Game of the Year: #1 - Astro Bot 1
Image: Push Square

Since we began running Game of the Year awards on Push Square, we've rarely, if ever, had such a clear-cut winner as Astro Bot. With about two thirds more votes than second place in our top 10, PS5's delightful exclusive platformer has won the hearts of fans and critics alike to come out comfortably on top.

It's easy to understand why. Building on the already excellent foundations of previous entries, including the very warmly received PS5 pack-in Astro's Playroom, this game is a full-throated 3D platformer positively bursting at the seams with ideas. Every moment of Astro Bot is a sheer joy to play, with each stage a treat to experience — it's the definition of all killer, no filler.

The controls are intuitive and simple, the power-ups add fun new abilities to Astro's move set, and the level design is on-point. There's never a dull moment; it's just constantly presenting you with imaginative mechanics and unique moments that are simply fun to experience. Throw on top the flawless image quality, delightful animation, and a superb soundtrack, and you have yourself one of the best 3D platformers to ever grace a PlayStation. It's a blast.

The delicious layer of icing on the cake is the celebration of PlayStation's 30-year history, meaning more than half the Bots you collect are dressed like iconic (and obscure) characters from basically any series you can think of. It's done with such care and attention to detail that we can't help but love it — especially when the franchise-themed special stages are so good.

We struggle to think of anything we dislike about Astro Bot, particularly now that it's been made even better with free post-launch updates, adding time attack levels and a festive playground. The game has charmed so many because it's not trying to be anything more than just that — a game. Consistently creative levels that are fun to play over and over, rewarding progression, immaculate presentation, and leveraging the PS5 platform to its fullest — it's brilliant, and easily among the best games the console has to offer.

Push Square's Game of the Year top 10 is decided by votes coming from internal staff and regular contributors. Our community Game of the Year poll also factors into the result. Feel free to agree or disagree with our list in the comments section below.

You can check out all of our Game of the Year coverage by clicking the link.

Do you agree with Astro Bot being our #1 Game of the Year? (1,005 votes)

  1. Absolutely, it's in the right spot%
  2. It should be lower on the list%
  3. It shouldn't even be on the list%
  4. I don't know / I haven't played it%