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PlayStation 4 Released

Posted by Soulskill on from the we-are-in-the-future dept.

Today marks the launch of the latest entrant to the next-gen console race: Sony's PlayStation 4. A number of reviews for the system have already gone up, but many outlets are waiting for next Friday's Xbox One launch before passing final judgment. With regard to the PS4's hardware and UI, Digital Foundry praises the DualShock 4 controller design and the improvements to background downloading, while worrying about fan noise in warmer environments. iFixit provides a step-by-step teardown of the device, giving it an 8/10 repairability score. Ars has many good things to say, but many bad things as well: "The PlayStation 4 has an excellent controller, decently powerful hardware, some intriguing, well-executed new features, and an interface that shows belated acknowledgment of some of Sony's most user-unfriendly past designs. It also has a lot of features that are half-assed, missing, or downright bewildering at this point." Polygon's review is more visually oriented, filled with pictures, videos, and drawings. They conclude, "[T]he PlayStation 4's focus on gaming — and only gaming — is undermined by a distinct lack of compelling software. That failing is sure to improve — better games and more of them will appear on the PlayStation 4 — but right now, this is a game console without a game to recommend it." Eurogamer's coverage includes has a round-up of launch title reviews and gameplay videos. IGN has coverage of the roughly 0.4% of PS4s that arrive broken out of the box, and Kotaku explains how they fixed theirs.

5 of 294 comments (clear)

  1. No media by CimmerianX · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I used my ps3 for media as well as occasional gaming. PS4 lack of streaming media support that does not originate from Sony's pay sites is a real minus for me. At least with the ps4 released, I can snap up used PS3 for media consoles in the bedrooms now.

    1. Re:No media by tlhIngan · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I used my ps3 for media as well as occasional gaming. PS4 lack of streaming media support that does not originate from Sony's pay sites is a real minus for me. At least with the ps4 released, I can snap up used PS3 for media consoles in the bedrooms now.

      For now.

      One of the greatest things about the Xbox One and PS4 is they're keeping Microsoft and Sony honest. When Microsoft announced the draconian DRM scheme, Sony countered, causing Microsoft to completely rethink their DRM position. Of course, Sony did a few more thins to keep Microsoft on its toes.

      And now, the day AFTER Sony gave out its big FAQ, Microsoft announced the Xbox One will support MP3s and DLNA. Which caused Sony to announce it was coming in a future update now. Heck, the whole "voice control" think was hastily implemented by Sony to counter the Xbone's Kinect, which is why it's a bit hokey on release.

      PS4 fanboys can mock the Xbone, while Xbox fanboys can mock the PS4 all they want, and analystics can say "Sony wins", but in the end, it's better that we have the Xbone with the PS4 than either/or.

      Sony can't revert to draconian DRM because they promised not to (and the Xbone can't, either).

      Regardless of which console is "better" (remember, the PS3 outclasses the Xbox360) technically, the best thing is both do well enough that neither decides to leave, and that Nintendo remains as a spoiler.

      Heck, if you want to remember what happened when Sony last thought it had the upper hand on everyone, see the news in the months leading up to the launch of the PS3. Now that Sony's a bit more humbled from that, hopefully things will be more interesting. Microsoft got a bit arrogant during the 360 era, so hopefully they'll be smacked down a bit and have to actually compete. But not too much - just enough to keep Microsoft from thinking it can get away with anything.

      And hell, you have Apple to thank for screwing up the whole business model as well - Apple's approval process is really a very "lite" version of how one develops on consoles and it's forced Sony and Microsoft to rethink how they do development.

  2. Re:Not this time, Sony by i+kan+reed · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why not? Is it not okay to hold a grudge for perceived betrayal? That's pretty much #1 on good reasons to hold a grudge.

  3. Re:Not this time, Sony by i+kan+reed · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I bought both the previous Xboxen myself, and I just stopped caring once the homepage advertisements crossed my threshold for tolerance. I am not your damned captive audience.

  4. Re: Not this time, Sony by O('_')O_Bush · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It was easy for a lot of people to move on, the ones not using the feature that was removed.

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