After five years has the PS5 been a failure

Cliff Notes – After five years has the PS5 been a failure

• The PlayStation 5, now approaching its fifth Christmas, is perceived by some fans as underwhelming compared to its predecessor, the PS4, particularly in terms of first-party game offerings.

• Despite advancements in graphics, the limited exclusive titles this year, such as Ghost Of Yōtei, have led to disappointment, prompting calls for a new console generation.

• The Nintendo Switch’s pricing strategy is shifting, with discounts becoming less common, raising questions about its value proposition as it competes more closely with PlayStation and Xbox offerings.

Games Inbox: After five years has the PS5 been a failure?

Time flies when you’re being disappointed (Sony)

The Wednesday letters page hears from more fans that are giving up on Xbox (and one that isn’t), as a reader is surprised by the Nintendo Switch deals on Amazon.

Old age approaches
I just realised that this Christmas will be the fifth one for the PlayStation 5 (and Xbox Series X/S). Time flies and all that, but that is definitely the point at which a console starts to become old and you start to hear the first rumours of its follow-up, which we’re definitely getting now.

But it’s also the time at which the quality of the games, and the advancement of the graphics, hit their peak. And yet all we’ve had this year in terms of first party games is Death Stranding 2 (which doesn’t count because Sony didn’t make it) and Ghost Of Yōtei, which seems to be… fine.

The graphics on Ghost Of Yōtei are good, so I guess that part has come true, but it’s so hard not to be disappointed by the PlayStation 5. When you compare its line-up with the PlayStation 4, I find it impossible not to think of it as anything but a failure.

From that perspective I welcome the PlayStation 6, but only if I can trade in my current console and get it for not much extra. Because after this gen I no longer have confidence that a new PlayStation is automatically worth the money.
Boycie

Relatively cheap
Quite surprised to see any kind of discount for Switch games in the Amazon sale, especially as the Switch 2 is backwards compatible. It’ll be interesting to see what happens on Black Friday, but I don’t see it ever being much cheaper. I’ll take what I can get though, and this is better than nothing.

Expert, exclusive gaming analysis

I do wonder what’s going to happen to Nintendo now that it’s no longer the cheap choice, which I imagine helped a lot in parents picking it up. It’s still cheaper than PlayStation and Xbox but not by that much and the games are the same price or – incredible to me – more expensive.

I don’t think there’s any doubt about Mario Kart World offering good value for money but some of these others have a question mark over for me. I’m sure Donkey Kong Bananza is good but is it really going to be a game I’m still playing in eight years’ time? For the amount it costs it really should be.
Korbie

Halloween fox
What an amusing little story about the foxes in Silent Hill f and Ghost Of Yōtei. Strange that two games with such a lot in common should come out at the same time but I guess that’s just the Armageddon/Deep Impact phenomenon working in games as well.

I haven’t played Ghost Of Yōtei but I have played Silent Hill f and woof… there sure is going to be some changing opinions about Fox Mask, from people that bought it because of him. Although what I love about the game is that there is nuance to everything that’s going on and room for interpretation.

It’s probably going to end up as my game of the year, and I haven’t even completed all the endings yet. I want to leave at least one for Halloween!
Tacle

Invisible world
I would guess that the new Nintendo trailer is Pikmin 5, but it’s not guaranteed at all and I like that. Very un-Nintendo (or anyone, really) style of teasing something and if you compare it to something like the Splatoon Raiders reveal I think this is 100% more interesting.

I’m not sure how important Pikmin lore is to anyone but if the AR game says they’re invisible that’s as good excuse as anything. Although I don’t know how that explains all the other weird animals. Maybe they’re invisible too or it’s not Earth at all, but just a similar planet or colony.

I do think the reason that humans haven’t been in it before is simply technology though. There’s no way the other games could handle an enemy that big, so now’s the chance. I’m up for it; a lot more than I would be for Nintenbabies.
Onibee

Designated time
Little Nightmares 3 is due to be released in a few days’ time but I can’t find any reviews anywhere. I don’t know what that says about the game’s quality. The series became one of my favourites in recent years due to its grotesque monsters, unsettling atmosphere, and relatable – but silent – protagonists.

This time it is another developer, so I am not sure how closely they can match Tarsier Studios’ unique vision. Is GC going to review it? At least there is Tarsier’s scary looking Reanimal coming soon.
Ali K

GC: All we can tell you for Little Nightmares 3 is that the review embargo is before Friday, which is not that unusual. What was atypical, was Ghost Of Yōtei having its reviews drop so far in advance of launch.

Shut in
Storm in a teacup over Game Pass for me. I dip my toes in it now and again, for online multiplayer, but not the games because I don’t have time. I prefer to buy and own games when I want them.

I still think you get a lot in it though, for the price. As an Xbox Series X owner I’m content with what’s provided. I have no issues with the brand. People may think me naïve or even a fanboy. I don’t care. I think Xbox has brought a lot to gaming; their pros outweigh the negatives, in my opinion. I think the rumours of them pulling out of next gen should be pure nonsense. Hate to think of a console business dominated by PlayStation or who might take Microsoft’s spot, like Apple, for example.

But i would get their next gen console, because I’m invested in the ecosystem and enjoy Xbox store deals. As long as Xbox Series X is fully supported then I have no issues. I try to shut myself off from all the internet noise and YouTubers opinions.

Only thing I will say, I never thought Forza and Gears Of War would be on PlayStation. Also, the pricing of Xbox Series X, I think it should be reduced for when GTA 6 is released.
Stephen

Brace for impact
All the actions by Microsoft seem to me like they are deliberately running the Xbox and Game Pass into the ground. Maybe there’s some financial reason to do this, a way to write it all off and then just concentrate on the game companies they have bought. It all just seem so anti-consumer at the moment.

Hopefully I’m wrong, but all gaming at the moment seems to be in turmoil. I think the whole industry needs a reset, so maybe a crash is still coming. I also wonder how many gamers wait for sales instead of picking games up on release. Myself and all my friends wait now, as it’s so expensive. I can’t remember the last time I paid full price for a big game.

If a lot more are doing this, that will also have an impact. I also got Game Pass on the cheap but when it runs out next year I won’t be getting it again, as I don’t have a lot time to play the games I have got and I find the amount of choice actually a bit stressful with my OCDs. One thing for sure, is it’s gonna be an interesting year ahead.
Rob

Jump out
I’ve been very lucky to remember the big home computing era in the ‘80s, learning how to program, working on computer magazines with my Spectrum 48K, then the home consoles came along. I still have most of them, apart from the SNES which today I still regret trading mine, with everything boxed with over 30 games and the bazooka, at Electronics Boutique for a PlayStation and a couple of games.

Then came the Xbox. What a machine, amazing games and graphics. I was hooked. I have every console they have made; I’ve invested a lot of money in Microsoft, from Gold to Game Pass. Them buying Activision, they have my back – I’m sure all the decisions they are making is to make it better for gamers like myself.

Nah, they don’t care. As the FTC have said, ‘they are too big to care’.

They promised Game Pass wouldn’t go up in price, it has twice and now, at £23 a month, is too much even though they say you get Ubisoft+ Classic included, which doesn’t include the latest games (that’s still another £14.99 a month).

They made over 6,000 talented people redundant and didn’t care, it’s for the best they told us. Liar, liar pants on fire, Phil Spencer. Even Matt Turnbull, the executive producer at Microsoft Game Studios, has told staff to use AI to help emotional load when it comes to job loss. Too big to care.

I always used my rewards points to redeem for Game Pass, perhaps that’s the problem. Maybe I, with everyone else who does this, is the problem, as they don’t get the funds, but they created it. Before the price increase I went to redeem my 90,000 points for Ultimate – which was 35,000-ish for three months (now 28,265 for one month, as you can only buy gift cards) – to find my account has been restricted and I can’t redeem them, which isn’t an unusual thing as it’s been reported to be happening a lot recently.

My subscription runs out in January and then I’m done. I’ll play the big games coming out this year and won’t be going back. I say that, I might wait a year and maybe subscribe again for a month and play anything interesting until I get bored.

Thanks for the memories, now it’s time to make new/old ones elsewhere. I’m powering up my Dreamcast and PlayStation 2.
Cassius2K
PS: Those 90,000 points will be used to get a supermarket gift card and getting some beer when they unblock my account, now my liver hates Microsoft as well.

Where it all began (Cassius2K)

Inbox also-rans
New release date for Terminator 2D: No Fate. Please update game release date to Wednesday, 26th November 2025.
stanley71

GC: Oh, we were looking forward to that.

I really would’ve thought we’ve moved past the idea of VR and AR tech demos that you have to pay for but here we are with that Star Wars thing costing £20. It sounds awful.
Cuit

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