The Gist
A 3-ish hour-long journey around the truly next-gen PlayStation DualSense controller, journey from key elements of the PS5 (From SSD to CPU) seeing which easter eggs of PlayStation past you can spot, all whilst being subjected to the truly fascinating tech on display on the DualSense.
The Review
Astros Playroom would seem like quite the generic add-on to your PS5, and to most on opening up their new PS5 UI felt like an instant delete to open up some SSD space. DO NOT DO THIS though, do not do it! Your first port of call on any PS5 should be Astro’s Playroom. Get your DualSense charged, updated and linked and get straight to opening up this game.
While short in time, checking out every aspect of the game and getting to completion only takes around 3 hours, it is very deep in involvement and sensations. The game is built to show off every element of the new controller, a part of the console almost overlooked for upgrades when it comes to new consoles. Not in this generation though, PlayStation has completely rethought its controller and this game shows the true revolutionary side of it.
Once opened you are popped into a lobby area, which is already filled with PS easter egg after easter egg and from there you head into each different part of the PS5 to face different worlds and challenges. From the windy wisps of a jungle area to the clouds and storms of another. Each part of this game is so well thought through and really fun to just sink some time into. That’s only the half of it too, as it’s when you actually get to feel the controller when the game comes to literal life.
From stretchy monkey arms to glass under feet, you feel every environment, texture, push, pull and jump. The controller haptics makes it feel like the game is not just on screen, but in your hand, it’s astonishing! It is hard to put the feelings into words and truly needs to be held to be believed, but try and think of when you put your hands into the sand, or when the wind blows your hair, all those same feelings are exposed to the player just through the controller. That’s without even getting to the triggers that notch when you have a bow or become a true vibrating trigger with a machine gun. It is a hilarious and mind-blowing experience.
Wrap this all up in the fun world of PlayStation and fill it with joyous little easter eggs and you have a completely unique, and free, experience. Just be prepared for what can be a wholly frustrating final boss that pushes you to your limits after a very fun and calming game.
The Verdict
Free doesn’t usually mean a game this fun, or revolutionary. Astros Playroom shows off what the DualSense can do whilst also being full of nearly every PlayStation game reference imaginable. Just prepare for a surprise dinosaur at the end.
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