It’s been a full 7 years since the PlayStation 3 launched in the United States, and now the PlayStation 4 is here to blow us all away. The last 7 years have given us a lot of technological advances and new expectations for what a home console can do. It’s the dawn of a new era. I was able to get my hands on a PlayStation 4 yesterday, and I’m here to bring some of my first impressions. There’s definitely a lot of potential in the new console, so let’s lay the groundwork for where it could go.
http://us.playstation.com/ps4/index.htm
1. Social Play
Social Media didn’t exist 7 years ago like it does today. The PlayStation 4 was build with sharing things socially as a goal. It’s gotten to the point that on the new controller, the DualShock 4, “Start” & “Select” have been replaced by “Options” & “Share” respectively. The PS4 constantly keeps a record of your last 15 minutes of gameplay, so that you can upload it to Facebook and soon Youtube anytime you want. You can also livestream your gaming to viewers via Twitch. There’s also the option to take a screenshot anytime you want.
2. Sense of Control
One of the coolest new things about the PS4 is the new controller. It’s the latest in the long line of DualShock controllers, and it’s the first to change the fundamental design. It’s now wider, while being more ergonomic because if it. Your hands are no longer squished together to play. I already mentioned the the start & select buttons have been replaced. There’s also a new touchpad in the middle of the controller’s face. It allows for things like smoother menu scrolling, and whatever else developers implement in the future.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_4
3. Distance Runner
There is a fancy new feature to the PS4 that hasn’t gotten as much press as it deserves. If you own a PS Vita, then you can access remote play. The Wii U uses this to great effect with its included hardware, and Sony is wise to copy it. Basically, it means you can stream your console gaming to your handheld device instead of hogging the TV. It’s great for family living, or to be in a room with someone and still have access to your games. The framerate and resolution aren’t perfect yet, but it sure is neat.
4. Matrix
The User Interface for the PS4 is also impressive. Son has had a fairly uniform approach to their UI template for a while now. A PS3, PSP, & a Sony Blu Ray player are all going to be similar. The PS4 represents the next step in the natural evolution. It’s a functional, smooth looking UI. More importantly, it moves fast and grants you quick access to the stuff you want to do. This is key in a newly launched console.The out of the box UI is a great place for Sony to Start.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28154346@N07/8496609698/
5. Looks of Love
The games running on the PS4 look fantastic, no two ways about it. I was able to sample big games Battlefield 4, Killzone Shadow Fall, and Assassin’s Creed 4. These games were all gorgeous, awash in lighting and textures that would make previous consoles cry. The only real issue is that you can tell these games were mostly developed with the current gen in mind. They gave th eimpression of playing more like upgraded current generation titles, because they are. That’s a growing pain that will be overcome with time, though.
6. Verdict
The next generation is here, and it’s a doozy. Consoles are fast becoming living room boxes through and through. The PS4 plays games, connects to the internet, streams TV and movies, and acts as a social media hub. More importantly, it does all of these things well. It’s by no means perfect, but it’s also brand new. The great thing about our era is that firmware updates can change the game for the better later on, and I’m looking forward to what the next gen of consoles continues to bring.
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