Comments 795

Re: PS5 Pro was a '5-Year Project', In Development Before PS5's Launch

Rich33

PS5 was an overpriced scam...
PS5 PRO is an overpriced scam...
PS6 will be an overpriced scam...

Do people not look at how prices across similar tech including PC (and phones too) are just not coming down like they used to.
Im not knocking PC either - this stuff is just not as cheap to produce any more on a component level.

If we want better hardware and bigger GPUs it costs more - PS5 Pro is a choice, just like a PC with a 4090 is a choice.

The only 'scam' here is devs who seem to automatically target only the top 5% of the market in terms of hardware power, with compromised versions for everyone else.

Re: Sony Says the Best Time to Get a PS5 Is Now

Rich33

@TrickyDicky99
Depends what you class as 'last gen' / 'this gen'.

This generation I would say includes all games, including remasters, released since the PS5 released in 2020 (unless there was no native PS5 version at all), and has been prety good overall (Sony hasnt been great these last couple of years, but overall the last few years have been good).

I suppose, if you only included games that Dont have PS4 versions (in addition to PS5 versions), you would only be looking at a small number of games - but this isnt how generations really work any more.
Its highly likely that PS6 will not see a AAA game that isnt also released on PS5, until at least 4 years into its launch, mainly due to the ongoing cost of consoles and game development.
Unlike previous generations I think the PS5 Pro may be the halfway point between 5 and 6, with CPU and AI upgrades taking centre stage when 6 rolls around in 4 years time.

Re: Sony Says the Best Time to Get a PS5 Is Now

Rich33

The generation has in general been very good, some highs and a few lows, and i wouldn't moan about a lack of games overall, but I would the lack of Sony 1st party exclusives, particularly in the last couple of years.
The generation as a whole has been good, and im looking forwards to Pro, but Sony have not been too impressive at all of late and really need to take a long hard look at what gained them their customers.

Re: New Dragon's Dogma 2 Patch Prepares for PS5 Pro with PSSR, Balanced Settings

Rich33

@MrPeanutbutterz @Northern_munkey
The problem is that peoples sensitivity, and tolerance to framerates can be very, very different, and some people cannot see issues that others do. Depth, length, and frequency of drops all probably have variable effects on people too.

As an extreme example there genuinely do seem to be people who cannot see much above 30fps, while others can, but are not bothered by 30fps in the slightest. I can easily see difference all the way up 90fps, and 120fps is better still but with very, very much dimished returns.

60fps just seems to be a place nearly everyone can at the very least tolerate.

These days I will only buy after a performance review or demo, hence why after the DF analysis of this game at launch showed a lot of problems I held off, but as I was still interested I gave the demo a go after it came out.

Re: New Dragon's Dogma 2 Patch Prepares for PS5 Pro with PSSR, Balanced Settings

Rich33

@Northern_munkey
My TV is also ALLM and VRR.

I cant remember fully but I thought the demo was the full game hardlocked for 2 hours, but the framerate drops I experienced were a disaster.

I first did a short intro sequence, after which i was flown a fair distance away - the intro wasnt the most amazing framerate-wise but wasnt too bad either.

Soon after (Crash) landing I can remember walking through a small castle like structure. The castle like structure had about a dozen npc's and the framerate turned into a bit of a slideshow while inside.

I got out of here and went out a bit into the open world - in the direction of some side quest about someone being attacked by harpies i think, and the framerate seemed to completely tank depending on which direction I was looking / moving - it was up and down all over the place.

That seemed the general theme after that - 1 moment the framerate was hovering around about 55-60fps, the next it dropped to what looked like low 40's / high 30's, then the next moment back up again, then back down again. Funnily enough going into combat didnt seem to negatively affect it like some games.

Im very framerate sensitive and not tolerant to framerate issues, and already had a headache from it, but persevered a bit, but had to turn it off not too long after.

Im pretty sure I played before the last patch as well, so it may well have been improved, but I dont think I can redo as it was a timed thing.
Pity, because other than framerate, the game seemed quite enjoyable. Hopefully between patches since, and the Pro enhancement, DF or other similar will give this a clean bill of health.

Re: New Dragon's Dogma 2 Patch Prepares for PS5 Pro with PSSR, Balanced Settings

Rich33

@OldGamer999

Given how they have basically marketed the thing, as Sony haven't really, I would hope that Sony would have delivered them a number by now.... fully gift wrapped.
(I have the Pro on order, but that doesnt stop me thinking that Sonys marketing has been anything above crap!)

They have said they have a plan of attack based around testing a lot of games quickly, and looking at any 'interesting' cases more thoroughly. I think thats what they said - they certainly had lists of games they wanted to look at.

Re: New Dragon's Dogma 2 Patch Prepares for PS5 Pro with PSSR, Balanced Settings

Rich33

Will it hit a solid 60fps though - the info suggests that within performance mode PSSR is the only additon. Now that would be very nice if the framerate was even close to locked 60fps, but it doesnt sound like they have altered anything else here, or really enabled the extra GPU power of Pro (This is presuming the "boost mode" of the Pro doesn't automatically use the full additional GPU power).

If the game is CPU bound, I have no idea why - i have seen plenty of games do far more without strangling the CPU. Maybe the extra CPU speed of Pro will fix, maybe not.

I played the demo not too long ago and the framerate was a complete dumpster fire (and thats being kind imo).

I hope im wrong and either they have done the work needed, or the Pro simply solves the issue, but given the state I saw this game in I just dont trust them to do anything bar the minimum possible, so wouldnt even think of buying until I see a thorough performance review.

Re: Gaze in Awe at Official PS5 Pro Enhanced Label, Gracing Physical Game Boxes Soon

Rich33

@gipsojo
Some people with families or high rental / morgages will not be easily able to afford this, others may just be able to but not want to as it would mean going without something else - everyones situation is different.

There is a big difference however between not being able to (/ wanting) to afford it, and just because you cant (/ dont want to) commenting on every pro related article about how its a scam or theres no difference...etc.

Re: PS5 Pro Not Compatible with PS5 Slim Face Plates, Sony to Release New Covers for More Powerful Console

Rich33

Had a thought - maybe they are a different curvature - thats not visible in these pictures. Different curvature to allow more air flow, therefore different clips to prevent slim ones being used which could damage the pro due to thermals.
Maybe they originally thought to use slim plates, hence the very similar size, then realised aftet testing they needed more air flow.

Re: PS5 Pro Is Not Compatible with PS5 Slim Face Plates

Rich33

To be fair it does look like the plates are very similar in size, with the wider mid section making up the additional size requirements, but I just dont see how this is Sony trying to pull a fast one.

A mistake maybe, or maybe its needed for some reason - but not intentional to get money out of customers.. they would need extra moulds and additional production runs going forwards etc.

Re: Baldur's Gate 3 Joins Ranks of Games Enhanced on PS5 Pro

Rich33

@SrpskaArtilerija
Hopefully they will get drive availability sorted soon - I dont agree with the conspiracy theories and think its just a demand issue caused by Pro.
Im glad they didnt add a drive, because then it would have cost more for a drive i might not use - I can buy one later if i want to - but they should have made sure they didnt run into drive availability issues.

Re: Baldur's Gate 3 Joins Ranks of Games Enhanced on PS5 Pro

Rich33

@themightyant

1) Yeah, i might have been a bit cumbersome in my writing with "a nice image quality at decent 60fps" as I was combining frame rate issues, with image quality, and wasnt meaning every game i put below "nice" in terms of visuals were poor (though this does hold true for a few games like FF7R). Things do seem to be getting worse in the last year or so, as is the norm as generations pass, and I do think PS5 has hit its limit quite early (not many games beat Demon Souls when it comes to looks/Performance) but I could have explained a bit better.

2. I generally used PS4 Pro on performance modes, so didnt really see big image upgrades that often, but i take the point (HD to 4k) - though not having seen PS5 Pro running in person either, I was merely going on what (some) others have said who have.

"Enjoy" - Thank you.

Re: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (PS5) - A Sublime Remaster of a Modern PlayStation Classic

Rich33

Sold (good review btw) - the £10 upgrade is the key thing here.

Its going to have to go on the back burner for a bit though, as there are a couple of other games I want to play first on my Pro, including a couple of replays - SM2, Hogwarts - the new Dragon Age game, and maybe a couple of games i didnt buy due to framerate issues (or visuals in Performance mode) on base PS5 if Pro sorts these.

Re: Baldur's Gate 3 Joins Ranks of Games Enhanced on PS5 Pro

Rich33

@SrpskaArtilerija

PS5 was never a "Premium purchase" - it is a base level console for a mass market price.

PS5 Pro is Sonys premium product this generation, and seems fairly enough priced to the experts considering the fact that this tech is not reducing in price like it used to - you only need to look at PC part prices to know how expensive higher performance tech is (im not knocking PC, a good part of me can see benefit over cost). Would I have liked a bigger CPU boost, yes, and would I have been willing to pay the extra, yes, but they had to stop somewhere.

Whether the upgrade is worth it to you, whether you will see the upgrade, and whether you are able to / want to afford it - thats up to you, and no one can tell you what you can / should do.

Re: Baldur's Gate 3 Joins Ranks of Games Enhanced on PS5 Pro

Rich33

@themightyant

I know just what you mean on the better to buy earlier front (giving more time).

Gaming is one of my / my family's bigger hobbies so it was a fairly easy choice, well that or move over to PC, as I really dont think the PS5 has much more left and has struggled to give a nice image quality at decent 60fps on a number of games recently - granted most of that is the fault of devs / engines / publishers, but ignoring the times games are poorly optimised for launch, I do think the PS5 is being run flat out, to the best of the devs / engines abilities (however good they are).

The main problem here imo is that Sony are just not marketing it well. The general consensus from people who have seen it running is that it is a bigger upgrade than PS4 Pro was over PS4, with PSSR being key to Sonys future and PS6, but Sony have been in tumbleweed territory - a 9 minute presentation, and a short and largely useless montage at their SoP.
We haven't had Mark Cerny give a proper spec breakdown (or even had anywhere near full specs) or had a teardown video etc. DF has basically been left as the main source of info.

Sony were already starting from a bad position in that all their games run and look fantastic already, so can only show modest improvement, but they really havent done a good job. The short FF7R footage you mention has probably been the standout selling tool!

Re: Soulslike Lords of the Fallen Resurrects with 40% Higher Pixel Density on PS5 Pro

Rich33

@WiiWareWave
30fps according to Sony's own data is only used by 25% of people. As per Mark Cernys PS5 Pro announcement video.
Sonys own general useage data, as well as various polls including on sites like this one show that 30fps is not "okay for the vast majority".
Thats the main idea for pro - better image quality in 60fps(+) modes, whilst helping some games achieve a better 60fps lock.

RE PS6 - i dont think PS6 will be much above $600 (though they may well release a more expensive 'pro' model at the same time).
But at this price, given how the price of better tech is just not coming down hence the high Pro price, i wouldnt expect a big jump from PS5 Pro to PS6 in terms of raw GPU power either, but I would expect a greater reliance on AI tech such as Pro's PSSR and a much longer cross gen period.

Re: Soulslike Lords of the Fallen Resurrects with 40% Higher Pixel Density on PS5 Pro

Rich33

@riceNpea
RE games not getting pro enhancements :

Like you have said, thats 1 thing im not that concerned about.

As i was saying on another article - in the same way Xbox have mandated X and S versions, Sony can mandate Pro and Base if needed (They may have already as alluded to by DF in one of their videos a couple of weeks back).

Even if we ignore this, and even if we are only talking 10% market - devs will not want to alienate customers (at least in AAA game space) by not including a significant enough Pro update.
With the increased console cost comes an increased expectation, and if a new game arrives without a Pro Enhanced mode, I for 1 would feel that its just not good enough, considering the money I have spent (and i am probably more realistic than some!).
Forgetting the naming as I think cross gen is the new norm, its not far from a PS4 game launching with zero upgrades for PS5 3-4 years ago when I had a shiny new PS5. My opinion is a very high % of pro owners will be very interested in what enhancements will be be made in future games, and the higher outlay cost will only exacerbate this.

I would also add that whilst not 100% comparable, it feels like PC caters more for the higher spec GPU cards than the lower spec, more common ones (and we have started seeing this creep into console, with some games not running too well on PS5 / Ser X).

Re: Indiana Jones PS5 Dev Going Very Well, No Comment on PS5 Pro Just Yet

Rich33

@wildcat_kickz
Yeah - I havent heard/read that they have made it compulsory from any other source, and DF only said they "thought" it was, but then I also know from what they have said that DF have had at least 3 visits to Sony to see the new hardware running various games and capture footage.
(And you are correct, they have set out what counts as Pro enhanced, but Mark Cerny's message seemed clear).

If DF were not correct (and its not compulsory), Sony could easily do this though because of Xboxs position on s/x, so it may stand as one of those "we wont enforce it unless you start not doing it rules". Of course, this could only apply to games released going forwards, not back catalogue - but that seems to have been better supported than PS4 Pro.

Re: Indiana Jones PS5 Dev Going Very Well, No Comment on PS5 Pro Just Yet

Rich33

@wildcat_kickz
We know Xbox enforce a strict ruling on the need for series X and S versions of games, so of course Sony can enforce Pro enhancements going forwards (they probably dont need to though as alienating even 10% of customers by not doing a pro mode would be bad enough for business).
Also if Xbox can enforce the feature parity rule, Sony can enforce features that make a game 'Pro enhanced'.
DF did say they thought Sony had already mandated PS5 Pro in one of their videos a couple of weeks ago, but i have no idea which one as I have watched nearly all their Pro videos.

Re: Monster Hunter Wilds' Beta Is Prompting Fans to Reconsider PS5 Pro

Rich33

This beta seems very much to show that this game was primarily developed for 30fps - which is just the wrong way. (Either that or the dev team are really quite bad).

60fps should always be the primary mode, then once running well, the 30fps mode can added by scaling graphics up.

They are probably aiming at very powerful PC's, but thats just silly - average PC's dont include a 4090!

Im buying a Pro regardless, but if on release this game isnt running near locked 60fps (and looking respectable), I wont buy it.

I also still say Sony could help solve this if they refused to show any image or video not running in a near locked 60fps mode on everything they have control of, including storefronts, SoP etc - mind you that also needs them to do a few more SoP's to reward games that do with a bit of free advertising.

Re: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (PS5) - The Best BioWare Game Since Mass Effect 3

Rich33

@ShogunRok
You may not have had chance to look at this for review, but how do the 3 fighting classes stack up - mage, warrior, rogue (I think!).
Are there standouts, do they feel different, and can you change mid game (I am assuming not). Many thanks.

There seems a lot of negativity on YouTube about this game, with some pretty big view numbers (I dont really use social media) - I hope this doesnt impact sales of what from your review sounds a decent game.

Re: The Thing Remastered Looks Like a Superb PS5, PS4 Retelling of an Underappreciated PS2 Classic

Rich33

@BoomingEchoes
I never got that mentality - providing the game is enjoyable enough I have always played through completing at least once or twice.
I do however remember a number of games trying to change themselves up at around the halfway point to either add more challenge, because they had run out of ideas and needed extra length, or just thought they needed to change things to keep them interesting - often with poor results. I cant remember if this game did any of those.

Re: Xbox Fans Really Want a Port of PS5, PC Hit Helldivers 2

Rich33

Putting exclusives on PC is bad enough for the Sony brand when it comes to keeping customers (I know because I wouldnt have really considered PC before their current strategy), but putting exclusives on XBox would be sheer lunacy... why sell a few copies on a console with a much smaller user base, a lot of whom wont buy games (only rent through gamepass), at the risk of losing customers due to an ever dwindling number of real exclusives?!

Re: Microsoft CEO Says More Xbox Games Will Come to PS5, Hours After Rumours Said Porting Project Was Paused

Rich33

@get2sammyb
I may be well off the mark, but the reason I think they dont know what they are doing is that their Xbox division leadership know putting their games on PS5 is very bad for their brand and are resisting hard - Microsoft on the other hand are tired of pouring money in to xbox in the form of aquisitions etc without return, so are forcing it, to improve shareholder returns.

Re: Horizon Zero Dawn PS5 Is an Absolutely Insane Upgrade

Rich33

@OldGamer999

RE HZD and having finished everything - yes, such is the problem with remasters/makes. HZD is not top of my list to replay (due to similar reasons, just not to the same degree), but i will buy the £10 update and play it when im ready to.

In regards the next few years - im being hopeful that in the next year Sony will get out of this mid gen slump (and that their lack of games they have shown is just their recent 'marketing strategy'). It did feel like we had a small slump in the PS4 era, and then had a couple of very strong years.
Hopefully this, other big games from 3rd parties and a slight economic upturn may help with the spending too.

EDIT - removed the accidental emoji - bloody things keep popping in when i use quote marks and hyphens!

Re: Horizon Zero Dawn PS5 Is an Absolutely Insane Upgrade

Rich33

@OldGamer999
I think we also have Wolverine back end of next year / start of 2026 (Im more convinced now that SM2 dlc didnt happen due to the need to get other games out, with the hack having put the studio behind).
I think the main reason for so many remasters atm is as gap fillers, though Horizon at a tenner still seems a decent option, and a fair upgrade, unlike the 30fps near full price downgrade of until dawn...

Re: Horizon Zero Dawn PS5 Is an Absolutely Insane Upgrade

Rich33

@OldGamer999
I know what you mean - but going off memory only, I think this was only true of PS4 for the 1st year then the last 3-4 years or so of the generation - I may well be wrong, but thats what it feels like.

We had a couple of good years at the start of PS5 but yes, at the moment it feels like we have only 1 game per year now.
Hopefully this will change as we enter the last few years of PS5 - going on a lot of industry opinions, and the launch / price point / power ratio of the PS5 Pro it feels like it will be 2028 before PS6, and if DF are correct, a 4 year (every game) cross gen period after that, maybe more.

But like you, I would like to see far more than we are now - although maybe this is more down to Sony's marketing which feels woeful at times (only picking up very close to launch).

Re: Stellar Blade's Latest Update Preps for PS5 Pro Enhancement

Rich33

@TechaNinja

I agree in part that a number of games recently suffer from poor optimisation.
Not getting a stable enough 60fps is just bad work, and there are things that should have been scaled back in order to achieve it - ie optimisation is poor.

Stellar blade on the other hand is NOT badly optimised, and in the performance mode does run well at 60fps - in fact it is technically pretty good indeed and shows up a lot of other dev teams (eg FF16 whose game is predominently doing the same thing but with comparatively massive issues).

120hz modes are fairly rare outside of Sony 1st party - Hogwarts being 1 notable game. Astro being an odd exclusion, which really should allow uncapping given how perfect its framerate is (ie potentially a substantial overhead).

Hopefully Pro will give devs the extra power to use, and these modes will not be so rare in future.

Re: Stellar Blade's Latest Update Preps for PS5 Pro Enhancement

Rich33

I may be having a senior moment but im sure i read somewhere that around 80fps is what they are looking at - using 120hz VRR obviously.

Sounds good to me, as above about 90 (depending on person viewing there are diminishing returns).

EDIT - just checked and yes, this is right according to a PS Blog page, the devs state 80fps

Re: PS5 Pro Patch for The Last of Us 2 Remastered Already Available Now

Rich33

@Michael2008ish @Fritz167
You are correct in saying that there are very few games where the protagonist is by canon a gay male.

Though there are games which allow you to choose as you please eg Rise of Ronin which just lets you romance any romanceable (male or female) character irrespective of what sex your character is - which is probably the best system as it allows anyone to be happy, and anyone who isnt is clearly bigotted - its not exactly true to life but thats fine - its a game.

Then you have the not as good systems such as Cyberpunk where you are limited to a very small number of romanceable characters, some of which are not represented well at all, leading to arguably poor choices if your character is gay male or maybe straight female.

However, having said all this, that doesn't mean that we should bemoan Sony for games like TLOU at this time. Its true that games companies in general need to have a long hard think about overall representation including getting away from certain stereotypes (and occasionally not being so ham fisted about it), but at least Sony have tried to represent the wider community in general, unlike others...

Re: No Lies Detected! Loved Soulslike Lies of P Will Look and Run Better on PS5 Pro

Rich33

Only from what he said ie 'native 4k' - that sounds more like its leveraging the extra GPU to achieve the boost to 4k without needing PSSR, although that begs the question what settings are higher now in the quality mode to make it still relevant?

(Unless im wrong, I thought native 4k means 4k pre upscale).

For those that like 40fps, it sounds like thats the goal for the new quality mode too potentially (with the right TV of course).