Astro Bot is a new platformer from Sony and can be described as the company’s personalized celebration of gaming. It’s not all that elaborate, long, or filled with microtransactions, and its in that simplicity that the game seems to be finding its charm… a lot of it.
Reactions to the September 6 release have been overwhelmingly favorable, and now include high praise from one of the most esteemed figures in the game development business, Kirby and Super Smash Bros. creator, Masahiro Sakurai.
In a gaming landscape wherein everything has been fine tuned to commandeer as much of players’ time as possible, it’s actually quite refreshing to have a title that one can gracefully move through and be satisfied with after a relatively short period.
Curiously enough in Sakurai’s latest video upload to YouTube, he actually apologized to fans for taking so much of their time with Super Smash Bros. (though you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who feels they deserve such an apology).
The legendary developer took the handful of hours it takes to play through Astro Bot, and then offered Team Asobi some public praise via an X post.
Below you’ll find Sakurai’s post, which reads in English, “Cleared “ASTRO BOT” by rescuing 300 people. This doesn’t take that much time, but I found myself playing it for fun and interest. Great game. I want your time with the game to be satisfying!”
『ASTRO BOT』を300人救助でクリアしました｡
これはそこまで時間はかからないですが､面白さや興味でついついプレイしてしまいました｡
素晴らしいゲーム｡ゲームに対する時間は､満足いくものであってほしいですね! https://t.co/2cJvaGDUF8
— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) September 10, 2024
It took almost no time at all for keen eyed players to find fighting game references strewn throughout Astro Bot. A certain big baddie from PlayStation All-Stars makes an appearance, and we’ve also spotted a few Street Fighter, Tekken, and Guilty Gear cameos.
Have you had a chance to play Astro Bot (which is actually now the third game in its series) yet? If so, have you found it to be the same refreshing, player enjoyment-centered experience Sakurai has? We’d love to hear your feedback in the comments.