With details of the Xbox Series X being released at a consistent pace from the Microsoft camp, it seems that all eyes are turning to Sony in hopes of a PS5 information dump. Microsoft has gone a long way to restore confidence in the Xbox brand recently: Game Pass remains the top bargain service to play the publisher’s first party offerings along with a rotation of high profile AAA third-party and indie titles. Project xCloud has been met with rave reviews from industry veterans and players alike. Smart Delivery, a feature that makes it so consumers won’t have to re-buy their games on new hardware, sent a powerful message their competition. And last, but most certainly not least, the snatching up of seasoned development studios such as Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, and Double Fine Production – to name a few – are paving the way for a bright, game-filled future for Xbox. Whatever shortcomings the Xbox One may have had, it is clear that Phil Spencer is righting the ship and putting the Xbox brand on a pro-consumer course that I am genuinely excited for. So where is Sony’s next-gen reveal amidst all of this? Why the prolonged silence? These seems to be the questions on everyone’s mind. While a part of me feels that Sony should do more than release a logo at this point, I can’t help but wonder if the impatience on display from both the games’ media and gamers is a bit uncalled for. Regardless of what the competition is doing, Sony does not have to respond in kind.
Now let’s examine why.
Today, Sony announced that Ghost of Tsushima will be launching on June 26th 2020. After a bit speculation if the latest from developer Sucker Punch would be shifted over to a PS5 launch title, Sony not only squashed those fears, but surprised players worldwide with Ghost of Tsushima’s summer release date; June is about to get a whole lot hotter it seems. In fact, by the time Ghost of Tsushima launches on the PlayStation 4, Sony will be on something of a hot streak, having released at least one standout exclusive title between now and the end of June. And these games are the very reason why we don’t need to know about the PS5 just yet. With Dreams launching last month to overwhelming critical acclaim, it was clear that Sony intended to send the PS4 off with a bang – a bang that should not be overshadowed by the amount of teraflops the PS5 may or may not have. When you take a step back and really look at what Sony has coming down the pipeline over the next few months, it becomes clear that the PS5 can wait, and everyone really needs to calm their butts and stop asking for anything new about Sony’s next-generation console.
March 13th marks the return of Team Ninja with Nioh 2 – the highly anticipated sequel to the 2017 action-rpg sensation. Nioh went on to sell over 3 million units over the last three years and with Team Ninja just concluding their last free trial of Nioh 2 with tons of positive feedback, the sequel is in a better position than ever. The gameplay loop in Nioh was arguable one of its best features. It’s sophisticated, measured approach to the genre coupled with scores of Diablo-like loot to sift through made for an addictive experience that I sunk well over 200 hours into. It goes without saying that Nioh 2 is an important title to Sony. It is a reminder of what Sony does best: being able to garner incredible third-party support and provide yet another reason why their current gaming platform is the best place to play. If Nioh 2 wasn’t capable of that, there is an even better example releasing shortly after on April 10th.
At E3 2015, Sony made history by revealing Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Remake. As someone who was sitting in that theater when that first trailer was unleashed upon the world, the energy and excitement I felt was unlike anything I had experienced before. Gamers absolutely adore this game. FF7 has achieved a legendary status in the industry, and the fandom that surrounds the PlayStation original, and the scores of games/media it produced since its release in 1997, is unmatched. Now, after years of hoping and wanting, the remake to this iconic Final Fantasy title is nearly here. With a demo having just released earlier this week on the PSN Store, the thirst for this game is now at an all-time high. As a gamer that fell head over heels in love with turn-based JRPG’s early on in life, I owe a great deal of that passion to FF7. Like many gamers in the late 90’s FF7 was a gateway to a gameplay experience that was just so wild to me. To see this landmark, decades-old title being updated on modern technology is something of a spiritual awakening for me. If Final Fantasy XV can become the fastest selling installment in the franchise with over 5 million units sold on Day 1, then expect FF7 Remake to completely obliterate that figure. But if that wasn’t enough to grab the headlines and hold off on any PS5 chatter, there is yet another reason why Sony’s silence is validated.
On May 29th, Sony will release its biggest exclusive title of the year – The Last of Us Part II. To get a sense of how prolific this IP has become, by April 2018, The Last of Us sold a combined 17 million copies across both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Taking place five years after the events of the first game and about 25 years after the outbreak of the Cordyceps Brain Infection began, The Last of Us Part II features Ellie, who is now 19-years-old, as the games’s main protagonist. Naughty Dog has a knack for delivering stellar single-player, story-driven experiences and The Last of Us Part II looks to build on the drama that made the first game so memorable. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough for the month of May, Sony is also releasing Iron Man VR on May 15. With 5 million strong in the PSVR camp, Iron Man VR looks to be the peripheral’s next killer app.
For as anxious as most of us feel to get even the slightest bit of information on the PS5, Sony has made the wait a lot more manageable. Would it be nice to get some details? Yes, obviously. However, just because Microsoft won’t stop talking about the Xbox Series X, doesn’t mean that Sony needs to do the same. Starting from February 2020 and well into the end of June, Sony doesn’t need a new console reveal to be a part of the conversation; it’s scores of exclusive AAA titles and unparalleled third-party support are headline worthy unto themselves. Do we really need to talk about the PS5 when the PS4 is not only relevant, but is about to become more topical and discussed than ever before? While a part of me appreciates Microsoft’s approach, each drop of their slow-drip of Series X info more thirst-quenching then the next, I’m glad that I can look at my PS4 and know that I don’t have to move on. ‘Greatness Awaits‘, so the motto says. And greatness is still on its way.
Ahhhhh No. Sales numbers of both the consoles and current gen games dropped tremendously and there is a good reason for it. Everyone is waiting for the news including me as I won’t waste anymore money on games of a generation that’s about to end. Simple.