The PS5 has been out for almost two years (yes, really), and with the library increasing, many gamers are starting to wonder whether now is the time to upgrade. Believe it or not, a huge amount of gamers are still running PS4 consoles rather than switching to the newer PS5. Although the PS5 has been a hugely successful console for Sony, there are many who either can’t get hold of one or simply don’t think it’s time to move on from their beloved PS4. We thought this would be a good opportunity to take a look at whether now is actually a good time to upgrade to the PS5 or not. Without further ado, here’s whether you should upgrade to the PS5 in 2022.
The PS5 simply has better graphical capabilities
If the only thing you care about is sheer graphical horsepower, then it’s hard to argue with upgrading to the PS5. The visual capabilities of the machine are simply breathtaking; it’s capable of rendering even the most demanding scenes at 60fps, and although this often results in a slightly downgraded resolution, the PS5’s technical trickery means you probably won’t notice. Visually speaking, PS5 games like Demon’s Souls or Horizon Forbidden West are treats for the eyes, so if you’ve just picked up a brand new gaming TV and you’re looking for a chance to show it off, then you need a PS5.
Many PS5 games are also on PS4
While this won’t be the case for much longer, a lot of major PS5 games can also be found on PS4, albeit with worse performance and visuals. Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon Forbidden West, and God of War Ragnarok are all great examples of major first-party Sony games that you can buy on either console. Buying on PS4 also has the added benefit that the PS4 versions of these games tend to be cheaper by a not insignificant amount, so if you’re also looking to save a little money, then you don’t need to worry about getting the PS5 versions of these games. Stick with your PS4 and you’ll still be able to play many of Sony’s biggest releases.
The PS5 controller is revolutionary
It’s hard to overstate just how much of a game-changer the DualSense controller is for the PS5. While the console itself has some incredible graphical capabilities, games don’t start feeling truly “next-gen” until you play them with the DualSense enabled. The adaptive triggers allow you to feel your character pulling a bowstring back or being hit with recoil from a powerful gun, and the haptic feedback in the controller adjusts the level of vibration based on what’s happening in the game. The DualSense is very much the PS5’s secret weapon; it’s a chunky marvel of a controller that really does enhance next-gen gaming.
Getting hold of a PS5 right now is hard
Perhaps the biggest drawback to upgrading to the PS5 is that it’s extremely difficult to get one right now. Stock issues became widespread as soon as the machine was released, and have persisted to this day. There are a number of reasons for this, but the main cause of PS5 stock shortages appears to be an ongoing semiconductor supply crisis. Many electronics companies are suffering as a result of this, so it’s not just the PS5; you may struggle to buy new cars or appliances, too. However, the PS4 is still widely available, so getting a PS4 isn’t difficult at all. If you’re not the type to sit on websites refreshing them constantly, then a PS5 doesn’t need to be high on your priority list right now.
The PS5 has lots of nice quality-of-life improvements
Sony has taken a lot of criticism of the PS4’s user interface to heart, it seems. The company has worked hard to make sure the PS5’s UI is more approachable and less difficult to navigate than its predecessor, and while this hasn’t been a complete success, there are lots of nice little touches that make the PS5 a more fun environment in which to play games. Sony’s new Activity Card feature is nice (although we do sometimes wish we could turn it off, as it has a tendency to cause minor spoilers), and we like being able to access our friends list and join parties easily. Sharing content like screenshots and videos is much easier now, too.
The PS5 ain’t cheap (although it’s not hugely expensive either)
It stands to reason that if you’re going to buy a PS5, you will be spending more money than you would if you didn’t buy one (obviously). With that in mind, it’s worth remembering that the PS5 is going to set you back a fair amount of money. The Digital Edition of the console will cost you £359 (assuming you’re not going to buy it from a scalper, of course), while the Disc Edition costs £449. The latter is competitive with Microsoft’s Xbox Series X, but the Xbox Series S is cheaper than the Digital Edition (albeit a much less powerful console). This is a neutral point that is neither in favour of nor arguing against buying a PS5, but it’s something to take into consideration nonetheless.
In the end, only you can make the decision about whether it’s worth upgrading to the PS5 or not. If you want to play the latest games and future-proof your gaming experience for the next few years, then a PS5 is a must-buy. If, however, you only care about games, and not necessarily how they look or perform, then it’s safe to stick with your PS4 for now (and you may not have a choice, given the PS5’s stock issues).