As for the launch of the next generation console, I think the PlayStation 5 is the best ever. Between the first-party titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls, and the major multi-format releases like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, there was plenty to play for. But every system six or so weeks after release is confronted under a cold harsh reality: its new library simply cannot compete with the nearly decade of content its predecessor hosts.
I remember being particularly true with the PlayStation 4 for an alarmingly long time after finishing Killzone: Shadow Fall, I went back to the PlayStation 3 for an eternity. Eventually, I played dozens of games on the last generation device, including some brand new releases like Gran Turismo 6. Actually, I first switched to the PS4.
But with the PS5, there is no danger of that happening. Although it’s barebones and needs it, I should prefer the ecosystem of Sony’s next generation console, and backwards compatibility means I never have to leave it like I did with my PS4 almost a decade ago. I’ve beaten all the major PS5 titles, including Sackboy: A Big Adventure, but I play my new system for hours on end every day. You have to literally tear me away from the thing at the moment.
Part of this is due to my personal circumstances – I was lucky enough to play late, and the exclusion only increased my sessions – but I also work really fast through my library. I recently returned to Days Gone to revamp my Platinum Trophy, and it feels like another game running at 60 frames per second on Sony’s new system; I am currently visiting Hitman 2 before its sequel.
It’s disappointing that not every title for the system has been improved – Final Fantasy VII Remake, a title I recently won, would have been dreamy at 60 frames per second – but I like that I only play the game on my PS5 can install and enjoy within the smoother, faster operating system that Sony has created. I plan to take Death Stranding off my shelf soon, and the fact that I do not have to keep my PS4 is a sale.
Obviously, a console needs to stand on its own strengths, and it looks like the local PS5 library will grow a lot this year. But we’re in a transition period, it’s good to admit it, and backward compatibility has completely changed my relationship with Sony’s new console. Where I spent part of the PS4’s first 12 months with my PS3, I love PS4 games on my PS5. It’s convenient and fun, and I hope all PlayStation platforms will be backwards compatible from this point on.
Do you find that the backward compatibility also kept you stuck on your new console? Which games did you play the most on your PS5 and why? Put your PS4 away in the comments below.