Recently, I acquired a PlayStation 5 Pro, and while the gaming experience is nothing short of outstanding—highlighted by titles such as The Last of Us Part II Remastered and Astro Bot—I’ve encountered some perplexing shortcomings, particularly regarding dynamic backgrounds. Dynamic backgrounds were a significant feature on the PS4, with fan favorites like the Tifa background from Final Fantasy VII Remake gaining considerable popularity. However, the PS5 has largely neglected this feature until now.
PS5 Introduces Game-Specific Dynamic Backgrounds
A Notable Improvement
After what felt like an eternity, Sony has finally rolled out game-specific dynamic backgrounds for an array of titles, including classics like Demon’s Souls and Ghost of Tsushima, alongside highly anticipated upcoming exclusives such as Ghost of Yotei in 2025. However, this update may not be the grand revival many had hoped for, especially given a glaring omission that Xbox has provided since its launch.
While there are only a handful of these dynamic backgrounds available, more are expected to arrive in the future. For instance, the selection includes a vibrant background for Astro Bot, considered one of the best PS5 games of 2024. As someone from Oregon, I particularly enjoyed the Days Gone background. However, I quickly realized that this backdrop is only visible on the welcome screen. Attempting to find a way to disable the game library backgrounds was an exercise in frustration, as no such option exists.
Xbox Outshines PlayStation in Dynamic Backgrounds
A Feature Ripe for Improvement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GxWMgSwcms
It is perplexing that players cannot keep a dynamic background active while navigating through different game tabs, especially considering that Xbox has seamlessly integrated this feature since the Series X|S launch. Initially, it was the only option Xbox provided, which has since evolved to allow users to display game-specific backgrounds while browsing through their library. The PS5’s absence of a persistent dynamic background option diminishes its appeal, especially when compared to the offerings on Xbox and even the previous generation with PS4.
Moreover, Xbox not only boasts a broader variety of dynamic backgrounds but also includes exclusive backgrounds accessible via special edition controllers, enhancing user engagement further.
Additionally, the design of the backgrounds on PlayStation leaves much to be desired. They are almost entirely obscured by various widgets and interface elements, while Xbox effectively dedicates the top half of the screen to showcase the dynamic background. Although users can remove widgets to enhance visibility, this often compromises crucial information that players rely on.
It’s disheartening that Sony has finally addressed this long-awaited feature in such an insufficient manner. Initially, I was excited about the dynamic backgrounds upon receiving my PS5 Pro, but the implementation feels lacking. As the gaming community eagerly anticipates improvements, it is clear that the PlayStation 5 must address these issues promptly to meet player expectations.
Source: DirtABXY/YouTube