PlayStation 4 User Impressions

[Parker]

There are plenty of review sites that are readying their PS4 reviews but I'd like this thread to be for those of us who have the system to share our thoughts and opinions on the system. Things we like, things we don't like, that kind of thing. 

 

First off, things I like. 

 

 

The system is absolutely gorgeous and my bad picture nor others on the internet do it justice. I always thought the launch PlayStation 3 was a very good looking system but I think this one takes the cake. It just looks like a high end piece of hardware and I love the LED that runs between the glassy and matte part of the system, it looks very good when the system is on. 

 

 

I love, love fucking love the DualShock 4! Seriously, it is the best controller I have ever used, bar none. I always liked the DualShock controllers and they were always a personal favorite but I don't think I can go back to a DualShock 3 after this. The DS4 is bigger, slightly heavier and has a few subtle changes that make it an absolute joy to hold in your hands. The speaker is actually very cool too. I was playing Killzone: Shadow Fall and picked up an audio log and it automatically started playing through the DS4 speaker. It was surprisingly high quality and honestly added to the experience instead of feeling like a gimmick. The touchpad seems like it can be very useful too.

 

The UI is also absolutely gorgeous and extremely fast. For you trophy hunters out there no need to worry about syncing trophies anymore. I have a level 16 account with a couple thousand trophies (2700 or so) and the first sync to view my trophies took maybe 2 seconds. On PS3 it could have taken potentially hours so this is a great thing. Opening apps is extremely fast, the PSN store is very high speed and everything just looks great. It is pretty much just like the XMB but an evolution of it. If I can find a good video of someone showing it I'll add it. Rest assured, it is nothing like the 360 UI which has ads everywhere and it very clunky, I originally thought it would be like that but it isn't even close. I adore the UI.

 

The bad...

 

The console only has two USB ports. I know I'll need more than 2 USB ports. My racing wheel and shifter take two ports alone so my headset has nowhere to be plugged in. Luckily it won't matter until a Gran Turismo is released for the system but still, they could've added more ports. The console apparently wobbles? I don't know though, I don't press down on the corner of my console while I game so I can't confirm that. There is no awesome start up sound. The PlayStation, PS2 and PS3 all had awesome start up music when you boot up the system, this doesn't. There is no MP3 support as of right now but I don't listen to music on my consoles so it isn't a big deal for me.

 

If it seems like I'm grasping at straws it is because I am. The system is extremely good and I can't find anything I consider a system breaking fault. It is gorgeous, fast, has the best controller of all time and is fairly cheap when you consider what you get. It has been a while since I've been blown away by graphics but Killzone did it for me. Just the quality of the textures while playing it something amazing and I haven't seen PC games that look this good. People may say the PS4 is a "low end PC" but this low end PC is kicking the shit out of just about everything out there. 

 

 

I'll post more later when I have more time with the system but the first few hours are very positive. There is honestly nothing I have found to complain about and I'm having an absolute blast with the system. I'll be trying to hook up my Astro A50's today to see if I can get at least the ausio to work, I really don't care all that much about the chat right now. 

 

So, fellow PSNP members, what do you think about your PlayStation 4?

 

 

Parker

[MoreTheVictim]

It's good to hear that! I don't have acces to the PS4 yet so I'll be happy to hear opinions and experiences from others.

[blkburn123]

I'm extremely jealous. Two more weeks to go!!!

[Scorpiio93]

Ahh, I'm starting to get a little jealous! It sounds absolutely amazing!

I won't have my hands on one for a while yet

[xVolloxx]

14 DAYS .........

[blkburn123]

14 days too long

[DPthe32man]

Your description of the dualshock 4 made me very curious.

[DrBloodmoney]

Two weeks!

[JesseAchu]

I can only say what I've experienced so far. 

-I absolutely agree about the DS4 controller, love the weight, the size increase.

-The PS4 is a damned sexy piece of machinery!

-From what I've searched, I'm digging the XMB.

 

The not so good...I've been waiting almost and hour to set up my account. Just staring at "Please wait". I wanna play Knack sometime today.

 

Otherwise, this was a damned good investment. I'll update when I find out more.

[CasaDeBen]

My gripe so far was not being able to sign in. Background downloads are amazing. The store is super fast (keeps kicking me out but i can just go back in no problem to where i was). Already got resogun downloaded. Contrast is almost done (4x larger than resogun). Everythings really fluid so far and once they figure out their end itll be better.

Ps parker do your plus codes work? None of mine do but the $10 voucher. Music unlimited. And game addon codes worked fine. But the 30 day trial and 7 day trials didnt

[yellowwindow7]

wish if i can own one right now    it's gonna takes me a bit long to get me a ps4... i heard the DS4 works with ps3 is that true?

if so then i can bought me one until i purchase a ps4 and by that time i'll own two DS4 controllers.

[MatCauthon]

My gripe so far was not being able to sign in. Background downloads are amazing. The store is super fast (keeps kicking me out but i can just go back in no problem to where i was). Already got resogun downloaded. Contrast is almost done (4x larger than resogun). Everythings really fluid so far and once they figure out their end itll be better.

Ps parker do your plus codes work? None of mine do but the $10 voucher. Music unlimited. And game addon codes worked fine. But the 30 day trial and 7 day trials didnt

 

Unfortunately, if you are already a Plus member, the trial codes won't work. I read that on the PS Blog a few days ago. 

[CasaDeBen]

Unfortunately, if you are already a Plus member, the trial codes won't work. I read that on the PS Blog a few days ago.

Seriously? Dicks

[Beyondthegrave07]

Parker, you should be a writer for IGN. You are more personal about your experience and really address some of the rumors/fears of fellow consumers. You don't just gloss over a bunch of shit or just repeat yourself like a little fanboy.

 

So as a fellow PSNPal, thank you, Parker.

[Lucas]

Grrr... 14 days...

[Vaile]

Good to hear your impressions of the system. My systems should have arrived by the time I get home but I envision a busy first hour installing the hard drives and setting everything up before playing. Hope my A50's work mic works (my wife gets the surround sound for her system! I get to play with the headphones. Not complaining!) I've read conflicting things but am guessing since it's a USB mic (from the mix-amp) it should work with ver. 1.5.

[TwilightSpira]

So sad!!! Mine December 5. 20 days

[Paulie1313]

Well so far I do like the look of the PS4 as it is very sleek looking. DS4 is cool, but I am still more familiar with the DS3 and actually prefer it. XMB/UI is very fast, everything loads super fast and trophies do sync in seconds.

 

Didn't bother with the codes except the 10.00 one. Store is lightning quick and background downloads are very innovative. 

 

Gripes? Took me forever to get signed in last night. It suggests you go into Playroom to see what you can do and check it out, but there are trophies associated with it and if you don't have the camera it goes against your percentage. Did the BF4 digital upgrade and midway through campaign it said there was a problem with the application and shut down. Now my save file is corrupted and I have to redo campaign from the beginning. Should have just got the physical copy, but hoping they work the kinks out as it does have a lot of potential.

[merciful84]

Syncing taking hours on the PS3? That doesn't sound like a hardware issue...

Edited November 15, 2013 by merciful84

[The_Legend_111]

I would but I'm still updating(not the system update).  I'm guessing stuff is just slower now because it's day one. 

[Chambers35]

Nice little review there, Parker Thanks.

 

Can't wait to get mine!

[CactusFantastic]

I agree with all of what Parker said in the original posting...a few things to add:

The Good:
-Start up time is excellent, and even better when using standby mode.  It take my A/V receiver longer to click to the right source and start passing through video than it takes for my PS4 to get going.
-Graphics are unreal!  COD looks waaaay better on my PS4 than my buddies PS3.
-Adding to his UI comment....not only is the UI clean, and similar to other SONY products...but it also super responsive.
-Dual Shock 4 is ultra comfortable.  Even handling a new controller didn't seem like a problem and my hands never cramped or got tired.

-4 PS4 exclusive PSN games ready to go on day one was a pretty nice surprise.  As was the $10 PSN credit and free 30 days of PS+

The Bad:
-Why did they insist on calling everything an application?
-The PS4 camera is a little janky on the stand...kinda worried how it will hold up over time.
-I was logged out 3 times just trying to set up and link my PSN account to the PS4.  Also a bit worried on what will happen during primetime hours with all these new servers.


All in all, I'm quite happy with the console and my game choices so far - Knack, COD: Ghosts, and FIFA.  
My grade:  A-

Edited November 15, 2013 by CactusFantastic

[LiteraryRecluse]

I'm pretty pleased with it.  I have a plethora if minor complaints (is there no way to change the background?  No way to have avatars that aren't on PSN?  No sort options for the trophies?  I like to sort mine by earned day so all the unearned ones are bulked together.  I also can't sign into PSN.  If it's a server issue it's no big deal, but if it's unloadable on my dial-up connection I'll be very upset (I just want to sync my trophies, is all!)

 

These would all be fixable with updates though.  The console itself is amazing, and I love the controller!  I'm playing Assassin's Creed 4 and the graphics aren't revolutionary: It's not like the first time I played my first game in 3D (Super Mario 64) or HD (Motorstorm), but they do look fantastic.  The amount of texture is amazing, and it's only going to get better in the future.  I'm pretty excited about it!

[Parker]

I can confirm that Astro A50 headsets will work with the PS4, for audio at least, I haven't tried chat yet. I hooked up the optical cable to the back of the PS4 and ran the USB cable from the MixAmp to the PS4, booted the system up and it immediately recognized the headset. I didn't have to mess with any menu screens, options or anything like that. Just hook up the cables and go, which is absolutely awesome. I'll be trying chat in a few days but I don't think it is supposed to work yet. 

 

 

Parker

[Crimson-Cobalt]

Dualshock 4, that is all. In all seriousness, it takes the best aspects of the 360 and PS3 controllers and combines them.

 

EDIT: Parker couldn't have said it better. The controller is truly phenomenal. 

Edited November 16, 2013 by Crimson-Cobalt