Gaming

Astro Bot is oddly therapeutic

And a little bit nostalgic

Published

September 5, 2024

I have been low-key anticipating playing Astro Bot ever since it was first announced. At the time, I had this feeling that I’ve been exposed to too many dark and brooding pieces of media. I wanted something light and after spending some time with the game I can say for certain that I got exactly what I was hoping for.

Astro Bot is a full-fledged game that’s a follow-up to Astro’s Playroom. The latter is the free game that comes with every purchase of the PlayStation 5 (PS5). And while it was short, it was, and arguably still is, the best showcase of the many features introduced on the PS5 at launch.

Those features included the incredible haptic feedback of the DualSense controller. The level, kind, and intensity of vibration varies depending on the surface Astro is traversing. It also showcased the many possibilities of the adaptive triggers. Half presses would perform a different action than long presses. You get the gist.

Astro Bot is a lot more of the same PS5 showcase but with a more relatively cohesive plot line. And what is certainly a longer experience than its predecessor.

Saving your fellow robots

The game starts with Astro Bot and an entire crew of other robots aboard a ship shaped like a PS5 console. They suddenly encounter a huge green space creature and get attacked. This particular part reminded me of the end of Thor: Ragnarok where the Asgardians who escaped the explosion of Asgard were met in space by Thanos’ ship.

Anyway, so there starts your journey. With 100 bots scattered across different galaxies. It’s your mission to save them by visiting different planets within these galaxies and ultimately repairing your PS5 ship.

Modern classic platformer

Astro Bot starts off relatively easy. The first galaxy plays like a masterful tutorial that doesn’t spoon feed you but it does a good job of introducing you to the mechanics of the game. Each planet becomes progressively more difficult, incorporating all the gameplay things you learned every step of the way.

The vibes feel like a classic platformer. Though definitely not as difficult, I’m reminded of my much, much younger days playing Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon on the first PlayStation. The cartoony art style and lively bright music contribute to this feeling. It’s extremely nostalgic for me.

As much as it has that vibe, it also certainly plays like a current gen title. Perhaps even moreso than a lot of the PS5 exclusives that have come before it. Like Astro’s Playroom, it takes full advantage of the DualSense features.

DualSense Showcase

The haptic feedback vibrates differently when Astro is walking on sand, shallow waters, clay/mud, and much, much more. The gyroscope is also utilized very well in different sections of the game. And it’s not to an annoying extent. Lastly, the adaptive triggers come into play too.

All the different features mentioned above are properly spaced and implemented. In certain planets, Astro will come equipped with “special backpacks”. Each one introduced a different platforming mechanic that takes advantage of the aforementioned features.

Some of the early ones you’ll encounter are one that gives Astro the ability dash on ground and in mid-air. The other that I personally had a lot of fun with is one that lets you do a lot of climbing as well as grab and throw projectiles.

A lot of the planets also start to feel less linear as you go along. Each planet has a list of objectives. It’s done so in a way that you’ll know exactly if you potentially missed one and encourages more exploration on that particular planet.

Oddly therapeutic

I struggle to call this article a review (I still will for SEO purposes) because as of writing, I’ve only completed up to the second galaxy. But that’s both intentional and a force of circumstance.

At the risk of sounding apologetic, I didn’t immediately see the email when PlayStation representatives reached out for this review. And by the time I got the code, I was already in the thick of completing a few backlogs as well as preparing for our IFA 2024 coverage. It was pretty hectic.

But playing Astro Bot to end my incredibly hectic last couple of days proved to be exactly what I needed. The art style and general bright disposition of the game helped me relax and wind down. That’s not something I can say about all the game reviews I take on.

That’s why the night before I wrote this, I decided to take my time with the game. Because I know for sure I’m gonna need the sense of calm I get whenever I play it, especially in the always busy last quarter of the year.

Don’t get me wrong, there are sections of the game that can be challenging. I’ve found myself falling and failing more than a handful of times. But it’s just so damn fun that I don’t mind it at all.

Is Astro Bot your GameMatch?

Astro Bot is a charming platformer that showcases the best things about the PS5. It’s Astro’s Playroom but expanded and made even more fun and engaging.

The game is easily recommendable to anyone who owns a PS5. It’s light, bright, fun, and an absolute good time.

Related Topics:Astro Bot PlayStation 5 PS5

Gaming

Tides of Annihilation opens first public demo at Gamescom 2026

First hands-on

Published

August 6, 2026

Leez

Tides of Annihilation will make its public playable debut at Gamescom 2026.

Developer Eclipse Glow Games announced that attendees can try an extended demo of the upcoming action-adventure game during the event in Cologne, Germany. Players can find the demo at Hall 6, Booth B-050 inside Koelnmesse.

The studio will also reveal a new trailer during Gamescom Opening Night Live on August 25, before the show floor opens.

Demo offers more exploration and combat

The Gamescom demo gives players a longer look at Tides of Annihilation. It features branching paths that lead to different exploration routes and combat encounters. Players can also explore key locations and experience several of the game’s biggest set pieces.

“Gamescom will be an incredibly important moment for our team since this will be our first global playtest and we’re excited to see how first-time players experience our game,” said Ary Chen, Game Director and Co-CEO of Eclipse Glow Games.

“The team has poured heart, soul, and maybe even a few tears into developing the game over the last few years, and it’s finally our opportunity to share it with players. We’re looking forward to seeing their reaction.”

Members of the press and content creators can also schedule private hands-on sessions with the development team during the event.

Arthurian-inspired adventure

Tides of Annihilation blends fast-paced action with a Neo-Medieval vision of modern London. The story follows Gwendolyn after an Outworld invasion leaves the city in ruins.

Driven by a mission to save her sister, she travels between a shattered London and the mythical realm of Avalon. Along the way, she uncovers the mystery behind her newfound powers. She must also decide the fate of reality itself.

Eclipse Glow Games is developing Tides of Annihilation for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

Gaming

Street Fighter 6 adds first Filipino fighter Yasmine to its roster

Eskrima fighter joins battle

Published

August 6, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Street Fighter 6 has officially welcomed Yasmine, making history as the first Filipino martial artist to join the franchise’s playable roster. The new character is now available across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 as part of the game’s Year 4 content.

Yasmine practices Eskrima, having learned the Filipino martial art alongside her older brother under their grandfather’s guidance. She wields Karambit knives in battle and embarks on a journey to find her missing brother.

Players can access Yasmine by purchasing the Year 4 Character Pass or Year 4 Ultimate Pass. Her default outfit features traditional Eskrima-inspired combat attire, while a school uniform serves as her second costume. In combat, she specializes in fast, aggressive attacks that build toward an enhanced Bayani Mode.

Yasmine is the first of four Year 4 fighters, followed by Arjun, Tifa from the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, and Bosch. Her release also arrives alongside battle balance adjustments affecting the entire roster.

Onimusha crossover arrives this week

Capcom also announced a limited-time collaboration between Street Fighter 6 and Onimusha. Running from August 7 to August 31, 2026, the event introduces Oni EX character colors, themed Battle Hub decorations, avatar items, and additional rewards for players who log in during the event.

The update also adds new Avatar Arcade courses, additional ending scenes, a Frame Meter option for Avatar Random Match, and refreshed Master ACT rewards.

Philippine launch event set for August 9

Capcom will celebrate Yasmine’s debut with an official Philippine community launch event on Sunday, August 9, at Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant in Palanan, Makati. The event runs from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM and features a double-elimination tournament, gameplay showcases, giveaways, and community activities.

Attendees can also receive limited-edition Yasmine merchandise, including event T-shirts, lanyards, and collectible keychains while supplies last. Special guests and cosplayers are also scheduled to appear. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to venue capacity.

Gaming

Gangstar Mirage City launches on August 20 with SEA localization

Join a faction now for a chance to win rewards

Published

August 5, 2026

GadgetMatch

Gangstar Mirage City is set for a full regional launch on August 20, with localization for the Southeast Asia region.

Published by Level Infinite, the free-to-play multiplayer, urban, open-world action game is available for download on iOS and Android.

The full regional release features an expanded open world, a new PvP Arena mode, and local languages.

In Gangstar Mirage City, players can team up for up to 4-man co-op heists, drive powerful vehicles, customize their arsenal, build an empire, and fight for control of Rooklyn City.

Players can register on gangstarmiragecity.com for in-game rewards.

In Southeast Asia, players can also register as a member of their respective local faction and get an exclusive in-game Avatar to represent their loyalty:

Philippines: Manila Brigade
Indonesia: War Kanda
Malaysia: Taiko Tedung
Thailand: SIAM APEX

Factions will be ranked based on how many players join and support them. The winning faction will enable all members to get 300 Diamonds, sent directly to their accounts.

Meanwhile, all players, including those who already began their journey in Rooklyn City with the soft launch last July, are invited to join the Global Vault Heist.

Reaching the final Registration Milestone will unlock the Full Tilt Vehicle Pack. These are the rewards up for grabs per milestone: