Published: Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Updated: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 22:11
Over a decade ago when that slogan was introduced it was impossible to know just how blurry the line between the digital and physical worlds would become. After years of technological improvements and a console generation that, despite a rough start, has produced a series of titles that have elevated the medium to heights unfathomable a decade ago, the Playstation 4 has finally arrived.
The video game industry has at long last truly entered the eighth generation of home consoles with last Friday’s launch of Sony’s Playstation 4. It’s been a seven-year wait for Playstation gamers to graduate to the PS4, the longest in the brand’s storied history. Has it been worth the wait? The answer is a resounding yes.
The first thing that strikes you when you first get your hands on the PS4 is just how compact the system is, an incredible fact considering the Sony engineers managed to fit a Blu-Ray drive, components twice as impressive as those seen in the PS3, and the power supply all in the box. A far cry from the original PS3’s infamous bulky design, the PS4 is light and elegant, in a manner similar to the first PS3 slim only even more impressive. It would not be inappropriate to use the term “sexy” to describe the system. Its solid jet-black color and uniform prism design look like something straight out of “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
The system is incredibly quiet when being used without a disc, and even when one is inserted its still does a fantastic job of keeping the decibel limit to a minimum.
What is most striking about the PS4 is just how fast the system is. Everything from switching between app, games, movies and the Playstation Store is snappy. Loading times are a fraction of what we’re used to expecting, and you can even play games while they are still being installed from the disc. You no longer need to exit a game to check some of your settings.
Speaking of which, the interface is brilliant. The CrossMediaBar has been removed but the interface put in its place keeps the same principal design of laying out all of your entertainment options on screen at once, only significantly simplified.
Most impressively, the number of ads seen on screen is kept to a minimal. Unlike the “Hong Kong” levels of excessive advertising seen on Xbox 360, with the exception of the Playstation Store itself, ads on your home screen are virtually nonexistent.
Of course the graphics output by the system look incredible. Titles such as “Battlefield 4” and “Need for Speed Rivals” look almost hyper realistic, to the point where you’d probably be dropping over a grand on a gaming PC for a similar visual experience. The system’s added power also keep frame rates high and consistent, with many titles outputting in native 1080p with few hiccups.
A fantastic feat of design and engineering, the PS4 is one impressive piece of technology. Time will tell if it will see the software support needed to match it. With the console’s primary competitor, Microsoft’s Xbox One about to touch down in a few days, the next generation console wars will officially commence. Will the PS4 be able to outdo Microsoft’s best efforts this generation or are we destined for another neck-and-neck race for industry superiority? Only time will tell, but after a few days with the PS4 in hand, I can gladly report the Sony’s new system undoubtedly gives the company their best start in years.
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Updated: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 22:11
Over a decade ago when that slogan was introduced it was impossible to know just how blurry the line between the digital and physical worlds would become. After years of technological improvements and a console generation that, despite a rough start, has produced a series of titles that have elevated the medium to heights unfathomable a decade ago, the Playstation 4 has finally arrived.
The video game industry has at long last truly entered the eighth generation of home consoles with last Friday’s launch of Sony’s Playstation 4. It’s been a seven-year wait for Playstation gamers to graduate to the PS4, the longest in the brand’s storied history. Has it been worth the wait? The answer is a resounding yes.
The first thing that strikes you when you first get your hands on the PS4 is just how compact the system is, an incredible fact considering the Sony engineers managed to fit a Blu-Ray drive, components twice as impressive as those seen in the PS3, and the power supply all in the box. A far cry from the original PS3’s infamous bulky design, the PS4 is light and elegant, in a manner similar to the first PS3 slim only even more impressive. It would not be inappropriate to use the term “sexy” to describe the system. Its solid jet-black color and uniform prism design look like something straight out of “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
The system is incredibly quiet when being used without a disc, and even when one is inserted its still does a fantastic job of keeping the decibel limit to a minimum.
What is most striking about the PS4 is just how fast the system is. Everything from switching between app, games, movies and the Playstation Store is snappy. Loading times are a fraction of what we’re used to expecting, and you can even play games while they are still being installed from the disc. You no longer need to exit a game to check some of your settings.
Speaking of which, the interface is brilliant. The CrossMediaBar has been removed but the interface put in its place keeps the same principal design of laying out all of your entertainment options on screen at once, only significantly simplified.
Most impressively, the number of ads seen on screen is kept to a minimal. Unlike the “Hong Kong” levels of excessive advertising seen on Xbox 360, with the exception of the Playstation Store itself, ads on your home screen are virtually nonexistent.
Of course the graphics output by the system look incredible. Titles such as “Battlefield 4” and “Need for Speed Rivals” look almost hyper realistic, to the point where you’d probably be dropping over a grand on a gaming PC for a similar visual experience. The system’s added power also keep frame rates high and consistent, with many titles outputting in native 1080p with few hiccups.
A fantastic feat of design and engineering, the PS4 is one impressive piece of technology. Time will tell if it will see the software support needed to match it. With the console’s primary competitor, Microsoft’s Xbox One about to touch down in a few days, the next generation console wars will officially commence. Will the PS4 be able to outdo Microsoft’s best efforts this generation or are we destined for another neck-and-neck race for industry superiority? Only time will tell, but after a few days with the PS4 in hand, I can gladly report the Sony’s new system undoubtedly gives the company their best start in years.
[h=2]Recommended: Articles that may interest you[/h]
[h=2]Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment[/h] You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now