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When the PlayStation 5 launched, it had been seven long years since Sony released its previous console, the aptly-named PlayStation 4. Esquire spent plenty of time playing around with the PS5 upon its debut, testing the limits of the next-gen colossus, and swiftly decided it was well worth the investment. Well, it would have been, if you could actually get your hands on the thing.
But we had ours, so we kept on playing it, keeping track of all the upgrades, new hardware and growing games roster, from triple-A titles to indie projects. And now, almost three years later, the PS5 is regularly in stock at Amazon, Very, GAME, Argos and Smyths, so there's nothing stopping you from finally becoming a next-gen gamer. Here's our verdict on Sony's revolutionary console.
Design
PlayStation has come a long way since 1995, and Sony has become increasingly concerned with the design of its consoles. The PS5 is huge and futuristic – a look completely unlike the PS1 (an unremarkable grey box) that's proven to be way more divisive than anyone ever expected.
It’s undoubtedly a big beast, with the white outer shell measuring a little bit bigger than our Springer Spaniel. We recommend standing it tall, if you can, for the full flex, but will also sit on its side with support from the stand included in the box. But make sure to consider that the PS5 is absurdly heavy, therefore, it's best to keep the console somewhere sturdy to stop it from falling and causing an injury or, even worse, breaking your tiled floor.
The PS5 is a towering centrepiece, so if you like shiny, expensive-looking tech in your home, the console ticks all those boxes. To us, the shock of the big size quickly wears off. The controller is another standout, if fits well in the hand, has a rechargeable battery and the haptic feedback (vibrations and sensations that emit to match with what's happening in time with the game) has to be felt to be believed.
Performance And Graphics
Arguably, the most important part of a new game console is the upgraded visuals. The PS5 outputs up to an 8K resolution and handles 4K at a 120Hz refresh rate. So, as long as the game is optimised (many offer performance or graphics modes, but not at the same time), you’ll be getting the best graphics outside the PC market.
The best new feature is ray tracing, a technique used in modern movie visual effects that realistically mimic light and reflection in the 3D world. Trust us: it's a game-changer. When zipping around New York in Miles Morales, this lets you see the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man reflected in real-time in sky-scraper windows, immersing you in the world, particularly if you’re playing on a big 4K TV.
Pair this visual feast with the PS5’s radically improved audio accuracy, and you’re getting a true next-gen experience. If you’re playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II with a headset, explosions on the horizon echo across the battlefield, ricocheting off walls like they would in the real world. This sounds equally as good if you add a soundbar to the set-up.
One of our favourite aspects regarding performance outside of game graphics is that it gives you very fast load times, launching games within a few seconds, getting you into the action faster than you can sip your tea.
Enhanced Games and Line-Up
PlayStation has always had better exclusives than Xbox. Smash hits like God of War and Hideo Kojima’s collaboration with acclaimed director Guillermo Del Toro on Death Stranding gave Sony gamers an avenue to explore worlds made by some of the biggest names in cinema.
The winning streak continues with the PS5. There's Spider-Man, Demon’s Souls and, our favourite, Astro's Playroom: a joyful platform game that shows off the brilliance of the controller's haptic feedback system.
Sony has confirmed that all the games you played on your PS4 or even PS3 are compatible with its latest console, so you can volley goals on FIFA with next-gen graphics without having to buy the newest edition.
Since its release, there has been a solid variety of exclusive titles, including Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Returnal and Gran Turismo 7. Sony also offers an exclusive gaming subscription service called PlayStation Plus.
Best PS5 games
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Hogwarts Legacy
Smart Features And Apps
The console has a lot to offer on the entertainment front, and it works as a 4K Blu-Ray player, too. Via the store you can download apps like Spotify, Netflix, NOW TV, or Sky Sports, to watch all your favourite digital movies, TV shows or sporting events in 4K, or your favourite live-streamers on Twitch or YouTube. If you’re more of an analogue kind of guy, purchase the PS5 Disc Edition and enjoy watching your Blu-rays, and even your DVDs.
Verdict: Future-Proof
There's a good chance that the PS5 will be the final physical PlayStation if the tech industry continues to embrace an all-digital future (Xbox is well on its way via its interesting advances in streaming). So, if you’re set up with a quality 4K TV or projector, you’ll be playing on your PS5 long into the future.
Sony is planning to update the PS5 software regularly to keep it on the bleeding edge, and will continue to explore 8k gaming and storage options. Thus, regardless of the specs of your home cinema system, your PS5 is more than capable of keeping up.
Best PS5 accessories
DualSense Wireless Controller
Pulse 3D Headset
Media Remote
Owen Gough is an expert in all things tech, including top deals, phone upgrades, wearables, audio gear and gaming. You can get in touch with Owen on Twitter @OwenGough
