Yes I admit it, despite my protestations and insistence that I would never support Sony and their legacy of proprietary pap. I have finally succumbed to the dark side and purchased a PS3!
Now that Sony has won the format war it was either that or get a dedicated Blue Ray player, and by all accounts the PS3 is one of the best players around.
I hate to admit it though. I actually quite like it. Yes I do miss rumble and gamer points but it there are some things the PS3 actually does better. Firstly it dead silent, I actually have to check the standby light to be sure it's off! The interface is very slick and makes the 360 blade interface looked dated and quite cartoony. The build in browser is very nice and navigation is very well implemented. Text entry is much easier then the 360, it even has predictive text!
One thing I don't get is that everything has to be installed!? Whats that all about? Once a demo has downloaded you have to go through a long installation process before you can play it! This will be alien to any 360 user and I'm not sure why this is necessary on a console. You do get a nice background image appear for every installed game which does look nice.
There are a few decent exclusive titles, I really like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, and the Eye toy games look cool. Not too impressed by Resistance or Motorstorm, really miss rumble!
The photo viewer on the PS3 is really nice and puts the 360 to shame. Also I love the fact that I can playback the footage shot on my Full HD camcorder directly from the PS3 without any conversion of AVCHD files as they are based on blueray.
Overall I am pretty impressed with the PS3 and have to eat large chunk of humble pie. However I still think that with Gamerpoints, XBox Live, XNA and no installer, the 360 is a much better gaming platform.
Showing posts with label Sony PS3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sony PS3. Show all posts
Friday, 14 March 2008
Wednesday, 11 April 2007
Grand Theft Auto 4 Details leaked
Hmmm.. I think this is sounding very, very promising....
New details for Grand Theft Auto IV have spilled their way onto the Internet, expanding on what we can expect when the game launches on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this October.
The game will be as significantly different as GTA III was to the previous top-down crime capers, Rockstar founder Dan Houser told Game Informer, and will offer much wider choice and freedom to the player.
As we already know from the trailer, GTA IV will take place in Liberty City (New York) in 2007, and will revolve around an Eastern European fellow. This chap, the main character, is Niko Bellic - an immigrant in search of the "American Dream".
His cousin Roman persuaded him to make the move by boasting a life of luxury, but it eventually turns out he was using this as a cover to hide his own failures. He'll be your only contact until you can find your feet, and ultimately carve out your own destiny.
One of the biggest differences in the new game will be the way you interact with other people. In previous iterations you've been at the beck and call of others, picking up your phone to receive orders. But this time around you'll be able to dial out, calling people to arrange rendezvouses and correlate your own plans. There will still be an element of following someone else's game plan, but the freedom of choice is something Rockstar is proudly standing by.
In GTA IV, four of the five boroughs of New York have been recreated for you to explore, as well as parts of New Jersey. Broker is the equivalent of Brooklyn, Manhattan is now Algonquin, Queens becomes Dukes, the Bronx is Brohan, and New Jersey transforms into Alderney.
While that doesn't give the fourth game the largest geographical playing field in the series, the level of detail and freedom should apparently more than make up for it.
We've already seen the impressive lighting effects, sumptuous skyline, and next-gen sheen from the trailer. What is less evident is the vastly enhanced AI, where NPCs will walk and talk much more convincingly, going about their daily routines around you. And apparently the game will only look better as we get closer to launch.
As with other games you can expect voice acting and an impressive array of radio stations to choose from while you're joyriding in Liberty City. However, it's unlikely we'll see Hollywood actors in the lead roles in this game, as Rockstar is making an effort to choose less well-known talent, both for voices and for the track listing.
Multiplayer is also going to be included this time around, but it isn't going to be an MMORPG. It's going to be something separate to the single-player experience that will be fun, interesting, and progressive.
Technically the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions will look and feel the same, and loading screens should be non existent after your initial entry into the world.
However, Microsoft's console will offer that exclusive downloadable content its boasted about at every opportunity, though there's still speculation as to whether the Blu-ray disc will include more to begin with.
It's all shaping up very well indeed. Be sure to go and see the very first trailer for the game over on Eurogamer TV if you haven't already. And you should have, really. Everyone else has.
Say it with me... Can't wait.
New details for Grand Theft Auto IV have spilled their way onto the Internet, expanding on what we can expect when the game launches on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this October.
The game will be as significantly different as GTA III was to the previous top-down crime capers, Rockstar founder Dan Houser told Game Informer, and will offer much wider choice and freedom to the player.
As we already know from the trailer, GTA IV will take place in Liberty City (New York) in 2007, and will revolve around an Eastern European fellow. This chap, the main character, is Niko Bellic - an immigrant in search of the "American Dream".
His cousin Roman persuaded him to make the move by boasting a life of luxury, but it eventually turns out he was using this as a cover to hide his own failures. He'll be your only contact until you can find your feet, and ultimately carve out your own destiny.
One of the biggest differences in the new game will be the way you interact with other people. In previous iterations you've been at the beck and call of others, picking up your phone to receive orders. But this time around you'll be able to dial out, calling people to arrange rendezvouses and correlate your own plans. There will still be an element of following someone else's game plan, but the freedom of choice is something Rockstar is proudly standing by.
In GTA IV, four of the five boroughs of New York have been recreated for you to explore, as well as parts of New Jersey. Broker is the equivalent of Brooklyn, Manhattan is now Algonquin, Queens becomes Dukes, the Bronx is Brohan, and New Jersey transforms into Alderney.
While that doesn't give the fourth game the largest geographical playing field in the series, the level of detail and freedom should apparently more than make up for it.
We've already seen the impressive lighting effects, sumptuous skyline, and next-gen sheen from the trailer. What is less evident is the vastly enhanced AI, where NPCs will walk and talk much more convincingly, going about their daily routines around you. And apparently the game will only look better as we get closer to launch.
As with other games you can expect voice acting and an impressive array of radio stations to choose from while you're joyriding in Liberty City. However, it's unlikely we'll see Hollywood actors in the lead roles in this game, as Rockstar is making an effort to choose less well-known talent, both for voices and for the track listing.
Multiplayer is also going to be included this time around, but it isn't going to be an MMORPG. It's going to be something separate to the single-player experience that will be fun, interesting, and progressive.
Technically the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions will look and feel the same, and loading screens should be non existent after your initial entry into the world.
However, Microsoft's console will offer that exclusive downloadable content its boasted about at every opportunity, though there's still speculation as to whether the Blu-ray disc will include more to begin with.
It's all shaping up very well indeed. Be sure to go and see the very first trailer for the game over on Eurogamer TV if you haven't already. And you should have, really. Everyone else has.
Say it with me... Can't wait.
Thursday, 5 April 2007
Monday, 26 March 2007
PS3 Episode 1 - Boom or Bust?
Its big, black, very shiny and weighs as much as a sherman tank, but i like the ps3!
Looks super sexy in 1080p, loadsa connection options, 4 usb ports, compact flash, sd card, memory stick etc, bluetooth that supports loads of stuff including wireless keyboards and mice, built in wireless lan (surprised the 'elite' xbox still doesnt have that).. setup was just 2 cables, power and HDMI.. and away we go =)
quick games run through...
resistance- nice fps, not far into it yet, but liking the story line and the graphics are superb, great draw distance, lots of stuff going on.. things blowing around etc.. shows a lot of promise.
virtua tennis 3- looks gorgeous but meh its tennis, plays very well. slightly worringly they look a little 'undead' close up, more a bad palette choice issue than the ps3 i think! ...ok but not sure how much ill play it
virtua fighter 5- in a word... stunning, gameplay is fantastic and looks jaw droppingly beautiful. easily one of the best launch titles.
motorstorm- this is the system seller.. absolutely fantastic, bombing down a valley, screen getting covered in mud, buggies, trucks, rally cars taking side swipes at you, a kings of leon track blasting at you from the tv, really good, tried online last night for the first time, was hilarious, no lag or any other problems even with 12 of us. only downside is fairly long load times.
Bought some titles off the online store, tekken.. still the same game, looks great in 1080p tho, good as always.
Blast Factor, awesome little shoot em up, very similar to geometery wars but uses the sixxaxxis too, a steal at 3 quid.
Pros..
- Lots of ports! showing holiday photos from the compact flash card slot was easy.
- Great selection of games at launch. Cheap too, most titles coming in at 39.99
- Well built machine, weighs a ton, mostly due to it having an internal psu (no huge brick like the xbox, thanks sony!)
- Being a mac head im all about the UI.. i far prefer the 'minimalist' style of the xmb menu to the xbox look.. much cleaner and less tacky & cheap looking than the xbox (no bloody ads everywhere for a start!) altho PShome will probably end this!
- Like the dual shock, nice to be using one again.
- Some nice, real cheap games on the store. Tekken 5 for 6 quid?? can't go wrong.
Cons..
- Price, i can afford it so i dont really care =) can't afford it? get over it. or wait 6 months ;)
- Heat.. it does get pretty warm =) might save on the heating bills this year...
- Even tho i prefer the XMB look, it lacks a few features the ms live stuff offers, no doubt these will come in time
- Expensive Blu Ray movie discs.. online prices are finally nearing dvd prices which is a start
- Whilst nice, the new controller is too light.
- Lack of rumble.. altho i hear this may be returning! (God of War 3 PS3 specs were quoted as having rumble..)
Conclusion.
Sony are taking an awful lot of flak, mostly from people who havent even played a ps3. Its a nice system, certainly not without its flaws.. but so far im very impressed, if they can keep the games coming its going to be a fun ride. Great line up coming for the rest of the year.. ninja gaiden sigma, loco roco, LittleBigPlanet, gta4, final fantasy 13, MGS4, Heavenly Sword and plenty more
I seriously hope sony give microsoft some competition, it will work out much better for us the consumer over having one dominant system.
Looks super sexy in 1080p, loadsa connection options, 4 usb ports, compact flash, sd card, memory stick etc, bluetooth that supports loads of stuff including wireless keyboards and mice, built in wireless lan (surprised the 'elite' xbox still doesnt have that).. setup was just 2 cables, power and HDMI.. and away we go =)
quick games run through...
resistance- nice fps, not far into it yet, but liking the story line and the graphics are superb, great draw distance, lots of stuff going on.. things blowing around etc.. shows a lot of promise.
virtua tennis 3- looks gorgeous but meh its tennis, plays very well. slightly worringly they look a little 'undead' close up, more a bad palette choice issue than the ps3 i think! ...ok but not sure how much ill play it
virtua fighter 5- in a word... stunning, gameplay is fantastic and looks jaw droppingly beautiful. easily one of the best launch titles.
motorstorm- this is the system seller.. absolutely fantastic, bombing down a valley, screen getting covered in mud, buggies, trucks, rally cars taking side swipes at you, a kings of leon track blasting at you from the tv, really good, tried online last night for the first time, was hilarious, no lag or any other problems even with 12 of us. only downside is fairly long load times.
Bought some titles off the online store, tekken.. still the same game, looks great in 1080p tho, good as always.
Blast Factor, awesome little shoot em up, very similar to geometery wars but uses the sixxaxxis too, a steal at 3 quid.
Pros..
- Lots of ports! showing holiday photos from the compact flash card slot was easy.
- Great selection of games at launch. Cheap too, most titles coming in at 39.99
- Well built machine, weighs a ton, mostly due to it having an internal psu (no huge brick like the xbox, thanks sony!)
- Being a mac head im all about the UI.. i far prefer the 'minimalist' style of the xmb menu to the xbox look.. much cleaner and less tacky & cheap looking than the xbox (no bloody ads everywhere for a start!) altho PShome will probably end this!
- Like the dual shock, nice to be using one again.
- Some nice, real cheap games on the store. Tekken 5 for 6 quid?? can't go wrong.
Cons..
- Price, i can afford it so i dont really care =) can't afford it? get over it. or wait 6 months ;)
- Heat.. it does get pretty warm =) might save on the heating bills this year...
- Even tho i prefer the XMB look, it lacks a few features the ms live stuff offers, no doubt these will come in time
- Expensive Blu Ray movie discs.. online prices are finally nearing dvd prices which is a start
- Whilst nice, the new controller is too light.
- Lack of rumble.. altho i hear this may be returning! (God of War 3 PS3 specs were quoted as having rumble..)
Conclusion.
Sony are taking an awful lot of flak, mostly from people who havent even played a ps3. Its a nice system, certainly not without its flaws.. but so far im very impressed, if they can keep the games coming its going to be a fun ride. Great line up coming for the rest of the year.. ninja gaiden sigma, loco roco, LittleBigPlanet, gta4, final fantasy 13, MGS4, Heavenly Sword and plenty more
I seriously hope sony give microsoft some competition, it will work out much better for us the consumer over having one dominant system.
Sunday, 25 March 2007
Moment of weakness.
I have to confess I had a moment of weakness earlier today. I saw a PS3 in a Argos and for a brief moment thought "I'd quite like one of those"!
Brrr. Sent a shiver down my spine!
Thankfully I had the decency to slap my face and snap out of it.
What I found amusing was that there was a PS3 awaiting collection at the counter for at least 20 minutes! A womand at the counter kept on calling out "Anyone waiting to collection the PS3?"! I guess whoever it was must have had a moment of weakness too but was so ashamed he couldn't bring himself to own up in front of all those people!
Ok thats enough Sony bashing for now.
Brrr. Sent a shiver down my spine!
Thankfully I had the decency to slap my face and snap out of it.
What I found amusing was that there was a PS3 awaiting collection at the counter for at least 20 minutes! A womand at the counter kept on calling out "Anyone waiting to collection the PS3?"! I guess whoever it was must have had a moment of weakness too but was so ashamed he couldn't bring himself to own up in front of all those people!
Ok thats enough Sony bashing for now.
Friday, 23 March 2007
Wot no PES6 Online?!!
Maybe I'm bitter, but when PES6 came out on the xbox, I felt cheated. Xbox360 owners paid more for PES and yet, we were left with a game that was pretty stripped down (8 stadiums?!! No replays?!! NO BLOODY CUSTOM OPTION FILES!!!!!).
Well now, PS3 owners won't be able to play PES6 (the PS2 version) online either. Konami are blaming a change in PS3 specs, don't know who to believe, but its a pretty big loss for Sony until October when we get a full next gen version of PES (unless we get the excuse that creating a ball on next gen machines is hard, so it's been omitted, we'll just have to imagine where the ball would be)
Anyways, the Gaming God's will be angered with my PES rant (I go through this phase every 2 or so months). Here's the full story from Eurogamer.net
Well now, PS3 owners won't be able to play PES6 (the PS2 version) online either. Konami are blaming a change in PS3 specs, don't know who to believe, but its a pretty big loss for Sony until October when we get a full next gen version of PES (unless we get the excuse that creating a ball on next gen machines is hard, so it's been omitted, we'll just have to imagine where the ball would be)
Anyways, the Gaming God's will be angered with my PES rant (I go through this phase every 2 or so months). Here's the full story from Eurogamer.net
Konami blames PS3 spec change for loss of PES6 online(News)
by Tom
Bramwell
Game links:
Pro Evolution Soccer
6
Publisher:Konami
Developer:Konami
23/03/07
16:00
Any of you hoping to continue playing Pro Evolution Soccer 6 online using your shiny new PlayStation 3 will be disappointed to learn that the PS2 version can't do this yet.
Although Konami has confirmed that the single-player and versus modes in the PS2 game are compatible with PS3, it released a statement this afternoon saying that online play is incompatible.
The publisher blamed "alterations made to the console's hardware specifications" - certainly a reference to the loss of internal chips dedicated to PS2 emulation in the PS3 units manufactured for PAL regions.
Sony's backwards
compatibility site currently lists PES6 as playing "with noticeable issues".
Additional advice on playing PS2 games, posted along with the compatibility guide, notes that users should avoid the use of 60Hz and network modes "which may experience noticeable graphical corruption not present in the main game".
On the plus side, Konami said that it and Sony would let us know about changes "as soon as they occur", which suggests that they're not content to leave it at that. With no prospect of a PS3-specific PES game in the immediate future, we expect a solution is pretty high on Konami's agenda.
We imagine Sony's probably quite keen too, what with Xbox 360 having a version of its own
MS really isn't pulling its punches is it?!
Read this on Kotaku, a mysterious (lol) party handed out chairs @ the Sony launch in London with the mysterious url http://www.shkyw.org
Anyways, as busy as I am at work (lol again.. don't let my boss see this), I checked it out...
Let's just say, we're in for the most entertaining "console war" since Nintendo and Sega battled in the 16bit era!!
Seeing as Ben and Kevlar are considerably more "pro MS" than me (if that's actually possible), I'll try and give the "positive" Sony news etc on here.. My posts may well be few and far between!
PS3 Launch / TV Giveaway!
Unbelievable!
All buyers at the London launch given free taxi home. At London rates, that must have cost Sony a fortune! Oh and the 46" TV's! ;-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6474045.stm
All buyers at the London launch given free taxi home. At London rates, that must have cost Sony a fortune! Oh and the 46" TV's! ;-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6474045.stm
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