Having just recently won a competition to spend a night with the PS3 I figured it would be a smart idea to do a personal review of the console which everyone will be talking about (in the UK) in a few weeks to come. Please bear in mind that I have only had a chance to test this baby out for a few hours and so my review will not be as in-depth as you might expect.
First Impressions
The PS3 is indeed a slick looking machine, about the size of it's older brother (PS2) it seems as though finally Sony have caught on to the fact that the outer design of the console is as important to a gamer as the leather interior is to a 2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
Gone is that ugly block-like design and in comes a smooth surfaced console with curved edges just begging you to caress them. Much like it's predecessor, the PS3 can be placed vertically or horizontally on a surface but it really shouldn't be tucked away into a corner when it looks this good.
The off and on buttons are on the lower right hand side of the console and the best bit is that they aren't really stick-out buttons. It took me a while to figure out where they were because they are so cleverly disguised and smoothed out.
Putting a disc in is no longer a hassle, you have a small slot in which you just pop the game/DVD/audio CD rather than waiting for the tray to eject and then having to put it etc etc
The controllers which came with the particular PS3 I was playing are
not the ones you see on the photo above. Imagine the very same controller for the PS2 but wireless! Halleluliah I hear you say! Having wireless controllers (something I have not experienced before) is such a breeze to use, I don't have to worry about tangling up four different wires and ending up with a mess at the end of the night. Also, the controllers can be connected to the PS3 via a USB port on the controller but it is much easier to use them wirelessly.
Another thing I noticed about the PS3 controllers was the L2 and R2 buttons, they are very sensitive to the touch and act much like a trigger pad would when pressed on. This is a really innovative addition to the controller as it means that the L2 or R2 buttons can be used to simulate the pushing down of an accelerator during driving games.
The analog has remained much the same from the PS2 version although you can expect to use them more often in PS3 games, especially the highly impressive Fight Night Round 3 (but more on that later).
Interface
The main menu (if you like) of the PS3 once you have turned it on is very similar to the interface found on the PSP. There are several menus including Internet capabilities, the choice of games to play as well as the ability to download certain games off the official PS3 site, such games as Sudoku or even the old classic Lemmings.
Just because you put a disc into the PS3 does not mean that it will load up straight away, so you do have to choose to play it through the menu screen options.
You can not only play DVD's, CD's and games but you can also connect a camera to the PS3 and flick through your shots! There are probably another hundred cool things you can do with the PS3 but I was unable to test them all that evening.
Graphic Capabilities
Well as we all know the graphic capability depends on the game you choose to play. Having tested out a number of release titles such as Fight Night Round 3, Virtua Fighter 5, Virtua Tennis 3 and the eerie Resistance: Fall of Man I can confirm that with certain games you can really see the power of this console.
Virtua Fighter 5 excelled in showing beautiful surroundings, close ups of fighter's faces and bodies as well as interactive backdrops. An example of this power is shown on the facial and muscular features of the fighters, facial hair looks and moves realistically in the wind and when you kick during rainfall you can actually see drops of water flicking off your shoes and into puddles.
Also, when hitting your opponent against a fence, the water off that fence will bounce off and fall on the floor or whatever surface it touches first.
Resistance: Fall of Man was another very good game employing lots of shadows and light contrasts. When in a forrest you can see leaves being blown by the wind past you and individual blades of grass leaning to and fro as you walk past them.
Virtua Tennis 3, which features many well known players, is also a hit when it comes to graphic capability. The likes of Roger Federer and Tim Henman are so well designed that you can even see each eyelash or hair on the chin as well as the sweat on their face and arms.
By far the leader and show off when it comes to showing exactly what the PS3 graphics have to offer its gamers is the addictive Fight Night. Playing as Muhammad Ali against the legendary grill-maker George Foreman you can see not only the incredible likeness but also every bead of sweat dripping down the boxers chests and faces. Even blood looks more realistic and with every hit you receive or give out you can be sure that you will receive cuts or nose bleeds. The super slow-mo replays of the knock out punches look so realistic that you will twist your face as if feeling their pain.
My overall verdict of this console is that it really is a gem to behold and play. Looking much better and sexier than its blocky predecessor it commands you to play it and give it the attention it deserves. With the release of the launch titles and the innovative controllers, Sony are showing exactly why they should rule the roost when it comes to the video-game market.
But the hefty price-tag on the console and the games themselves means that a lot of people will be put off from owning a console that plays like a dream. I would urge everyone currently sitting on a fence to at least have a go on it before you make up your mind, just try playing the spine-chilling Resistance: Fall of Man or the body-slamming Virtua Fighter 3 and you will understand what I mean when I say that this will be on every kids/adults Christmas list this year!
That is even before you test out the quality of the Blu-Ray HD-DVD (of which a normal player will set you back at least £1000) or before you get to download FREE games off the official website and even get to play PS1 & PS2 games on it as well.
I will unfortunately be one of the many who will have to wait a while before they get their hands on one of these babies due to limited stock and the hefty price tag. But at least I will be happy in the knowledge that I have already tried something some people have most probably already sold one of their kidneys for to just have a look at.
If all else fails, I could probably just use my student loan this year to pay it off...
(+) Plenty of storage space, for media. Good Games, Great for partys, with singstar. Very Reliable. (-) Sometimes the optical drive, breaks; but not very likely, my 60gb still working after 2 1/2 years.
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the_reviewer_of_doom 01.01.2008 (01.01.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)
Advantages: Media capabilities, Huge Potential, Amazing Operating System, In-built wifi, Blu Ray Disadvantages: Playstation network needs improving, Needs more extra Features, Games, Price
Advantages: * Greater Memory Capacity * Enhanced sound and graphics capabilities * Sleek black finish Disadvantages: * Red Ring Returns * Fan Overheats
Feb 10th, 2007
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