Finally, the PS5 is out in the wild for the lucky consumers who've been able to snag one. This year's certainly been strange for the games industry, especially for Sony, who spent a majority of early 2020 being uncharacteristically silent. Now in December, launch PS5 consoles are selling like hot cakes across all of the major retailers around the world. However, even if PS5 consoles are flying off the shelves, the best is yet to come for this generation's PlayStation console. In fact, this is a rare moment for PlayStation fans: not only are there multiple confirmed games coming in the PS5's near-future, but many of them are coming in the console's inaugural year.
Even if the PS5 is in scarce supply for the rest of 2020, throughout 2021 is when Sony's next-gen system is truly going to shine. Big ticket launch games like Demon's Souls and Spider-Man: Miles Morales will carry the system into the new year, where even more games are slated to release for the next-gen console. In the PS5's reveal event alone, there's already been a slew of heavy hitters announced like God of War's sequel, the next mainline Final Fantasy, among all the new games like Deathloop or Kena: Bridge of Spirits. Assuming the PS5 shortage doesn't last that long, PlayStation fans are going to have a lot to play as the industry moves into the next-generation of games.
Several Huge, Already-Announced Games Coming in 2021
Many exclusive franchises on the PS4 either saw new life, or started something completely new last generation. Now, many of these critically acclaimed games are receiving their highly anticipated sequels in 2021, much earlier than many would've expected. From the PS5's reveal event in June, besides the launch titles, fans already know that the God of War sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Final Fantasy 16, and Gran Turismo 7 are coming to PS5 in 2021. Knowing about high profile sequels like this, six months in advance of just the release year, is practically unheard of when it comes to marketing and game reveals.
Then again, PlayStation knows it can take those leaps of faith, even if for whatever reason these titles may be delayed. Every single example above is the sequel to a critically acclaimed franchise that saw respectable success on the PS4, with the exception of perhaps Gran Turismo. Even then, Gran Turismo 7 arguably holds just as much pedigree and credibility as the Forza series does for Xbox. Sony is setting up its latest PlayStation with tons of momentum moving into the next year. It's a huge power play, especially when compared to the Xbox Series X's launch lineup and 2021 slate of upcoming games.
Huge Third-Party Support, Better Console Performance, The Works
All of that is without even mentioning all of the new third-party exclusives heading to the PS5 in 2021 as well. Whether it's huge triple-A ventures like Deathloop or Returnal, or indie experiences like Little Devil Inside, there's tons of new third-party games joining the lineup next year as well. Not to mention the usual suspects like Call of Duty, FIFA, etc. who will be joining the system late next year as well.
PS5 is once again positioning PlayStation to be the best place to play in the next console generation. Pair that with all of the performance improvements coming alongside the PS5 system itself, and it makes plenty of sense. PS5 is now capable of true 4K, not "checkerboard" 4K like on PS4 Pro, alongside 60 FPS (and in some cases 120 FPS) performance. Loading speeds, an issue that plagued the PS4 severely, should be a very welcome improvement. The DualSense, however, is a very surprising addition that's proven to be the secret sauce that makes playing games on PS5 that much better.
Considering the wealth of games and support that came to PS4 last year, it's no surprise the PS5 is getting all this love already. The PS4 sold an insane amount of consoles, and subsequently millions of games as well. Sony's made every indication it intends to continue that well-trodden success moving on to the PS5. Assuming the console shortage actually ends at some point next year, 2021 is going to be a very exciting year for PlayStation fans.
The PS5 is available now.
