At the time of this writing, I am playing Cyberpunk 2077 and, in addition to all your other problems – and there are many of them – one thing that is bothering me is the lack of DualSense support. Obviously, this is a PlayStation 4 game, so I never expected it to take advantage of the PlayStation 5 controller, but here I am: it’s hard to get back to basic functionality after trying out what the new Sony controller can do.
I’ve been realizing this for some time, to be honest. A few weeks ago I played Resident Evil 3, which was fine in itself – but not getting any resistance from the triggers when shooting with Jill Valentine’s guns was extremely disappointing, and the bang lacked nuance. Again, it’s a PS4 game, so I had no real expectations, but what I’m trying to show you is that it’s really hard to go back after experiencing what DualSense can do.
Take racing games, for example: I started Burnout Paradise on a whim recently and enjoyed buzzing around the sandbox, but racing games just don’t feel right without the triggers fighting under your fingers. These older games don’t have the added dimension of feedback that the PS5 offers, and while they’re still fun in their own right, it looks like you’ve lost one of your senses; it’s like eating spaghetti bolognese without smelling the sauce.
To be clear, this observation does not apply only to titles compatible with previous versions; I think even a game like Sackboy: A Big Adventure, which uses some of the features of DualSense, but doesn’t go crazy, seems simple compared to Astro’s Playroom. And there aren’t many first-person shooter games on PS5, but I just couldn’t imagine playing one without the texture that Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War adds. Even sports games don’t seem right to me anymore without trigger resistance to illustrate fatigue.
You have to give Sony credit here: I really liked DualShock 4, but playing with it frankly looks pathetic after using a DualSense. This is not only because of the improved ergonomics of the PS5 keyboard, but also because it adds many nuances to games when implemented correctly. I can still play and enjoy the PS4 games, of course, but I can’t help feeling that there is something missing in all of them now. The PS5 controller literally changed the game.
How do you feel about playing without proper DualSense integration now? Do you feel that something is missing since using the controller or do you think the pad’s unique features and functions are overrated? Feel things differently in the comments section below.