This is one of the first things you notice when you start your PS5 for the first time: Astro's Playroom, developed by SIE Japan, is already available and acts as the very first game, accessible without additional purchase. A smart move on the part of the video game giant, especially since it gave carte blanche to one of its very good studios, already at the origin of the formidable VR software Astrobot Rescue Mission: very clearly, the developers are once again racking their brains to present the different features of the DualSense in the most accessible and fun way possible. And from the introduction, which consists only of reviewing this brand new pad, the effect is absolutely striking: it is certainly one of the most eye-catching tutorials ever made. Yes, yes, we are talking about simply pulling a trigger, turning the joystick, stroking the touch screen or and, overall, attending an ultra-formal presentation lasting a few minutes... But believe us, this first contact leaves no one indifferent.
NEVER WITHOUT MY VIBRATOR
The reality is that for this new generation, Sony engineers have really racked their brains to modernize this descendant of the DualShock 4. At the top of the list then are haptic vibrations and adaptive triggers, undoubtedly the two innovations which turn out to be the most striking, here wonderfully well represented in Astro's Playroom. Taking the form of a platform-adventure game with some basic action components, the experience therefore asks us to take a cute little robot through levels. And even in the purest bases, the designers thought of using the features of the controller: with each step taken, it will start to vibrate finely on one side, then on the other, before wriggling as a whole when we will walk in the grass. It is the same for the double jump, the strike or the simple fact of pulling ropes, or the feeling, object in hand, surprises as it is new in the landscape of the video game. You really have to see it to believe it, but then the potential seems clear: this haptic feedback, if used well, can transform an average feeling game into a very, very unique and addictive feeling game. 
THE SENSE OF FINGERING
It is the same for the adaptive triggers which, we recall, offer resistance according to certain actions: concretely, it will be necessary to press more or less hard according to the situations and Astro's Playroom abuses it in a very relevant way. Rather varied in its platform phases, the adventure will make us take control of various and varied machines, so as to ventilate the gameplay and use the L2 and R2 keys, here with their best facelift. If we couple these technologies to the gyroscope, to the microphone (in which we will sometimes have to blow) or to the touch pad, yes, we then find ourselves with a truly innovative platform game in its way of approaching a platform that is nevertheless basic. Proof that this DualSense is an absolute breath of fresh air for this next-gen launch, and Astro's Playroom is, for the moment, the most perfect demonstration of it. 
I DON'T WANT TO AGE
On the rest, it's hard to blame Astro's Playroom for much: despite its graphics, admittedly not necessarily very impressive, everything runs perfectly in 4K/60FPS, is based on a very warm artistic direction and, above all, has a good seductive atmosphere. As much to tell you right away: the whole thing turns out to be a giant advertisement for PlayStation since the very principle of the title is to explore the recesses of the PS5 such as the GPU, the RAM and so on, with good humor child. Above all, this little journey will pay tribute to the entire history of the brand, retracing all the consoles and all the accessories marketed, the 3D models of which, reproduced with meticulous fidelity, will be unlocked in the levels. The set will also be gathered in the HUB, where it will be possible to play with these dozens of objects that we will have had the chance (or not) to use over the last three decades. 
Even the levels themselves exude nostalgia, housing dozens and dozens of references, winks, console startup sounds, hidden features: moreover, let's point out that the PS5's SSD can be seen perfectly handled since we will pass from one level to another almost without downtime. An asset to complete the game at 100%, something doable in five or six hours of play, Platinum Trophy in support. To complete all the levels without worrying about collectibles, we must then bet on a more limited lifespan, of about three or four hours. But to tell the truth, it's not really a problem as the whole thing is lively, sparkling and full of easter eggs… especially since it's completely free. In short, if you have a PS5, good news: one of its must-haves is already present on the hard drive.
