The PS5’s DualSense Controller is Astro Bot’s Secret Weapon

by

The PS5's DualSense Controller is Astro Bot's Secret Weapon

As a seasoned gamer who has witnessed the evolution of gaming consoles since the days of the original PlayStation, I can confidently say that Sony and Team Asobi’s Astro Bot is nothing short of a marvel. It’s like they’ve taken everything I loved about Astro’s Playroom and cranked it up to 11.

Sony and Team Asobi’s Astro Bot feels like a dream come true for anyone who enjoyed the delightful platformer, Astro’s Playroom, which came packaged with the PS5. Astro’s Playroom was not only cute and charming but also paid tribute to the history of the PlayStation at the launch of the PS5. More importantly, it was the first (and for a while, the best) game to fully utilize every aspect of Sony’s DualSense controller. In similar fashion, Astro Bot leverages all the capabilities of the DualSense controller to offer a platforming experience that transcends traditional genre boundaries, expanding the concept of what “interactive media” can achieve.

In Astro’s Playroom, the game Astro Bot takes advantage of the sound capabilities and haptic feedback of the DualSense controller to create a gameplay experience that is not only visual but also tactile and kinesthetic, something rare in platformers. Playing Astro Bot feels more like interacting with a real object, similar to how we played with toys during childhood. Although Astro Bot boasts impressive level design, inventive platforming challenges, and numerous references to the PlayStation’s past, it is its innovative use of the DualSense controller that sets it apart as an exceptional PS5 exclusive.

Astro Bot’s Use of the DualSense Helps to Redefine Games’ Place as Interactive Media

One unique aspect setting video games apart from other forms of entertainment is their interactive nature, which developers have skillfully utilized over the years to create immersive experiences exclusive to this medium. In this regard, the use of the DualSense controller in Astro Bot feels like a culmination of physical gameplay interactions and a nostalgic tribute to the awe-inspiring sensation of playing games for the first time. Despite being a digital experience controlled by a physical device, the haptic feedback of the DualSense makes it feel unusually tactile for a video game.

In the game “Astro’s Playroom”, some of the ingenuity was showcased, making it particularly impressive as the PS5’s top demonstration of the DualSense controller’s capabilities. However, the way Team Asobi has crafted “Astro Bot” is on a completely different scale. The way the DualSense controller interacts and responds to Astro Bot walking on various terrains is remarkable in itself. Unlike most platformers where traversing different environments is a standard action, “Astro Bot” imbues this common action with a distinct feel based on whether it’s walking over sand, glass, water, leaves, or metal.

Team Asobi’s Understanding of the DualSense’s Capabilities Should Serve as Inspiration

The PS5's DualSense Controller is Astro Bot's Secret Weapon

As a gamer myself, I can confidently say that Team Asobi’s masterpiece, Astro Bot, is more than just a Game of the Year contender – it’s a game that has the potential to leave a lasting impact on the gaming world. In this 9th generation, not many developers have truly leveraged the unique capabilities of the DualSense controller since its introduction in 2020. This is surprising, considering the DualSense, along with the PS5’s exclusives, is what sets playing games on a PlayStation 5 apart from experiencing them on PC or Xbox Series consoles. Astro Bot now stands as a shining example of how thoughtful use of the DualSense’s functionalities can elevate an excellent game into an unforgettable experience.

Astro Bot ingeniously incorporates references to various first-party Sony franchises into its gameplay design. A striking example is the level inspired by God of War, which skillfully combines aspects from both God of War and Ragnarok, seamlessly integrating them within Astro Bot’s game system. This includes innovative utilization of the DualSense controller that surpasses the adaptive triggers showcased in Sony Santa Monica’s reboot of the God of War franchise. In essence, Astro Bot demonstrates that the PlayStation legacy continues to unfold, and its comprehensive use of the DualSense controller serves as a powerful reminder to developers about the potential it holds for making games feel truly next-generation.

Read More

2024-09-12 02:34