Playstation 5 launch makes me feel like a child at Christmas | Matt Mohan-Hickson

I feel I have been going through the motions attempting to form opinions on current affairs without really offering much insight or wisdom.

So I am making the decision to focus on writing about an area I actually have capital T thoughts on: pop culture.

Instead of surface level commentary on current affairs expect deep dives on everything from video games, movies, TV shows, podcasts and music.

Without further ado, welcome to the first dispatch from my sofa: Is this what it feels like to be a child at Christmas?

Growing up I was always one of those kids that fully bought into the spirit of the yuletide season.

In the days leading up to December 25 I would be a volatile cocktail of emotions including sheer joy, excitement, nervousness, terror and finally overwhelming relief when I descended the stairs on Christmas morning to the sight of a visit from Santa.

But as I grew up and stopped believing in Father Christmas that intensity faded away, never to return, I assumed. Yet here I am sat in my bedroom (turned lockdown home office) completely restless and unable to sit still.

Every time I hear a vehicle on the street below my head snaps away – could it be, is this the delivery van? Alas, it is just another car.

I am this bubbling cauldron of excitement, nervousness, terror and hopefully soon a sense of relief when the doorbell rings, it is like I have been taken over by the 1999 version of myself.

But what is causing this? Well, as ridiculous as it sounds it is the anticipation waiting for the delivery of my PlayStation 5.

You are probably shaking your head right now and I don’t blame you.

However, while it might seem like a box you plug into the television it is far more than that.

My PlayStation 4 brought me experiences I will never forget – the way I held my breath during a car chase in Uncharted 4, the joy of finally overcoming a boss after 20 tries in Jedi Fallen Order or the whole of Last of Us Part II.

And I am utterly, restlessly excited at the places this new console will take me in the years to come.

First thoughts on the PlayStation 5

I knew it was going to be a big console. I had seen the pictures.

But when the delivery van finally pulled up outside and the driver brought out the box, I was dumbfounded at how large it was.

Then I opened the cardboard box, finding the actual console box inside – like a technological Babushka doll – and it was still huge.

You can see me holding it in the main image and it covers most of my torso.

Let me tell you reader, when I finally battled through the packaging and got my hands on the console itself, it was not much smaller.

I am a little taken aback at just how giant it is. Also it looks a bit like a modern skyscraper and it wouldn’t feel out of place in the skyline of London, Tokyo or New York.

The sleek, white, futuristic design is going to take some getting used to – and I’m going to have to move a few things around to fit it in.

But the console seems sturdy and unlike my old PlayStation 4 it doesn’t sound like a jet engine is about to take off.

Munchkin is transforming me into a ruthless maniac

For personal reasons I will not go into, over the last week or so when spending time with my girlfriend we have had to avoid looking at screens for the main part.

So instead I decided to dig out my copy of the board game Munchkin.

After dusting it off and reacquainting ourselves with the instructions we decided to attempt to play it together, just the two of us.

If you are unfamiliar with it, Munchkin is a card-based game that basically encourages you to backstab and undermine your fellow players.

In a group of friends it adds an extra dose of jeopardy but there are enough people involved that it doesn’t venture into the realm of personal slight.

Which is why I was worried about playing it as just a pair – would it lead to brewing resentment?

After being safe for the first couple of rounds, I suddenly found myself taken over by a ruthless edge.

Now after a week of playing, I have become a total maniac, taking every opportunity to strike no matter how far into the game we are.

Is this my villain origin story?