Smooth, Smooth, Smooth – The PlayStation 5 Is … Smooth

While the PlayStation 5 (PS5) saw its initial release already at the end of last year, there have been considerable difficulties for people trying to get their hands on one. Even now most retailers can’t deliver one to your deserving doorstep, giving the hype around the newest generation of Sony’s entertainment systems a bit of a dull sheen. Yes, the console is here, rejoice! No, you can’t have one! This conflict of supply and demand has, sadly, painted the beginning of the next generation somewhat grey.

So when my brother managed to obtain a PS5 by cleverly clicking around in some online store’s wishlist, I was pretty excited. I’ve never owned the previous PlayStation 4, but something about the new one, shrouded in unavailability and rarity, got my gears clanking. I had to try it. And if not trying out each other’s consoles, what are brothers for?

The console’s design is a sight. Futuristic, in an almost comedic way.

It became clear from the get-go that the PS5 was an improvement. Nothing extraordinary in that alone, perhaps, as improvement is always rather the point, but something about the sheer enjoyment of the fabled 60 frames per second this new system is able to provide was wonderful—and there’s capability for even more. I tried out the Demon’s Souls remake and was floored by the quality of the visuals. This is where PC purists might sweep in and say, “That’s just a Monday for us!”, and I kind of agree, but then consider the following: as consoles evolve, so does all of gaming. Many of the biggest games these days are made with the requirements and limitations of consoles in mind, so it can’t be any sort of a bad thing that they can do such impressive stuff now. The creative ceiling has once again been lifted, and it looks mighty high now.

Looks aren’t everything, of course. In a time when the direct draw of jaw-dropping graphics has somewhat dwindled, it’s good the PS5 has other features worth discussing. I particularly enjoyed the state-of-the-art DualSense controller. From fun little sound effects that work in tandem with those blasting from your audio output to the lovely little rumbling feedback going hand in hand with the goings-on of the screen, there’s a whole new dimension of immersion for developers to tap into. I’m sure not everyone is going to use the potential to its max, but those who are can probably find great new ways to make console gaming better than ever.

The DualSense is probably the best controller I’ve ever tried.

One pleasant thing I noticed was the console’s relative silence. Trying out Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla on the PS5 as opposed to the PS4 underlined this observation. Where the older console sometimes seemed to scream its lungs out, the new generation kept the noise to a dutiful whisper. Surely the whisper will grow as games are developed to challenge the system’s limits, but as of now the absence of a hoover’s moan in your living room is a thing to rejoice.

The PS5 is smooth. Smooth, smooth, smooth. It’s a big old chunk of console for sure, but I’ll take that drawback in exchange for power. It’ll be extremely exciting to see where developers will take the console in the future, since the visuals of games can now be cranked to Very Pretty™ without much fanfare. Perhaps now the focus can be more fully devoted to, for example, animations, physics, writing, and gameplay? Only time will tell, and I think the PlayStation 5 is eager to listen.

Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony
Release Date: November 12^th, 2020

Pictures taken by the author.
Note: They are in black&white because of quality issues.

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