of the brand smile constantly throughout the adventure.
When I started playing, I expected to find a fun experience and little more. What I found was one of the best examples of how an apparently simple game can have a far greater impact than expected. It was also one of the experiences that naturally led me to want the platinum trophy — not out of obligation, but because I simply didn't want to leave anything undiscovered.
The gameplay is, without a doubt, one of its greatest strengths.
Team Asobi managed to create an experience that's extremely accessible yet refined at the same time. The controls respond immediately and intuitively, making every jump, run, or interaction enjoyable from the very first moment. There's a constant fluidity to all movements that simply makes playing fun.
But what truly sets Astro's Playroom apart from most other platformers is the way it uses the DualSense.
To this day, I still consider it one of the best examples of integration of the PS5 controller's features. The haptic feedback isn't there just to show off technology — it's used to genuinely enrich the experience. Every surface conveys a different sensation, every movement has weight, and every environment gains an extra dimension through the controller's subtle vibrations.
I can still clearly remember the first time I walked across sand, ice, or metal and felt distinct differences in how the DualSense responded. These are small details that may seem insignificant when described, but they make an enormous difference when you're actually playing.
The adaptive triggers also shine throughout the adventure. Whether controlling certain machines, using specific mechanisms, or interacting with Astro's different special suits, there's always a tactile sensation that helps reinforce the connection between the player and what happens on screen.
At the PS5's launch, few games managed to demonstrate the potential of these features so well. And honestly, even several years later, Astro's Playroom remains one of the DualSense's best technological showcases.
Visually, the game is equally impressive.
The art direction bets on vibrant colors, environments full of life, and an extremely polished presentation. Each area of the game represents a different component of the console and the PlayStation ecosystem, transforming hardware and technology into creative, surprisingly charismatic worlds.
The most interesting part is that, despite all this technical component, the game never loses its fun, laid-back side. There's a contagious energy in every setting, a constant sense of discovery that makes exploration a real pleasure.
The attention to detail is absolutely stunning. From tiny animations to elements hidden in the scenery, everything seems created with enormous affection for PlayStation's history.
And that's precisely where Astro's Playroom truly wins the player over.
The references scattered across the levels are a veritable festival of nostalgia. Iconic characters, classic consoles, historic accessories, and landmark moments from the brand appear constantly throughout the adventure. Some references are obvious and instantly recognizable. Others are better hidden, rewarding the most attentive players.
As someone who grew up following PlayStation across several generations, I caught myself multiple times stopping just to appreciate certain details or trying to identify the characters and historic moments recreated by the little robots spread across the scenery.
There's enormous respect for the brand's legacy in every corner of the game.
The soundtrack also deserves a special mention.
The music is cheerful, energetic, and fits the adventure's tone perfectly. Each area has its own sonic identity, making the levels even more memorable. Some melodies easily stick in your head long after you've turned off the console — something that rarely happens in experiences of this kind.
On top of that, the way the music accompanies exploration and different situations helps create a light, consistently fun atmosphere.
The decision to go for the platinum came about completely naturally.
Normally, when a game includes collectibles or more specific trophies, there's always that moment when we start wondering whether it's worth investing the necessary time. In Astro's Playroom, I never felt that.
Each trophy worked almost like an excuse to keep exploring — to return to completed levels, hunt for hidden secrets, or discover more references to PlayStation's history. Instead of feeling like a repetitive chore, the platinum hunt became a natural extension of the adventure itself.
It was also during that process that I realized the level of detail Team Asobi put in. There are secrets, animations, and small moments scattered throughout the game that easily go unnoticed on a first visit.
That constant feeling of discovery made the platinum particularly satisfying.
Perhaps the most impressive thing is realizing all of this exists in a game many could easily overlook simply because it comes bundled with the console. Astro's Playroom had every ingredient to be just a tech demo forgotten a few days after the PS5's launch.
Instead, it became one of the console's most memorable experiences.
It's a game that manages to celebrate the past while demonstrating the future — one that uses cutting-edge technology without forgetting what truly matters: entertaining the player.
In the end, Astro's Playroom is much more than an introduction to the PlayStation 5. It's a sincere tribute to the brand's history, a brilliant demonstration of the DualSense's capabilities, and an excellent platformer in its own right.
For PlayStation fans, it's practically mandatory. For platformer lovers, it's an extremely pleasant surprise. And for anyone looking for a fun, rewarding platinum, it's one of the best options on the console.
Just as Astro Bot would later confirm, Team Asobi perfectly understands what makes video games special: fun, creativity, and passion.
And Astro's Playroom is the perfect proof of exactly that.
out of 10
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Game Astro's Playroom Released 2020 Available on PlayStation 5 Reviewed on PlayStation 5 |  Cover: IGDB |
| PL | Pedro Lopes Writer · Portugal |
A games writer from Portugal running on a highly irresponsible amount of coffee — his blood type is officially "espresso". He has been a content creator at Lisbon Games Week, a jury member at Over & Out ’25 and an attendee of DevGAMM Lisbon 2025 (mostly for the free coffee). He has a Pac-Man tattoo on his finger, which contractually obliges him to chase ghosts forever.