The Playroom is a free application for the PS4 and is designed to show off the new features of the system. It primarily focuses upon the camera and DualShock 4 controller. In that aspect, it is similar to Welcome Park for the PlayStation Vita. This application includes trophy support but is more of a tech demo than a proper game. You must have the PlayStation Camera in order to even start the application since it is an augmented reality application.
The application has various modes. The first is Play with Asobi. Asobi is a floating robot head and flies around the room. You can have limited interaction with it. Asobi will react to you by moving away from your arms and it will get angry if you hit it. You’ll have fun for around five minutes before selecting the next mode because it’s pretty basic.
In AR Bots, there are numerous small bots in your controller. You flick them out using the touchpad and you can then interact with them such as kicking them or scaring them into running away. Flick enough out and you’ll even get Sackboy out. There is also a section where you can see the “inside” of the controller and pressing the buttons will cause the bots to dance.
For AR Hockey, you will need two controllers since it is a 2 player game. You play air hockey using the touchpad. It is a basic but classic game so it’s fairly fun if you can fin a second player in the room.
The Playroom contains four free DLC packs. The first is Toy Maker and it requires a second device which can be either your smartphone or the Vita. Once you download the Second Screen app, you’re good to go. In conjunction with AR Bots, you can draw any item with your second device and can then “throw” it into the screen. The bots will play around with it and it’s somewhat amusing. There are also a small amount of pre-made objects like soccer balls if you cannot be bothered drawing anything elaborate.
In My Alien Buddy, a floating slime alien in a flying saucer appears and you control it using the motion control functions of the controller. The alien can suck up things as well as blasting things away. There are various “levels” that you can cause havoc in. Unfortunately, there are no real objectives and you’re left to mess around until you’re bored which will be pretty quick.
Ninja Bots is the mode that’s most like a conventional game. It is set in the style of an endless runner. One of the bots will turn into a ninja and you run down a route gaining coins and defeating enemies. You use the motion control functions of the controller to move left and right, flick the controller up to jump, and use the touchpad to fire ninja stars. It takes around five minutes to complete the level. You can even play this in co-op.
The last mode is AR Studio which is exactly what it suggests in the title. This mode also requires the second screen app on your second device. Using the app, you add effects and items into your room including masks that overlay other people’s faces, spotlights ad screen distortions.
Overall, as a free application and a tech demo, The Playroom is not too bad. It adds in around an hour or so of enjoyment for you to mess around although you would most likely not go back to it after the first time.
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