Nov. 15, but PopMech took the next-gen console for a brief test drive late last night. Let's get this out of the way: The graphics are vivid, the performance is speedy, and the new controller is utterly impressive. The PS4 can go toe-to-toe with the best PC gaming rigs. If you're thinking about ordering it on Black Friday but haven't been convinced to drop $400, we can help make that choice. Here's a quick look at the top five things you need to know about Sony's PS4.
One word describes the look of the PlayStation 4—simple. This isn't a bad thing; creator Tetsu Sumii intended it that way. Its slim, minimalist design is decked out in a black chassis with a combination glossy-and-matte finish, divided by a strip of glowing blue light. For now users have zero color options, but like consoles before it, there will be future special editions (especially if they release a new God of War.) The PS4 is understated, unobtrusive, sleek, and elegant.
The console's form factor also makes a departure from what's come before it, opting for a slanted, parallelogram design rather than a typical boxy or dome-shaped approach. The PS4 is even smaller and quieter than the PS3 launch box and the PS3 slim.
Under the Hood
On the outside the PS4 may be a simple black box, but underneath the hood it's all next-gen muscle. The console has 10 times the processing power of the PS3, thanks to some fancy hardware. The system features 8 GB of GDDR5 RAM, an 8-core x86 CPU, and a blazing fast GPU processor by AMD. Games are now capable of up to 60 frames per second (that makes for some smooth gameplay) and outputs up to a native 1080p resolution. The PS4 also features a user upgradable 500 GB hard drive, HDMI out, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, two USB 3.0 ports, and, of course, a Blu-ray/DVD player. Users can even charge controllers while the unit is in standby. Let's just say wow, and move on.DualShock 4
For the last-gen systems, Xbox's controller edged out the PS3's in usability and form factor. Sony fixes a few problems by integrating outward-curving rear triggers, which are much more friendly for purveyors of first-person shooters and includes more features than before. Sony designed the controller to be future-proof. It's beefier, heavier, and feels more substantial in your hands. Upgraded features include:Lightbar—Versatile, stylish, and when combined with the PS4's camera, it tracks the position of the DualShock. Think of it as an integrated move controller.
Touchpad—Click, flick, drag, and drop just like your phone.
Speaker—Games will "talk" directly to you.
I tested the DualShock 4 controller on the button-mashing Injustice, a DC-fueled fighting game, for an hour or two. It's much more ergonomic than past models, which means users can game for longer stretches of time. Even better, it seems like the DualShock 4 will withstand much more abuse in those heated moments of gaming frustration.
Social and Multimedia
Even if you're knee-deep in hours of gaming, the PlayStation 4 wants you to stay connected. It records 15-minute intervals of whatever's on your screen in the background, which you can edit and upload to Facebook. Users can also connect to Twitter and share all their gameplay stats. The PS4 comes with streaming video services such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, Crackle, and Epix (though HBO Go and YouTube are noticeable absentees). Audiophiles will also be pleased at the option to sign up for the unlimited music streaming service.Games
Now let's take a look at the PS4's prime objective: games. Sony's got plenty of titles prepped for launch day. Sony is delivering first-person shooters such as Killzone: Shadow Fall and Call of Duty: Ghosts; or for the more adventurous type, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag will keep you busy. Madden NFL 25 and NBA 2K14 are options for the sports-oriented or Knack for something a little more kid-friendly. All launch titles will be available at the store for digital download.The Sony Playstation is $400 without games and peripherals such as PlayStation Eye or PS Vita for Remote Play. That's a lot of cheddar to pony up, admittedly, but, then again, it's been seven years since the last Sony console release (and its biggest rival, Microsoft's Xbox One, costs $100 more). If you end up choosing to justify your purchase, for whatever reason, one thing's for sure: You're going to have fun.
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