PS5: Everything We Know - CONTENTS

• PS5: Updates
• PS5: Review
• PS5: Release Date, Price, Availability
• PS5: Games
• PS5: Hardware Specifications
• PS5: DualSense Controller and Other Accessories
• PS5: User Interface
• PS5: Localisation
• PS5: Backward Compatibility
• PS5: PSVR 2, Virtual Reality
• PS5: Streaming, Cloud Gaming
• PS5: Multimedia and Apps
• PS5: PlayStation Plus Subscription
• PS5 Pro or Lite

PS5: Updates

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(14. 9. 2021, update no. 21.02-04.00.00.42-00)

>In September 2021, the second major update to PS5 brought several new features, most notable of which was the unlock of the M.2 SSD slot, so PlayStation 5 owners can now expand internal memory with  SSDs. For more information on how to install them and what types are supported, see the relevant chapter. The other big news is that 3D audio is finally supported on TVs—previously 3D audio was only supported on headphones. Calibration is done using the speaker on the DualSense controller, which measures the acoustic properties of the room and adjusts the 3D sound from the TV's speakers accordingly.

There's also a clearer distinction between PS4 and PS5 versions of games, which are now displayed separately in the console menu and PlayStation Store, with an indication of which version is which. The console menu has also seen a revamp of the friends list, where you can now better see which friends are online and more easily message them. Trophy sorting and display has also been improved, for example PS5 trophies can now be seen by PS4 owners. The Control Center menu available when you press the PS button is now more customisable, allowing you to hide items you don't use. The PlayStation mobile app and PlayStation Remote Play app have also been improved, allowing you to stream video to your mobile phone not only via Wi-Fi but also via the mobile internet.

PlayStation 5: Release Date, Price, Availability

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PlayStation 5 was released in the US, Japan, Canada and a few other countries on 12 November). This puts the PS5 two and nine days later than its biggest competitors, the Xbox Series X and its cheaper Series S variant, respectively.

The classic variant with a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive sells for a recommended price of $499/€499 or £449. The digital version without an optical drive costs $399/€399 or £359. Pre-orders started on September 16 and within minutes to hours both versions of the console were sold out virtually worldwide.

Due to high demand, both versions of the PlayStation 5 are currently sold out and there are very few units available for sale. The only option is to order the PlayStation 5 and wait for the next console shipment. But it's not just the high demand from gamers that's to blame, but also a worldwide shortage of certain hardware components. SIE president Jim Ryan responded to the rapid sell-out of consoles by saying that there were significantly more units ready for the PS5's November release than there were for the PS4's 2013 launch. According to Sony's financial report, 4.5 million PS5 units have been sold by the end of 2020.

PlayStation 5: Games

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As is customary with PlayStation consoles, the PlayStation 5 came out with several so-called launch titles that are also PS5 exclusives. These include the action adventure game Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the remake of the action RPG Demon's Souls or the family-friendly platform Sackboy: A Big Adventure. Most of these games include subtitles in multiple languages and were also released on the PS4.  In addition, each console comes with Astro's Playroom pre-installed, which was created primarily as a technological demonstration of the new controller.

In 2021, a number of great exclusives were released on PlayStation 5, including the rogue-like FPS Returnal, the action-adventure game Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and Director's Cut versions of PS4 hits Ghost of Tshushima and Death Stranding. 2022 will see the release of highly-anticipated action RPGs Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarok. And as usual, there are also a number of multiplatform games available on the PS5.

A number of developers are also offering free upgrades to PlayStation 5 versions of their PS4 games. For example, if you buy the PS4 version of Sackboy: A Big Adventure and then get a PlayStation 5, the developers will upgrade your game to the PS5 version with a free patch. Titles such as Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, Far Cry 6 or GTA V have or will offer the free upgrade. Unlike Microsoft, Sony hasn't introduced with a uniform PS5 upgrade policy, so it's up to each developer to decide whether or not to offer free upgrades on the PS5 version. At Microsoft, this is covered by the Smart Delivery program. We covered this issue more here. Most PlayStation exclusives coming out in 2022 will be upgradable from the PS4 version to the PS5 for $10.

PS5 owners can also benefit from backwards compatibility with PS4 games. Unfortunately, the higher price of new games has also been confirmed. PlayStation 5 games go for the recommended price of €79.99. The PlayStation 5, like the PS4, requires a PlayStation Plus subscription for online multiplayer. Sony has also launched a Game Trials service, allowing you to try out select PlayStation exclusives for free.

PlayStation 5: Hardware Specifications

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AMD's Zen 2 architecture processor with 8 cores and a clock speed of 3.5 GHz. The new processor promises more detailed and larger open worlds, better AI, more NPC characters and better physics, among other things. The visuals are handled by AMD's RDNA 2 series graphics chip with 36 cores clocked at 2.23 GHz and 10.28 TFLOPS (the base PS4 has 1.84 TFLOPS and the PS4 Pro 4.2 TFLOPS) and ray-tracing support. The technical specifications are complemented by 16 GB of GDDR RAM with 448 GB/second throughput and an 825 GB NVMe SSD with 5.5 GB/second and 8-9 GB/second data compression speeds, respectively. However, only 664 GB of the 825 GB is available to the user, with the operating system taking the rest. It is thanks to the fast SSD that Sony is attracted to very short or even no loading screens, as well as larger and richer game worlds.

Porovnanie PS5 vs PS5 digital vs Xbox Series X vs S

	Sony  PlayStation 5	Sony  PlayStation 5 Digital E.	Microsoft  Xbox Series X	Microsoft  Xbox Series S
Cena	500 €	400 €	499 €	299 €
Dátum vydania v SK	19. november 2020		10. november 2020
Štart predpredajov	17. september 2020		22. september 2020 o 09:00 nášho času
CPU	8x AMD Zen 2 Cores, až 3,5 GHz		8x AMD Zen 2 @ 3,8 GHz (3,6 GHz s SMT)	8x AMD Zen 2 @ 3,6 GHz (3,4 GHz s SMT)
SoC (veľkosť čipu a proces)	?/7 nm (N7P)		360,45 mm²/7 nm (N7P)	197,05 mm²/7 nm (N7P)
GPU	AMD RDNA 2, 36 CUs @ 2,23 GHz,  10,28 teraflops, hw ray-tracing		AMD RDNA 2, 52 CUs @ 1,825 GHz,  12,15 teraflops, hw ray-tracing	AMD RDNA 2, 20 CUs @ 1,565 GHz, 4 teraflops, hw ray-tracing
Cieľový výkon	4K pri 60 fps (prípadne až 120 fps), podpora 8K		4K pri 60 fps (prípadne až 120 fps), podpora 8K	1 440p pri 60 fps (prípadne až 120 fps), 4K cez upscaling
RAM	16 GB GDDR6 RAM (256-bit) 448 GB/s		16 GB GDDR6 RAM (320-bit) 10 GB @ 560 GB/s 6 GB @ 335 GB/s	10 GB GDDR6 RAM (128-bit) 8 GB @ 224 GB/s 2 GB @ 56 GB/s
Úložisko (SSD)	825 GB Custom SSD 5,5 GB/s nekomprimovaná 8 – 9 GB/s komprimovaná		1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD 2,4 GB/s nekomprimovaná 4,8 GB/s komprimovaná	512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD 2,4 GB/s nekomprimovaná 4,8 GB/s komprimovaná
Podpora externého úložiska	NVMe SSD slot, podpora USB HDD		Podpora pre Seagate External 512 GB, 1 TB a 2 TB SSD pamäťová karta, podpora pre USB 3.1 externý HDD
Optická mechanika	4K UHD Blu-Ray	Nie je	4K UHD Blu-Ray	Nie je
Zvukové možnosti	Tempest Engine 3D AudioTech		L-PCM, až 7.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby TrueHD with Atmos
Vstupy a výstupy PS5 PS5 Digital XSX XSS Výstup obrazu 1× HDMI 2.1 1× HDMI 2.1, Auto Low Latency Mode. HDMI Variable Refresh Rate. AMD FreeSync. USB 1× Type-A port (Hi-Speed USB) 2× Type-A port (Super-Speed USB) 1× Type-C port (Super-Speed USB) 3× USB 3.1 Gen 1 Internet BEthernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)  IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/axBluetooth® 5.1 Ethernet (LAN) 802.3 10/100/1000 WiFi 802.11ac dual band Accessories radio. Dedicated dual band Xbox Wireless radio Ďalšia špecifikácia (služby, spätná kompatibilita...) PS5 PS5 Digital XSX XSS Spätná kompatibilita 99 % PS4 hier, PS VR Tisíce Xbox One hier a spätne kompatibilných Xbox 360 a Xbox hier pri vydaní konzoly. Xbox One herné príslušenstvo. Streamovanie, cloudové hranie Remote Play, bude oznámené Project xCloud Funkcia Quick Resume Bude oznámené Áno Fyzické parametre konzol PS5 PS5 Digital XSX XSS Rozmery (Š × V × H) 10,4 cm × 39 cm × 26 cm (horizontálne) Bude oznámené, odhad: 9,2 cm × 39 cm × 26 cm (horizontálne) 15,1 cm × 30,1 cm × 15,1 cm (horizontálne) 15,1 cm × 27,5 cm × 6,35 cm (horizontálne) Hmotnosť 4,5 kg 3,9 kg 4,45 kg 1,93 kg Porovnanie ovládačov Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller Microsoft  Xbox Wireless Controller Cena 70 € 60 € USB-C nabíjanie Áno Áno Batéria Integrovaná 2× AA batéria Haptická odozva Áno Áno Triggery Adaptívne Impulse Zdieľanie obsahu Create tlačidlo, soc. platformy budú oznámené Share tlačidlo, soc. platformy budú oznámené Touchpad Áno Nie Mikrofón Áno Nie Audio jack 3,5 mm 3,5 mm Kompatibilita PS5 Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC Hmotnosť 280 g 200 g

• Zdroje: news.xbox.com, blog.playstation.com, IGN, androidcentral.com, washingtonpost.com

The PlayStation 5, according to Sony, is targeting native 4K resolution and 60 or even 120 fps. The console should also be capable of 8K, but we  don't really expect big titles at that resolution in the coming years. However, take note that you don't necessarily need a 4K TV to play. The PlayStation 5 gaming experience is also enhanced by surround sound, which is handled by a new audio chip and the Tempest Engine, which should provide a 3D audio experience even when using regular speakers or even those built into a regular TV.

Sony engineers have squeezed all this into a relatively narrow but tall body that certainly doesn't try to blend in. When standing upright as the console is shown on most promotional materials, the PlayStation 5 version with the 4K UHD Blu-ray drive measures (W x H x D) 10.4cm x 39cm x 26cm. The digital version is slightly narrower at the bottom. The console can also be placed horizontally (lying flat), just like the PS4. The PS5 will continue to be sold in white only, but from 2022, colour covers will be available in the same colours as the controllers: Cosmic Red, Galactic Purple, Midnight Black, Starlight Blue and Nova Pink. The price of the covers will be $55.

PS5: DualSense Controller and Other Accessories

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With the PS5 controller, Sony is breaking the DualShock controller tradition that began back in 1997 when the first PlayStation was released. But the new DualSense controller truly lives up to its name, as it conquers our senses with two major innovations in particular - adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. The adjustable "triggers" can change the resistance applied when squeezed, allowing the player to sense, for example, a gradually tightening bowstring or an empty magazine, which is indicated by a twitch of the controller's trigger. The developers expect the adaptive triggers to provide new ways of communication with the player.

Haptic response then replaces the pair of vibration motors that the DualShock series controllers are named after. Technologically, however, haptic response is based on sound waves and allows the player to get the feeling that something is happening in a particular part of the screen, and combined with a built-in speaker, the developers can then let the player know that their character is moving through a snowstorm or swimming, for example, just by the sense of hearing and touch. In their PS5 review, our colleagues at AlzaTech called the controller "a great feature that gives the new console a whole new direction that the competition hasn't even thought of." However, it will be up to developers to implement haptic response support and adaptive triggers into their games.

Perhaps thanks to the new technologies, DualSense is more expensive compared to DualShock 4. The larger built-in rechargeable battery with a capacity of 1,560 mAh (DualShock 4 has a 1,000 mAh battery) is  also reflected in the price TrustedReviews, PlayStation Universe or ScreenRant all agree that the DualSense controller lasts 3-5 hours longer than its predecessor (roughly 10-13 hours), depending on the use of the new features. In the case of Astro's Playroom, the battery life can even drop to 7 hours. The DualSense weighs 280 grams and has dimensions (W x H x D) of 16 cm x 10.6 cm x 6.6 cm. In comparison, the DualShock 4 weighs 210 grams and has dimensions of 16.1 cm x 10 cm x 5.7 cm. So the new controller is chunkier and is also slightly larger. We currently sell the controller in white, Midnight Black and Cosmic Red. From January onwards, the Nova Pink, Starlight Blue and Galactic Purple colours will be added, just like the covers.

PlayStation 5: User Interface

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The PS5 user interface has undergone several changes. The new features can be divided into the console's main menu and the so-called control centre, which can be called up at any time by pressing the PlayStation button on the controller. Let's first take a look at the main menu, which doesn't differ that much from the PS4 environment. It's based on the classic layout, with games and apps represented by tabs in a row. However, this menu is smaller and takes up less space, as the rest of the screen is always taken up by the HUB of each game or app. The detailed menu of each game is then mostly dominated by so-called PlayStation activities, arguably the biggest new feature of the PS5 user interface. This feature allows you to launch a selected part of a game, such as an unfinished mission or a multiplayer lobby, directly from the console menu. However, not all games offer this feature.

However, these activities can also be found in the latter menu. The Control Center replaces the vertical menu from the PS4, which also appears when you press the PS button. On the PS5, however, the menu appears over the currently running game. The largest part of the control centre is taken up by the aforementioned activities, suggesting, for example, unfinished missions within the currently running game. At the same time, however, activities from other titles can also be found in the menu, so it's possible to jump almost instantly into a completely different game and start the selected mission or other activity straight away, which is often a significant time saver. The Control Centre also offers a summary of recent screenshots or videos and other options, just like on PS4. You can turn off connected devices or control the volume in this menu.

Each game can use the activity cards differently. For example, the developers of Sackboy: A Big Adventure show on each card the progress expressed as a percentage, the estimated time remaining to complete a mission, or a list of individual tasks you can or must complete within the mission. PlayStation Plus subscription holders will also find help on how to complete the missions in the form of screenshots or videos that can be pinned to the edge of the screen. You can't automatically expect similar features in every game, but they're likely to be available for PlayStation exclusives at least. We covered more about the PS5's UI introduction here. Unfortunately, at the moment, the PS5 doesn't offer the equivalent of the Xbox X/S Series' Quick Resume feature, where you can switch between multiple running games.

PS5: Language Localisation

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PlayStation 5's user interface is translated into multiple European languages just like on the PS4, along with the PlayStation Store, which is now linked to the console's main menu. The situation around game translation is also the same as for previous generation games - the vast majority of PlayStation exclusives coming to PS5 include multi-language subtitles.

PS5: Backwards Compatibility

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Only PS4 games can be run on PS5; PS3, PS2 and PS1 titles are not currently supported, and according to recent information, there are no plans to support them (some older titles are available through the PS Now streaming and rental service, but this is not available in all countries). PlayStation 5 supports over 4,000 PS4 games, so the vast majority (99% of games, according to Sony's CEO) of PS4 titles will work on PS5, including digital versions and physical copies on Blu-ray discs. Digital versions can be downloaded as they are on PS4 (or moved between PS4 and PS5 via Wi-Fi or LAN cable), while Blu-ray discs of PS4 games will play as they do on PS4 when inserted into PS5. According to the latest information PlayStation 5 doesn't support only 7 PS4 games, but Sony warns that there may be minor issues with the others, which they are gradually fixing. However, full compatibility is assured for PS4 games that have been certified after July 13, 2020. Some PS4 titles may run even better on PS5 than on PS4 thanks to Game Boost, without the developers having to modify them for the PS5.

Cross-generational support for save positions or multiplayer play isn't as simple as backwards compatibility. It really depends on the approach of the developers of each game. For example, Marvel's Avengers superhero action game won't allow PS4 and PS5 owners to play together, while Destiny 2 or CoD: Black Ops Cold War allow intergenerational multiplayer. A similar situation applies to saves. While the PS4 version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon save game won't transfer to PS5, PlayStation exclusive Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales does. As with transferring save positions, similar to transferring digital versions of games from PS4 to PS5, the console supports transferring saves via Wi-Fi or LAN cable, but the availability of this feature is also up to the developers of the games. PS Plus subscription holders can also transfer saves via the cloud.

Some accessories are also compatible. The PS4 DualShock 4 controller can also be used on PlayStation 5, but only to play backwards compatible PS4 games; new PS5 titles do not support DualShock 4. Platinum and Gold wireless headsets also work on PS5, as do headsets from other manufacturers. PlayStation 5 also supports the PlayStation 4 camera. However, this requires a reducer, which can be ordered for free here. This adapter also makes the PS VR headset and other VR accessories like the PS Move controllers, including the vast majority of VR games, compatible with the PS5. However, the support doesn't work the other way around—the new DualSense controller won't pair with the PS4, nor will you be able to run PlayStation 5 games on the PS4.

PS5: PSVR 2

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Although it was previously speculated that PS5 would be accompanied by a new version of PlayStation VR on store shelves, this was not the case. The successor to Sony's popular virtual reality headset wasn't announced until after the PS5's release, in February 2021. We don't know much about the PSVR 2, as the headset is unofficially called for now. All that's confirmed is that it won't come out until 2022 at the earliest, and contrary to previous speculation, the headset won't be wireless. However, Sony is promising a "completely new VR format" and big innovations.

Perhaps only the new controllers - practically the only part of PSVR 2 that's already been fully unveiled - can hint at what the direction of innovation will be. These replace the long-standing PS Move, and resemble an orb in appearance that you put your hand into. Unsurprisingly, they take the best of the new DualSense controller, offering both haptic response and adaptive triggers, technologies that many gamers have come to love for their ability to draw you into the game, which in the VR genre can offer an even better experience. New features include, for example, single finger detection, including recognition of overall finger movement. "When you take these kind of mechanics and apply them to VR, the experience is multiplied to a whole new level," Sony claims. 

The PlayStation 5, however, is fully compatible with the current PSVR headset. So you can connect not only the helmet itself to the PS5, but also any peripherals like the PS Move or VR Aim controllers. The PlayStation Camera from the PS4 is also supported, which is needed for VR gaming. For that, Sony supplies a free adapter, as the PlayStation 5 has a new camera with a different connector. The adapter can be ordered for free here, you just need the serial number of the PS VR processor, your email, phone number and shipping address. Another good news is that a number of PS VR games have received a free PS5 upgrade, mainly improving the framerate. These include  No Man's Sky and the action game Blood & Truth.

PlayStation 5: Streaming, Cloud Gaming

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Like the PS4, the PlayStation 5 also supports a feature that allows mobile phones, tablets, or PCs connected to a home network to use the PS5, including for gaming. Remote Play lets you play your PS5 games anywhere your home Wi-Fi signal can reach. You can connect a controller to Android, iOS, Windows and Mac OS devices to continue playing when you can't be in front of the TV screen.  Another service that also works on PS5 is Share Play, which, in simple terms, allows you to virtually hand your controller over to another PS5 or PS4 owner who can try out one of your games, help you with a tricky section, or join you for a two-player co-op game. 

Sony has also been operating PlayStation Now since 2014. It's a digital game rental and streaming service (similar to Xbox Game Pass) where you can download or stream selected games for a monthly fee, with no installation required. The service works on PC, PS4 and PS5. With PS Now, you can even play some PS2 and PS3 games the service supports on your PS5. PS Now is not yet officially available in all countries, but there is an easy workaround—all you need to do is sign up for a UK, German or Austrian PlayStation account.

Sony is not yet as active in the field of cloud gaming as Microsoft, with whom it even entered into an alliance late last year in the development of cloud technologies. As a result, PS Now can be expected to expand its reach into other countries and broaden the library of games available. Plus, the cloud seems to be the easiest way to bring old PlayStation games to the PS5. PS Now already offers that to some extent, but there's also hope that this patent could use the cloud to emulate older consoles and bring games from the PS1, PS2 and PS3 to the PS5.

PS5: Multimedia & Apps

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Gaming consoles have long since ceased to be just for gaming; in many homes, they also serve as a multimedia hub for consuming all sorts of content. Currently, PS5 supports the following multimedia applications in most EU countries:

• Apple TV
• Disney +
• Netflix
• Spotify
• Twitch
• YouTube
• Amazon Prime Video
• MyCanal
• Hulu
• Peacock

PS5: PlayStation Plus Subscription

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Just like the Xbox X/Series or Nintendo Switch, you need a paid subscription to play online. But the reward for getting a subscription isn't just the ability to play your games online, you'll get at least two older games for free each month, 100GB in cloud storage, and the option to share your library of games with one of your friends. Signing up for the PS Plus subscription also allows PlayStation 5 owners to access the PlayStation Plus Collection, a collection of games featuring some of the best PS4 and PS5 titles released to date.

The PlayStation Plus subscription costs £6.99/€8.99 a month, or £4.17/€5 a month if you subscribe for a full year. PlayStation Plus subscriptions can also be purchased on Alza.cz, where you can choose from one, three or twelve month subscription options.

PlayStation 5 Pro or Lite

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It's still too early to talk about any mid-gen upgrades or more powerful variants of the PlayStation 5, and even if Sony is working on an imaginary PlayStation 5 Pro, it won't be announced for a few years yet. However, both Sony and Microsoft have found this method of extending the life of one generation of consoles has paid off, and so it's very likely that Sony will repeat its approach this time around. This is also suggested, for example, by patent published at the end of 2019 that describes the ease of performance scaling in the PS5 console. Indeed, according to the patent description, one could simply add another graphics core to the existing one and connect them. This would save Sony development and manufacturing costs.

However, the patent also hints at the possible existence of a less powerful "Lite" version of the PlayStation 5. This in turn could follow a similar path to the Xbox S Series, i.e. a cheaper console with less power. However, it should be stressed that a large part of the published patents will never be implemented or are misunderstood because we only see one fraction of the full picture. However, it is very likely that we will see a more powerful version of the PS5 in some fashion eventually, if only because the Xbox Series X, the PS5's biggest competitor, is better off in terms of raw performance.

• Zdroje: playstation.com, dualshockers.com, techradar.com, polygon.com, gameindustry.biz, bloomberg.com, psu.com, trustedreviews.com

PS5 (REVIEW) – A Nearly Perfect Console

• Review: 8 January 2021 • Author: Matouš Jedlan

It's been more than seven years since the PlayStation 4 came out (for reference, the first trailer for Cyberpunk 2077 was released the same year). And both PlayStation 5 and Cyberpunk 2077 have their flaws, but at least you can buy Cyberpunk now. But jokes aside, today we're going to take an in-depth look at the next generation of PlayStation consoles. Find out what the currently hopelessly out-of-stock PlayStation 5 has done well, and where the competition is better.

Article Contents

1. PS5's Biggest Innovation Is the DualSense Controller
2. PS5 and Its Bold Design
3. Powerful Cooling and Good Connectivity
4. PS5's Main Strength Is Its Fast SSD Drive
5. Even PS5 Has Its Flaws
6. PlayStation 5 Review: Final Thoughts

PS5's Biggest Innovation Is the DualSense Controller

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I'm not going to lie, I've been a PlayStation fanboy since I was a kid. I grew up with a PS1, then a PS2, then my brother and I bought a PS3, then later as an adult I bought a PS4, and now I'm waiting for my PS5. Yes, I'm waiting for it just like everyone else, because working for Alza doesn't grant you a special status that lets you skip all the pre-orders. Still, I've had the opportunity to intensively test both versions of the PlayStation 5 for a few weeks. That I'm a PlayStation fanboy is one thing, but I'm also an editor, so I simply can't let my enthusiasm influence my judgement. After all, a review is supposed to be made up of both subjective and objective opinions. Your opinion is your opinion, but facts are facts, which means I have some mixed feelings about this new Sony console.

If you look at the various videos or articles on the internet, most of them mention first and foremost the controversial looks and performance of the next-gen consoles. But I'd like to focus on the game controller first. Because where the competition has left almost everything the same, Sony has made a bunch of innovations. The PS5 DualSense feels like the result of a long and passionate affair between a classic PlayStation DualShock controller and Nintendo's Joy-Cons. A controller with haptics so subtle you can tell what surface your character is walking on just by holding it.

The best demonstration is provided by the pre-installed game Astro's Playroom, which makes full use of DualSense features. Little Astro will guide you through everything your controller has to offer in this fun adventure romp. From the touch pad, to the subtle haptic response, to the high-quality small speaker, to the adaptive triggers on the back. The new controller has it all.

The touchpad is nothing new—the previous generation had it, along with the small speaker—but it works well with the controller's haptics, which are so subtle that if you close your eyes, you can not only hear, but also feel through touch what surface you're walking on, or if you're swimming, or if the wind is blowing sand into your face. That's how subtle the haptics are in the DualSense controller. Aside from the pre-installed demo, few games have made full use of these features so far. For example, in the new Spider-Man sequel, you can feel the web tension through the sticks when you are swinging through New York, or when shooting in Call of Duty, each gun has a different resistance when firing. It's not as impressive as the delightful Astro's Playroom adventures, but it's still a great feature that gives the new console a whole new dimension that the competition hasn't even thought of.

PlayStation 5 and Its Bold Design

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Design-wise, the controller also looks quite innovative and bold, but that's nothing compared to the console itself. It looks like... well... you've probably seen the memes. A Wi-Fi router, a fancy fan, a coffee maker or the Pope's hat. Yes, the look is indeed contentious. Some might even say ridiculous. I say innovative. Anyone can design a black brick, but it takes courage to come up with something new. Sure, you need a stand when you put the console on its side (it comes with the console), but no matter where you put the console, it will definitely be the center of attention and if you ask me, it looks great. You can tell at first glance that this is a gaming machine and not yet another set-top box.

But this is really just my opinion, and I understand that there will be plenty of people who don't like the design. And if I had to make a criticism, it'd probably be about the placement of the drive, which sticks out on the side and makes the whole console seem a tad unbalanced. The digital version of the console is symmetrical and looks absolutely beautiful. In particular, I must praise the matt white plastic with its miniature texture work, which on closer inspection reveals the iconic PlayStation symbols: Cross, Square, Circle, and Triangle. It's a really nice detail, which you'll also find on the controller. The black plastic in the middle doesn't bother me personally, but I'm not the biggest fan either. It likes to attract scratches and smudges.

Powerful Cooling and Good Connectivity

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Getting to the practical aspects of design, it must be  noted that it has excellent heat dissipation. After a few hours of non-stop gaming, the console was barely warmish. And despite the fact that the internet is rife with articles about noisy fans or black spots, I've had a a chance to personally try several PS5 consoles  and none of them had any of the aforementioned issues. The consoles were whisper-quiet and behaved in an all-around exemplary manner. On the front of the console we have the power on/off button, plus on the larger version with the drive, the eject button. After that, the front sports only USB-A and USB-C connectors, which are mostly for charging the controller. The latter is also powered by a USB-C connector.

The back of the console then features a Kensington lock, two additional USB-A ports, an Ethernet port, a power supply port, and an HDMI output. HDMI is really important here because it supports the 2.1 format. In short, this means that if you have a TV that supports 4K at 120 fps and use the included HDMI cable and not just any random HDMI cable, you can get a 4K image at 120 fps from the console to the screen. There aren't many titles that support this yet, but FPS gamers, for example, can take advantage of this when playing the latest Call of Duty.

PlayStation 5's Main Strength Is Its Fast SSD Drive

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In addition to supporting a higher framerate, the console got a boost in performance consisting of 10.28 teraflops of power, ray tracing support, and an incredibly fast custom M.2 SSD, which along with the controller is probably the biggest leap of the new generation for me. Load speeds are generally several times faster on the new consoles. What used to take a few minutes now takes just a few seconds. Getting from one side of the map to the other in fast travel takes around three seconds in the new Spider-Man. And loading individual sections or maps? That's a thing of the past. Where you used to have to wait for the map to load after completing a mission, Miles Morales can jump out of the shaft straight outside and you can happily play on.

We even uploaded a video on Instagram that's 58 seconds long, so it fits into one Instagram story, and in that time we not only turned on the console, but also launched a game and started playing it. All in just 58 seconds! The thing that probably put me off the previous generation the most is gone, and it makes me want to play more of not only the new exclusives, but the older games as well, as the fast load times are noticeable with every last-gen title you install on your new PS5. Open world games like Horizon Zero Dawn or Days Gone is where you can really feel the difference, but the aforementioned new Spider-Man Miles Morales will also surprise you.

In addition to a faster drive, there's also higher performance. The 120 fps is a feature that I think will get more support in the future or in a potential upcoming "Pro" version of the console. However, what you can get right now in most cases is 4K resolution and a stable 60 fps or a better looking mode with ray tracing, for example, and a stable 30 fps. Personally, I prefer the higher fps option because in the new Spider-Man for instance you don't notice the ray tracing as much when you're zooming around New York, and with Demon's Souls I honestly couldn't tell the difference between the graphics mode and the performance mode.

Even PlayStation 5 Has Its Flaws

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It all sounds like a fairy tale, but the new PlayStation still has its issues. First of all, it's the whole software side of things. I don't mean the new user interface, which is smooth, clear and intuitive. I mean the subscriptions, the backwards compatibility, or the blocking and pointlessness of certain features. PS Now is a thing that works out there in the world, but it's still not officially supported here, so we have to make do with PS Plus, which gives you pretty decent games from time to time, but needing a paid subscription to use cloud saving and to play multiplayer seems like a stone age practice to me. You do get a great collection of the top twenty games from the previous generation to sweeten the deal, but the competition has this handled much better. The lack of broader backwards compatibility is also a bit of a bummer. It's nice that the PS5 supports virtually all PS4 games (you can count the number of unsupported titles on your fingers) but the situation with backwards compatibility of thousands more titles across the pre-PS4 generations is a sorry sight. It's galling that even the Xbox One and Xbox Series can run some PS2 games better than the new PS5.

Additionally, we still have (at the time of writing this review) a software-locked M.2 slot for an additional SSD even though PCIe 4.0 drives are already available. It would be nice to be able to expand your SSD storage when you're realistically left with less than 670GB of the 825GB. Furthermore, the console doesn't support 1440p and 8K resolution. 8K is already promised and Sony is said to be working on 1440p support as well, but currently this resolution is not supported, which is quite a shame because there are plenty of new monitors available on the market that have QHD resolution and support up to 144Hz. Finally, I'll just mention that only the PS4 games can be played from an external HDD.

In short, things could be better on the software side of things, and yet the PS5 is still very close to being a near-perfect console that doesn't have to rely solely on exclusives. And with that, I guess I'll come to the end of today's review. The PlayStation 5 is a great, and more importantly, a truly full-fledged successor to the PlayStation dynasty. For my money, it's a very well-made console in terms of design and build quality, and the DualSense controller adds the icing on the cake. The PlayStation 5 is a fast and powerful gaming machine with plenty of exclusive games already out, and many more in the pipeline. If it weren't for a few software niggles and the less than perfect subscription model, would I recommend it to you? Yes. I'm being a fanboy again, but for me, choosing a console is all about the games, and PlayStation simply delivers. Plus it's a really good console in general.

• Sources: Personal

PS5 Review: Final Thoughts