Astro Bot's success in the few short months it's been released has been nothing short of spectacular. Players were quick to fall in love with the cute robot and the vibrant, breathtaking worlds which he explores in search of his crew. The abundance of creativity and charm on display in every facet of Astro Bot makes its recent success at The Game Awards all the more clear. In fact, Astro Bot's claim of the top prize only cemented the title as one of the best offerings currently available on PlayStation 5.

Astro Bot's Game of the Year win is certainly validation for Sony in allowing developer Team Asobi to create a title for PlayStation 5 that greatly contrasted with the studio's other offerings. However, this victory may be more important than it first seemed. The huge success that Astro Bot has seen is the sign Sony has needed for years to dip its toes back into a genre of games it once excelled in, and a genre that current PlayStation players are still interested in.

Astro Bot Is One Of The PS5's Most Original Exclusives

The Game Is Widely Accessible To a Range Of Players

Astro Bot's appeal as a PS5 exclusive comes in its originality and creativity. As a 3D platformer, it greatly contrasts with most other PS5 exclusives that are more action-heavy and targeted towards an older demographic. Astro Bot's accessibility and innocent art style makes it an ideal game to attract younger and more casual players, while the game's infectious charm and wonder makes it easy for more experienced players to get roped into Astro's adventure. Astro Bot greatly contrasts from other exclusives with its much broader appeal, which likely contributed to its success.

The game also excels in its addictive and immersive gameplay. Astro Bot is one of the few PS5 titles to take full advantage of the DualSense controller, integrating its many features in unique ways. Whether it's using the gyro controls in order to climb, or feeling the tension in the triggers when using some of Astro's new abilities, the game adds another level of interaction that makes for a more engaging and immersive experience. Combine it with the slew of expansive, beautifully-designed levels, and players are left with one of the best 3D platformers in years with Astro Bot.

Astro Bot's abundance of charm and originality demonstrates the need for the PlayStation to include more 3D platformers. Sony's most recent venture into the genre is clear proof of the avalanche of original ideas and unique gameplay experiences that have yet to be uncovered. The creativity, innovation and broad appeal that the 3D platforming genre provides gives PlayStation a prime opportunity for success, and yet there's currently no sign of this direction being taken in the near future.

PlayStation Was Once Home To Amazing 3D Platformers

These Titles Rivaled The Likes Of Nintendo

PlayStation's lack of 3D platformers is genuinely heartbreaking, especially considering its past success in the genre. From the original console, franchises like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon were at the forefront of the revolution in gaming brought forward by PlayStation. Crash's appeal came in its more literal translation of 2D platformers and its challenging level design, while Spyro offered a unique take on the collectathon games that dominated 3D gaming at the time, thanks to a diverse moveset and whimsical environments.

Even as PlayStation 2 rolled around, 3D platformers continued to be a huge part of the PlayStation catalog. Ratchet & Clank and Sly Cooper continued experimenting with the genre, with their fusion of third-person shooter and stealth gameplay respectively. Sony's commitment to creating inventive and entertaining 3D platformers for PlayStation resulted in some of the best titles in the console line's first few generations, and placed the genre at a similar level of importance to the multitude of other titles on offer.

All three Sly Cooper games are now on PlayStation Plus 's retro games catalog.

There was a clear understanding from Sony of the potential for creativity and innovation within the 3D platforming genre. The decision to release exclusives that took advantage of said potential resulted in a slew of amazing titles that rivaled the likes of Nintendo. It felt like developers for PlayStation were only scratching the surface of what was possible, making the decision to move away from 3D platformers in later generations even more baffling. Sony has been sitting on a gold mine which it refuses to dig into, despite the huge success that lies underneath.

Astro Bot Could Be The Revival PlayStation Needs

There's Still Clear Interest In The Genre From Players

The lack of 3D platformers on PlayStation makes Astro Bot's success all the more important. Its multiple wins at The Game Awards is clear recognition of Astro Bot's impact and the abundance of creativity on display. In a year of incredible games, Astro Bot stood above the rest to take the grand prize, showing the need for 3D platformers to receive more recognition, especially on PlayStation. In fact, with its number of accolades, Astro Bot could be the perfect start to a 3D platformer revival on PlayStation.

It's clear that players on PlayStation are more than happy to see such a revival. In the few months since its release, Astro Bot has managed to sell over 1.5 million copies, according to a Sony financial report, demonstrating the continued interest in 3D platformers on PlayStation. All signs are pointing towards Astro Bot being the catalyst for a huge revival in the genre, one that Sony should take advantage of for PlayStation.

If Sony wants to continue PlayStation's track record of amazing exclusive titles, 3D platformers should be included in the conversation. Whether it be in the form of an Astro Bot sequel, or an entirely new IP, the genre continues to harbor a mountain of untapped potential that can be tapped into. Creative titles like Astro Bot deserve to stand on the same pedestal as PlayStation's other well-known franchises, offering amazing gaming experiences for players of any age and level, while putting the spotlight on a genre that's far too often kept in the shadows.

Sources: PlayStation/YouTube, Sony