I loved the base game. Not so much this. It’s far too small for what you’d expect from DLC; too few areas, which are too small from an exploration point of view, and then very few new monsters. It can’t run off of the idea of returning species like its inspiration, Pokemon, does with DLC, so that lack of new content really shows. I’d wager this took me less than two hours. I’m just kind of resoundingly numb here and disappointed. If it’s on sale, you’re not doing yourself harm by getting it, but it isn’t brimming with substance. Very lucky it’s an amoeba to a game I loved.

There’s something really good here, with how easy it is to pick up and play and fun to play. However, I think some of this is buried by how awful stage design gets late into runs, between hazard infested walls or hazards amidst tight platforming segments, which all but beg for leg upgrades to be used to cheese them. And look, visually, I don’t vibe with it. I don’t like the Newgrounds flash game look for a game like this. The artstyle and graphics just do not appeal, and feel incredibly jarring next to a game which is very polished from a gameplay perspective. I think there’s something very good here, but the way stage design gets very clunky later in runs, I don’t really see myself coming back. Which is such a shame because Mega Man X and rougelites ended up being married very well here. Hoping I enjoy the sequel more when I get to it.

I gave the original a 5.0. I agree with that, but in a way, I did it in a way which was compulsory. Felt I moved in a way which was insincere to the process. I’d logged like, 8 hours, few achievements, and loved the game but hadn’t really engaged properly with it, and intended to return. I did with this update. Noise is an entirely new playstyle which is beyond fun, albeit taking a bit of time to get used to when put next to Peppino and Gustavo. But my god, he’s so fun. There’s so much charm and identity to him, and his route is obviously more of a New Game+, think like replaying Sonic 3&K as Knuckles. Engaging more with the levels, their achievements, and more this time made me really recognize that this is just something special. I’m still not the best at it, but I’ve practiced and really honed my craft. And it’s been so rewarding and fun as a result. While I love how Peppino plays, I feel the Noise’s style is more in line with how I perosnally play platformers, and resulted in me finding a new favorite to use. It’s a game oozing with charm and replayability. This is not some case of a compulsory 5.0 like I felt before, it’s a case where I feel this game truly is just that amazing, and an update has been made that makes it eben nicer. I forgot to mention that this is a free update. It’s something we’d probably fork 5 or 10 dollars over for, and really not question it due to how polished it is by proxy of being a new character and playstyle. And yet, we’re treated to it for free. This is just something I think anyone with a passing interest in platformers should play. It’s really something special and I’m glad that getting a Steam Deck was the push I needed to hop back in.

With the announcement of Astro Bot, Astro’s Playroom received a surprise update with small bits of new content with more to be released leading up to the release of Astro Bot. Very cool and unexpected! Before Astro Bot releases however, I’d like to get a review out for Astro’s Playroom and how I fell in love with it, making me desperately want it to become a full fledged game.

Astro’s Playroom is a pre installed game that comes with your PlayStation 5. If you have a PS5, you know this already. Its purpose is to be a short but sweet 3D platformer tech demo of the PS5’s capabilities as well as a celebration of sorts for the PlayStation’s history. The game takes no longer than 2 hours to complete which honestly makes it all the more impressive just how much charm and inspiration it’s able to cram into such a short amount of time.

Every single corner of Astro’s Playroom is truly inspired. It feels extremely reminiscent of the golden age of 90’s 3D mascot platformers. Everything is packed with so much detail and life. Notably, much of its design is centered around PlayStation’s past. The game uses the history of its company to its advantage, and in a rare case where it doesn’t feel egotistical and malicious but instead genuinely proud and appreciative of its roots. You’ll find countless references both big and small of PlayStation IP’s and other 3rd party series that were popularized on PlayStation. The game’s collectibles are all consoles and accessories/peripherals throughout the generations. Every world is based off of an aspect of the PS5’s capabilities as well as a previous PlayStation generation, literally integrating consoles and their accessories into the level design. Platforms shaped like controller triggers, ropes that are the wire of a PS1 controller, springs that are the buttons on PS1 console, etc etc. It’s insane how creative the visual design is. Literally almost every bit of your environment is designed to make a real world PlayStation related object and turn it into interactive level design. Again, it’s a rare case where nostalgia doesn’t feel derivative. It’s not going “LOOK AT THIS THING YOU REMEMBER!” Rather, it’s a new experience that utilizes its respect of the past. It’s a constant trip down memory lane done right that makes you proud to like PlayStation instead of ashamed. And as a tech demo for the PS5 itself, it’s really good. It makes great use of the console and controller’s capabilities in ways that 99% of games will probably never utilize, but that’s usually the case with tech demos…at least it’s cool here!

Even when it’s not basking in nostalgia, Astro’s world on its own has such a special appeal. It’s cute, it’s colorful, it’s lively, and honestly feels like it would be such a fit for a modern day mascot franchise for PlayStation. Everything about it just carries the aura of something from a better, memorable time. The gameplay is simple 3D platforming goodness and it’s just so fun. Despite only being a tech demo history lesson, I think you’d be surprised to find just how much its core gameplay would make for an absolutely fantastic full game. (Which as of the time of writing this, we are FINALLY getting!)

For a not even two hour tech demo, it’s incredible how much Astro’s Playroom stole my heart since the launch of the PlayStation 5. In such a short amount of time, it neatly bundles an original 3D platformer with loads of gaming history all into one…my only complaint is that it isn’t longer. It becomes extremely apparent how much Astro and the bots have potential to be a new pillar of PlayStation if given the chance, which thankfully they are! Astro Bot appears to be taking literally everything from Astro’s Playroom and simply expanding upon it into a full length game which is what I’ve been asking for. I truly could not be more excited than I already am. Can’t wait!

Again, much like Hades 2, I won’t score this as it’s not yet finished. But my god. This rules. It’s worth every penny in early access and feels so fucking complete and engaging. Weapons and combat are satisfying, movement is smooth, it’s so damn good. Clearly a love letter to DOOM games and the PSX era (there’s even a graphic filter for it), but much its own thing too. I loved my time with this. If I were to score, we’d see a 4 and a half star review probably? But again, I’m waiting for them to finish it in its entirety. The only thing is that this game can be overwhelming. Sensory overload is a real thing with me and shooters and there’s a bit much in terms of reaction time sometimes. Nothing bad though. The chaos is as much part of the fun, just feels that I have to memorize it to click.