NOTHING BOT THE BEST AS VR GAMING GOES INTO A NEW UNIVERSE
ASTRO BOT
THINK about the most fun you’ve ever had in a game, then double it and double it again – and you’re still not even close to the enjoyment you’ll have playing Astro Bot on PSVR.
And if ever an advert was needed on why you should buy VR from Sony, then this is it.
The game stars a cast of characters called Astro Bots, who were first introduced in the VR app The Playroom, where they appeared as little robots who lived inside your Playstation 4 controller.
In the new game, you are trying to collect your fellow bots, who have been scattered throughout the universe after your ship was blown up.
You will encounter different worlds with enemy bosses that will have your jaw drop to the virtual floor, such is their mountainous size, and they will give up pieces of your ship to help you rebuild it when you defeat them.
The gameplay revolves around huge 3D levels with things happening 360 degrees around you. You exist as a larger robot, who silently follows Astro from behind.
You control Astro using the DualShock controller in levels that can only be described as genius. Sony Japan really show what it can do considering the first showing of the little guy was seven years ago in the preview stage of PSVR.
As your head is the camera, the 3D view you have of the levels is incredible and sometimes you find yourself peering out into an unending horizon of water and clouds or straight down a sheer drop from whatever platform Astro finds himself on. Guiding Astro through the levels and exploring the cleverness of the level design and the interactivity, I found myself asking: “Have I played anything more fun?” And the answer is no.
The immersion in the game and the level of involvement you feel are all mightily impressive and having played a whole load of VR recently, this is by far the best offering.
Levels vary from cute platform-type layouts to full on roller coaster riding to underwater levels which are just astounding, as dolphins and baddies swim all around you and you have to keep an eye on where your little buddy is going and how to get him through without dying.
I could go on and on about how good this game is and I’ve not even scratched the surface of the interactivity available. But the only thing I can really add without hesitation is this – if you have a PSVR, why are you not playing Astro Bot right now?
STEPHEN McKEOWN