PlayStation Holiday Gift Guide 2020

PlayStation Holiday Gift Guide 2020

Nov 30, 2020 0
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As the year comes to an end, there have been a lot of new releases within the video game industry that compete for your hard earned dollar. Given how 2020 has been a whirlwind of emotion, let us help you find solace within gaming and recommend the best PlayStation products to buy this holiday season.

Hardware:

PlayStation 5 – $629.99 CAD This is a no brainer, the PlayStation 5 is the new and hottest tech on the block this holiday. Sony has proven their might once again with the PlayStation brand by crafting a successor to the incredibly popular PS4. It’s hard to believe the PS4 is seven years old at this point, however, the hardware inside of that system is now outdated compared to current industry standards. The hardest pill to swallow for the PS5 isn’t the price point, it’s the ability to get one. In a perfect world, everyone would be able to get a PS5 for the holidays. However, 2020 has shown us that this is far from a perfect world, and if you do happen to be one of the lucky ones to snag this system, hold onto it, and never let go.  DualSense Wireless Controller – $84.99 CAD What good is a shiny new console without a controller to play with? Obviously, the system comes with a new DualSense controller already, but why stop with just one? One of the coolest new features of the PS5 is not within the console, but instead the peripheral attached to it. The new DualSense controller lives up to its name by enhancing the player’s senses while gaming. With improved haptic feedback, the controller is able to provide more precise rumble features that will simulate the environment around you. On top of that, the true selling feature is the new Adaptive Triggers, drastically altering the way in which you experience a game. Each trigger pull for every gun or draw of every arrow now has the ability to take advantage of the new Adaptive Triggers and provide greater immersion for every player. The one downside to these new features is the battery life on the controller. Titles that fully utilize the new built-in hardware will surely drain the battery within the controller, begging multiple charges a day. But hey, that’s why you’re buying an extra one, right? PlayStation 4 – $379 CAD We know, recommending a PS4 after the previous entry seems counter-intuitive, however given how difficult it is to find a PS5 right now, the PS4 might not be the worst option available. Sony’s original mission statement for the PS5 was to be a defining generational leap, moving on from the PS4 and retiring after a good fight. In the last year though, Sony has shifted from that original goal and is aware of how difficult it will be for some to transition to next gen. Plus, the PS4 has sold an astounding 15,000,000 units worldwide. Sony would be foolish to abandon that player-base. At least for the next few years, Sony is aiming to support the PS4 with the stellar first-party titles that the manufacturer is known for. We have already seen this with Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and soon to be Horizon: Forbidden West. Who knows what else will still be releasing on the PS4….God of War?

Software:

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – $64.99 CAD Speaking of Spider-Man, why not enjoy your new PlayStation 5 with the absolutely gorgeous new entry into Insomiac’s Spider-Man series. Miles Morales is the follow-up experience to 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man, where players take control of the titular character instead of Peter Parker. In this spin-off, Miles has to discover what kind of Spider-Man he will be, learning to forge his own path instead of growing in the shadow of Peter. While not as long as 2018’s Spider-Man, Miles Morales is sure to satiate all fans while we eagerly await Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Oh and while you’re at it, maybe pick up Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered on the PS5 for an additional $25.  Demon’s Souls – $89.99 CAD Masterfully remade by BluePoint Games, FromSoftware’s classic title that started it all, is now playable again for modern audiences. Before Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Sekiro, there was Demon’s Souls, a 2007 title known only to hardcore fans as the OG. Say what you want about the original, but none can deny the legacy it spawned. After 13 years, it is finally playable again in this stunning remake. Demon’s Souls on PS5 is arguably the best exclusive on the console at launch, with unrivalled visuals and buttery smooth performance. Don’t let the difficulty of this title deter you from playing what is surely one of the most significant titles in PlayStation’s history. Sackboy: A Big Adventure – $79.99 CAD Sackboy is back, and this time his adventure isn’t so little. Journey with the lovable bundle of yarn as you traverse new 3D platforming for the first time in the series, thwarting evil and saving your friends along the way. Regardless of how you feel about the Little Big Planet games, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a fresh new take on the franchise. If you are a fan of those other 3D platforming games that usually involve a plumpy plumber in a red hat (this is a PlayStation Buyer’s Guide. For that game go see our Nintendo Holiday Guide), then you absolutely do not want to skip this launch title! Oh, and it’s also available on PS4, so you have no excuse. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – $89.99 CAD This year’s newest entry in the Call of Duty franchise is a sequel/follow-up to the Black Ops franchise (we’ve lost count by now). Set in the Cold War era, players take control of “Bell”, an operative who’s backstory is written by the player as you tackle government espionage and uncover secret intel that will drastically shift the balance of the Cold War, and possibly the world as well.  New to 2020’s Call of Duty is the Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers of the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller. While the haptic feedback is sure to provide improved rumble and vibration to enhance the experience, it’s the adaptive triggers that present the greatest game-changer this generation. This feature alone makes Cold War a must play on PlayStation over any other platform, solely due to the fact that every trigger pull will transform the DualSense into an actual weapon and feel like the real deal.

Stocking Stuffers:

PlayStation Plus One Year Membership – $70 CAD Since the PS4, PlayStation Plus has been a requirement for online functionality within the PlayStation ecosystem. Over the years, however, the online functionality hasn’t even been the selling feature of PlayStation Plus; rather, the free game offerings each month. Every month, Plus subscribers are treated to two to three games each month for free, and will be able to download and own them as long as they are a member. With the PS5, Sony has introduced the PlayStation Plus Collection: a collection of 20 of the best PS4 titles, now playable on the PS5 via backwards compatibility. Titles such as Bloodborne, God of War, Uncharted 4 and Monster Hunter World are included in this pack, instantaneously skyrocketing the value of PlayStation Plus. If you are picking up a PS5 this holiday, an additional $70 will give you instant access to 20 of the greatest titles of the past decade. Don’t be foolish, buy PlayStation Plus. PSN Cards – $25-100 CAD With the video game industry slowly transitioning to a digital ecosystem, PSN cards present great value as stocking stuffers. Don’t be fooled into thinking a gift card is a cheap gift during the holidays, as PSN cards open up a world of possibility within the PlayStation Network. Not only can you buy virtually every PS4 and PS5 game digitally now, but PSN cards are a great way to enhance your gaming experience by allowing you to expand your favourite worlds. Know any other great items you’ll be snagging this holiday? Be sure to let us know over on Twitter and Instagram!
BloodBorne1 Call of Duty23 Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War2 Dark Souls2 Demon's Souls Remake4 God of War7 Horizon: Forbidden West2 Little Big Planet1 Marvel6 Playstation 4196 PlayStation 525 PlayStation Plus3 Sackboy1 Sekiro1 Spider-Man6
About author

Daniel Pereira

From a young age I've loved video games and the power they possess in bringing different kinds of people together. I have forged many good friendships through this medium that would not exist without it. I love experiencing a new genre for the first time and finding out it resonates with me. Also, Conker's Bad Fur Day is one of the greatest games of all time. Fight me.

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