It would be easy to write offAstro’s Playroomas just another pack-in game, but what Sony has put together to highlight the PlayStation 5 is still very impressive. Because the DualSense controller is arguably the biggest leap forward for Sony next after VR, there is a lot of ways thatAstro’s Playroomshines. It’s much more than a one-trick pony and for a game that comes free with every PS5, it’s well worth giving a look.
The core concept behindAstro’s Playroomis to highlight the numerous ways that the DualSense controller can interact with a game world. Whether it’s the usual motion control, the adaptive triggers, or so many different haptic feedback permutations it’s dizzying, there is a lot of ground forAstro’s Playroomto cover.
Sony smartly separatesAstro’s Playroominto distinct levelsinspired by the various core components of the PlayStation 5. We won’t spoil all of them for those who like that sense of discovery in platformers, but the one that Sony has been using to show offAstro’s Playroomis called Cooling Springs. It’s inspired by the cooling systems inside the PS5 and has a theme that blends the tropical with the frigid.
Each of these levels isn’t meant to teach the player about how those core components work, but rather to use them as inspiration for an overarching theme. Cooling Springs, for example, has a bunch of spinning fans built into the environment, but there are also sandy beaches and snowy mountains in the level as well. As far as their design, the levels are standard platform fare with tons of nooks and crannies to find hidden collectibles and alternate paths that players might only find on a second playthrough.
Astro Bot Rescue Missionis a legitimately great gamethat uses the PlayStation VR to great effect, butAstro’s Playroomis a little more familiar. There are some of thoseRescue Missiondesign sensibilities on display in the game, especially with the more inventive platforming sections or the boss battles, but in terms of a general layout, there isn’t a lot that players won’t have seen before.
What makesAstro’s Playroomfeel novel or even unique is its integration with the DualSense controller and itshaptic feedback feature. Every few steps will uncover a new thing to interact with that will influence the DualSense controller in some way. Walking on the beach feels completely different than rustling through waist-high grass thanks to the way the haptic feedback of the DualSense works. These subtle vibrations (if it’s even fair to call them that) can simulate a number of sensations, from zipping up a giant monkey suit to the pitter-patter of rain on an umbrella.
Theadaptive triggers on the DualSenseperform a similar function in that they attempt to mimic different types of resistances while performing certain actions. Usually, the adaptive triggers work hand in hand with the haptic feedback to create one sensory experience, but there is still a noticeable change in the triggers depending on what Astro is doing. Climbing up a series of handholds, for example, has a point about halfway through the trigger pull that tries to simulate your finger clinging to a curved surface and then exerting force to lift up.
Compared to the feedback, where the response can be a little more subtle, it’s always obvious when the adaptive triggers are doing something different andAstro’s Playroomhas a variety of instances where it shows off the DualSense feature. It’s obvious because the game wants players to understand the potential, and that’s certainly there.
Astro’s Playroomalso uses the built-in microphone and speaker on the controller to offer more interactivity. Blowing in a mic to create wind is something many games have done before, and the PS4 speaker has been used in tons of different games. It’s a little more familiar territory compared to the haptic feedback or the adaptive triggers, but the tech is well implemented nonetheless.
On its own,Astro’s Playroomwould be a fun platforming distraction fit for younger gamers or families. Its world is vibrant and wonderfully detailed, and it looks exceptional on the PS5. But in all honesty, this isn’t so much a game as it is a showpiece for what the DualSense controller can do. And as a result, this isn’t so much a review, as it is an opportunity to highlight how well thefeatures on the PS5 controller work.
In our PS5 review, we highlighted just how much the DualSense controller impressed us, and a lot of the most impressive qualities of the controller were on display duringAstro’s Playroom. Gamers who are looking to see the potential in interactive gaming that the DualSense can offer owe it to themselves to giveAstro’s Playrooma try. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s free.
