Astro's Playroom – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Astro's Playroom

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2020

89%

WISE Score

84%

IGDB

The best free game you'll ever get—a joyful PS5 tech demo disguised as an adorable platformer that'll make you smile.

Astro's Playroom

game

2020

89%

WISE Score

84%

IGDB

The best free game you'll ever get—a joyful PS5 tech demo disguised as an adorable platformer that'll make you smile.

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Where to Play

PlayStation

Screenwise Verdict

This is what a tech demo should be: so fun you forget you're learning how to use a new controller. Astro's Playroom is pure, unadulterated joy—a love letter to PlayStation wrapped in a tight, colorful platformer that respects your time and never asks for your wallet.

It's short, yes, but that's a feature not a bug. Kids can actually finish it, parents won't hear complaints about impossible levels, and everyone gets to experience the genuinely impressive DualSense haptics. The mild cartoon violence is about as threatening as a Nerf war.

The PlayStation nostalgia is thick (there are hundreds of artifacts to collect), which might be lost on younger players, but the core gameplay is strong enough to stand on its own. If your kid has a PS5, they already have this game. Let them play it—it's a perfect gateway into 3D platformers and one of the most wholesome gaming experiences you'll find.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-14, though younger kids can play with help. The E10+ rating is spot-on—first graders might struggle with some platforming, but by 8-9 most kids will cruise through. Teens will enjoy it too, especially if they're into gaming culture, but it skews younger in tone.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Charming, upbeat platformer with a robot protagonist that models exploration and perseverance. The tone is consistently cheerful and playful, with mild cartoon violence (shooting pellets, breaking objects) that's completely non-threatening. No scary moments, no mean-spirited content, just pure joy.

Imaginative

Each world is creatively designed around PS5 console components (GPU Jungle, Cooling Springs, Memory Meadow, SSD Speedway), turning technical hardware into whimsical environments. The game showcases the DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in inventive ways—you can feel raindrops, walking on ice, or pulling a bowstring. It's more about experiencing creative implementation than open-ended creation, but the imagination in level design is top-notch.

Safe

E10+ rating with fantasy violence that amounts to shooting colored balls and plunger arrows at enemy robots. No gore, no scary content, no inappropriate themes. No in-game purchases despite ESRB listing (the game is completely free and pre-loaded). Users can interact online but there's no chat system. Zero manipulation, zero monetization concerns, just a well-crafted experience that respects players.

Enriching

Solid platforming skills (timing, spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination) and introduces players to the PS5's innovative controller features in a playful tutorial format. The game is packed with PlayStation nostalgia and gaming history easter eggs, which can spark interest in gaming culture. However, it's relatively short (3-4 hours) and more about fun than deep learning. It's enriching in the way good play is enriching—building skills, confidence, and joy—but it's not trying to teach history or ethics.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Completely free and pre-loaded on every PS5—no catches, no purchases, just pure gaming joy
Perfect introduction to 3D platformers with forgiving difficulty and creative level design
The DualSense controller features are genuinely magical here—kids will feel rain, ice, springs, and more in their hands
Packed with PlayStation history and gaming nostalgia that can spark conversations about how games have evolved
Short enough (3-4 hours) that kids can actually finish it and feel accomplished

⚠

What to Watch For

Younger kids (under 7) might need help with some platforming sections and boss fights
The PlayStation nostalgia references will fly over kids' heads unless they're already gaming enthusiasts
It's short—great for finishing, but kids looking for a longer adventure will blow through it quickly

Conversation Starters

"What was your favorite world? Did you like the icy level or the jungle better?"
"Could you feel the difference in the controller when Astro walked on different surfaces? What did the rain feel like?"
"Did you notice all the little PlayStation characters and references? Want to learn about some of the old games they came from?"
"What made the boss fights tricky? How did you figure out how to beat them?"

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