Astro's Playroom: Best DualSense of 2024

Giveawaybest.com – Astro’s Playroom: Best DualSense of 2024

Astro’s Playroom, a charming freebie with your PS5, is more than just a demo for the new DualSense controller it’s a delightful platformer that will put a smile on your face! Developed by Team Asobi, it’s a playful, loving tribute to PlayStation’s rich history while delivering an incredibly fun and immersive gameplay experience.

Set inside your PS5 console, the game takes you on an adventure through four vibrant, theme-filled regions Cooling Springs, GPU Jungle, Memory Meadows, and SSD Speedway. Each area introduces unique mechanics that highlight the magic of the DualSense controller, from haptic feedback to adaptive triggers, in ways that feel fresh and exciting.

Astro’s Playroom is easy to jump into, with straightforward controls for running, jumping, and attacking, making it perfect for gamers of all ages and skill levels. But what truly steals the show are the stunning, clever uses of the DualSense features.

For example, when Astro steps through mud, the controller’s haptic feedback makes it feel like you’re trudging through it, and when rain falls, you’ll feel a gentle tremor in your hands, all paired with immersive sound effects. These little details make every movement in the game come alive, giving you an experience that’s both delightful and incredibly immersive.

DualSense Features: Sensory Bliss (Rating: 10/10)

The real magic of Astro’s Playroom lies in how it taps into the full potential of the DualSense controller. It’s not just a “feel” of things like walking on grass or swimming in water, it’s a whole sensory experience. Every little action, from firing a paintball gun to jumping across platforms, offers unique rumble and trigger feedback.

The adaptive triggers make actions like pulling a bowstring or steering a spaceship feel truly satisfying. There’s even a suit mechanic where Astro becomes a robotic monkey, and climbing rocks with the trigger pull creates a delicate dance of pressure and precision. One of the coolest aspects is the combination of different DualSense features working in harmony.

For instance, in the Memory Meadows world, you control a spaceship with the adaptive triggers controlling your thrusters and the haptic feedback signaling the ship’s rumblings. Plus, the controller’s speaker brings things like rain or wind to life, further immersing you in the gameplay.

Level Design: Brilliant and Inventive (Rating: 9/10)

The level design in Astro’s Playroom is brilliant and varied. While the core of the gameplay revolves around traditional 3D platforming, each world introduces unique, suit-based mechanics that break up the action and keep things exciting.

But the best part is the monkey suit from GPU Jungle, where you must alternate between triggers to scale rock walls and carefully time your movements to avoid falling. The frog suit from Cooling Springs is another standout, offering a unique spring-coil mechanic with fantastic DualSense feedback.

The game balances these inventive mechanics with straightforward exploration. Between the suit-based levels, you’ll have opportunities to collect puzzle pieces, hunt for PlayStation memorabilia, and unlock speedrun challenges. It’s a great mix of fun, challenge, and discovery that keeps the gameplay fresh from start to finish.

PlayStation Easter Eggs: A Tribute to History (Rating: 10/10)

One of the standout features of Astro’s Playroom is its love for PlayStation history. Hidden throughout the levels are artifacts from every major PlayStation console, including the PSP and Vita. These collectibles are more than just static items; they play sounds, trigger animations, and even unlock nostalgic moments.

As you progress, you’ll also encounter Astro bots wearing outfits from iconic PlayStation characters and games, offering a sweet nod to the past. It’s a delightful scavenger hunt for long-time fans of the PlayStation ecosystem. The visual design also ties into this homage, with environments blending PlayStation hardware and nature.

You’ll find grassy plains adorned with PlayStation symbols or cliffs made of controller buttons. These charming touches make exploring the world feel like a celebration of everything PlayStation has achieved over the years.

Visuals and Performance: Smooth and Gorgeous (Rating: 9/10)

Astro’s Playroom may not have the sprawling worlds or complex graphics of other next-gen games, but what it does, it does beautifully. Running at 4K 60fps, the game looks stunning, with vibrant environments and cleverly designed levels.

The game’s world is a perfect mix of natural beauty and technological wonder, creating an aesthetic that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. Whether you’re jumping through fields of grass or climbing mechanical structures, the visuals never fail to impress.

It’s also worth noting that Astro’s Playroom runs smoothly, with no loading screens between levels, offering a seamless experience. The attention to detail in both the visuals and the way the DualSense enhances these moments elevates the overall experience to something truly special.

Replayability: More Than Just a Demo (Rating: 8/10)

While Astro’s Playroom might seem like a brief experience (it’s a pack-in game after all), there’s plenty to keep you coming back for more. As mentioned, there are loads of collectibles to hunt down, including PlayStation artifacts, puzzle pieces, and unlockable speedrun levels.

These collectibles enhance the overall experience and offer some replayability for those who want to dig deeper into the game’s playful world. However, the game’s length and relatively low difficulty might not offer much for hardcore players looking for a challenge.

While it’s a perfect introduction to the PS5 and the DualSense controller, it might not have the lasting power of a larger platformer or action game. Still, for what is a joyous little side adventure it’s hard to ask for more.

Overall Verdict: A Fun, Nostalgic, and Impressive Experience (Rating: 9/10)

In conclusion, Astro’s Playroom is far more than just a freebie that comes with your PS5. It’s a fantastic, playful platformer that offers a joyful experience while showcasing the innovative features of the DualSense controller.

Team Asobi has crafted a game that feels fresh and nostalgic, with clever level design, inventive uses of the controller’s features, and a loving tribute to PlayStation’s rich history. Whether you’re a new PS5 owner or a long-time PlayStation fan, Astro’s Playroom is an absolute must-play that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

Astro’s Playroom may be a short experience, but it’s packed with charm, innovation, and PlayStation love. It’s a perfect introduction to the PlayStation 5 and its DualSense controller, offering both new and seasoned gamers a chance to experience next-gen gaming in a fun and memorable way.