Hi friend! Have you been considering purchasing a PlayStation 5 console? If so, I have some exciting news – 2023 is shaping up to be a stellar year to finally get your hands on a PS5!
Sony‘s latest flagship console saw massive demand since first launching over two years ago. But supply issues made PS5s notoriously difficult to find, especially at retail price. Thankfully the production ramp up has eased availability, just in time for a wave of awesome new PS5 releases on the horizon.
As someone who adores PlayStation‘s history of groundbreaking single player epics, I couldn‘t be more thrilled. Below I break down 6 compelling reasons why right now is a great opportunity jump aboard the PS5 hype train with me!
Overview – PS5‘s Standout Next Gen Features
Before digging into the specifics, let‘s briefly overview what makes the PlayStation 5 such an impressive achievement. As Sony‘s cutting edgefollow up to the classic PS4, the PS5 pushes console gaming forward with:
- Bleeding edge 8-core AMD Ryzen CPU and custom RDNA 2 GPU enabling smooth 4K visuals, ray tracing and 120 fps gameplay. Digital Foundry analysis confirms the PS5 achieves ~10.3 TFLOPs of power.
- Ultra high speed SSD reducing load times to under 2 seconds in many titles. This enables huge open worlds and visually stunning transitions when teleporting between realms in exclusives like Ratchet & Clank.
- Custom 3D audio chip providing incredibly immersive sound, especially effective over headphones.
- New haptic feedback and adaptive triggers built into the DualSense controller, allowing developers to program tactile resistance triggers and nuanced vibration effects based on in-game actions. These features work together beautifully in iconic PlayStation exclusives to connect players to the on-screen action like never before.
- Native backward compatibility with an entire PlayStation 4 games library spanning over 4,000 titles.
- Exciting next generation VR experiences powered by the upcoming PSVR 2 headset in 2023.
I don‘t know about you, but ticking through this spec sheet gets me seriously hyped about everything PS5 aims to achieve! Now let‘s get into the key reasons it‘s worth upgrading in 2023.
1. Cutting Edge Processing Power
Kicking things off, the PlayStation 5‘s high performance internals enable incredible feats simply not possible on older PlayStation models. The console‘s Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 based GPU provide the horsepower required to render graphically stunning scenes in crisp 4K resolution at buttery smooth 60+ fps.
Certain games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart even support 120 fps for heightened responsiveness. Plus the PS5 hardware ray tracing acceleration allows for cutting edge lighting effects resulting in new levels of realism.
WhileATIONS the base PlayStation 4 could technically output games in 4K, it usually involved visual compromises and performance lag compared to PS5. Series X enhances select last gen titles like Days Gone and Ghost of Tsushima with higher resolutions, faster loads times and rock solid 60 fps. Meanwhile true current generation showcases like Horizon Forbidden West shine at a full 4K targeting 60 fps with zero dynamic resolution scaling on PS5.
The power to play games at their maximum fidelity both now at in the future is the PS5‘s greatest asset. Gamers buying one in 2023 can rest assured PlayStation‘s beastly console has ample overhead for supporting more demanding games later in its life cycle. The state-of-the-art AMD silicon at its heart ensures forwards compatibility.
2. Groundbreaking Immersion Technology
But what I personally find even more next generation than resolution and frame rate numbers are the PS5‘s custom features enhancing immersion. The DualSense controller itself represents a huge innovation through its haptic feedback system and adaptive triggers.
These advanced force feedback capabilities allow first party Sony developers to program nuanced rumble effects and tension triggers simulating in-game actions. For example, drawing back a bow string in Horizon Forbidden West provides realistic physical resistance through the adaptive triggers before firing off a satisfying release. Feel the kickback of different weapons in Ratchet & Clank, or the "thwip" of webs shooting from Spiderman‘s wrists.
It may sound gimmicky, but once experienced, this tactile feedback adds so much to gameplay. Third parties are increasingly adopting DualSense features as well after Sony‘s strong first party support. Combined with the custom Tempest 3D audio processor, playing PS5 games with headphones on also provides amazingly immersive spatial sound staging.
These custom silicon solutions advance immersion tremendously. I believe they give PlayStation 5 the best controller and audio solution found in any gaming platform today.
3. Stellar First Party Lineup
Of course PlayStation consoles also live and die by strength of their exclusive games developed by Sony‘s first party studios. And rest assured, Sony is hard at work creating the next generation of heavy hitting blockbuster experiences you’ll only find on PS5.
Franchises like God of War, The Last of Us, Spiderman, Ratchet & Clank, Horizon and more anchor PlayStation‘s identity with their movie-quality presentation and storytelling. Sony expanded their studios substantially in recent years as well, so expect some fresh IP reveals soon.
Below highlights a few key PS5 console exclusives worth getting hyped over:
| Game | Developer | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Final Fantasy XVI | Square Enix | Summer 2023 |
| Marvel‘s Spiderman 2 | Insomniac | 2023 |
| Forspoken | Luminous Productions | January 24, 2023 |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | Square Enix | Late 2023 |
While only Spiderman 2 has a firm date, RPG fans should be ecstatic for heavy hitters like Final Fantasy XVI and FF7 Rebirth hitting PS5 over the next year. These visually stunning, epic scale adventures represent franchises commonly associated with PlayStation.
And based on the staggering quality of God of War Ragnarök last November, we anticipate news soon on Kratos‘ next outing. With so many AAA productions ramping up from Sony‘s reinvigorated first party studios, the PS5 future shines bright.
4. Huge Backwards Compatible Library
As if that lineup wasn‘t enough reason for excitement, the PlayStation 5 also grants you full access to the incredible PS4 games catalog thanks to backwards compatibility. As previously mentioned, Sony supports native play for 99% of over 4,000 PS4 titles.
This means games as beloved as 2018‘s God of War and The Last of Us Part II can be revisited with enhanced PS5 performance. Back compat represents a gigantic value since many acclaimed PS4 exclusives have cheap Greatest Hits re-releases.
For me, backwards compatibility helped ease my transition to PS5 early on before more native games released. Revisiting PS4 masterpieces like Ghost of Tsushima at smooth 60fps or near instant loads was such a treat. This remains an underrated feature I‘m so glad Sony focused on.
Nothing feels better than preserving your whole gaming library between generations. Xbox made BC a priority this gen too. So together, PlayStation and Xbox really respect players‘ time and purchases rather than fracturing ecosystems.
5. New Live Service & Subscription Model
Sony also continues investing heavily into services and subscription models that add value for PlayStation ecosystem. 2022 saw a major overhaul of PlayStation Plus with new Extra and Premium tiers folding PS Now into a three tiered offering:
| Tier | Price | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $9.99 per month | Online play, monthly games, cloud storage etc (legacy PS Plus) |
| Extra | $14.99 per month | 400+ game catalog, monthly games, cloud storage etc |
| Premium | $17.99 per month | 700+ game catalog, including legacy PS1–PS3 titles. Cloud streaming. |
The Extra and Premium catalogs provide access to major first party games same day as release. For example, 2022‘s God of War Ragnarok joined the PlayStation Plus lineup day one. This gives Sony a Game Pass competitor while keeping their standard $60-70 pricing for retail releases.
I upgraded to Premium almost immediately and found it invaluable for exploring PlayStation‘s rich history via emulation. Testing classics like Ape Escape or Sly Cooper at upscaled 4K quality made me super nostalgic while greatly expanding my gaming horizons. Consider Premium an interactive PlayStation museum highlighting past generations.
Personally I‘m very sensitive towards game preservation and platform fracturing. So I hugely respect and value Sony delivering such an extensive backwards compatible library in Premium. It shows a mindfulness towards PlayStation‘s legacy.
6. PSVR 2 Integration in 2023
Last but not least, PlayStation 5 and PSVR 2 combine next February to deliver a monumental advance in virtual reality gaming. The specs absolutely blow mobile solutions away thanks to being tethered directly into PS5‘s power.
Let‘s examine some of the key upgrades:
- Ultra sharp 4K HDR resolution visuals with advanced OLED screen eliminating screen door effect
- Expanded 110 degree field of view improving immersion
- Inside-out tracking and onboard cameras for controllerless hand tracking
- Enhanced 3D audio through the PS5 Tempest Engine
- Haptic feedback built into VR2 Sense controller
With such impressive capabilities backed by PS5‘s processing grunt, PSVR 2 promises VR experiences simply unmatched in detail and scope. Horizon Call of the Mountain looks downright breathtaking while Sony‘s newly acquired studios like Nixxes specialize in VR conversions. I anticipate PSVR2 will finally help virtual reality go mainstream thanks to PlayStation‘s install base.
As someone who adored my PSVR but felt it was still first generation, I can‘t wait to have my mind blown by the sequels advanced capabilities. It really completes the PlayStation 5‘s suite of immersion focused features like haptics and 3D audio. This could be the ultimate way to play dense open world RPGs like Skyrim!
Should You Buy a PlayStation 5 in 2023?
I don‘t know about you, but writing this article had me ready to pre-order a second PS5! I tried covering all the essential reasons that make right now such an exciting window to either grab your first PS5 or upgrade from PS4.
In my personal opinion as a lifetime PlayStation fan, Sony knocked it out the park by following up the excellent PS4 with an even bolder console combining cutting edge power, best-in-class immersion technology, an amazing new VR headset, stellar first party pedigree, and robust backwards compatibility.
While early days saw supply shortages and a slower than expected PS5 exclusives lineup, 2023 changes all that. We should see plenty of milestone releases over the next year as Sony‘s stacked developer portfolio kicks into overdrive. Booming third party support fills any gaps admirably.
If my enthusiasm and breakdown has you convinced on finally pulling the trigger for your own PlayStation 5 experience, here are two fine options I recommend below:
1) Sony PlayStation 5 Console – The standard edition with 4K blu-ray disc drive. Usually sells around the $499 MSRP.
2) DualSense Wireless Controller – Take full advantage of haptic feedback and adaptive triggers with an extra gamepad for local multiplayer.
I sincerely hope this guide brought you a bit closer to an informed purchasing decision about the PlayStation 5. Please let me know if any other questions come to mind in your personal quest to acquire Sony‘s awesome console!
References:
- https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2020-playstation-5-the-mark-cerny-tech-deep-dive
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_4_games
- https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/01/marvels-spider-man-2-everything-we-know
- https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom/2022/08/23/hands-on-with-forspoken
- https://www.square-enix-games.com/en_US/news/final-fantasy-vii-rebirth-announced
