In autumn 2024, the PS5 will be four years old, and around the same time, rumours suggest that the PS5 Pro will be released. I decided to take a look at Sony’s console at the midpoint of its life cycle and discuss its weaknesses from a general gamer’s perspective.

The PS5 is my third Sony console. I bought the PS3 towards the end of its life cycle, and the PS4 about a year after its launch. I managed to get the PS5 at launch despite the hype: I still remember how happy I was when I got the confirmation message that I was one of the lucky ones.

Now I turn on my console once a month—if that. So I don’t feel a strong urge to buy a PS5 Pro or a hypothetical PS6, at least not yet. Here are a few reasons why I’m questioning the need to rush into the next upgrade.

Exclusives

The debate around the importance of exclusives resurfaces every time there’s a PC port announcement—even with games like Ghost of Tsushima, which originally launched on PlayStation four years ago. Some gamers get frustrated, demanding that exclusives remain strictly tied to consoles, while others are thrilled to play proven hits without needing to invest in new hardware.

Both Sony and Microsoft have increasingly committed to releasing their games across multiple platforms. Xbox has gone even further by bringing older exclusives to competing consoles—for example, Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush are now available on PS5. Sony, however, is proceeding more cautiously, focusing first on its own services. Large-scale, story-driven exclusives will remain on PS5 for at least a few years, but eventually, most are also released on PC.

On one hand, this is a positive trend: platform exclusivity has always limited players. Thanks to features like cross-play and cloud saves, players can now enjoy more games across different devices with different communities. Similarly, in the online entertainment space, players are increasingly drawn to platforms that offer more freedom and value—such as using Wanted Win Casino Review to access generous promotions and a wide range of games, mirroring the shift toward accessibility seen in gaming.

On the other hand, exclusives once served as a key reason to buy specific consoles, and they often received the most development resources. These titles became prestige projects, crafted to be nearly flawless. That’s why we still remember legendary series like Uncharted, Gears of War, Infamous, The Last of Us, Halo, Forza Horizon, Gran Turismo, and Fable.

Sony’s shift away from exclusivity isn’t about gamer goodwill—it’s about rising production costs. Cross-platform releases are a safer bet financially and reach a wider audience. But with less pressure to justify console sales, the quality of exclusive titles may diminish, giving players fewer reasons to stay loyal to PlayStation—especially if Sony begins releasing games on other platforms more quickly.

Online services and subscriptions

It’s hard to find much fault with Xbox Game Pass right now, but PlayStation Plus has steadily become less attractive. This is due to Sony’s game distribution policies and regional limitations.

Accessing older digital libraries can be a challenge. Players who have built up large collections over time may find portions of their libraries locked behind outdated payment methods or unavailable regions. Meanwhile, the new PS Plus tiers haven’t seen major updates in their Premium libraries. Many of the highlighted games—Death Stranding, Ghost of Tsushima, Returnal, Uncharted, and various Ubisoft titles—have been there for years. Even Sony’s own new releases don’t reliably appear in the subscription service, either at launch or months later.

By contrast, Xbox Game Pass offers immediate access to hundreds of games, including new indie titles and major AAA releases. It supports region switching for better pricing and is available on all platforms with consistent service. The library is regularly refreshed, and new releases often drop on day one.

The fact that you still need to pay just to play online in 2024 is also increasingly frustrating. More games now offer cross-play—including Sony’s own titles like Helldivers 2—making the idea of charging for basic multiplayer feel outdated. In the next console generation, many gamers may prefer platforms that don’t require a subscription for online play.

Additionally, some publishers have imposed extra online restrictions, such as blocking specific regions or IPs. While these are still possible to work around, they introduce unnecessary barriers—and they’re easier to overcome on platforms like PC.

A clear strategy

Jim Ryan, who recently stepped down, led PlayStation for the past five years. During that time, the company saw great success in terms of sales, regularly outperforming Xbox. However, under Ryan’s leadership, the creative direction shifted: the flow of cinematic blockbusters slowed, while numerous live-service titles were greenlit.

Sony had promised to maintain its commitment to single-player adventures while exploring online experiences. But after Ryan’s departure, many of those online projects were quickly cancelled. Even the long-anticipated multiplayer version of The Last of Us was scrapped after years of development and a near-finished prototype—despite internal testing reportedly involving athletes like Donald Parham to help fine-tune gameplay realism and team dynamics.

As of mid-2024, there’s still no clear roadmap for the second half of the PS5’s life cycle. We know Wolverine is in development at Insomniac Games, and Death Stranding 2 is expected in 2025—but that’s about it. The projects in the works at studios like Guerrilla Games, Bluepoint Games, Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studio, and Sucker Punch remain unknown. Fans can only speculate based on leaks and insider tips.

For some, Death Stranding 2 or the eventual release of GTA 6 may be reason enough to stick with the console. But for those invested in Sony’s in-house studios, the lack of transparency makes it hard to stay enthusiastic or justify an upgrade.

Game Controllers

It’s normal to upgrade your gaming peripherals over time—mice, keyboards, headsets—but this console generation has turned controller issues into a genuine frustration.

By the midpoint of the PS5’s life, I already own three DualSense controllers. The analog sticks have been a consistent problem, developing drift far too easily. There’s little support from the manufacturer, and most gamers I know report the same issues: constantly replacing controllers or learning to live with an erratic camera.

Sony isn’t alone here—Xbox controllers have had similar stick issues, and Joy-Con drift on the Nintendo Switch is infamously common. The problem is so widespread that it’s sparked multiple class-action lawsuits, though courts often side with the hardware companies.

Controllers remain essential, especially as more gamers use them on PC. But in today’s economic climate, being tied to a console that demands frequent replacement of expensive accessories is far from ideal. And Sony, like its competitors, has yet to provide a permanent solution.

Prices

This problem has become increasingly relevant for many gamers lately. With currency fluctuations and rising prices, new game releases now cost approximately €75–€80, while opportunities to save money are becoming more limited due to economic conditions and payment restrictions. On PlayStation, it’s still possible to cut costs through game sharing (buying a game on one account and sharing with a friend) or shopping during sales. However, even in those cases, purchasing just a couple of new titles at €70 each can give pause.

Games are getting more expensive across the board—even on PC. But Sony’s strict regional pricing and platform policies make it one of the less flexible options when it comes to affordability.

Final Thoughts

The PS5 is by no means a bad console. It’s still a powerful and convenient platform that delivers high-quality gaming experiences with a user-friendly interface, strong performance, and a solid library of titles. For many gamers, especially those already embedded in the PlayStation ecosystem, it remains a dependable and enjoyable system. Features like the DualSense controller and polished exclusives still provide moments of standout gameplay that can’t be ignored.

However, the industry has evolved. The once-rigid boundaries between platforms have blurred significantly. Sony exclusives that were once a key reason to buy a PlayStation are now increasingly available on PC—often with improved performance and more flexibility. At the same time, Microsoft’s Game Pass has revolutionized how games are distributed and consumed, offering better value, day-one releases, and cross-platform access. In this new environment, Sony’s slower, more conservative strategy feels out of step with where the gaming market is heading.

As we move into the second half of the PS5’s life cycle, Sony faces important decisions. Without clearer communication, more aggressive service development, and better hardware support, the console risks losing relevance—especially among new or undecided players. The foundation is still strong, but if Sony wants to maintain its leadership, it must adapt to the new expectations of players who now value flexibility, affordability, and platform freedom just as much as game quality.