I can't say that Microsoft's decision to go multi-platform has entirely surprised me. It's no secret that PlayStation 5. Not only does the multi-platform approach broaden the general appeal of the Xbox brand in general, but it also allows for the multitude of games from developers under Microsoft's ownership to get the recognition they deserve.

As irable as this move may be, I can't help but feel this is illustrating a huge issue for the PS5. As someone who tends to lean towards PlayStation in general, it's been hard to deny how many first-party titles from Xbox have begun to appear on the console. Now, having both libraries in front of me on the same console and looking towards Xbox and PlayStation's current slate over the next year, it's continued to open my eyes on the PS5's biggest problem, and it makes me worried about PlayStation's future in general.

Xbox Is Releasing More First-Party Games Than PlayStation

Microsoft Is Currently Producing A Much Stronger Output

Microsoft is currently looking to have a stronger year on the PS5 than Sony itself. This was noted during a recent episode of Eurogamer's Newscast podcast, available via Game Clips & Tips on YouTube, which focused on titles announced during Sony's most recent State of Play presentation. Editor-in-Chief Tom Phillips mentioned that Microsoft's commitment to its multi-platform approach and strong first-party output means that "there are more Xbox first-party games coming out on PlayStation this year than PlayStation first-party games".

While this revelation does sound fairly unusual, it's not particularly surprising. Microsoft has taken a far more active approach to its first-party output, with a huge line-up of titles releasing this year, from The Outer Worlds 2 to South of Midnight. This was only emphasized during the Xbox Developer Direct in January, which provided closer looks at some of the year's most-anticipated titles, including Doom: The Dark Ages and Ninja Gaiden 4, both of which will also release on PS5.

South of Midnight has not been confirmed to be making its way to PlayStation 5 in the future. However, with Microsoft continuing to emphasize its focus on multi-platform releases, there's still hope that the game could eventually make its way to the console.

Unfortunately, Sony appears to be lacking that same enthusiasm with its own first-party lineup for the year. Even with huge titles like Death Stranding 2: On The Beach and Ghost of Yötei coming to the PS5 this year, the selection pales in comparison to Microsoft's own offerings on the same console. Sony's most recent State of Play presentation failed to improve the year's prospects, with its biggest reveal, Housemarque's Saros, not releasing until 2026. PlayStation is currently lacking the strong first-party output that it's known for, putting it in a far worse position than Xbox for the remainder of 2025.

The Lack Of PS5 Exclusives Has Begun To Bother Me

Sony Has Consistently Struggled With First-Party Output For The Entire Generation

When I first heard this comparison and saw the difference in first-party output between Microsoft and Sony, it merely opened my eyes to the big issue with the PS5 that has been quietly bothering me for so long — the console's lack of exclusive titles. Something I have always ired about PlayStation across multiple console generations is the wide array of incredible exclusives to dive into, offering unique and game-changing experiences that I'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

The PS5, however, has consistently struggled to maintain that momentum. Since its launch in 2020, I've become far more accustomed to seeing remasters and remakes of titles that were first released just a few years prior make up a large chunk of the PS5's lineup, while I desperately wait for the next big release that's truly new. Sony's recent move to port multiple games to PC has also lessened their value as PS5 exclusives, even if it isn't bringing them to competing consoles like Microsoft is.

The lack of consistency is making me ponder the worth of remaining committed to PlayStation at all.

What frustrates me about this lackluster approach is how Sony's actions fail to align with its promises. While Microsoft has completely embraced its multi-platform approach, advertising Xbox as a brand rather than a console, Sony consistently prides itself on its exclusives, presenting them as the primary reason for players to stick with PlayStation. Yet Sony currently lacks the hard-hitting exclusives on PS5 to back this up, and as fantastic as the few true exclusives like Astro Bot turn out to be, the lack of consistency is making me ponder the worth of remaining committed to PlayStation at all.

PlayStation Is In Need Of Some Huge Changes

Sony Needs To Drastically Change Its Approach

I believe Sony is in desperate need of a new approach to its first-party output on the PS5 in order to bring the console back to the same momentum that has made PlayStation so irable in the past. Of course, one major change that I would love to see is a renewed emphasis on exclusivity. Diverting focus away from remasters and PC ports would only strengthen the console's overall appeal as the only location for some of the biggest releases in gaming, reigniting that value in the PS5 that I've felt has dwindled over the past few years.

Alternatively, I think Sony could take some cues from Microsoft's own successes to improve the overall appeal of PlayStation in general. For example, while Xbox Game moves from strength to strength with its impressive catalog of games, I've never been too impressed with the titles on PS Plus, lacking many iconic offerings that have defined PlayStation over so many years. Placing a larger emphasis on PS Plus would allow Sony to rebuild that strong image of exclusivity and variety in PlayStation's catalog, giving Sony a necessary boost as work continues on future titles for the PS5.

Some PlayStation games that were on PS Plus have also since been removed, such as Horizon: Zero Dawn and Horizon: Forbidden West, with no reason given for this decision.

I will always have a huge amount of appreciation for PlayStation and the multitude of incredible gaming experiences it has offered across numerous consoles. However, with Microsoft's first-party output continuously outshining Sony's, it's hard to deny that the PS5 is quickly losing the one thing that made PlayStation so special to begin with. If Sony is unable to find a new approach that puts the PlayStation 5 in the same league as its predecessors, I'm concerned about how the future success of PlayStation as a whole will turn out.

Source: Game Clips And Tips/YouTube