ASTRO BOT is a PS5-exclusive, single-player 3D action platformer from Sony Interactive Entertainment, and critics have received it very warmly. Metacritic’s critic page, checked October 8, 2026, shows a 94 Metascore from 136 critic reviews and labels critic reception “Universal Acclaim.” If you own a PS5 and enjoy inventive platforming, collecting, and playful references to PlayStation’s own history, it is a strong reason to start playing now. It is a standalone full-sized game, not Astro’s Playroom, the earlier free experience that introduced the character.
What critics are saying
A 94 Metascore is among the higher critic aggregates a platform game can reach, and Metacritic’s “Universal Acclaim” label reflects consistently positive reviews rather than a single enthusiastic outlier. Aggregate scores move as new reviews are added, so treat the figure as a snapshot from October 8, 2026.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Sackboy: A Big Adventure – PlayStation 5 | $31.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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DOG MAN: Misson Impawsible - PlayStation 5 | $23.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Star Wars Outlaws - Limited Edition (Amazon Exclusive), PlayStation 5 | $35.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The most quoted single verdict comes from The Guardian’s review, published September 5, 2024, and reproduced on Metacritic. The reviewer wrote: “Astro Bot is still the wonderful tribute to PlayStation history and hardware design that Astro’s Playroom was, but it has been given room to grow beyond a characterful tech demo and into the best platform game I have played in many years.” That is one critic’s opinion, not a ranking across the genre. The sources cited here do not establish how ASTRO BOT compares head-to-head with other 3D platformers.
Why the praise centres on the platforming
Reviewers mostly reward how the game plays, rather than its novelty as a showcase. Three elements recur in the official descriptions and in the critical reception.
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#1 Best Overall
- Face thrilling, unpredictable challenges as you explore distinctive hand-crafted lands through deeply immersive and expressive controls.
- PERILOUS PLATFORMING EXPERIENCE - Explore here, there and everywhere as you utilize Sackboy’s cool, diverse move-set to face a huge variety of thrilling challenges, fierce enemies and startling surprises.
- RE-STUFFED. RE-STITCHED. RE-ZIPPED - Sackboy returns to the big time stuffed with fresh moves and game-changing gadgets in an awe-inspiring and downright fun 3D adventure in this new, but familiar world.
Variety in level design
The game is built around a steady stream of different settings and challenges, so it rarely feels like one mechanic repeated across a long map. Sony describes six galaxies and more than 80 levels at launch, and PlayStation’s current product FAQ describes more than 50 planets across multiple galaxies. Those are publisher descriptions, and the two counts may describe the game’s structure in different ways, so they are not directly comparable. The table below sets out each figure with its source.
Powers that change how you move
Astro gains a large set of abilities during the adventure, and Sony’s 2024 launch release describes more than 15 new abilities. Level ideas are built around those powers, which is what lets the game keep introducing fresh situations. This is the part of the design that critics most often single out when they describe the game as a platformer rather than a tech demo.
A love letter to PlayStation history
The game is also a deliberate tour of the platform’s past. Sony’s launch release describes more than 150 PlayStation characters appearing as cameos, and the Guardian review praises the tribute to PlayStation history and hardware design. Players who recognise the references get a second layer of enjoyment; players who do not still receive a complete platformer.
Rank #2
- 50 Exciting Levels: Explore iconic locations from the Dog Man universe, including the City Hall, Giant Marshmallow Factory, and the Police Station. Each location offers platforming and puzzle-solving challenges.
- Teamwork: Switch between Dog Man and his Supa Buddies, each with their own special abilities, to overcome obstacles and defeat bosses. o Dog Man: Digs underground and glides through the air. o Li’l Petey: Hacks gadgets and fits into small spaces. o 80-HD: Pushes heavy objects and jumps long distances.
- Fun Gadgets: Unlock new gadgets and abilities as you progress, like a grappling hook, rocket boots and power gloves to navigate through the levels. Puzzles and Bosses: Use your brain to solve puzzles and defeat unique bosses. Each boss fight requires clever use of your team’s abilities.
- Humor and Action: Enjoy funny dialogue, amusing interactions, and non-stop action that keeps you engaged in Dog Man’s world. Rewards and Collectibles: Revisit levels with new gadgets to find secret areas, and rescue the missing Comic Club members.
- Art Style: Great animations inspired by the books, with comic-style sound effects that add a fun, cartoonish touch to the action.
The scale, and who published each number
Publisher figures are useful for understanding scope, but they carry different dates and different methods. Use the table to see where each claim comes from.
| Claim | Figure | Source | Date and context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planets and bots | More than 50 planets across multiple galaxies; 300 bots to rescue | PlayStation product FAQ | Accessed October 8, 2026; current publisher description |
| Structure at launch | Six galaxies; over 80 levels | Sony Interactive Entertainment launch announcement | September 2024; launch-era publisher claim |
| New abilities | Over 15 | Sony Interactive Entertainment launch release | September 2024; launch-era publisher claim |
| PlayStation-history cameos | More than 150 characters | Sony Interactive Entertainment launch release | September 2024; launch-era publisher claim |
| Release date | September 6, 2024 | Sony Interactive Entertainment launch release | Launch date for the standalone PS5 game |
DualSense feedback and accessibility options
Sony says the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers respond to Astro’s powers and to the environments he moves through, so the controller is part of how the game feels rather than a simple vibration layer. The game does not require a special accessory beyond the PS5 setup.
The effects can also be reduced. PlayStation’s accessibility list says the game can be played without controller vibration or adaptive trigger effects, which makes it a practical option for players who find vibration uncomfortable or who simply prefer a quieter controller.
Rank #3
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content - The Rogue Infiltrator Character Pack includes cosmetics for Kay and Nix.
- Discover a galaxy of opportunity. Explore distinct locations with bustling cities and cantinas. Race across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each location brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.
- Experience an original scoundrel story. Live the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. Turn any situation to your advantage with Nix by your side: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.
- Embark on high-stakes missions. Take on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.
- Jump into the pilot seat. Pilot your ship, the Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with the Empire and other foes. Find the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
Awards and community recognition
PlayStation Blog’s 2024 reader-voted awards named ASTRO BOT the Platinum winner in four categories: Best Use of DualSense, Best Art Direction, Best Audio Design, and Best Accessibility Features. These are community votes from PlayStation Blog readers, not an independent critics’ poll, so they show what players valued rather than how critics ranked the game.
Is it right for you?
The game fits readers who:
- own a PS5 and want a 3D platformer that is primarily about movement and discovery;
- prefer a solo adventure, since PlayStation describes the game as single-player;
- enjoy collectibles, varied level themes, and rescue-style objectives;
- recognise PlayStation history or want to explore it through its characters.
It may be a poorer fit for readers who want multiplayer, who do not own a PS5, or who specifically want the free Astro’s Playroom experience. Prices, editions, and any current offers change over time, so check the PlayStation Store before buying.
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