Finally, seven years after the PlayStation 4 was released, the PlayStation 5 (PS5) is set to be in stores later this month. The console first teased an announcement early last year, but it was this summer that we got to see what the new PS5 looked like. Coming strong with a fast solid state drive (SSD), a stunning 4K resolution and a daring design, most gamers are likely to overlook its cost.
The console’s modern look has been praised by everyone. It stands vertically, having a white shield to contrast with its shiny black color. It is much bigger than its predecessors, being more than 15 inches tall, and has been described as a “spaceship.” The controllers follow the same coloration and are embedded with tiny circle-square-cross-triangle symbols.
The PS5’s box has all the components needed to use the new console’s features. There’s a fast SSD that almost eliminates load waiting times and makes it easier to switch between games, a CPU and GPU that enable colorful lighting, a realistic 4K resolution and a frame rate up to 120fps and support for 3D audio.
The software’s home screen is minimal and easy to navigate. When you scroll down a particular game, you find all the latest news, levels and activities that you can get right into. When you are in a game, settings and friends lists, among other essentials, are found in a bar at the bottom of the screen when you press the PS button on the controller. This also allows you to jump instantly between games.
The controller itself has not changed much. It keeps the touch pad, light bar and mini speaker found in the PlayStation 4. However, it offers haptic feedback. This gives the user a feel of the game, which is especially noticeable in racing games. This feature was present in the last console, but the new one offers precise and contextual feedback. It is also said to be more comfortable to hold for a longer time.
The PS5 comes with “Astro’s Playroom,” a game meant to exploit all of the console’s novel features. In the game, you go around different places, such as GPU Jungle, to collect memorabilia from PlayStation history. The characters in the game recreate different scenarios from games popular in Sony’s history.
Another game PlayStation fans are eagerly awaiting is “Spider-Man: Miles Morales.” This is another game that heavily relies on the PS5’s sharp resolution and haptic feedback features.
“Colors popped, like the brilliant neon purples, reds and greens. Each one of Spider-Man’s various suits looked fantastic,” one New York Times reporter exclaimed.
The PS5 is quite expensive when compared to other consoles. The standard PS5 costs about 500 USD and includes a 4K-Blu-ray drive. The PS5 Digital Edition, which does not have the disc drive, goes for 400 USD. Each game costs 90 USD, but the prices are sure to decrease over time. However, considering Sony’s bold approach to the new design and its astonishing properties, many would agree that the new PlayStation is worth both the money and the time.
