This article will be updated with reviews of new games throughout the first week, as we await the arrival of several release titles.
Being a pre-release favorite can be a double-edged sword. Meeting high expectations is simply seen as fulfilling a pre-ordained outcome. Failure to live up to the hype, however, results in significantly magnified disappointment.
The initial outlook was promising. The anticipation surrounding the Playstation 5 (PS5) has been substantial for nearly a year, since its initial unveiling by chief architect Mark Cerny. The design, the innovative controller, and Sony’s exclusive first-party titles suggested that the Japanese corporation was poised to maintain its dominance in the next console generation. Microsoft’s Xbox strategy appeared so uncertain that we even questioned their long-term plans in a previous analysis. However, subsequent confirmations from the American “underdog” led to the Xbox Series X launch on November 12, delivering a compelling offering (read our in-depth review of the console and its launch titles). Currently, questions linger regarding Sony’s strategy for the Playstation 5’s future, as the initial launch has been less than stellar.
Has the market leader become complacent?
This review is being published nearly a week after the console’s Swedish market release (officially November 19). For the past decade, shortages of new consoles (and flagship iPhone models) have been commonplace, especially since the Wii U era, marked by queues, pre-release discussions, and pre-orders. While partly driven by enthusiast demand, manufacturers likely employ a deliberate strategy of limiting initial supply to amplify perceived desirability. The PS5 launch, however, appears to be among the most disorganized and poorly managed in recent memory. Senses typically provides early, in-depth coverage of new hardware and games in the Nordic region. This time, access was hindered as the hardware and several launch titles arrived late, some even after the retail release, while others remain unavailable. “But what does it matter if all units are sold out?” one might ask. It matters significantly because this marks the beginning of a new console generation, potentially the last with physical media. With Black Friday and the holiday season approaching, families will soon face the decision of purchasing a PS5 for SEK 6,000 without games, or opting for a new Xbox with game subscriptions for a lower monthly cost. This is a long-term commitment spanning five to seven years, potentially involving mid-generation upgrades.
Therefore, past performance is no guarantee of future success. The competitive landscape has been reset.
PS5: Design and Technology
The PS5 is a sizable device, though perhaps not as overwhelmingly large as some suggest. Its aesthetic appeal is subjective; however, we appreciate the flowing, rounded contours and the illuminated LED strip. In a vertical orientation, the console is noticeably taller than the Xbox Series X, but when horizontal, it is thinner and more easily accommodated in furniture (although optimal placement involves unobstructed airflow). The color scheme is black and white for both the console and the new DualSense controller (more details below).
Unlike the Xbox Series X and S, where the S model features reduced specifications and lacks a disc drive, the two Playstation 5 models are functionally identical, differing only in the presence of a disc reader. The recommended price difference is one thousand SEK (SEK 5,990 with UHD 4K Blu-ray and SEK 4,990 without). We recommend opting for the model with a disc reader, particularly if you lack a dedicated UHD 4K player. This also enables access to used games and borrowing from friends, potentially valuable as game prices approach SEK 800+. Note regarding the disc drive: reports have surfaced online about PS5 units experiencing disc reading issues. While defective units undoubtedly exist, the vertical PS5 orientation can be misleading. The button placement, traditionally below the disc slot (even on Playstation 4), is reversed on the PS5. This is intuitive when the console is horizontal, but confusing in a vertical setup, leading to incorrect disc insertion. Therefore, if you encounter disc reading problems, try flipping the disc.
Technically, the PS5 shares similarities with the Xbox Series X, with some variations resulting in a slightly lower Teraflop count (10.23 TF for PS5 versus 12.15 TF for Xbox Series X). Both feature an eight-core AMD Ryzen CPU at 3.5GHz with variable clock speed, an AMD RDNA2 graphics card with a slightly reduced number of compute units but a higher clock frequency (36 CU @ 2.33 GHz on PS5 vs 52 CU @ 1.85GHz on Xbox), 16GB of faster GDDR6-RAM, and a smaller (825 GB vs 1TB) custom SSD, which boasts a significantly faster read speed (5.5 GB/s vs Xbox 2.5 GB/s, although architecture also influences performance). The console targets 4K gaming at 60fps, supports HDMI 2.1 for 120fps and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate, though games supporting VRR are not yet confirmed), and will eventually support “8K” resolution, likely at 30fps when relevant content becomes available.
Technical summary: Beyond design and size, the PS5 and Xbox Series X exhibit relatively minor hardware differences. Many components are similar or identical, while others offer advantages to one console over the other. Ultimately, developer proficiency in leveraging each console’s architecture will determine real-world performance superiority.
PS5: Backward Compatibility and New Features
Unlike the Xbox Series models, which support backward compatibility to the original 2001 Xbox, the Playstation 5’s backward compatibility is limited to the previous generation, the Playstation 4. Most PS4 games are expected to function correctly (currently, approximately 10 titles are incompatible and a hundred – out of several thousand – have exhibited initial issues). A “boost mode” aims to enhance loading times and performance (on a per-game basis), but some games require installation on the internal SSD for this feature, which is limited to 667 GB of usable space after system initialization.
Connecting external SSDs to the PS5 is possible, offering both USB-A and USB-C ports, the latter absent on the Xbox Series. This facilitates faster transfer speeds, as both USB-A and USB-C ports support 10Gb/s (1.2 GB/s), enhancing the performance of solutions such as an NVMe SSD in an adapter, like the Kingston KC2500 1TB in an ASUS ROG Strix Arion adapter.
A cautionary note about external SSDs (and other drives, although SSDs are now standard) – Similar to the PS4, the PS5 may exhibit insufficient power delivery through its USB ports in standby mode, leading to improper disk disconnections and requiring repair after extended pauses (even with USB ports configured to “always” supply power). This issue was encountered with the NVMe solution; the HyperX Savage Exo performed reliably (albeit at lower speeds). This is an unfortunate and potentially software-correctable issue, as modern ports should provide adequate power.
The inclusion of a USB-C 3.2 gen 2 port would have been beneficial, unlocking the full potential of external accessories and enabling near-internal performance. Like the Xbox Series X, the Playstation 5 only supports a single external hard drive at a time, making game transfers between multiple external drives cumbersome, requiring intermediate copying via internal storage. PS5-patched games must be run from internal storage (due to speed limitations), but unlike the Xbox Series X, there is no option to offload (archive) PS5 games to external storage. When internal storage is exhausted, the only option is to delete and re-download games.
The Playstation 5 lacks (at launch) features such as Auto HDR for games, and the “boost-mode” effect on older games, as mentioned, is title-dependent. Do not expect global improvements or automatic resolution/frame rate increases, although some games may unlock such enhancements.
Several excellent PS4 titles have received patches enabling crystal-clear 60fps gameplay, including Days Gone and Ghost of Tsushima, significantly enhancing the gaming experience. Exploring the library reveals many other improvements, with some titles achieving smoother performance solely through increased processing power: games like Final Fantasy XV, God of War, Knack, Sayonara Wild Hearts, and others that were technically constrained on the PS4 now realize their intended potential on the PS5. Therefore, revisiting older titles in your backlog can offer a superior experience.
PS5 SSD – Super Speed Drive
The custom NVMe SSD in the Playstation 5 is arguably the fastest on the market regarding raw speed. Loading times are substantially reduced, with the console and games launching within seconds (typically under ten). However, the 825 GB capacity is somewhat limited, with only approximately 670 GB available for user storage, requiring careful management of installed content. The positive aspect is that Sony will allow the use of standard, third-party NVMe SSDs for expansion, unlike Microsoft. The caveat is the absence of a compatibility list, requiring PCIe 4.0 compliance with a minimum read performance of 5.5 GB/s. This currently translates to higher expansion costs compared to the Xbox Series X. We will provide specific recommendations pending further testing.
DualSense – a new level of controller on Playstation 5
The DualSense controller is a significant innovation for the PS5, offering both design and functional enhancements. It features an improved grip surface and form factor, reminiscent of the “boomerang” controller concept showcased during the Playstation 3‘s development. The controller incorporates “haptic feedback” (adaptive triggers) with enhanced motors for immersive effects, particularly in the L2 and R2 trigger buttons. Different weapons in the latest Call of Duty now provide distinct tactile sensations. Additionally, the controller includes a microphone for sound/blowing elements in games, similar to Nintendo’s approach.
The Dual Shock 4 and Xbox Controller (S) have long competed for the title of best game controller. However, the DualSense now claims the crown for market’s most comfortable and innovative controller, retaining a rechargeable LiON battery and offering fast charging via USB-C. Additional controllers are priced at 800 SEK.
The Games on Playstation 5
Like the Xbox Series, the Playstation 5 offers games in two categories: older games with PS5-specific patches and new, exclusive titles. Here are our impressions of the games received in time for this review:
Old games improved for PS5
Destiny 5: Beyond Light
Our Destiny 2 impressions on PS5 are based on previous experience with the Beyond Light expansion on PS4 Pro. Loading times were already improved. The PS5 interface initially caused confusion, with our tester unknowingly running the wrong version (to switch versions, if both are installed, use the three dots menu). Sony needs to streamline this selection process in the library. Similar to the Xbox Series X, a clear indication of optimized versions would be beneficial. Once the correct version of Destiny 2 was downloaded, the optimization by Bungie proved impressive. Launching Destiny 2 and entering Orbit takes approximately 35 seconds, followed by 30 seconds to reach the Tower. The game’s visuals have been significantly enhanced, with increased detail and vibrancy. Crucible supports 120Hz in multiplayer, improving fluidity. However, the frequency of player deaths remains consistent.
Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
Devil May Cry 5, a two-year-old title (reviewed previously), has been remastered for next-generation consoles, effectively making it a new-old experience (the Special Edition is incompatible with last-gen hardware). Missions and content are unchanged, but the graphics mode now features ray tracing and 120fps support, provided the display source is compatible. Ray tracing can be enabled at a higher resolution (4K), or the resolution can be reduced to Full HD for stable 60fps gameplay (alternatively, 120fps can be selected without ray tracing). The game exhibits improved visuals and more detailed ray tracing, enhancing reflections and lighting. The faster frame rate, particularly 120fps, gives the PS5 an advantage over the Xbox Series X (which performs better in 4K – graphics mode switching is only available through the main menu, not in-game). While perhaps not essential for those who have completed the game on PS4 Pro or Xbox One X, this version offers significant enhancements for those who played on base consoles, justifying its price of 400 SEK (half the price of new PS5 games). Trophy hunters can also earn a new set, even if they have completed the game on last-gen systems.
Fortnite
Similar to the Xbox Series X version, the popular free-to-play game Fortnite offers 4K resolution and 60fps on PS5, along with cross-platform support. The PS5 version adds haptic feedback through the DualSense controller. Weapons now feel distinct, and the resistance in the R2 trigger adds a unique element. The game flows smoothly, and colors and lighting are enhanced. Fortnite remains a popular title, especially with Season 4 and the Marvel collaboration, with an Unreal Engine 5 upgrade planned. It is free to play.
Maneater
The open-world action game Maneater casts you as a shark, following its evolution from pup to Megalodon. With a humorous tone, Maneater offers unique entertainment in moderation (as a “single player, open world action RPG (ShaRkPG)”). Its mid-segment origins are evident in the PS5 upgrade, which includes higher resolution and improved colors, but suffers from frame drops and lacks graphics mode options. Although 4K resolution at 60fps with ray tracing is promised, object quality varies (people appear somewhat stiff). The DualSense controller support is subtle, with only occasional controller pulsing. Owners of the PS4 version receive a free upgrade to the PS5 version. Others can try the game digitally for under 300 SEK, compensating for technical limitations.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate Editon
Like the Xbox Series X update, Mortal Kombat 11 offers intense fighting in 4K at 60fps on PS5, with free upgrades to the next-generation version regardless of the owned version. Its excessively campy and surprisingly amusing nature, combined with the best visuals to date and brilliant HDR, almost suggests the inclusion of undocumented ray tracing. For fighting game enthusiasts, the Ultimate Edition at five hundred SEK, including all DLC and skins, is worth considering on next-gen consoles.
Spider-Man: Remastered
One of 2018’s top games receives a PS5 patch with enhancements, but it is not free. Spider-Man: Remastered requires repurchase on PS5, a significant cost for a game that was a major success two years ago and likely resides in many Playstation owners’ collections. The PS5 improvements include higher resolution and ray tracing. The mode balancing both elements is recommended, achieving 60fps and retaining ray tracing effects and reflections. Spider-Man remains an excellent title from Insomniac (Ratchet & Clank), but charging for the upgrade – when the game is included in the PS4 collection bundled with PS Plus on PS5 – feels exploitative. If you have not experienced the game before, this is the definitive version. Existing owners must weigh the cost and potential desire for a replay, given the influx of new releases.
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