by At the end of June, we shared some impressions of Valorant on PS5 after it launched in closed beta. In those thoughts, we said that the game felt “unlike anything else on console” and that “a few more changes seem necessary to truly replicate the PC experience on consoles,” but we looked forward to how Valorant would “grow and improve during the beta.”
It turns out the beta was pretty short, as Valorant actually launched fully out of beta on PS5 on August 2nd and is now available for free to everyone. Aside from the launch of a new episode, the addition of ranked ladders, and some small tweaks and bug fixes, much of what we said in those first impressions still holds true.
Valorant on PS5 feels unlike anything else on the system. Its intense gameplay, precision shooting requirements, and interplay between agent skills and kits make it an extremely competitive and challenging experience to get to grips with. However, the game rewards you so well for learning and practicing that it’s incredibly addictive to join matches online, whether unranked or ranked. Seeing how far you’ve come is immensely satisfying if you’re willing to put in the time in matches and on the range.
Clever innovations like Focus Mode allow you to simulate your PC’s aiming accuracy, and an extensive range of settings also allows you to customize the game to your liking.
While we played the turn-based mode or the respawn-based deathmatch modes, the experience was impressively smooth, with no technical issues and no hassle with matchmaking. Additionally, some of the issues we mentioned in our impressions, such as dysfunctional teams, have mostly subsided as console owners have gotten used to Valorant’s flow and gameplay.
The introduction of leaderboards on console was also a fantastic addition, with even more competitive and heated action for those looking for it. The game still lacks some modes that exist on PC, like Spike Rush. Additionally, the microtransactions for skins and customization items are ridiculous, costing up to £80/$100 for some packs. But while they’re there, they’re insubstantial and easily ignored.
Despite missing some features from the PC version and exorbitant prices for customization elements, Riot has created an incredible shooter with Valorant and done a great job porting it to the PS5. It’s a unique type of multiplayer shooter that won’t be for everyone, but those looking for an intense, competitive experience won’t find anything better on Sony’s console.
