Back in 2020, before thePS5hit the scene,Sony’s Jim Ryan tossed out that famous “We believe in generations” line, which really stuck with me, especially since it was the complete opposite toMicrosoft’s policy of supporting Xbox One for as long as it takes. After all, isn’t it great to channel all the energy into creating fresh games without being held back by old hardware, pushing the limits of what’s possible?
Fast-forward three years, and honestly, there still aren’t a ton of reasons to own a PS5, unless you’re keen on playing some PS4 games.
PS5 Still Lacks Must-Play Exclusives
I’ll put it this way — there are three (or maybe two and a half) solid reasons to own a PS5. First up, there’sFinal Fantasy 16, which is already confirmed to drop on PC at some point down the road. FF16 is undeniably impressive, with special attention given to its top-notch visuals and sound departments, butwhen it comes to RPG essentials, it’s a bit lacking, which ultimately holds it back.
Moving on, there’s theDemon’s Souls Remake, which is basically a revamp of a classic PS3 hit game that established its own genre — one of the most popular today. But let’s be real: Demon’s Souls Remake is, first and foremost, a showcase of the PS5’s visual and auditory prowess, with stunning graphics and sound techniques. Yet, as a game, it falls a bit short compared to some other soulslikes nowadays in almost every area, casting doubt on its existence. I bet many of you are more likely to playElden RingorLies of Pinstead, and no one would blame you for that.
I Seriously Hope This Trend Of Shorter Triple-A Games Continues
Shorter games simply means I can beat more of them.
Finally, there’s, of course,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. A full-fledged sequel built exclusively for PS5 is undoubtedly an impressive showcase, boasting no loading screens, fancy graphics, and some neat tricks like lightning-fast streaming of game assets, allowing you to traverse its massive open world at speeds you wouldn’t believe. Yet, being the third installment in a series that kicked off on PS4 means Spider-Man 2 doesn’t bring a ton of surprises to the table in terms of its core mechanics. I know, I know, that’s how sequels are supposed to be,but honestly, I just couldn’t find the excitement for it.
Re-Releases Are Not That Fun
Now, when we are out of the legit reasons for owning a PS5 in 2023, let’s check out what Sony is offering to back up its bold 2020 claim. It’s as simple as this: just play some older games that are now updated (but, of course, it’s gonna cost you). Sony seems kinda fixated on its PS4 blockbusters, urging you to replay games you’ve already played before not so long ago.
From Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection toThe Last of Us Part 1and the upcoming The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, there’s an unhealthy feeling to this entire strategy, like we are caught in a loop of some sort, with the company relentlessly squeezing all it can out of its most popular franchises. Rather than hitting pause and surprising us with a fresh, groundbreaking release, Sony seems to prefer serving us re-releases of games so recent that you can barely notice any changes. Why take any risks when you can just sell something already known and beloved?
I Wish Sony Had Been More Creative With The PS5 Slim Design
Slim mid-cycle PlayStation models are normally a chance for a design refresh, so what went wrong this time?
Then there’s this whole deal of releasing PS5-exclusive DLC, likeHorizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores, which I’m honestly not quite fond of. Locking part of your fan base out just doesn’t sit right, and hopefully, other developers won’t follow suit. It’d be a bummer ifhighly anticipated add-ons, like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, end up out of reach for everyone who owns the base game.
Another hiccup is the scarcity of new IPs defining this PlayStation generation, unlike the PS4 era that gave us Bloodborne, Days Gone, Horizon Zero Dawn, The Last Guardian, The Order: 1886, DriveClub, Detroit: Become Human, Until Dawn, Ghost of Tsushima, just to name a few. Today, onlyReturnaland Destruction AllStars (if anyone still remembers it) come to mind, with the rest being an endless stream of remakes, remasters, and sequels.As our Robert already wrote, I’d gladly play something by Naughty Dog that’s not Uncharted or The Last of Us.
It’s becoming a common worry that the majority of PlayStation Studios are now bound by their successful IPs that were introduced during the PS4 era, and are tied down to churning out sequels. For instance, whenGhost of Tsushimalaunched back in 2020, it was a breath of fresh air. However, with Sucker Punch potentially working on Ghost of Tsushima 2 to release it sometime after Rise of Ronin and Assassin’s Creed Red, both set in Japan as well, it’s starting to feel a bit weary. Not to mention Guerrilla Games possibly cooking up a third Horizon title that I’m not even eager to dive into.
It’s Time To Get Excited
Going back to Sony’s commitment, there is really no difference with how Microsoft handles this generation, already leaving Xbox One behind with its recent releases likeStarfieldandForza Motorsport.
What puzzles me the most, though, is the total lack of new announcements from lead PS studios for the foreseeable future. Yeah, there’sWolverineand Rise of Ronin on the horizon, but it doesn’t feel like enough. There’s alsoFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthand Death Stranding 2, although they are not exactly fresh IPs, and there’s a chance they’ll hit PC too. So why is Sony being so secretive about what’s next for its fan base?
Game development becomes longer and more expensive with each passing year, which leads companies to announce new games only when they’re approaching the finish line, and I get that. I definitely don’t want studios rushing what they’re cooking up. But, Sony, it’s about time to crack that curtain open just a tad and get me pumped about owning a PS5. The upcoming Game Awards could be the perfect stage for that, so fingers crossed for some thrilling announcements from PlayStation Studios there.
Final Fantasy 16
WHERE TO PLAY
Developed by Square Enix and released on the PS5 in 2023, Final Fantasy 16 sees shunned royal Clive Rosfield lead a journey of self-discovery in a world inhabited by Eikons. Learning the truth about his family and thwarting a powerful foe ruling the land of Valisthea is all in a hard day’s work for the protagonist, but he has a solid team of allies at his back, including Cid, Jill, and his trusty frost wolf Torgal.
