PlayStation 5: Still Worth It in 2025
The disc version, the DualSense controllers, and why PS Plus is actually decent value.
Yes, I know. A PS5 review in 2025. Revolutionary content. But having lived with the disc version for a while now, I’ve got thoughts beyond the initial hype.
Why Disc Version?
Two reasons:
- Used games exist. Physical media means buying second-hand, lending to friends, and actually owning something.
- It plays 4K Blu-rays. The PS5 doubles as a surprisingly capable media player.
The digital version saves £100 and some shelf space, but I’ve already saved more than that on used game purchases.
The Console Itself
It’s big. You know this already. The curved design is divisive - I’ve made peace with it, and it sits horizontally under the TV without looking too spacecraft-like.
What surprised me is how quiet it runs. My PS4 Pro sounded like a jet engine during any graphically intensive game. The PS5? Nearly silent, even during demanding titles.
The DualSense Controller
This is the standout feature. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers aren’t gimmicks - they genuinely add to games that support them properly.
Driving in Gran Turismo 7, you can feel the difference between tarmac and gravel through the controller. The triggers resist when you’re locking up under braking. It sounds like marketing speak, but it actually works.
Astro Bot takes this even further - the controller becomes part of the game in a way that’s hard to describe until you’ve experienced it.
The Games
Gran Turismo 7: My most-played title. The racing feels incredible with the DualSense, the car collection is obsessive, and the livery editor means I’ve spent more time designing paint schemes than actually racing. The always-online requirement is annoying, but the driving itself is the best the series has ever been.
Astro Bot: Started playing this because it was free with Plus. Ended up being one of the most pure fun gaming experiences I’ve had. It’s a showcase for the controller and just relentlessly charming.
PlayStation Plus
I was sceptical about paying monthly for online play (PC gamer background - we don’t do that), but the value proposition has grown on me.
The monthly games are hit and miss, but over a year you’ll get several genuinely good titles. The back catalogue access on higher tiers means there’s always something to play.
Is it ideal? No, online should be free. Is it decent value given what you get? Reluctantly, yes.
Any Complaints?
The UI is fine but not great. Finding specific settings requires more menu diving than it should. The store is slow. The social features are half-baked.
But these are minor complaints. The core experience - playing games - is excellent.
The Verdict
The PS5 delivers on the promise of next-gen in a way the early years didn’t quite manage. The game library has matured, the DualSense is genuinely innovative, and the console runs cool and quiet.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to upgrade, the right time was probably a year ago, but now works too.
Would I buy it again? Yes, and specifically the disc version.