PlayStation Now (PS Now) has been gathering more and more attention over the years, with Sony refining and improving its game streaming service.
But what benefits does PlayStation Now offer, and what is it missing? If you've had your eye on PS Now but haven't made the leap yet, let's inspect the game streaming platform.
What Is PlayStation Now?
PlayStation Now is Sony's game streaming service and gives you hundreds of games for a subscription of $9.99/month, $24.99/quarter, or $59.99/year, with a free trial for you to test out the service.
PS Now includes access to some 800 plus games for you to stream, spanning the PS2, PS3, and PS4 generations, with select titles eligible for you to download to your console. You can access PS Now on your PS5, PS4, or Windows PC.
What We Love About PlayStation Now
Starting with the benefits, here are the reasons that make a case for why PlayStation Now is worth it.
1. PS Now Offers Great Value for Money
Off the bat, what you'll notice with PS Now is the sheer amount of games available with the service. For the price of a full RRP game per year (or less as games move to $70), you've got access to literally hundreds of titles that you can play as much as you please. That's incredible value.
These aren't just filler titles, either. You'll find some of the PS4's best exclusives here, giving you hundreds of quality hours of gaming with unlimited access, no matter your subscription.
2. You Can Stream Hundreds of Games Spanning Multiple Console Generations
If you're looking to play older games but don't want to pay for both the game and console (not to mention, some physical copies of older games can be really expensive), then PS Now's library of PS2, PS3, and PS4 games is definitely worth your time.
With access to all these games, PS Now essentially removes the lack of backward compatibility on the PS4 and PS5 with PS2 and PS3 titles. PS Now allows you to play all of your games on one console, accessible anytime you wish.
3. Many Games Are Fully Downloadable on PS Now
We all know a big problem with streaming games is that it depends on your internet connection.
If your internet isn't all that great, then you're going to run into multiple issues when streaming games, such as lag, performance issues, graphical bugs, and so on.
Thankfully, a huge amount of PS Now's titles are fully downloadable, meaning that, as long as you're subscribed, you're playing the game as if you've digitally purchased it.
This removes any problems that might arise from your internet connection, letting you enjoy your chosen game at its best.
4. You Can Stream PS Now on a Windows PC
A significant feature of PlayStation Now is that it's not limited to Sony's consoles—you can stream PS Now titles on your Windows PC. As many PlayStation games are exclusive to Sony's consoles, this is the closest we have right now to a Sony PC experience.
This is a great way to play Sony games if you're away from your console, offering a lot more flexibility as to when and where you want to play. A really neat addition by Sony.
5. PS Now Features New Monthly Additions
Another prominent feature of PS Now is that the service adds new titles each month. This offers an incentive to keep the subscription; a game you've had your eye on for a while might become the next addition to PlayStation Now.
PS Now's model is similar to streaming services like Amazon Prime or Netflix because it has exclusive titles, fresh additions, and time-limited games. This constantly evolving list of games doesn't compromise on quality, however—you'll always find a worthwhile title to play if you use PS Now.
6. PS Now Is a Great Way to Experiment With New Franchises and Different Genres
PS Now offers a great variety of games, making it the perfect service for you to experiment with new franchises and different genres.
There's no downside to you trying this: the games don't cost you anything extra, you can stop whenever you like, and you might fall in love with a genre or franchise you've never quite committed to before.
If you're itching to expand your gaming library with a range of diverse titles, then PS Now is worth your time.
What We Hate About PS Now
PlayStation Now offers a lot of great things, but it isn't without its faults. Let's take a look at the reasons why PS Now might not be worth it.
1. You Don't Actually Own Any of the Games You Play
As with any streaming service, you don't actually own any of the titles you play on PS Now, and once you stop subscribing, they're all gone until you renew your subscription. This applies to downloaded games, which lock if you decide to leave PS Now.
Also, if for some reason PS Now decides to shut down, then you'll have to individually buy all the games you've invested your time and effort into. This will be both expensive and frustrating.
There's a certain amount of security in knowing that something is actually yours, so if there's a game you absolutely love, and you only access it on PS Now, you might want to buy it separately.
2. You Could Value Games Less as There Are So Many to Play
While it's great that PS Now offers so many games, there is a case that this could make them feel a lot more expendable.
Knowing that you can stop and start any game you like without costing you an extra cent might make it easier for you to not see games through to the end, or result in you feeling overwhelmed by the number of games on offer. Games might feel more fickle and less of an experience in this case.
There's something satisfying about paying for a game with your hard-earned cash, owning it, and completing it. There's a tangible sense of value there that PS Now might feel devoid of.
3. There Isn't a macOS Version of PS Now, and You Can Only Stream Titles on PC
It's great that there's a way to play PS Now on PC, but it's restricted to just Windows PCs. Seeing as you can use other game streaming services, like Google Stadia, on a Mac, it's a little disappointing that PS Now isn't available for macOS users.
And, while it's great that you can stream PS Now games on PC, you can't download them. This does put more onus on your internet connection than with the console version of PS Now.
4. New PS Now Monthly Additions Aren't New Releases (Yet)
New monthly releases make each upcoming month exciting on PS Now, but don't expect the latest games. While you'll likely get some fantastic games each month, there will always be a good chance you already own or have completed those games already.
New monthly additions on PS Now are still great, but PS Now is unlike a streaming service such as Netflix, which does bring brand-new content.
If you're only focused on playing the latest games, then PS Now might not be worth it. Though, with Sony's March 2022 Shadow Warrior 3 PS Now launch, there is a chance PS Now could include regular new releases down the line.
5. PS Now Isn't Available in Many Countries
Let's say you've read these faults, and you don't mind them: PS Now sounds like a great service for you. Unfortunately, it might just not be available in your country.
PS Now is currently available in 19 countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA.
If your country isn't on that list then, sadly, you can't use PS Now.
PS Now Is a Great Way to Keep You Occupied While You Wait for a PS5
Though it does have a few flaws, PS Now is still a great service that offers a lot of value for money and offers countless hours of fun for you to enjoy.
So, with a PS5 shortage at the moment, in the meantime, there might just be a great service with hundreds of games for you to play while you wait for the PS5 to become readily available.