Astro Bot director Nicolas Doucet firmly believes that the PlayStation 5 has introduced significant advancements, despite some criticism suggesting this generation is merely a minor upgrade from its predecessor.

Since the PS5’s launch five years ago, many exclusive titles have been sequels or ports from the PS4. In contrast, Astro Bot was designed to highlight the new console’s potential, as Doucet shared in an interview.

He acknowledged that when comparing visuals from the end of the PS4’s lifecycle with early PS5 titles, the differences might not be glaring to the average viewer.

“At first glance, it may appear difficult to distinguish between the two,” Doucet noted.

However, he pointed out that the introduction of the DualSense controller, featuring haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, allowed for an immersive gameplay experience. “We experimented with these triggers to simulate various actions, such as pulling or breaking,” he explained.

Doucet continued by emphasizing that while some improvements may not be immediately obvious, they significantly enhance the gaming experience. “The evolution from HD graphics was clear, but with the controller, you really need to feel it to understand the impact.”

He believes that the combination of the DualSense controller and SSD in the PS5 creates something truly special. “For instance, think of games like Souls, where dying often meant long load times. With the SSD, those wait times are drastically reduced, making for a more enjoyable experience.”

Moreover, Team Asobi is concentrating solely on PS5-exclusive titles, even with Sony’s recent move to release first-party games on PC. “Our primary focus remains on the PS5. We aim to maximize the advantages of the DualSense and SSD,” Doucet stated. “There might be opportunities to bridge platforms in the future, but for now, our main dedication is to the PlayStation console.”

Doucet also expressed a preference for console development due to the uniformity of hardware. “The PS5 has specific, consistent hardware. What we see during development is exactly what players will experience at home. This allows us to concentrate on our work without worrying about compatibility issues, which has always made console development appealing to me.”

Additionally, Doucet discussed the structure of Astro Bot, highlighting the advantages of creating a more focused, concise experience. While there is a baseline size for a project to qualify as a full game, the team aimed to avoid overextending itself.

“We liken this to dining,” he said. “When you’re really hungry and offered a buffet, it can be tempting. However, you might end up regretting overindulgence and not fully appreciating what you had.”

Conversely, if the experience is just right, players are likely to have fond memories and may want more. “Our goal is to provide an enjoyable experience without overwhelming players,” Doucet emphasized.

His sentiments echo his previous remarks at GDC this year, where he stated that creating smaller games is perfectly acceptable. “Many decisions made for Astro Bot could fall under the AA category in terms of team size and game scope. Nevertheless, that doesn’t diminish our ability to create something that gives players joy.”

What titles do you think best showcase the success of the PS5? Share your thoughts in the comments!