PlayStation drops free PS5 download you can claim now

It’s admittedly been a rather quiet year for PlayStation.

Helldivers II and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth are amongst the year’s exclusive standouts, with Rise of the Ronin and Stellar Blade both also earning badges of honour.

Perhaps more so than usual though, the year has been lacking in what you might call tentpole first-party exclusives.

That’s somewhat to be expected.

Last year brought us Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, with God of War Ragnarök and Horizon Forbidden West landing the year prior.

That rules many of PlayStation’s biggest IPs out of the mix for 2024.

Thankfully though, a major familiar face is about to return.

This Friday will mark the launch of Team Asobi’s highly awaited Astro Bot, and did you know that the adventure has already begun?

ICYMI: Take a look at the trailer for Astro Bot below.

Over the last couple of months, Team Asobi has been dropping a series of free updates for Astro’s Playroom adding in ‘special bots’.

Essentially, these are new bots for players to track down and rescue with the special bots then being carried over into the new Astro Bot game upon release.

If you haven’t already started looking for these lost friends, worry not. You’ve still got time.

The special bots are themed around Bloodborne, Returnal, Gran Turismo, and Ape Escape, each coming with their own trophy.

You can even go and visit a ‘special countdown celebration’ in Astro’s Playroom following the new free update.

I went to check out the new update myself and I have to say, I didn’t think my hype level for Astro Bot could intensify anymore and yet it has tenfold.

For us long-time PlayStation fans, there’s something so utterly heartwarming about the trip down memory lane that Astro’s Playroom takes us on - something I’m sure we’ll see reciprocated in Astro Bot.

With just a few days left to go, there’s not long to see what this new adventure has in store.

Until then though? Go find those special bots!