Shopping can be difficult for gamers. Even if you know the types of games they usually play, there’s no guarantee they’ll like a particular title. But I have no hesitation in recommending Astro Bot to anyone on your list with a PS5.
I don’t have a lot of time to play games, so I’m careful about which games I choose (mostly I play whatever I review on Engadget). So when Jess called Astro Bot “one of the best games Sony has ever made,” I thought it was a safe bet. That was an underestimation on my part. It’s a lot of fun. Inventive yet completely intuitive, adorable yet not cutesy. You play as Astro, who is tasked with finding bot friends on various fantastical planets. Some of those friends dress up as characters from other video games. This novelty not only makes gamers happy, but it also led to discussions about gaming history in my house. For example, my husband and son searched for Ico after seeing bots dressed as the game’s two main characters.
The controller itself plays a big role both on screen and in new ways to use it. The gameplay is difficult, but easy to understand, so my 7-year-old son is pretty deeply into it. In fact, that’s my only complaint. There are a lot of people at home who want to play it, but I rarely get a chance. However, it truly proves its universal appeal – great quality for any gift. — Amy Skolheim, reporter
