The PlayStation 5 game Astro's Playroom looks like it will include dozens of easter eggs and hidden references to class PlayStation games, with a handful (such as God of War and Uncharted shown off in a new gameplay video. The game is set to release on November 12 alongside the next-gen console, meaning that the console won't be completely bereft of first-party launch exclusives following the delay of Destruction AllStars earlier this week.
Astro's Playroom is a unique title that acts as a sequel to the PS VR game Astro Bot Rescue Mission, which released in 2018 to widespread praise from critics. The platformer will be available completely free to everyone who buys a PS5. That's because the game will be pre-loaded on the next-gen system, giving players something to play immediately after booting it up for the first time. It will also give players the chance to try out some of the console's new features such as haptic feedback with the DualSense controllers.
A new gameplay video for Astro's Playroom shows that the game includes plenty of PlayStation references. The footage, which was posted by IGN, contains a number of hidden easter eggs and gives players a glimpse at the impressive collectibles that they can acquire in the game. These include a number of PlayStation accessories, such as classic DualShock controllers, along with cameos by characters from the likes of God of War and Uncharted. The cute little robot characters often reenact memorable scenes from Sony's biggest games by the looks of it, with Kratos and Atreus seen sailing on a boat in the video. There are even a few nods to franchises such as Tomb Raider and Metal Gear Solid.
With the launch of the PS5 fast approaching, news about the console is beginning to become much more regular. Despite the delay of some high-profile games and the pre-order fiasco that left many customers disappointed, the PS5 is still expected to be a big seller this holiday season. In fact, Xbox boss Phil Spencer believes that Sony's system and the Xbox Series X/S will both sell out in 2020 as gaming has seen a steep rise in popularity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Considering that the PS5 doesn't really have much in the way of exclusive launch games, fans will no doubt be excited to see Astro's Playroom in action. The huge amount of hidden references and clever cameos should give players plenty of incentive to explore the in-game world to see exactly what it has to offer. That's even more important when the title will come pre-loaded onto every single PS5.
Astro's Playroom will be a launch title for the PS5, releasing on November 12, 2020.
Source: IGN