It finally happened, we managed to get our hands on the PS5 and it was glorious.
I’m told that when you have a child it’s a rather special moment. Wonder in the eyes, pure elation… you know, all that jazz. Not having any children of my own, I can only imagine it’s strikingly similar to seeing a new piece of technology for the first time.
Wonder: check. Elation: check. Same, same, but different, right? Well with that said, this week marked the first time the powers that be at Sony granted proper hands-on time with its brand spanking new PS5 and DualSense controller, due out in just a few weeks, and it was something special indeed.
The first thing you’ll notice when picking up the DualSense for the first time is that it’s packing a bit of extra weight. Classic 2020. Well actually, you’ll probably notice the absolute chonk that is the PS5 unit first, but seeing as though we couldn’t play around with that too much, it’s a story for another time.
So back to the DualSense then, it instantly melds into the hand with a form factor that’s more reminiscent of a DualShock being mashed together with an Xbox controller. The more rounded edges allow for a better overall grip then its predecessor and the bonus weight actually helps it feel more like a premium product.
Check out Astro’s Playroom here:
But it’s the technology within that’s the real star, and that was most evident during our time with Astro’s Playroom – a delightfully adorable little platformer that comes pre-installed into all PS5 consoles.
Acting as a mini tech demo (while still promising a five-hour adventure), it will really show you how big a role the PS5’s adaptive triggers can play. Pulling back on a toy bow, for example, offered greater tension, as did charging Astro up in spring form – snapping quickly back into place once released. Likewise, when I decided to go on a mini rampage with a toy machine gun, I was amazed to feel each ball release through my finger. The possibility here for shooters is immense.
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Similarly the speaker and haptic feedback are also top tier – the former helping sell extra sound effects like the aforementioned spring coiling up, and the latter offering up a distinct feel for the various surfaces you walk on. You can even feel Astro land on each letter in the game’s start-up screen – this game pulls no punches and wants to impress you right out of the gate.
The elephant-in-the-room question is this: outside of Astro’s Playroom and the first few launch titles, how many developers are going to adopt the technology that the DualSense offers. Will your annual FIFA and Call of Duty offer unique experiences for PS5 owners or streamline for convenience? Only time will tell, but for now we’re giddy with excitement at the possibility ahead after our PS5 hands-0n.
Oh, if you’re picking up what we’re putting down, you can try to win a PS5 of your very own, right now!
FIFA 21 (PS4, XBO, PC)
Much like our criticism with NBA 2K21, this year’s iteration of FIFA is also starting to feel a little tired, with updates that those outside of the hardcore fanbase might use to question the yearly release model. That’s not to say this isn’t still a quality simulation – it remains the best in the game, but we’re guessing the developers are holding out for the next generation before they really shoot for success. If anything, maybe it’ll help pretty up the crowd who continue to look questionable in comparison to the rich detail in player faces.
Regardless though, gameplay has become a little more arcade-like which will please some and annoy others, while Volta’s smaller matches remain the perfect distraction from the more standard fare. If anything, it’s really been giving us a hankering for another FIFA Street…
