The PlayStation 5 Is A Must Own Console….Just Not Yet.

Let me first preface this by saying that this entire post consists of me contradicting whether or not you should buy a PlayStation 5. So be patient as I waffle on through various, bewildering tangents. Thank you.

Since the rather limited release of the PS5 back in November, a console I was fortunate enough to acquire despite being delivered by the courier equivalent of dysentery, there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t played it. Mostly utilised to stabilise the extensive back catalogue of PS4 game’s I’ve neglected over the years, that I now feel personally obliged to mitigate. With the PlayStation Collection only further compounding this issue. But like any new console there are inherent risks. Potential teething maladies that range from whirring/clicking sounds in the disc drive to full internal malfunctions. And much like the scaremongering associated with the PS4 on release, the naysayers chirping about the issues that plague new consoles has again proven to be largely farcical.

Through my extensive endeavours, my keen analytical observations and studious nocturnal sessions that routinely resulted in me lapsing into unconsciousness, I’ve finally deduced the merits of owning a console at launch and definitively surmised why you should own a PS5 as soon as possible. And the simple answer is, you shouldn’t. If your PS4 is still functional, with a manageable capacity to store further titles, there really isn’t a legitimate, pragmatic reason for owning one. Yet!

The allure of a shiny new game’s console is a difficult stimulus to ignore. “Being one of the first!” is an exciting prospect. Boasting to friends and colleagues that probably care very little about the impulsive whims of a smug, self satisfied narcissist with more disposable money than sense. To me, being one the exceptional few was admittedly a very minor consideration. Principally the decision to purchase such a premium item was largely one of necessity.

My PS4, which I’d previously alluded too as being a launch model has for a couple of years “struggled”. Initially peripheral, audible little concerns, with sudden intermittent clunking soon became a sporadic integration of both ambient heat and sound. Conducting enough heat and noise that it sounded as though the London Philharmonic orchestra were performing Metallica Greatest Hits in a smelting refinery. Declining significantly in it’s last 12 months, most notably it’s ability to read or even accept discs without encouragement, eventually rejecting in the middle of a game, it became apparent that I’d either have to repair the ageing machine at substantial cost, or simply buy a replacement. So why not get the PS5? It made sense to me. A rational decision, if they hadn’t been as difficult to attain as a post Brexit trade deal. But as luck would have it, I secured one. Preordering at a very unsociable hour. And don’t get me wrong, I love the scale interpretation if Lord Of The Rings “Dark Tower”!

The term “Next Gen” is rather misleading colloquialism, with the implication being that the technology contained demonstrates a significant graphical sophistication, reciprocated with a discernable visual and performance quality, superior too anything we’ve experienced before. But truth is that the generational leap isn’t the discernable chasm that divided the any of the previous generations. This Gen is really one of refinement. Polishing and augmenting performances to deliver an experience that is a little more fluid. Intuitive. The real expansion comes courtesy of the controller.

The features housed in the dualshock 5 are easily the PS5’s most compelling resource. The adaptive triggers and haptic feedback are to the PlayStation 5 what the analogue sticks were for the PS1. I’d argue revolutionary! Astrobot, the free, glorified Tech demo admirably exhibits the mutually beneficial synchronisation of the audio and vibrations that eminate from the controller. My daughter, fascinated by the small, jaunty robot gliding across the title card approached me, without any provocation to play this. Having never shown much interest in her daddy’s peculiar distractions, I was rather taken aback by her sudden interest, but at the same time excited to posture the brilliance of a hobby Mummy simply doesn’t understand. So having explained to her the controls, as best as I could to a 4 year old, she went off on her own, casually colliding into every conceivable obstacle.

After those initial few minutes, those awkward tentative steps, her coordination and spatial awareness had improved significantly, hitting oncoming enemies with surprisingly expeditious timing. And like a proud father watching her child winning the egg and spoon race at their school sports day, having tripped their main rivals in the final furlong, I just smiled. Watching my daughter’s face light up when she realised that these tiny little robots are rattling around in the controller was one of the most life affirming moments I’ve experienced being a father. This isn’t just vibrational sensitivity, calibrated to imitate a desired sensation, but more like there ARE tiny robots inhabiting the controller. That it isn’t merely replicating the squelching sensation of walking through mud, but that somehow the character is, and you are somehow experiencing that sensation.

The painful truth though is that as impressive as this technology is, most developers are liable to exclude it. Dismissing it as just another failed Sony implementation. A novelty soon to be forgotten, like the SIXAXIS. To simply disregard this wonderfully compelling function, one that has so many practical application’s for other more expansive games would be a critical error. I hope I’m wrong and that developer’s really understand the potential to elevate game’s beyond the customary visual enhancement.

Ultimately the PS5 is a great console, with tremendous potential, a lofty selection of “free” games, courtesy of the “PlayStation Collection” and one Sony’s mist ambitious control features to date. But if you own a fully working PS4 there is very little reason to own a PS5 right now.

Bugs Are The Least Of Cyberpunk’s Problems!

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This article was drafted back in January. Sadly due to my own editorial incompetence, it has been languishing in my drafts since then, falsely believing that I had already formally approved and published it. As a result of my tardiness, much of the information concerning glitches may not be relevant now. Though if they are that only further substantiates my irritation towards Cyberpunk!

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Very rarely does a game as anticipated as Cyberpunk arrive in such a palliative state. Ridiculed. Berated. Memed? (That’s not a word!). Suffering multiple delays, Cyberpunks release has been nothing short of disastrous. But I didn’t just want to senselessly build upon the escalating disdain that the community has vehemently rallied behind. Instead I wanted to discover the world of Cyberpunk for myself, and experience its considerable faults as well as its encouraging ideas organically. Not influenced by the pernicious hive mentality that is actively relishing the games failure!

And its funny really, the “Real” world I mean. Inhabited by a distinctly primitive and vexing species. One that craves the affection provided by love and contentment, yet simultaneously resenting the entire concept. We’re never happier than when we are miserable. Though admittedly the gaming community, currently engaged in a rousing dispute over CDPR’s belated apology for a game that — even in its present state — is as functional as a procrastinating Koala, are probably vindicated in expressing their dismay. Some smaller factions have been advocating CDPR’s decision to release a game at least 3 months prematurely, with most condemning the choice as a blatant affront to those too poor to afford a PC or next gen console.

Its obvious that at the very least they should have optimised the game for last gen consoles and PC — its initially intended platforms — before concentrating their efforts on a next gen update. Any title requiring considerable, scheduled patches indicates that there’s a significant problem. Still the fervour generated by the genuine complaints of gamer’s, coupled with the coordinated mob hyperbole that has galvanised a persistent attack on the game, means it’s currently being held together by the sutures of fan goodwill and the few optimists that believe Cyberpunk can achieve the exalted standard it had promised. The most notable balm for this slowly diminishing dumpster fire being it’s much publicised setting.

It’s evident that the litany of problems that have plagued Cyberpunk go deeper than just superficial glitches and bugs. I believe, in a very roundabout way that the proliferating glitches and bugs have inadvertently benefited CDPR. Distracting players from what is a distinctly average experience. There are elements that demonstrate what this game could and should be. The story, particularly once you encounter Keanu Reeves enigmatic “Johnny Silverhand” is easily Cyberpunks most beguiling propellant. His insatiable charisma, even as an invasive artificial memory, is so compelling to watch manifest as some kind of artificial phantom. You kind of what him to take over your body! The developer’s have also clearly dedicated much of their time detailing Night City itself. Rising like this monolithic cathedral from the depths of a desolate tundra.

Cyberpunk is gritty, but sterile. It’s a city that’s steeped in this grim and oppressive aesthetic, with its impoverished denizens strewn across the cities dirty, urban decay. Veiled in this glossy neon laced facade that, superficially at least gives the impression of character. But stroll around this vacuous city long enough and it becomes immediately apparent that Night City is devoid of any charm. The ambient activities of the Night Cities residence don’t seem to extend past that of an extra that’s just finished their brief walk-on-part in a soap opera. I expected more from this city. A pulse. An identity that wasn’t reliant on the destitution of its exteriors. But its vacant, like a 2020 Christmas market in London! The few people you do see skirt around the streets appear as semi conscious, shakily rendered pixels that follow a strict, predetermined course!

Also, for an RPG, it doesn’t do role playing very well. There is a reasonably generous character customisation to begin with. The usual tailored variables that predictably results in the character looking like those real life versions of Simpson characters. It even comes with the added inclusion of a gender-less archetype, a very progressive and admittedly welcome addition. But once you’re in the game you can’t so much as get a hair cut, let alone imbue your character with any personal identification. You can purchase various vehicles throughout the course of the game too, but aren’t given the option to customise them in anyway. Yet Cyberpunks most glaring omission, a personal detriment to my experience is the absence of a third-person perspective.

This kind of game, particularly one that is so reliant on the composite ideologies of social and economic destitution, juxtaposed with advanced technologies and cybernetics, benefits significantly from a more separated perspective. Being first person you can’t actually see your character interacting with this world. There’s something so intrusive about an FPS when it isn’t really an FPS. Its almost disingenuous, like you’re vicariously reacting to the stimulus, rather than experiencing it. Sure, all games have that inherent detachment, but it’s the games job to make you believe in the engagement. And Cyberpunk, like much of what it has done, fails.

This isn’t the game CDPR intended. It can’t be! The breadth of potential resonating from this concept is too exciting to be sterilised so egregiously. Cyberpunk had all the makings of a genre defining experience. One that would have been as revered as the Witcher 3 is. And who knows, given more time to ferment it may have been. Instead, I’m disappointed. And worse, bored!

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What did you think about Cyberpunk? Let me know in the comments below. Cheers.

The Joy Of Pre-Orders.

The wait is over. My life will forever be divided in two: my life before the PS5 and my life after. The excruciating anxiety of a Yodel delivery has at last diminished, tarnishing what should have been a relatively simple exchange of commerce: Registering interest for an item, relinquishing the specified monetary funds attached to the product and receiving said item at the allocated time via a reliable intermediary. But of the course the conflicting correspondence from both the retailer and courier only confused the process, that really shouldn’t be surprising given the lamentable reputation of both. The schizophrenic emails people were receiving on the eve of the PlayStation 5’s release were as clear as my mother’s eyesight. Here’s an abridged transcripts of how that evening transpired for me:

You’re package has been dispatched, sent via the delivery option you selected. (A courier I didn’t select.)

Due to the volume of PlayStation 5 orders, the cheap, unreliable courier company have notified us that not all orders will be delivered on the day.

Wait, scratch that. Most order’s will definitely, probably, maybe, perhaps be delivered on time. Potentially.

Here are some discount codes for preordering with us. (One of which doesn’t work.)

Just remember, whatever happens, it was somebody else’s fault! Thank you, valued customer.

It wasn’t until the morning of release that I finally received confirmation from the delivery company, issuing the 2 hour window for delivery, which mercifully they fulfilled. With many unable to secure their desired console on day of release, I consider myself to be exceptionally fortunate to have received the PlayStation 5 without issue. Now if only there was some way to protect against the invasive whims of my family so I can actually play.

I sincerely hope that everyone that has purchased a new console has received them without incident.

Why I’m Getting The PlayStation 5 At Launch.

Gaming is an expensive hobby. One that isn’t getting anymore affordable. I’m not just talking about the broad state of the global economy, but the intimate considerations. The domestic responsibilities: food, clothing, utility bills, my daughters numerable hobbies that require some monetary investment. Not to mention those delightful household catastrophies that results in an impromptu swimming pool forming in the kitchen and a hefty surcharge from the plumber. Along with other notable issues and financial variables, there’s sparsely anything left. Once those precious funds have all but been exhausted, there’s very little room for frivolity. And quite honestly time simply doesn’t permit the opportunities it used to to engage with them consistently. With the imminent arrival of the next gen consoles, which only further compounds the issue, the mature thing would be to accept the naturally occurring shackles of senility and forget this juvenile recreation. But I can’t. The idea of getting a new games console still invigorates me. Especially if I’m one of the first to own it.

I’ve only ever done this once, with the PS4. Though quality content was noticeably absent in it’s infancy, to own one still felt distinct. I don’t regret it. Gaming is my vice, if it can even be considered a fallible human trait. I don’t do drugs. I don’t smoke. I drink infrequently and never excessively. I’m boring and I’m fine with that. This may very well be the last games console I’ll ever get. Whether that’s informed by the ever changing landscape of gaming media or my own domestic circumstances. I want to experience that sensation one last time. It may in fact be the last generation of consoles period! The way in which we play and consume games is fundamentally changing, and not necessarily in a way that is in my best interests. Of course technology evolves, progressing at such an exponential rate. But the reliance on the Internet to even allow some games to function is an alarming dependancy. Certainly there will be advocates that support this shift from physical to digital media, but the purist in me just can’t endorse it implicitly.

The PlayStation offering a digital only alternative seems like a sensible business strategy, one that enables those that exclusively buy digitally a console that suites their specific needs. Now that’s fine, but if there is another generation of games console would they extend the same courtesy to those that want physical? Probably not.

In 7-8 years from now, during the theoretical release of the fictional PS6, I will be in my early 40s. Chubbier around the gut. Greyer around the temples. And even more jaded than I am now. Chances are that my presumably arthritic joints would swell in contempt at the very notion. Realistically the PS5 is my last chance at experiencing that same sense of adolescent fervour I felt as a kid. What’s so wrong about that?

Will Next Gen Consoles Be Delayed?

Back when Covid 19 was considered a slight, innocuous complaint, half the world away, I don’t think anyone could have predicted the degree of public hysteria and inept governance we’ve witnessed to try and tackle what is now a potentially devastating epidemic. The kind of administrative improvisations we’ve suffered so far are the kind of reactionary posturing you’d expect to see from an action movie depiction of authority. Invidious decisions enacted by individuals that have continually dismissed the cautious recommendations of some plucky, neurotic, yet unusually attractive scientist, that has preached vigerously about this very specific scenario and implications for the world. I’m surprised the world’s leaders haven’t migrated to some exotic island in the middle of the Mediterranean or Space Station and launched missiles at the major cities around the globe. You know: just to be sure! But its clear from the lunacy aroused by Covid 19 that there are no existing provisions for such a malignant hazard to developed society. No measures to adequately protect the public and no contingencies to preserve the a now faultering economy. And this is going to have irreparable consequences for years to come, across every industry. Including gaming.

Though there’s been no official indication that any significant postponement is expected to happen, its liable that both a PlayStation 5 and Xbox X delay is inevitable. With the increasing economic uncertainty afflicting the global market, rising unemployment and the logistical nightmare of operating an underutilised business with a fluctuating workforce, whilst negotiating the release of such an expensive resource vital to the economical future of both companies, its evident that such important hardware will have to be delayed. Despite Phil Spencer’s cursory insistence that the new Xbox won’t be pushed back, even if individual games are delayed, persevering with a release even with a provisional, late 2020 release would be commercial suicide. With global furloughs, deferrals and redundancies, people are going to be more protective of their money. With most unable to justify a £500 excess before all of this uncertainty, let alone when people’s wages have been reduced or they’re jobs lost.

As rumours persist in regards to pricing, specifications, exclusives, release schedule and the general comparative similarities between the two ecosystems, is any of that really relevant right now? Sadly not. As much as it pains me to say this, especially considering the ailing state of my PS4, the immediate postponement of next gen consoles is a regrettable, yet necessary measure. One that could have salient repercussions for both companies.

What do you guys think? Should next gen consoles be delayed? Let me know in the comments below. Cheers. And stay safe.