With the launch of Sony’s latest console approaching this week, I have been so excited to get my hands on the latest tech. The next generation of gaming is going to be amazing, I have no doubts. There are so many new things to look forward to, the list just keeps getting longer the closer we get to 11/12/20.
Sony just released The Ultimate PS5 FAQ on the official PlayStation 5 blog. That blog answers nearly question you can imagine about the next-gen console. It’s quite a long entry, so I figured I may as well go over my favorite points here on my own blog.
The new PS5 controller dubbed “DualSense” seems to be the biggest reason to choose PlayStation over Xbox this generation. Advanced haptic vibration similar to the JoyCons of the Nintendo Switch. Plus triggers that can require variable pressure depending on what action you are performing such as pulling an arrow back on a bow or pulling the trigger on a gun.
Back on Xbox 360 the microphone that came with the console had a convenient mute button right above the auxiliary jack. Since then, my Steel Series gaming headset only has a mute button on the side of the headset. It’s very annoying to have to take my hand off the controller just to mute/unmute my mic. Thankfully that problem will be solved with the DualSense. Not only that, but the controller will have a built in mic so that every PS5 gamer will have a way to communicate. Not to mention the built in speakers and ability to do voice to text messages and searches.
The PS4 had a share button on its controller, but the PS5 has changed that to the create button. This was done since more abilities will be available from that button this generation. You can record gameplay in 4K resolution when you start the recording on your own. Plus the PS5 will automatically record the last 60 minutes of gameplay in 1080p so that you can always go back and capture unexpected moments.
Already the create button will provide more editing capabilities from a quick menu, but if you want to take things even further you can use ShareFactory. The PS4 version was already packed with features and free transitions based on popular games. The PS5 version is said to have a upgraded UI and even more options when it comes to crafting amazing video content right on your PS5.
I still have a launch PS4, so I haven’t experienced 4K gaming with the PS4 Pro. I also only have a 1080p TV from 2015. I plan to upgrade my TV once more HDMI 2.1 television sets are on the market. There really are only 4 solid options under $2,000 currently, the best of which is probably the LG CX. I think it would be smartest to wait for the market to catch up more with the true power of the next-gen consoles before I purchase a new tv. So for now I will just be happy to play games in 1080p with 60fps. Hopefully more and more games will support 120fps and even 4K 60fps that way I can upgrade to an OLED and enjoy the crisp visuals.
I am most excited for Astro’s Playroom and Destruction All Stars. Both will be free. Astro’s Playroom will come on every PS5 console and Destruction All Stars will be a free PS Plus game in February. Of course there are many more cross platform games such as CyberPunk 2077 that will be great to experience on PS5, many of which have yet to receive release dates. The launch doesn’t have that many PS5-exclusive games. There is of course Spider-Man Miles Morales which looks amazing, especially since they offer a version with a PS5 version of the PS4 Spider-Man game that I somehow never played!
Load times are a thing of the past. Storing PS5 games on the SSD will enable games to start up and load quicker than any console you have ever played. It’s going to be a giant leap in speed for me considering I have a launch PS4.
The new main menu for the PS5 is completely redesigned. I think it is beautiful and seems to be very intuitive. Many new offerings such as gameplay tips and making things just one or two clicks away instead of buried in menus. Themes are a no go for now sadly, but I feel like that will change down the road.
Lastly is the additional content being given to PlayStation Plus subscribers. Along with the 2-3 free games per month, there will now be an entire collection of some of the best PS4 games available to PS5 user only. No word yet if more games will be added to the collection in the future. The list currently includes:
I seriously am so hyped to get my next-gen console. This will be my first upgrade to my PlayStation since I got my PS4 at launch in 2013. That’s quite a long time to go without an upgrade. The only other console I’ve bought since then is my Nintendo Switch, which I rarely ever play anymore these days.
Having an upgrade to my performance is going to be quite refreshing. I imagine it’ll be something similar to when I upgraded my very old iPhone to the latest model. Everything is just so much quicker and easier on the eyes.
All photos used in this post (besides the GIF which I created) were from the official PlayStation 5 Blog.
