Lime_Spider takes a look at the PS3
Posted on April 22nd, 2007 at 12:03pm by Lime_SpiderOK OK so it’s a little late now, but considering the PS3’s capabilities it needs a degree of time to be reviewed, all the more so now its download features, software updates and games are all available. So here it is, my PS3 review!
Before you even get into the box you know it’s a beast of a machine, not helped by the large weight sign on the box warning you of its 7KG load! Fortunately the console isn’t this heavy, but it’s getting there! Portability is not an option sadly… Opening the box reveals the machine in all its (infamous) glory, and with the sleekness of the Wii, boy is it ugly. Still though with MS’s white is the new black Xbox360 the colour scheme is very nice, with it’s black and chrome. Cable wise you only get one RGB lead, power lead (without PSU which is built into the console) and USB cable. It’s worth noting that to charge the controller you need the USB cable, but only one comes with the console and no others come with the new controller. However since it’s a standard adapter on the end, anyone is likely to have another lying around from an MP3 player etc. Another omission is an HDMI lead, but again anyone with an HDTV is likely to already have one of these, indeed they had sold out when I bought my console, so shockingly I just used the one from my DVD Recorder. One could argue that a component cable should come with it, but overall it would drive costs up to supply cables which are inevitably superfluous, particularly with HDMI being the ONLY way to watch HD movies which are protected by the hideous HDCP.
So the console was duly shoved to the bottom of the stand, being there only to change discs. On when the console and impressions went from curious to very very high! It may seem like a nasty bit of kit when viewed as hardware, but when it’s running it’s a thing of beauty. Starting up has a nice pinky coloured background and a swirly white animation. Its bold simplicity is really pretty, easy to look and eases you into the menu. The initial screen is the next iteration of the PSP’s X Cross bar, where by you choose what you wish to do and then run the options displayed vertically. Be warned though the first time you run the console a LOT of options are available, and it takes some time to check them all out. However like the PC you have the ability to customise virtually everything, and if it’s not already implemented, chances are it will be in a future firmware. Bluetooth ensures that like the Wii, everything can be run from the comfort of your sofa. In fact aside from plugging in various peripherals, you’ll never have to touch the console again (aside from dusting). Your first controller is already synced to the console, but further additions are only a button press away. I bought the Blu-Ray Remote too and the setup for this lasted a grand total of 7 seconds!
So what can this beast do? Well you get full True HD up to 1080p, but most people will be contented with the 720p most games run in. However the level of quality is there allowing for future proofing. Gaming is nothing short of brilliant, with load times on virtually all games being less the 30 seconds, with the resolutions being sharp and colourful. Obviously with first generation games you are likely to get a few bugs and sadly whilst playing Motorstorm I did see a mammoth frame rate slow down when a terrific prang occurred (and I mean terrific, half the racers got wiped out!). However playing Resistance: Fall of Man shows none of these signs with its true colours coming out when it goes all Doom on you, throws 50 enemies at you with their AI and physics all intact. It takes a lot to impress me on a console, especially to say it’s better than my PC (which is a multi-media behemoth) but there are times on the PS3 where I can see it might best it on the odd occasion. Since I work in TV HD is nothing new to me (indeed I keep 2 HD channels working 24/7) I knew what to expect, but I have never actually watched an HD movie before. Since the kind folks at Sony decided if you signed up for the Playstation Network (a necessity for online play) you will get a free copy of Casino Royale. It’s a nice bonus considering I wanted to play online with Wi-Fi anyway. The video quality is excellent, although if you want to down-convert to 720p, it will not let you yet, but will let you go down to 1080i or 480p. It’s a bit of a shame because one would think going from one progressive format to the other would be easier than interlacing it, but to be honest with the level of quality here you’ll be hard pressed to notice. However the quality is nothing short of excellent and with a standardised codec now in place for both Blu-Ray (and HD-DVD) quality differences like the ones seen on DVD at the beginning should not occur with the new format. However HD is something that just has to be seen for the full effect to be appreciated. You can also run virtually anything from USB key from the front panel, and assortments of different memory cards are available for use too. In fact the only qualm with connectivity is an absence of legacy for the PS2, without allowing controllers or memory cards to be used (unlike the Wii).
A lot of people are bickering about the online play of the Wii, PS3 and X-Box360. I don’t care what anyone says about the PS3’s play though because from the outset it is brilliant. Getting online with the console is dead easy with Ethernet and Wi-Fi compatibility, although you’ll need a router. Once online the Store, Internet and Online gaming are all laid for you, completely free. As for the online gaming my friend and I are avid PC online gamers, yet he owns a 360. When asked about X-Box Live! I asked him what it does that the PC cannot. His reaction was that it isn’t as stupendous as many would believe; citing only the audio functions built it as one of the only plus points. Considering that you are charged for the privilege Sony hasn’t been so silly. Bluetooth headsets connect and allow voice chat immediately and games begin within a few minutes with minimal fuss from the player. What’s more you are ranked with your playing so that you are matched with comparable players. The short of it is that Sony has ripped off all the best parts of X-Box Live! and given them away for free, something the PC has had for over a decade. The PS store is a nice addition with game add-ons and demos being available from the outset, and also Gran Turismo HD Concept 2.0 is free to download as a showcase of the console in action.
My biggest gripe with the console is backwards compatibility. Ever since MS said it wasn’t focused on BC all the Sony fanboys chanted, and so too did the big S… until it shafted Europe. Originally the PS3 contained a PS2 chip and memory, effectively delivering two consoles in one package. Now this has been removed for some shoddy emulation. They are delivering a LOT of BC titles but there have been some very very silly errors. Silent Hill… flagship title over PS and PS2. Metal Gear Solid… flagship title over PS and PS2. Canis Canem Edit, San Andreas and Manhunt, major games by Rockstar (well maybe not Manhunt, but its sequel has jumped into bed with the Wii). All these games you would expect to work with BC. Not so, as various sequels to these games will not run, with particular note with MGS 2: Sons of Liberty. Consider this… one of your MAJOR summer releases is Gun’s of the Patriots. David Hayer who voices Solid Snake says he plays the previous games to get in character. I’d like to play all of them in preparation for Big Boss’s final adventure, but with Sony in the way I’ll be missing a chapter if it weren’t for the fact I still own a PS2. Considering the PS2 was completely BC with everything, it’s a slight oversight that after all their insults to MS, they realised that economically money was able to be saved with emulation.
So the question on everyone’s lips is “is it worth it?” but this really does depend on your perception. The biggest problem with the PS3 is the price, and ultimately whether you purchase one will be based upon what you will do with it. Considering all the flagship games are to be released at the end of the year and the fact that to get the most out of the console you need an HDTV there are various factors to consider. If you only on standard def tv and are only looking to play games on the console, then £425 isn’t worth it, you’d be better off buying a Wii. However if you are looking to take the plunge into HD movies, gaming and multimedia then the price tag looks all the more appealing. Blu-Ray disc is the superior HD format for one thing, but also considering a stand-alone player costs more than the console, one could construe that you are getting a BRD player with a console thrown in for free! So if you are looking for a multimedia system then it’s worth it, considering you cannot get a media centre PC with HD yet for this price. However if you aren’t then it’s advisable to wait for the inevitable price drop.
Pros
Awesome (potentially) True HD gaming.
Blu-Ray for fraction of the cost
Easy online capability
Ease of use
Cons
My God… THAT PRICE!
Shoddy emulation
Only truly worth it currently if you own an HDTV.
