10 Recent Video Games We Were Way Too Harsh On
2. Astro Bot
It seems ironic to have Astro Bot on this list, considering it nabbed Game of The Year in 2024.
However, winning this award is exactly why Team Asobi's adorable platformer has ruffled feathers. For many, watching a glorified Mario clone triumphing over narrative-heavy titles like Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Black Myth: Wukong wasn't just non-sensical, but downright insulting.
Yes, Astro Bot is a cutesy title that doesn't take itself seriously. Yes, it harbours the DNA of Super Mario (specifically Super Mario Galaxy). And sure, the product placement is a tad cringey. (The titular character literally drives a PS5.)
Though Astro Bot lacks a riveting plot or character complexity, it makes up for it with its dynamic gameplay. The platforming mechanics are precise and easy to pick up, the level design is gorgeous, and the haptic feedback might be the best the PS5 has to offer. Though relying on nostalgia is cheap, it's hard not to smile when you recognise the obscure Sony references littered throughout the game. (Who remembers Ape Escape or Kurushi?)
Astro Bot wears its inspiration on its sleeve, but that doesn't change the fact it's the most beautifully crafted platformer we've seen in quite a while.