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In our Astro Bot PS5 review, we said the release is “among the best” in the new-gen system’s library. And other critics agree: Team ASOBI’s platformer – out tomorrow, on 6th September – is officially the highest rated game of the year. With a 94 rating on Metacritic, it’s only beaten by Elden Ring expansion Shadow of the Erdtree, which achieved a 95.
“It fully delivers on the promise of Astro's Playroom, building on the rock solid core of tight controls and inventive gameplay and turning everything up to 11,” we wrote. “With tons to see and do, almost endless fresh ideas, innovative use of the DualSense's features, and truly charming presentation, it's a confident and cohesive experience that players of all ages will love. To top it all off, it's a perfect game to celebrate PlayStation's 30th anniversary, reflecting on the myriad series that made the platform what it is today.”
This is technically the fourth game in the Astro Bot series, although it’s taken some time for the mascot to reach mainstream status. We championed the single level Robot Rescue tech demo in The Playroom VR, which ultimately led to the release of PSVR exclusive Astro Bot Rescue Mission, which we described as “insanely good”. We then waxed lyrical about PS5 pack-in Astro’s Playroom, which launched alongside Sony’s new-gen console.
The rest of the gaming calendar will plot the release of Metaphor: ReFantazio and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, so Astro Bot won’t have it all its own way. It’ll also have to lock horns with fellow console exclusive Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for the end of year accolades. But as the highest rated release of 2024 so far, Team ASOBI will undoubtedly find itself in Game of the Year contention around Christmas time – an utterly astonishing achievement from the Japanese team.
[source metacritic.com]
Comments 70
Sony go zero to hero in the space of two releases within two weeks. I wonder what made the difference 🤔
This is Playstation fans chance to speak with their wallets and let Sony know this is exactly what we want. Quality Single Player games. if this game doesnt sell 5-10million copies, then theres no hope
Kinda crazy that it's the second highest rated game of the year behind Shadow of the Erdtreee, but well deserved
I can see myself 100%-ing all three of those save slots a-la Super Mario World.
Astro bot supremacy rains true!!!
Really happy to see it being received so well.
I haven't been playing much of my PS5 or Switch over the last 2 years, will definitely pick this up at some point though.
If only Sony could see how much respect Team ASOBI deserves.
B b b but 2024 was meant to be a terrible year for PlayStation… right? 🤢 B b b but PlayStation’s got no games… right? 🤢
Meanwhile in the real-world - Astrobot, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Helldivers 2 are duking it out for game of the year! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
@colonelkilgore I keep forgetting about Rebirth. Thanks for reminding me. I have a crazy backlog but I just haven't had the urge to game. Some cheap amazing games in my future though!
Just preordered it.
Happy for Team Asobi. I''ll be even happier for them if people go out and buy it. PlayStation gamers, it's time to go out and buy that game. Get off cod, fortnite, 2k, Madden/College Football, all them gaas your continuously dropping money on and go buy Astro Bot PS5! 😂 No excuses! You got the money!
I'm happy for team Asobi, and hopefully this game sells really well so more time are resources are given to this developer going forward.
I'm already curious to what they can do next, do they stick with Astro going forward? Or do they move onto a new IP or even work on some older IP's like Sackboy or Jak and Daxter, or even a cross over game with all of them in.
@Cloud39472 First time I'm hearing it's rated highly and now I'm just as surprised. It's definitely the worst fromsoft dlc so far.
Cool, can't wait for it to get on PS +.
@MightyDemon82 mate, I’ve been playing PS3 all year, so I’ve got a truckload to catch up on from this year alone… let alone the stuff I’ve missed from 2023 too 😅
Getting this next week (stupid bills!) and am glad to see this VERY bright spot after the last few weeks of bleh.
N.i.c.e.Astro bot is definitely gonna be in the video game award show.word up son
I was close, I predicted a 95 metacritic. Definitely goty would be awesome to see it win and sale great so Sony can see we want more of these smaller games.
Should I ever buy a PS5 I definitely hope to pick this up. Although it’s currently the only game I can think of to justify a PS5 purchase so will likely be waiting a little while longer.
I have a few too many games on the go right now but will get to it very soon. Looking forward to it.
Fantastic to see!! Now let's see if the sony fanbase actually have the dignity, the sense and the brains to purchase this, instead of the millionth walking simulator or brain dead live service crap. This NEEDS to sell well if Sony's ever going to get their arrogant heads out of their asses.
Yeah i wasn't getting it at launch as i wasn't excited but reviews made me pre-order 😂
@dBackLash
Ooooor.. here's an idea: Actually BUYING it and supporting Sony and Team Asobi...? Waiting for it to go on Playstation Plus is such a dick move, not going to lie.. and it will take several years to do so anyway. It's not even full price like most PS5 games either, so unless you don't have a single dime to spare - which I doubt - I highly suggest you actually buy it
Wukong and now Astrobot. FFVII Rebirth really has some tough competion. There's also Echoes of Wisdom on the horizon. Definitely some good GOTY contenders.
@ArcadeHeroes I'd take it a bit further and say that it should also signal that quality single-player games that don't cost the GDP of some countries to develop are still a viable option as long as those games are carefully crafted and charming!
Not everything needs to be akin to a Hollywood blockbuster. It just needs to be fun and polished right out of the gate.
Nice! Definitely will pick it up later either on sale or when it releases for pc some time down the line.
F*** it, I think I might just buy it to support proper SIE game development, 30 years of Sony, pure fun, and the fact it isn't a live service game.
The fact that it nailed it (of course they did) is just gravy now. Platform games aren't really my thing, but I bet I will still enjoy my time on it.
Weeeeeeee!
I'm hoping the current success of astrobot and flop of concord, will lead them to invest more in astro and produce a PSVR2 version of rescue mission, with some extra levels added.
Very well deserved 👏👏
That’s how you do it Sony. Stop ***** around and just put out single player games that people want!! 😀
It's awesome seeing current-gen tech being directed toward a beautifully stylized, gameplay-centric title that emphasizes fun and probably also didn't cost $300 million to make.
This shows how disconnected Sony is from it's own developers and products. They claimed no big releases in 2024, oh boy, they dropped the ball yet again.
Congratulations to the developers, I hope this game sells like hot cakes.
Downloading now my Astro Bots
@NoHope That's really not what they meant, though. They were just pointing out there'd be no God of War or Spider-Man scale title this year, and as much as we all love Astro Bot here, it's perfectly fine to admit this IP isn't on the scale of those. (Yet.)
This will definitely be a timeless classic 🤩
As expected, mostly 9 & 10 out 10 scores! Pre-order worthy!
@Sequel A lot of retailers stick it in the post to ensure launch day delivery at the latest. My local retailer does this - I was just short of halfway through through Spider-Man 2 before the game unlocked at midnight for other people (I opted digital for Astro Bot though as I'll be replaying this game repeatedly).
What's funny is the same retailer is also a bricks'n'mortar store (Smyth's), and if I were to walk in and ask for a copy to be sold over the counter on the same day their delivery arrives I'd be told to sod off as that'd constitute breaking street date lol.
What a year for being a PlayStation fan. FFVIIR, astrobot, and please please, do not forget about Stellar Blade.
It's weird that Sony of all companies is the one keeping 3D platformers alive. While we haven't gotten a mainline 3D Mario title since 2017, Sony has put out Sackboy A Big Adventure, Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart, and now Astro Bot. And they're all of a fairly high quality too, you love to see it
@Deadlyblack So I guess we're pretending Erdtree isn't a DLC now also if you look at Opencritic.
In under a month we’ve had Black Myth: Wukong, Star Wars Outlaws, Astro Bot, and Space Marine 2! Incredible few weeks for gamers everywhere 😀
Awesome! Can’t wait!
@MrMagic The article does state that Shadow is an expansion and it was the only thing above Astro at time of writing. I'm just bringing up what the article says for comparison's sake.
I'm used to different platformers, but here there is no story, no voice acting. so it feels a bit indie, but idk maybe it's a good thing
"Single-player games are dead" btw! And a game with no microtransactions? And DLC to be FREE?! TeamAsobi shows how it should be.
So damn happy to see Astro back in full force. Had no doubt to be fair.
Please Sony. Just make Astro the official Playstation Mascot.
I did my part just waiting for tomorrow! I even bought the deluxe edition which I have never done before just so I can send Sony the message to send more of these type of games our way.
@-Sigma- you're*
Woot! Really great to see!
@Deadlyblack Yeah but you said it's the second highest rated game of the year when it isn't.
It's the highest rated game of the year so far because Erdtree is just an expansion. Nevermind though, it's an easy mistake to make.
@Zemo55 I know how I spelled it and guess what? It's staying like that too. Thank you and goodbye.😁
Don't forget to purchase this tomorrow to send the message to Sony loud and clear.
Wasn't going to be D1 for me but after this review, just preordered it.
Reject Monke return to Astro
@MrMagic I totally get ya, so it's no worries
This is the way. Sony needs to focus on these smaller and shorter titles to fill the calander, it would also bring in a great variety in terms of genres and ips. Maybe revive some older ips with smaller budgets or maybe bring something completely new. It's less risk while at the same time, one of those games blowing up and becoming a darling is high reward.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this was my GotY, currently it’s Stellar Blade, but I think I’ll enjoy this more.
Gonna buy it with the money from my Concord refund 😓
@get2sammyb
I understand your statement, however I have to disagree. It was quite logical that there will be no Spiderman nor a new God of War game that soon.
Sony not recognizing what they have in the pipeline or downplaying a game because of its genre or maybe because it has not yet made a name for itself is alarming.
This game comes close to the best ever reviewed Mario games, this is huge. No way around it. Sony should promote it, support it, push it
Two more hours...2 more free days before work.lets gooo
@Maubari I have a huge backlog and very little desire to play games on day 1. Also the game is almost guaranteed to come to PS + at some point, I would be foolish to buy it for full price.
@NoHope I mean they've been promoting Astro Bot for ages. I saw a trailer for it during the Imax screening for Deadpool and Wolverine. Covering Mumbais trains with ads, champions league physical presence. Playable demos in Canada.
They've followed the same strategy they usually do which is final month marketing. America is the only region where it feels they gave Concord a bigger presence.
Removed - off-topic
its the highest reviewed game so far lets hope the sales match the paise
@breakneck
That is excellent, I hope it sells like crazy.
Let’s see where sales go. This is a chance for those certain people to put their money there their mouths are.
Yes it is my game of the year too. Now go support Team Asobi and get this game. I'm loving it. I knew it was going to be good but dam. Not this good. It's perfect!
The boys play Souls-likes, The men play Astro Bot.
@Keyblade-Dan This is the best comment I've read on this site in quite a while. You have my thanks
@Tchunga Thank you ^__^
@-Sigma- 😜🤣
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