Yes, it really has been a full year since the launch of PlayStation 5. Sony's latest console debuted exactly a year ago today — in the US, at least — and we've been spending the last 12 months getting to know the white and black box. The question is: how is the PS5 faring after one year? Are all the fancy hardware features truly game-changing? Has the initial slate of software lived up to expectations? Let's go through everything and see how we're feeling about PS5, one year in.
Hardware and System Features
To be perfectly honest, we're still not 100 per cent sold on the PS5's outward appearance. It's not so much the contrasting white-on-black colouring, it's that asymmetrical, curved design. It's certainly a striking, dare we say iconic silhouette, particularly the standard console with a Blu-Ray drive, but it remains an odd object. Sitting alongside your sleek, flatscreen TV and the parallelogram PS4, it looks like it's from a different age altogether.
Still, whether you love or loathe PS5's physical design, it's what's under those white plates that really matters, and it's where the console begins to really shine.
SSD
One of PS5's signature features is its built-in, super-speedy SSD. A year ago, the solid-state drive was unmatched in terms of read and write speed, able to unpack data faster than anything else on the market, including high-end PC drives. The result at launch, and a year later, is a console capable of loading games and apps near-instantly, and it's something to which we've quickly grown accustomed.
Firing up basically any PS5 game, loading has very nearly become a thing of the past. While the odd loading screen does still appear, they're so significantly reduced that you barely have time to take a sip of your drink. Warping between areas in Demon's Souls takes just a couple of seconds; fast travel in Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a simple fade-to-black and back again. The SSD has even informed the design of some games, such as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and its super-impressive portals between planets. This feature alone has marked a big difference between current- and last-gen — we're not sure we could go back to PS4's lengthy loads after 12 months with PS5.
It does lose some points, though, because the amount of storage isn't really enough, potentially forcing you to delete older games to make room for new ones. This has been resolved recently with the ability to install extra SSD storage, but it's a costly practice, so if you can't afford the pricey SSDs, you're stuck with 800-odd GB, which isn't ideal.
Grade: A-
3D Audio
The PS5's Tempest engine promised a big step forward for spatial audio. While the PS4 of course supports stereo and surround sound, the PS5 is capable of more accurately placing sound within a game's world. It's a hard thing to describe, but it essentially gives you much better audial feedback, allowing you to hear where enemies are around you, for example. Of the PS5's signature bells and whistles, this one feels like it's yet to meet its real potential.
That's not to say it doesn't work — in fact, in some games it's genuinely great. With a half-decent set of headphones, games like Demon's Souls and Returnal really do offer a far richer soundscape. In the grand scheme of things, though, it does feel as though 3D audio hasn't really come into its own. A year on from launch, the functionality has been expanded to TV speakers, but whether you're running sound through your telly or a set of cans, there aren't many games that seem to properly take advantage.
It's a tricky one, as we think a game's audio mix and fundamental sound quality will play a big part in how well 3D audio plays out, so it's something that will vary wildly between titles. The Last of Us: Part II, for example, has fantastic spatial sound, outdoing native PS5 games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Add to that the millions of players who may experience sound differently, and it's no wonder it's tough to get it right. This is a feature that will hopefully continue to be built upon, as the potential remains very high.
Grade: B-
User Interface
The PS5's user interface is a pretty big departure from what we're used to on PS4, with some interesting new ideas aiming to keep players engaged in the experience. Navigating the majority of PS5's menus is pretty self-explanatory, and the big, 4K splash screens for each game do look lovely with the HDR-compatible UI. We would say, though, that the system's Activity Cards are somewhat hit and miss.
The Control Centre is easily accessible with a push of the PS button, and features a decent suite of quick options wherever you are on the system. Above this menu are context-sensitive Cards, and in some ways these have proven very useful. Though not all games support this, bringing up the Control Centre to see how much longer a certain mission will take, or how much progress you've made towards a Trophy, is neat and convenient. Game Help, a feature only for PS Plus members, is also a great addition, allowing developers to build guides for their games directly into the PS5. It's also very handy to select an Activity Card and start a game where you left off instantly rather than going through the motions of booting it up. Again, though, it's not something all software supports.
Where the Cards come a little unstuck is for other uses, such as partying up, or starting a voice chat. Some of PS5's social actions still feel more convoluted than they should. The Cards do give you access to all the options you need, but because of the way they're divided, it can be difficult to keep track of where all those options are. We suppose this will be something we'll continue to get used to, and could well improve in the years to come.
Grade: C+
Firmware Updates
As with the PS4 and PS3 before it, the PS5 has been subject to multiple system software updates. Some have been small, simply improving stability, while others have been huge, bringing new features and improvements in one fell swoop.
When it launched, the PS5 was frankly very buggy. We recall issues with controllers not charging, external hard drives causing trouble, and plenty of other odd rough edges. It's fair to say it launched in a relatively rough state. A lot of those problems have now been ironed out of course, and the system's firmware will only continue to improve going forward.
PS5 firmware 21.02-04 in particular was a big milestone, allowing users to upgrade the system's SSD storage, introducing 3D audio via TV speakers, vertical Trophy lists, and much, much more. Since then, we would say the console's system software has been in much better shape, but we still have plenty of ideas for how it could be improved.
Grade: B
DualSense Controller
Arguably the best thing about PS5 is its controller, the DualSense. Sporting the same white and black colour scheme as the machine itself, this pad is our favourite PlayStation controller to date, and we've loved using it over the last 12 months.
It feels wonderful to hold with that face symbol-textured back, vastly improved trigger buttons, and a larger size fitting snugly in the hands. However, it's the DualSense's innovative features that take the biscuit. Haptic feedback, when used effectively, is transformative, giving you far more nuanced rumble that's capable of replicating how something feels. You only need to play Astro's Playroom for five minutes to appreciate the difference it can make. You're able to discern changes in the character's footsteps on different surfaces, or feel the rain "hitting" the controller. Done right, it's pretty magical.
The adaptive triggers can be excellent as well, contextually changing how much pressure is needed in order to squeeze L2 and R2. In Returnal, this has allowed one button to have two functions, with a "stop" half-way down the button's travel. Ratchet & Clank makes liberal use of the triggers to give each of its outlandish weapons a unique feel.
What's most encouraging about the DualSense is that it's not just first-party teams putting its features to use. Tons of third-party games have been toying with the haptics and triggers, and while the quality of experience can vary, some efforts are truly great. WRC 10 (and WRC 9 before it) are elevated on PS5 by DualSense's capabilities, replicating the bumps and slides of rally racing wonderfully. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is an impressive showcase for adaptive triggers, meanwhile, giving each gun unique feedback when fired. We're hopeful that developers, whether part of PlayStation Studios or not, will continue to hone the DualSense experience, as it's absolutely a defining part of PS5.
Grade: A
Games
Summing up a console's first year of software is no easy thing, but we'll try. A good place to start would be to compare it with PS4's inaugural 12 months, and it's in doing so that we can see a pretty clear difference. PlayStation president Jim Ryan has gone on record to say that PS5's launch lineup is the best the platform has ever had, and we're inclined to agree with him.
Something worth noting when considering the past year's video games is that they've all been produced and released amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Frankly, it's kind of a miracle that as many games made it to launch as they did; the virus will have severely slowed production on basically every title regardless of size. Considering the circumstances, the year of games we've had is really quite impressive.
PlayStation Studios and First-Party Games
Focusing on launch exclusives in particular, PS5 had Demon's Souls, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Godfall, and the pre-installed Astro's Playroom. All things considered, we'd say that's a stellar selection compared to PS4's Resogun, Flower, Sound Shapes, Killzone Shadow Fall, and Knack.
It's when you go beyond the games available day one that things get more interesting. In the intervening months, Sony has published a number of notable exclusives. Although Destruction AllStars proved to be a flop, that's pretty much the only dud among many fantastic titles. The Nioh Collection brought Team Ninja's great Souls-like RPGs to the console, Housemarque delivered its biggest game ever with Returnal, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart really showed off the PS5's power. That's to say nothing of PS5 re-releases Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut and Death Stranding Director's Cut.
As we said, there's barely a bad apple in the bunch, and things are looking similarly rosey when we look to the future. Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Forbidden West, and God of War Ragnarok are all looking excellent, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Marvel's Wolverine, while further out, are almost guaranteed hits.
Grade: A-
Third-Party Games
It's impossible to go through everything of course, but it feels as though PS5 has enjoyed a prosperous first year when it comes to third-party software. Among the launch games were Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, DIRT 5, and The Pathless, with plenty more besides. By and large, the quality on offer was high, with lots of options for players on launch day.
Again, though, it's been a great year for PS5 titles. Hitman 3 got 2021 off to a flying start, Resident Evil Village continued the series' fine form, and Deathloop proved to be another cracking title from Arkane — even if we did grow weary of its numerous trailers.
While PS5 enjoyed the arrival of many original games, a big part of its catalogue in year one has been made up of re-releases. A swathe of PS4 titles migrated to PS5 with free upgrades, taking advantage of the extra power and new features. There are plenty of examples, but a few notable re-releases included Control: Ultimate Edition, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
Grade: B+
Overall, we would say PS5's first year of games has been excellent, although we've yet to play too many truly mind-blowing experiences. Don't get us wrong, there are many fantastic games, and it's arguably the strongest start for a new console we can remember. There just aren't many proper, face-melting, next-gen-has-arrived must-plays yet. It's early days yet, though, and we're super excited for what's to come. If we're getting the likes of Demon's Souls and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart in the first year, it bodes very well for the future.
PlayStation Plus
PS Plus is a big part of Sony's offering, with a huge percentage of PlayStation users subscribed to the service. The value proposition when you consider the sheer number of games members receive a year is inarguable. However, the calibre of titles given out each month can vary dramatically. So, how has PS5's first year of Plus been?
The first thing to consider is the PS Plus Collection, a PS5-exclusive benefit giving members access to 20 of PS4's best games from day one. In addition to the usual monthly rotation, members can enjoy the likes of God of War, Bloodborne, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, Persona 5, Monster Hunter: World, and more. It's an awesome selection that really boosts the value of PS Plus on the new console.
What about the monthly games, then? Overall, we think PS5 has had a good start, with highlights including Bugsnax, Control: Ultimate Edition, A Plague Tale: Innocence, and Knockout City. That's without considering all the PS4 offerings, which are obviously backwards compatible, giving PS5 owners access to all three games each month instead of just one.
They're not all winners, though. Destruction AllStars, Hunter's Arena: Legends, and WWE 2K Battlegrounds weren't great, although everyone will have their own thoughts on which PS Plus titles have been worth it. Again, the service has been largely decent, and on PS5 especially, the value is definitely there.
Grade: B
Sales Performance
PS5's sales performance is rather interesting indeed. Sony made the decision to launch a brand new console in the throes of a global pandemic, a risky play that has ultimately paid off. While we're still feeling the ramifications of the situation, the PS5 has been an immense success.
As of September 2021, the console has sold more than 13.4 million units, which makes it the fastest-selling PlayStation in history. That would be impressive under normal circumstances, but Sony has achieved this with PS5 stock running in short supply for the entire year (more on that below).
While the console has been in and out of stock like a flickering lightbulb, Sony will still be popping champagne at those sales numbers. The company still has plenty of work to do in order to meet demand, but record-breaking sales in the current climate is not to be sniffed at.
Grade: A
Availability
On the flip side of the situation, PS5 consoles are incredibly difficult to purchase. Complications with component shortages and other manufacturing woes have meant the PS5 is a scarce and highly sought-after device. Demand far exceeds supply, and unfortunately it'll remain that way for the time being.
The console reappears at retail in fits and starts, with customers desperately trying to confirm an order within minutes, or even seconds, of the console coming into stock. It's a frustrating time for fans who just want to play those shiny new games, and unfortunately the situation hasn't improved much at all since launch. Of course, things will eventually smooth out as Sony improves its production line, but availability for the first year has been miserable.
Grade: D
That about wraps up our thoughts on PS5's first year. To conclude, we're very happy with how the console's doing so far, but we're excited to see how the console, and its games, evolve in years two and three. What about you? How are you finding PS5 after 12 months? What are some standout features and games? Discuss in the comments section below.
Comments 102
Nice idea. Good read. Mostly agree.
Obviously the ssd is amazing as is the dualsense. It’s a usual quiet first year after a new gen launches but the 2nd year is heating up with several massive titles scheduled, with more to come. By the time the third year is underway we’re going to have a monster on our hands. Ripening slowly, but well
Yeah, I’d say that the first few days with the console were fantastic and then it quickly became PS4 Pro Pro. I love my PS5 but I really do mostly play PS4 games on it. It’s probably not helped by the fact my DualSense is already on its last legs after about 9 months. Bought a new one but I was gonna wait until Christmas and give it to my brother.
Cant remember the last time i switched it on tbh
My console will be a year old on the 19th November.
TBH it is the best, I have used my PS4 a number of times in this past year but almost everything I do now is on my PS5.
Everything just seems more organised and quicker to do when it comes to playing games and editing videos and stuff, the only thing I miss is the custom themes which I hope will one day be back.
I am still working without an SSD, going to do that at some point but other things need my cash first...
First time PlayStation owner (always been x box) but really really enjoyed playing my PS5 and the exclusives that are on it.
Don’t regret getting one at all and looking forward to the future to see what treats were in for.
All I could hear when seeing that Astro Playroom picture was:
ESS ESS DEEEEEEEEEE
It would be great to see a redesigned stand for horizontal use. It always falls off no matter how tightly it is attached. Been looking at 3rd party options (like the NexiGo) which are basically two feet that slide on each end. Might get something like that.
Wish the build in help and cards were used more in more games. Still fumbling with my phone while trying to find a solution or tip while playing. Love to see a mini pop-over web browser on the PS5.
The 60fps <OR> 4K was not something I was expecting, thought it would be both on most games. I go for 60fps every time, can't go back.
The removal of USB save options is still a sore point. I really hope they allow saving backups to a thumb drive again like the PS4. What do people without PSPlus do?
I love my PS5, mainly because I can play games from the last few years but with the bonus of of actually being able to hear the TV! The launch window has been pretty underwhelming when it comes to actual PS5 games - six, maybe seven next gen games in total? Which also goes a long way to explain the oft ignored new 3D audio tech, 99% of games played on a PS5 weren't designed with it in mind, not properly.
But yeah playing last gen games with frame rate boosts, pixel boosts and faster loading (arguably how the devs always hoped for?) has been pretty good. The first year is always a weird one, but just wait until games start being made in Unreal 5 with current gen tech. We thought games couldn't look better than TLOU2 or RDR2, these games will be made to look cute in comparison.
Had it since day 1 and still playing it pretty much every day, and if not me then another member of the family. It's so much better than the base PS4 we had before. Loading speeds are amazing, the controller is great (even though I've had two that have had drift), and being able to play games at 60 fps.
I did end up splashing out for an m2 drive though as the internal storage wasn't quite enough for all of us to get what we wanted to play on there. It was totally worth it though.
For people like myself upgrading from an OG PS4, I think it's been brilliant.
Would like to see more exclusive games like ratchet and returnal rather than cross-gen, but that doesn't look like changing any time soon.
I’ve enjoyed my console greatly so far (well, my second one after having to send the first for repairs within 48hrs of getting it..)
Load times and almost guaranteed 60fps are wonderful. As you say, the star of the show is the controller and the big exclusives like R&C and Returnal use it brilliantly.
The idea of the “Director’s Cut” has also been an interesting one to allow some big name games from the last gen to flourish and I’m currently really enjoying my time with Death Stranding. It’s a clever way to plug the gap with only a handful of dedicated PS5 games.
And the PS+ collection must be fantastic for newcomers to the Sony system.
@Zag_Man "This new gen is one of convenience over any real meaningful upgrades." I think you're very dismissive of the storage and loading. Changing from 1 minute load times to only a few seconds, or removing loads altogether, IS a meaningful upgrade not just convenience. Additionally a general move back to 60fps having been stuck at 30fps is again a meaningful upgrade.
"But in terms of an actual upgrade in games over what we already had there is nothing to speak of here that is of any real consequence." It's still early days. We will see games that are significant upgrades over what we saw before, we've already seen a few like Demon's Souls, Ratchet and a few 3rd party titles. But we are getting to the point of diminishing returns for graphics, we aren't going to have a jump like PS2->PS3 ever again. Plus if you had a mid-gen PS4 PRO console obviously the upgrade to PS5 is less pronounced.
@nessisonett
I’ll say I’m not impressed by the Dualsense’s reliability. I bought a new controller just so I’d have two. That one developed severe right stick drift after about four months of use. My pack in doesn’t have drift (it’s been a year so far) but I’ve had to retrofit Dualshock 4 springs into the L2/R2 triggers several times. I’ve taken this controller apart at least four times to install new trigger springs. It impacts the feel of the adaptive triggers pretty significantly, since Dualshock 4 springs aren’t as stiff as Dualsense springs.
Other than that, it’s my favorite console ever from a utility standpoint. The nonexistent load times are my favorite thing about it when it comes to PS5 software.
I’d love for you guys to do a feature looking back at the missing consoles from UK launch day. 👍 Did everyone who got Cat Food & Kitchen Roll end up getting their consoles? Did anyone ever find out where those missing consoles went? Was it the dodgy delivery drivers or someone from the dispatch warehouse? 🤔🤷♂️
I think it’s a stretch to call the ps5 library anything but disappointing IMHO. Came in with a very short-lived bang that quickly faded to near nothingness, with very little of interest on the horizon. Well short of any A’s or B’s for me, but everyone’s got different tastes and expectations I suppose.
@Zag_Man I disagree on the loads. Not being sent to a loading screen for 1+ minutes which results in picking up phone or some other distraction isn't just a convenience, it heightens immersion. And with limited game time allows me to actually play more!
It's an extreme example granted but I shudder to think of how many HOURS I lost on Skyrim on console JUST on load screens. E.g. You finish questing and fully laden, want to sell some loot so you; (long load screen) fast travel back to Whiterun; to (load screen) enter Warmaidens to sell some weapons and armour; to (load screen) exit Warmaidens; to (load screen) enter Breezehome to stash some stuff; to (load screen) exit Breezeholm; to (load screen) enter Belethor's goods because you can't buy/sell products at one vendor and they each have limited to cash; to (load screen) Exit Belethor's; to (load screen) Enter Arcadadia's Cauldron to buy/sell some and loot and do some alchemy; to (load screen) get back back into Whiterun.
TLDR: 10-15 minutes later, at least half of which were load screens, we may just about be ready to go back on a quest now after another lengthy load screen or two.
I just replayed bits of this on the anniversary edition and each of those load screens are a couple of seconds. That ISN'T just convenience it's game changing.
I agree that a stable frame rate is more important. Thankfully we are seeing that too as a whole.
We're eye to eye on the graphical arms race. We ARE seeing devs pushing more of other things like simulation, framerates and other aspects that are less noticeable initially but make for a better game. Agreed would like to see more innovation and risk in this space.
For those of us still looking that D grade is all that matters. 😝
Well I suppose it is nice to know if I ever get 1 it's a nice machine.
Article could use something about the price, no? As @nessisonett says it's like a PS4 Pro Pro for many people. I mean just look at that list of most played games, are any of them PS5 exclusives? I know Fortnite and CoD aren't. So what did people get year 1 for $500 compared to all the people complaining that the PS3 was overpriced at $500? That's not sour grapes, just another way to look at a not inexpensive purchase.
I love my PS5. The accomplishment to even get one was great xD But yeah, the thing is cool, love the loadtimes, the improved performance for older games and the exclusives. Just finished the great Deathloop which had a really good dualsense integration. I don't mind how the console looks or that it takes a huge chuck of space. The quietness alone was well worth the price of admission. But I think I'm growing older... I don't get hyped for games anymore but well I'm looking forward to Elden Ring, don't really mind the upcoming exclusives...
A- for exclusives so far sounds a bit excessive.
I'm sorry but I cannot stand the design of the PS5. Maybe if they release a slim version that looks more like a normal console I'll get one then. In the meantime I'm still having fun with my PS4.
In the first 6 months or so that I’ve owned one, the PS5 has been the most enjoyable console I’ve had the pleasure of using. My only real niggles with it are lack of storage, the absence of themes, a strange web browser and the fact that I couldn’t (figure out how to) transfer my photos and videos from PS4 thus losing them to the digital ether.
The DualSense is easily my favourite controller ever, I’ve grown to like the U.I., it’s overall lightning quick and plays a lot of my favourite games from last-gen better than ever. The built in UHD player is the cherry on top. I’m not really looking to be “blown away”, I’m looking for a top tier experience in the next evolution of console gaming, which I firmly feel has been delivered.
@Zag_Man I'm inclined to agree with @themightyant. I bought the Mafia Trilogy recently, having played the original versions of all three games on PC (not definitive editions). I'm currently playing the third game, and the loading times are infuriating. Most of the game works without loading, but when you start a race it can take over a minute to reset the map state to how it should be when the race starts. On PC it took maybe 10 seconds tops, usually a lot less (playing off a gen 2 SATA SSD - nothing fancy, but not a mechanical drive either). This means that every time you get nudged by an AI driver and crash, you're sitting waiting for an age before getting back to the starting line. It completely disrupts flow, and I find myself making far more mistakes right off the starting line than I did on PC. I'm not quite sure what the deal is, the loading code must be different on PlayStation, as I'm playing off a faster drive, maybe it's because the PS4 had less RAM and BC isn't making use of what the PS5 has, but however you explain it the refect is the same: increased loading times have a huge impact on the gameplay loop, which have a much bigger effect on the player than mere convenience.
With all of that said, the PS5 is the first console that I've owned where I'll buy games that are available on PC. The DualSense is great, but I can use that on Steam anyway. It's just a great all around experience, when games are well-made for the console (eyes hanger 13)
@Zag_Man you are misunderstanding the point
@Zag_Man
For me I’ve always preferred 60FPS. I tolerated 30fps since I knew that for most games that’s what the PS4 was capable of in regards to triple a titles. Same thing with my Switch.
But now that there’s an option for it, I always play in performance mode at 60FPS. It’s so much smoother, even for games where I don’t find it necessary, like RPGs.
As for load times, it’s the biggest deal for me personally. There were several games last generation that I dreaded playing because of how horrible the load times were on a cold boot. Red Dead II being one of the biggest offenders.
I shouldn’t have time to go fix a drink or wash my hands before the game starts. I know not everyone is like the at; both of my closest friends don’t really care about loading times. But it matters to me because I switch games constantly, so I’m always cold booting.
@Zag_Man I won't argue against it being poor design.
What I'm saying is that a rapid feedback loop aids both learning and concentration. In the example with Mafia 3, the races take part on streets with other traffic:
If you always drive the first lap in exactly the same amount of time, you should always encounter the same traffic on the same positions when you start your second lap, which means that if you're in first place you then only need to avoid that traffic while taking the corners well to beat the course time and get the best prizes. This means that as you try, try, try again you learn the course, you learn the traffic, and you learn how to optimise your lap to beat that all-important track record.
When you restart the race, and you're sat there watching that loading screen, you're forgetting stuff, there's only so long you can hold things in short-term memory, which means more mistakes, more frustration, and it qualitatively affects the experience, rather than just making you have more time to actually race.
At the time the PS5 launched I expected Horizon: Forbidden West to be out by now, but other than that I've been quite happy. Demon's Souls and Returnal are both extremely excellent games that I'll long remember.
@Zag_Man My point is that a game's experience is more than the gameplay itself. I don't think these are ONLY conveniences. The fact that a game now has a far better flow objectively makes the game better. It improves the game just as doubling load times would make it worse. I think that is the point @theheadofabroom is making too.
It reminds me of a quote from food critic Jay Rayner, I paraphrase but here's the gist "The most a restaurant can score on food alone is 7/10. Other intuitions like atmosphere, mood and hospitality are what set apart the very best and heighten the whole experience."
For me smooth framerates, faster load times and other "conveniences" amplify the whole, making for a better game experience. And these are my favourite next gen features.
Just because we are plateauing on graphical fidelity, and seeing diminishing returns, doesn't mean we aren't seeing huge jumps in other areas. The load times are truly game changing and similar to the PS2->PS3 graphics jump, just in another less sexy area.
Nothing beats reading through comments where people moan about everything being better.
Also, it was nice to see the old argument that instead of quantifiable improvements console makers should focus on something “unique play styles”. What does that even mean? It’s the complaint of choice for those who aren’t sure what to complain about.
We still haven't got folders! I just want to group my games man.
It was a solid first year, I played and enjoyed nearly every first-party release: Demon’s Souls was incredible, Returnal is a game of the year contender, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was alot of fun, Astro’s Playroom is a real gem that can’t be slept on just because it came included.
2022 looks like the year where things really get kicked up a notch. It’s going to be a huge year if Gran Turismo 7, Horizon: Forbidden West, and God of War: Ragnarok all drop in the same year.
I've had a PS5 since launch day here in the UK, and have only played one game on it so far (Demon Souls). I really bought it to play Horizon Forbidden West, but obviously that's not happened as of yet. I have bought it though, so I guess that's something...
love it, launch day. Dual sense, dual sense, dual sense.
@Zag_Man Yep probably semantics. Sorry to hear you aren't loving the new games yet.
@Amnesiac Amusingly put, kudos. But I do think it's a fair complaint. i.e. Instead of Ubisoft spending hundreds of millions to third party studio artists in chase of ever higher graphical fidelity they could spend a larger fraction of that on changing up Far Cry 6 gameplay so it doesn't play exactly the same as Far Cry's 3-5... with a couple of iterative additions. Or better yet try and come up with a new IP and gameplay loop.
Other things like AI could be vastly improved. Or using ML to build a game (rumour is Ken Levine is working on something in this area). Instead it's all very iterative and new ideas are mostly stagnant.
Finally got one around 2 months ago. Now that I’ve finished ratchet, sack boy and Astro bot I’m struggling to find a reason to turn it on.
I’m not spending £70 or even close to that on a game I’ve played over ten years ago (demons souls) and I’m not a rogue like fan so that’s returnal out the window.
I did get miles morales with the ps5 and I think I’ll save that for my Xmas break (need something to play then) and I got guardians on the go which is I guess is a decent filler game.
Both my series s and switch seem to be getting more use recently but next year hopefully GOW will launch (main reason I got the console) and hopefully a good last of us multiplayer experience and Elden ring so things are looking up.
Not 1 year old yet that's 19th November ps5 release date for most of the world
Nice article, made a good read.
I love mine but do appreciate the PS4 Pro comments, my Pro is now my VR machine. For me I just couldn't go back to loading screens it makes such a massive difference, it always takes a little while for the next gens games to really shine!
Kinda think backwards compatibility should have been a subject since it has greatly improved some games. Loving my PS5!
I'd give the DualSense controllers an A- at best.
I want to give them an A+ because when everything comes together, it's a stunning experience that's more powerful than you'd expect.
But I got a release-day console and extra controller. Both controllers have been replaced once for drift, and one of the replacements is starting to show signs of drift already. And that's a year in. I never had trouble with drift on the PS3 or PS4, so this feels like a new thing, and it's very disheartening. Now that we're a year out, I probably won't be able to get another free exchange.
Plus, the really cool red one costs an extra $5 for some reason I don't understand, when these are already $10 more than the PS4 controllers. I get why they cost more given all the changes packed inside, but even more money for a color frustrates me.
The biggest impact since PS2 to me. I love that system and it's like the greatest system in this world.
My only complaint is the production value of the Dual Sense controller. I really hope Sony does something about this in the future.
My PS5 is amazing. So fast. Its beautiful (haters gonna hate)…Kinda like a frank loyd Wright house. Had it since day 2 cuz shipping was slow but a funny thing I noticed…. I owned zero PS5 games until this month when I picked up resident evil and deathloop on discount. Up till then I basically played battle royal games, ghost, gta online and cyberpunk (again haters gonna hate cuz I’ve had a few crashes when cyberpunk came out but after the first update zero issues with that game). I lean towards switch physical carts when games are on both consoles. Like gta trilogy I’m holding out for switch physical…although from the videos I’ve seen look superior on next gen systems (again haters gonna hate) So many great looking PS5 games in the pipeline though it seems this next year so that’s great. Love the speed of the install too. GTA went from like a 2 hours install after download to a quick trip to the kitchen and back and it was ready. That’s basically what I’ve gotten out of the PS5 and have not really even noticed the small selection of PS5 worthy games… because of the speed. Love the switching between my last 3 games played and how the game is loaded so fast. Rest mode to back where I left off like the switch is great. Dint even mention that sweet new controllers features.
Over all….. I think I can sum up the PS5 for people who are not haters and knitpick at basically everything in life by saying……
After playing my PS5 for three months and then turning on the PS4 for fun one day in a different room. It felt like I went from high speed internet back down to dial up.
Gave up trying to get one and ordered a Steam Deck.
Might get one in a year or so, probably get a better deal then and of course the ps5 library should be much fatter.
With all the cross gen games and delays, it's been very underwhelming
@themightyant You bring up some good points, but I'll push back just a bit. Ubisoft gets a lot of flack for the open world sameyness of their games, but they do mix things up from time to time. Certainly the last three Assassin's Creed games were vastly different from their predecessors, which in turn were different from Altair and Ezio's original outings. There was also that series of side scrolling AC games that took place in India, China, and Russia, as well, if memory serves. On the Far Cry side of things, I thought Primal was an enjoyable diversion that shook things up while maintaining the basic form of a Far Cry Game.
None of this really refutes the "sameyness" criticism, but to be honest, that's part of the appeal for me. When I want to play an Assassin's Creed game, it's because I'm in the mood to stab a few historic figures and gradually defog a map by climbing to high places. When I want to play a Mario game, I expect to flatten mushrooms and beat up turtles, and so on. There are plenty of new gaming experiences to be had out there, I just don't think you'll find them in the flagship titles of major publishers.
I have to say that honestly it has been a very good first year - can’t remember enjoying a console so much in its first year of lifespan since the Dreamcast.
@Zag_Man I guess I just don't see it that way. If gameplay is how we interact with software, then I think it's evolved in leaps and bounds. Over the past decade alone we have waggled, waved, swiped, and danced through all kinds of gaming experiences. Just a few years ago I controlled the flight of an eagle with the tilt of my head, and it was fantastic!
Also, why would you expect AAA titles to be at the forefront of experimental game mechanics? Sure smaller independent studios are better incubators for novel gameplay given that they can take greater risks without incurring shareholder wrath. I love a good Marvel movie, but I don't expect it to be Stan Brakhage with spandex.
Is AI dumb as a post? Surely that depends on the release, but in the end I could care less if a game uses some form of fancy AI or is just well scripted as long as the action is engaging and rewarding. I look at the multi-enemy battles in a game like Spider-Man and am amazed at how far things have come. Opponents no longer stand around waiting for their beatings; they attack in waves, co-operate, and adjust their behavior based on what I'm doing - and as a player, I can do so many things!
In the end, your argument sounds a bit more academic than practical. Someday, you may well get your emergent gaming masterpiece with real world physics and life-like AI. I just wonder if it will be any fun.
Imo, in the discussion for one of the best first years for a console, ever. PS5 is a premium product and it feels like it. The Dualsense is a game-changing controller, load times are finally at something acceptable (near non-existent in some games) and the library is great. May be cross-gen but that's to be expected with gaming much more mainstream now than it was in the 8, 16 and 32 bit eras that people (me included) always seem to remember most fondly. For the major releases, the next-gen experience is vastly superior to what PS4 and Xbox One, especially the base models, can offer.
On the software side, a great Spider-Man game on day one, a great new IP in Returnal, a new Yakuza just a few months after launch, a new Ratchet & Clank and a mainline Resident Evil before the 8-month mark and over the last several months Scarlet Nexus, Last Judgement, Tales of Arise, Guardians of the Galaxy. In terms of PlayStation system launches, portable included, this destroys what PS4 had in year one and I'd say easily tops PS3, PSP and Vita as well. PS1 and 2, that's up for debate but it's the top 3 with those. In the grander scheme of things in addition to PS1 and 2, SNES, Dreamcast, Xbox 360 and Switch all had great year ones that you could make a case for being better. Personally I'd say the best since the 360 launch.
PS5 shares my 4KTV with my PC in our living room and it still gets tons of play time. Beats my expectations for a console.
Fantastic piece of tech with great 3rd party support from Day 1... A+
The rush of playing Astro's Playroom and Demon's Souls for the first time was incredible. Then like others on the board, I largely went back to my PS4 backlog. I'm hoping for some more true exclusives, otherwise it may not stay on the shelf long-term.
After hearing the fan noise on my PS4 Pro for years, I am ecstatic about my PS5. The First year of PS4 I mostly played on my PS3. I was well prepared for what PS5's first year would be like. Because I have a external HDD for my PS4 games I had no issue with SSD storage space.
The PS5 is amazing, well worth my $500. I have always felt the best console is the current console from PS1 through to now PS5. I cant wait to see what PSVR will bring to the PS5.
I want a PS5, it seams like a great upgrade over the PS4, but I don’t see anything that’s worth the hassle of trying to get one as of yet. I’m kind of getting fatigued by the Sony formula. They make incredible games and I have loved all of them I’ve played on PS4. However, right now all that has been announced is just more of the same. I’m super excited for Gran Turismo 5 but that’s about it. I think I’m just going to wait and see what else comes along and maybe pick one up in a year or so. There’s just not enough to justify it. That’s just my opinion.
Had a PS5 since day 1, and I had a great time at launch. Demon's Souls was awesome & Astro was a great showcase for the dual sense features (which has yet to be topped, nothing has come close). But now it just feels like another playstation console, and I'm not too fussed by the upcoming exclusive games. But I still enjoy my time with it, it's decent.
@Zag_Man You are right on the money.
I love my PS5 and having 60fps as standard and the short loading times is fantastic. End of the day its future proving though, i was going to get a PS5 at some point because i will need to one day so better having it sooner rather then later and playing all the new releases at their best.
I have absolutely no excitement for the new consoles at the moment. I’m happy to wait another 12 months before I consider getting one. By then the number of true next gen games might be in double figures
I've loved every second of it! If I did have one negative it would be the fact that the controllers seem to be prone to failure (stick drift, R2 breakage). But perhaps that's just my bad luck.
Loving my ps5..i've played the ps5 games i've wanted too for the time being so i'm just chipping away at my back cat and the things i'm most impressed with is being able to play games at 60fps where as before they ran at 30fps or even lower..yeah ray tracing and 4k is really nice but not (for me) at 30fps..loading times are nice and fast and having a 4k player so i can sit and watch all my movies without the wife complaining about seeing ready player 1 for the umpteenth time is worth the entry fee alone..so all in all well worth it even though we are mostly patiently waiting for the killer games to arrive..
@HMazzy111 aahh yes i forgot to mention that my only negative is my dualsense just dosnt seem to hold the charge..its not a huge problem as i just leave the charge lead plugged in but if you sit far away it could be a big issue..
It’s a good console. The quick load times are nice and the controller is great even though I don’t think it’s as revolutionary as most make out. The main problem for me isn’t the console it’s Sonys direction so far this gen, raising the price of gaming for everyone with their very steep price increases and charging for updates others have been providing for free. It’s not been a great year for the once ‘consumer friendly’ company of the PS4 gen in that regard.
@HMazzy111 it’s not bad luck it’s a poor product. You’re paying good money for those controllers they should work as advertised. Same with the Switch joycons.
@Hurblyburbly Opposite for me. I was full on into my PS4 but went Xbox Series this time. Think both consoles have a lot to offer and will probably get a PS5 at some point. Going to be a good generation.
Still can’t bloody well got one. I’ve never even seen one!
I believe the console design is futuristic..I recently watched a PS2 OG unboxing and the over the top design is still bold and classic..I always prefer the OG versions of any console.Over-engineered and dead silent except the blu-ray drive..
The only gen console ive not been itching to get day 1 and i still feel that way now. Ive never ever been able to hold out until the "slim" of any console has been launched but i think i will be going well in to ps5 pro territory this time around. I can live without £60-70 games and when it comes to the SSD and duelsense... I cant miss what ive never had.
The controller deserves an F. They say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but my beloved ds4 are replaced by this rubbish. It's big and clunky with rough edges that make it very uncomfortable to hold. I'd rather not play games that are driven by gimmicks that use weird controller mechanics and generally deactivate them from the go. Also, if anyone can explain why I'm forced to use the touchpad to type messages, that would be great.
@Buttlin It feels like you're talking about a completely different controller than either of my two DualSense. You absolutely don't need to use the touchpad for typing, although I somewhat with they'd steal what the Steam Controller does in that regard (the two thumbs independently select from the two sides of the keyboard, with an overlap in the middle, using the triggers to type the key that's currently selected by the same-side thumb. It's really intuitive and sees me rarely pulling out the actual keyboard in a game, of even for casual web browsing).
As for rough edges and clunkiness, maybe it's just that I have big hands, but it's the most comfortable controller I've ever held.
I love it.
Some people are never happy OR they're only happy when they have something to moan about. 😛
Not sure why some are expecting the wheel to be reinvented every time they boot up a game. Some really unrealistic and strange comments on this thread, but that's PushSquare for you!
@SpecialT
I agree. I’m lucky enough to own both the PS5 and the Series X and they both have so much to offer.
It’s going to be a great few years to be a gamer.
Bought one during lockdown, complete fluke that it was in stock on the website at the time.
I’ve mostly played and bought PS4 games because they’re cheaper and you get free PS5 upgrades. I’m not paying £70.
I’ll give Sony some slack as covid has not only impacted them but also the studios and developers. So there’s a reason why there’s no iconic games. Though Sony must have known that a few wouldn’t be ready for 2021 but advertised them anyway.
However, Xbox and game pass have made huge strides. The Xbox is more powerful, they have game pass, oh and they bought Bethesda. Thus losing Doom, wolfenstein etc
Poor with good potential.
I've bought 1 PS5 game, DS, a remake of a 13 year old game I've played previously. Tells me all I need to know about PS5 year 1.
When you think of Netflix's quality over 12 months you look at the content its provided, and the same for PS5; I dont give a hoot about firmware or other nonsense; its all about thew games and until we see some new Souls game (ER), GT7, some new Tomb Raider, some Uncharted, some new Last of Us - then there's nothing to write home about.
Hi there fellow gamers.
I´m quite happy and content with my PS5.
There´s not many exclusives, but they are absolutely great.
Some PS4 to PS5 upgrade games are also good to have.
Even the PS4 games that just run and perform better on PS5 are a must to see and play.
Then there´s that beautiful SSD that makes loadings a thing of the past. Quite literaly with some games. Like no loading at all.
And the peripheral that connects us with the machine itself and those fantastic games we play, The Awesome DualSense.
I cannot praise that controller enough.
Certain games just become completely "Alive" in my hands.
It is such a difference from other controllers.
The way you can feel the rain droplets in Returnal.
How you can feel the different terrains in Astro´s Playroom.
The tension and feedback you feel of the weapons in RC Rift Apart.
How you can actualy feel wich body part you were shot with an arrow in Demon´s Souls.
So many examples of really good DualSense implementation and I can´t wait so this in Horizon FW, GT7 and GOW Ragnarök.
And the many other PS5 titles will be getting over the years.
So yeah, I am quite happy with my PS5 overall.
Cheers, stay safe good people and happy PS5 gaming to us all
@TheRedComet may I ask why you fixed the controllers yourself? Aren’t they covered under a one year warranty?
I’m liking the BC performance and for me, that’s enough. Same for my XSX. Everything looks better, runs better. Considering the pandemic raging around the world, I understand that there’s going to be a delay on new, innovative games.
I was lucky to get one at launch and I couldn't be happier with it. I got to play 4 fantastic exclusives in the first year, with Returnal being my runaway goty. The system is completely silent, load times are nonexistent, 60fps as a standard now is great, I've been able to enjoy somes of the games I never got around to like Days Gone at a much smoother framerate. The conroller is a big improvement for my hands over the smaller DS4, and one of my favourite new features is the integrated store, I absolutely hated loading in to it on the PS4, it was cumbersome and poorly optimised.
As far as improvements, themes and folders should already be a thing 12 months in, and not system related, but I wish they would just combine plus and now already and focus on bringing quality updates to one service every month.
I think it's fair to say that if it wasn't for covid, Sony probably would have had an ever better first 12 months. We definitely would have seen Horizon Forbidden West this year instead of early next, and maybe even GT7 as well. Regardless, I'm looking forward to 2022, there are some massive releases coming and I expect them to go from strength to strength.
@nessisonett Yeah mine is having issues with the touchpad, feels like it’s coming off the controller slowly
I somehow scored a ps5 back in March and was over the moon. It is my first playstation so I have had the benefit of playing a lot of ps4 classic games this year like GoW, Tsushima and Zero Dawn. Otherwise the only ps5 games I've played are Rift Apart and Hitman 3. I was going to pick up Kena but never got around to it, still might soon as I'm starting to hang out for some genuine next gen titles hence I'm looking forward to the early 2022 releases.
Great start, love the machine, love the Dualsense. Some donuts on this page must be using a different controller, it's a game changer to me. And it's only I year in. With regards to games we ain't seen nothing yet:) Unreal engine Says hello.
@theheadofabroom I suppose yours doesn't creak when you squeeze it either? Lucky
@Buttlin Neither, with a couple of thousand hours of use between them.
Edit: are you sure someone didn't sell you a knock-off?
Just the one that came new with my machine. Maybe it's because my hands are so large...
@Buttlin I mean, I have a 10" span from thumb tip to little finger tip, so unless your hands are particularly large...
@Zag_Man I completely agree. This gen has been a real letdown so far from both Sony and Microsoft. I've had zero reason to upgrade from my PS4 Pro so far and I really hope that Sony ups their game and really does leave PS4 behind.
@Mjoen
Perfectly summed up at the end. Given how well PS5 also plays PS4 games (the 80+ I have in my collection are all backwards compatible), I can't go back to the last-gen machine, and mine is a launch-day base PS4 not a Pro, the difference between that and PS5 is even more significant.
I think this gen it's really all about my backlogs then it is new games, definitely gonna buy some.ps5 games but my PS4 collection is pretty all consuming still, not to mention my massive steam library and Gamepass selection
What do they have to do to get an F on availability?
Yes Virginia, there is a PS5.
I’m kind of disappointed so far, I know the games look better on ps5 but I’m just a average player who don’t freak about fps and load time that much. I really wanted a exclusive that I can’t get on PS4 , I don’t want More reboots, expansion, deluxe, on games I have played several times. I mean Skyrim again? Damn now reboots of old gta games and nathen drake games , no thanks . Time to rehash bioshock again I bet. I know It will come but I’m not stoked so far.
Like the core hardware.
Still hate how it looks on my entertainment center
Detest the card system that seems to be more an excuse to show me more ads when all I want is to put the console to sleep.
I still don’t see the big deal with the controller, the vibration just feels like a natural evolution of the Switch and the hate when any game uses the resistive trigger stuff. Really wish I could use the Dual Shock 4 instead.
Also detest Sony’s new habit of selling us these “director cuts” of games that were released in the last 24 months.
I love my PS5 but there are things that bug me about it too. I actually like the design of the machine but it's massive! I've changed mine from white to black with new plates and it looks so much better and fits in with my other electronics now which are all black.
Ps plus is definitely hit and miss for me and I do long for a day when PS makes a game pass equivalent because ps now just isn't that great IMHO.
I have other niggles but my biggest one is the duel sense.... With the addition of adaptive triggers, I do find myself wondering how long will it take for the trigger components to wear and thus end up needing to replace the controller, I can imagine they did the testing but it's still something I think of and even more so on games that use it heavily like deathloop ect. It's not cheap so I'm hoping it lasts a long time because it could be costly in the long run.
@NoxAeturnus Not ship over 13,400,000 units to customers in its first year?
That figure is a little out of date, so the real number should be higher.
@hbkay same here, I update it when there are firmware updates but not much else.
@Zag_Man Idk getting games at 60fps-120fps is game changer for me. It’s made it so I can’t even play at 30 feels gross. Also controller is so much better I used to prefer 3rd party on Xbox but now because on dualsense I buy all my 3rd party on PS5. While I agree there are a lot of conveniences that makes it so I could never go back. If my PS5 died tomorrow I’d gladly pay scalp prices for another could never imagine playing PS4 pro again.
@Zag_Man Yeah that’s just personal preference then because I legit won’t even play games in 30. It’s ruined my switch for me lol. I do play on a 77 Inch OLED so maybe that is part of reason I greatly notice difference but whenever I play at 30fps it legit feels soo bad to where I don’t want to play it.
@themightyant If i could get back all the time i lost on loading times that give me quit3 some hiurs back and i totally agree with you on that point.
@Zag_Man Yeah I get it everyone different. Same way I couldn’t imagine someone playing on a PS4 anymore that thoughts insane. Everyone got different standards. To each it’s own.
I, miraculously, was able to get a PS5 earlier this Summer. I love it. Spider-Man Remastered was a masterpiece. Rift Apart blew my mind. I'm really excited for where this console is headed.
However, my biggest grievance with the PS5 is not the hardware or Sony; it's with developers and publishers not making their games run at their best on the new hardware even though the PS5 could absolutely run the games at full power with ease. Hollow Knight? Locked at 1080p. Gravity Rush 2? Locked at 30 fps. Okami HD? Locked at 30 fps. Tomb Raider? Locked 1080p. Rise of the Tomb Raider? Locked 30 fps. You get the point.
I have a PC with a Radeon RX 580. It's a decent card, not great, but what I don't understand is that all of these games that I just listed run better on my RX 580 than they do on the PS5, and the PS5 should be blowing my GPU out the effing water. It's really frustrating, honestly. It's my one gripe with the console and it's not even with the console per se.
Honestly, I would have bought a PS5 even if there were no new games ever and we were just stuck with old PS4 games. The biggest reason I bought a PS5 was for the load times, so that 2.5 minutes waiting for Red Dead Redemption 2 to load was more than cut in half. It makes a huge difference in immersion and quality of life. That said, I also just bought 9 used games from Gamestop's buy 2 get 1 free sale, most of them for PS5, including Ratchet And Clank A Rift Apart, Demons' Souls, Returnal, Deathloop, Sackboy, Miles Morales, and Yakuza Like A Dragon. I also picked up PS4 copies of Dark Souls III and Resident Evil 2. Those 9 games averaged out to $19 dollars a piece. A year out from the console's release, it's now doable to play these games at a very reasonable price. Black Friday is coming up, too. All of these games will easily hold me over until the next batch of next generation games are released and start to go on sale used. If you're patient and buy used there's very little to complain about. I may pay $70 for Forbidden West, but I'm fine waiting on most everything else. I love playing at 60 fps, too. After playing the silky smooth PS5 version of Control, I played Bloodborne, and its frame rate was so annoying. Going back to goes locked at 30 fps sucks when you get used to 60 fps that's now standard for the new generation. There's plenty to love about the PS5, and I'm very happy to move on from last generation, even as I wait for the used PS5 games to arrive in the mail. The future is bright!
Demon Souls was enough for me to get a PS5. Can’t wait for Elden Ring now.
Pretty mediocre in todays standards, but the ps5 1st year line up is laughable next to the ps2 days. Only demons is worth it imo.
Massive potential, I say that because it's hindered by the PS4 support.
Have we entered next gen yet? Or are we caught up in faster load times and crisper graphics?
@MB81
They are. If it had been something more serious I would have sent it in.
But trigger springs were an issue on Early Dualshock 4s (pre-2016, that year they changed the design) as well. So I got really good at changing them out.
No sense in waiting weeks for an issue I can fix in five minutes.
Tap here to load 102 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...