Playstation 4 description and features. Sony PS4 - first look. PS4 games: a giant treasure trove of quality

This is not a review yet, since there are still no games with Pro support, I have not yet found the optimal TV for the console, and finally, for Pro, the end of 2016 is just the beginning...

Characteristics and Features

Some people expect that when you open the box with PS4 Pro, unicorns will jump from there, hair-eyed maidens will crawl out, gold will fall and a completely different life will begin. Not really. Nothing like that will happen. It’s even funnier to watch the numerous unpackings of the console - friends, inside there is a console with a slightly changed design, a joystick familiar for a hundred years, bad headphones, a cable for connecting to the network (with a different plug), but otherwise not a single unpacking is worth the time spent.

The console has changed a lot inside, yes. Let's start with the technical specifications:

• Main Processor: Custom single-chip processor, CPU: 8-core x86-64 AMD Jaguar
• GPU: AMD Radeon, (4.20 teraflops)
• Memory: GDDR5 8 GB, hard drive 1 TB
• External dimensions: approx. 295 x 55 x 327 mm, weight approx. 3.3 kg
• BD/DVD Drive: (Read Only) BD x 6 CAV, DVD x 8 CAV
• I/O: USB Super Speed ​​(USB 3.1 Gen1) x 3, AUX x 1
• Network Connections: Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) x 1, IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Bluetooth® 4.0 (LE)
• Power supply: AC 220- 240 V, 50/60 Hz
• AV output
• HDMI Connector: (4K/HDR output supported)
• Digital output (optical)

The PS4 Pro has one more USB port, which is good, two are on the front, one on the back. Wi-Fi 5 GHz is now supported, the choice is automatic - at home the set-top box works great with the Apple AirPort Extreme, I highly recommend this access point. In addition to the set-top box and joystick, the package includes a microUSB cable and an HDMI cable, which will come in handy around the house. Connecting is not difficult; if you wish, you can transfer data from your old PS4 console or install games again. It seemed to me that the installation process now takes less time, as does turning it on, connecting to the game, and all other manipulations. In principle, this is quite logical.

There is also an interesting point related to the HDMI cable included, here is the official information:

“For the best possible experience, a PS4 Pro system, a 4K TV with a Premium HDMI input connector (often indicated in blue) and a Premium HDMI cable are required. A Premium HDMI cable is included with your PS4 Pro, but if you need a longer one, make sure the cable you choose is a Premium HDMI cable.

The new Premium HDMI format supports 4K signal transmission at 60 frames per second (60 Hz). Older High Speed ​​HDMI cables (such as HDMI 1.4) can technically reproduce a 4K signal on 4K TVs, but the frame rate will be limited to 30 per second (30 Hz)."

That is, you will also need the cable included in the kit or a special one with support for Premium HDMI. More answers to all questions can be found in a special article on the PS blog, here is the link.

About TV

I personally think that the PS4 Pro is primarily worth buying for those who already have a TV that supports 4K and HDR, but there is another feature called Input Lag, honestly, I didn’t know about it until a friend advised me to read it here this material . This is a sore subject, and if you are choosing a TV, set-top box, or assembling a set, you need to take this characteristic into account. Otherwise, shooters, especially when playing online, will be bad and painful. Accordingly, in order to choose a good TV for PS4 Pro, you need to “smoke” a lot of forums or take a console with a game that has already received an update, go to the store and torture the salespeople there, connect the console, adjust the picture, choose the best result.

Also watch this video.

There’s another problem here, the Input Lag is different for 4K and HDR games, the video has a list of suitable TVs, but then I got the idea that I need to take the TV for a test and try it all on the spot with different games or drive it myself with the set-top box to the dealerships. I personally am still thinking about what to buy. In a good way, an OLED TV with minimal Input Lag. And this, as you understand, is very expensive.

Let me note that my friend chose a Sony KD49XD8077 TV for the PS4 Pro, it costs 80,000 rubles, 49-inch diagonal, resolution 3840 x 2160 pixels. Let's see how the TV behaves in games.

Here is another important sign:

As you can see, the PS4 Pro is a very flexible console and works with any TV, bringing the image to a form that is acceptable. Let me explain with an example: the set-top box is now connected to a TV with fHD resolution, which means that the updated game content will be optimized to fHD, but there will still be a difference in graphics. Here's an example.

And one more.

Colleagues from the Kanobu website had a good article about improving graphics for PS4 Pro, here is the link. In short, there are several ways, but in any case you will have to wait for patches - and then the question is whether the developers will do this or not. For example, I would like to replay the latest Deus Ex (great game!), but when there will be an update, God knows.

I’ll also give you some advice about the sound - by default, the speakers of all TVs are not at all (!) suitable for normal gaming, so I advise you to buy at least an inexpensive soundbar, you will get a lot of positive emotions. It’s just that developers spend a lot of effort, nerves, and money on the correct voice acting for games, and all this goes to waste through the TV speakers.

Another accessory, PS VR, will produce better graphics when working with PS4 Pro, which is also a definite plus for helmet owners.

I will note other features:

• Greater resolution when recording a game on a 4K TV.
• Broadcast the game in high definition.
• It will be possible to watch 4K video in some services for PS4 Pro (for example, YouTube).
• Unfortunately, Ultra 4K Blu-ray Disc is not supported.

Finally, here's a demo of 4K HDR TV - what it is, how it works and what to expect on the set-top box. In short, you shouldn't expect MIRACLES, the image will simply be better, and that's good. I personally am delighted with the colors and the rendering of black. I can't wait to check it out on PS4 Pro.

Games

Here you need to understand one thing, some current games will receive updates to run on PS4 Pro - that is, the graphics will be better, but from next year this will become the norm. As I understand it, the standard versions will remain for the PS4, you can call them basic, but Pro owners will be able to boast of better graphics in the same games. Officially, it reads like this: “In addition to a larger 1TB hard drive for games, demos and more, PS4 Pro will offer players improved detail and performance thanks to increased GPU power and CPU clock speeds. Support for screens with resolutions up to 4K and HDR technology will allow you to enjoy high-quality images and higher and more stable frame rates. Some upcoming PS4 games will have free downloadable updates with PS4 Pro enhancements; Players will be able to download them if they previously purchased the regular versions of these games."

Below is a list of games where graphics improvements are expected:

• Bound
• Call Of Duty®: Black Ops 3
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
• DRIVECLUB™ VR
• EA SPORTS™ FIFA 17
• HELLDIVERS™
• HITMAN™
• Hustle Kings™
• inFAMOUS™ First light
• inFAMOUS™ Second Son
• Knack™
• Mafia III
• Middle-earth™: Shadow of Mordor™
• NBA 2K17
• Paragon
• Ratchet & Clank™
• RIGS Mechanized Combat League
• Rise Of The Tomb Raider
• Robinson: The Journey
• SMITE
• Super Stardust™ Ultra
• The Elders Scrolls Online®: Tamriel Unlimited™
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim® Special Edition
• “One of Us™.” Updated version"
• The Last of Us™: Left Behind
• THE PLAYROOM VR
• Titanfall 2
• Tumble
• Uncharted 4™: A Thief's End
• Until Dawn™: Rush of Blood
• VR Worlds
• World Of Tanks
• XCOM 2

Many people have a question about whether there will be a graphics update for BF1 - yes, there will be, despite the fact that the application is not listed. In the future, games with Pro support will use the PS4 Pro Enhanced icon; apparently, you need to look for it on the packaging. Updates for already released games, apparently, will be free - we'll see what the developers come up with in the future. Maybe you'll have to pay extra for some improved content. For example, I would give money for Metal Gear Solid.

Prices and whether to buy

Now the set-top box costs about 29,990 rubles in networks, and in some places it is more expensive. Should I buy now, should I replace my good old PS4? I won’t beat around the bush and say honestly - buying a PS4 Pro is only worth it for those who are willing to pay 30,000 rubles for a new console and also pay for a TV that supports 4K, HDR (and one that’s also suitable for shooters). You must understand that this idea will cost you a pretty penny, so schoolchildren will have to ask their father and mother for about 100,000 rubles to make their dream come true - and here I am not lying and making up nothing. Moreover, you will also have to wait until all the updates for existing games are released and new ones appear, already with support for PS4 Pro at launch. Therefore, think carefully about whether to change the console now or wait. I’m telling you exactly - you can wait, nothing will happen. It’s better to immediately buy a set with the right TV and enjoy beautiful games.

If you have money, time to choose a TV and you are not impatient to try the updated Battlefield 1 - then go ahead and buy a PS4 Pro now. I can even recommend a good TV, Loewe Bild 7, it’s a very good thing, it costs about 500,000 rubles, and the sound is just right, you don’t need to think about a soundbar.

Finally, I will say that you should not be embarrassed by some incompleteness of this material, as well as any other articles on the network dedicated to the PS4 Pro. All of us, journalists and owners of the new set-top box, simply don’t know what to say, because there is little content, there are no suitable TVs, and, accordingly, we seem to have updated, but it seems that it is still unclear why. Therefore, I will try to write articles about both TVs for PS4 Pro and games that have received an update.

Well, it’s also very interesting to ask Pro owners what kind of TV do you have and how does it behave? Write by email, very interesting.

I dedicate this article entirely to Sony PlayStation 4 review and the features of this console. We have already been shown the final design and shared, as well as shown, which we had the opportunity to purchase after the release of the console - November 29, 2013.

It is worth noting that the design of the new PlayStation 4 turned out to be as strict as its features: rectangular shape, straight lines, matte black and glossy plastic. The only difference is that the PS4 looks a little thinner and much more compact than its competitor. But you can see all this for yourself in the photographs, but for now let's talk about the technical characteristics. By the way, the first part is already ready - this material contains all the relevant information about nextgen consoles in a comparative analysis, and in you can read my review of the new Sony console.

PS4 Specifications Review

The Sony PlayStation 4 is powered by an eight-core AMD Jaguar processor. The set-top box uses a Radeon graphics chip, has 8 GB of GDDR5 memory, a 500 GB hard drive, a six-speed Blu-ray drive, two USB 3.0 ports, one AUX port and HDMI. The PS4 console also offers support for wireless standards: Wi-Fi (802.11 n) and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.

PlayStation 4 photo

Photo of PS4 console

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PS4 controller

PlayStation 4 has the following dimensions - 275 x 53 x 305 mm. The new Dual Shock 4 controller weighs 210 grams with a 1000 mAh battery. The design also includes a built-in mono speaker and a touch panel. PS4 supports 4 controllers simultaneously. By the way, in the PS3, 7 controllers could be connected to the console at once, but according to statistics, more than 4 are used very rarely: in sports games or party titles.

I hasten to please many that the PS4 controller partially works with Windows OS. Analog sticks and buttons are supported by the PC, but rumble, light bar, and haptic surface are not available without controller support from the games themselves or drivers. Let me remind you that the Xbox One controller also works on a PC without any problems - I myself use it for playing games on a PC, although unlike the XBOX 360 controller, there is no option to purchase a wireless module (radio receiver) to connect to a computer.

What are the differences between PS4 and PS3 controllers?

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Above you can see photos that show differences between the Dualshock 4 controller and the Dualshock 3. Here you can see in detail the key differences between the new and old controller. It is immediately noticeable that the design of the sticks has undergone changes, which differ in profile. The crosspiece has also changed, probably for greater finger comfort.

The updated PS4 Eye camera, available separately for RUR 3,599, offers two optical viewfinders with a maximum resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels (per camera) that can capture images at 60 frames per second.

PS4 accessories

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Important news, in my opinion, is the opportunity for future PS4 owners to independently increase the amount of disk storage, since a 500 GB hard drive is not enough for me. Unlike PS4, the Xbox One console does not have this functionality. I personally was bothered by flashing the hard drive for the XBOX 360. PS4 will also allow gamers to record video from the console directly via the HDMI output, which makes life much easier not only for professional streamers, but also for amateurs. It is also worth noting that owners of the PS Eye camera, during live streams of their games, will be able to display the image from the camera itself in the form of picture-in-picture mode, which is now very common among streamers.

I bring to your attention an additional overview of the PS4 features:

• Update operations for all kinds of software will be carried out at night, and energy consumption will be quite low. Plus, power consumption may vary depending on the performance of the running game;
• The noise level during operation of the console is generally lower compared to the PS3;
• The fan speed will depend on the heat dissipation (some users had problems with the fan speed in the PS3);
• Audio/video performance (eg music and movie playback) will initially be on par with the PS3, but will gradually improve through upgrades to reach standard 4K resolution.

The price of PlayStation 4 in Russia is 29,999rub., This is the cost of a PlayStation 4 kit with one Dual Shock 4 joystick. An additional controller will cost 3,599 rubles.

Sony has officially announced that developers of video games for the PlayStation 4 can use cloud computing technologies in their projects, which will increase the overall performance of the console, as is the case with Microsoft. It is worth recalling that players and owners of Xbox One will be able to get all the benefits of the new generation console not only from the console hardware itself, but also from the “limitless power of the clouds.” Microsoft has already “buzzed all ears” about this, saying that cloud servers will be able to increase the power of Xbox One several times.

Now Sony has announced such an opportunity, which is also offered by the new PlayStation 4. Developers can use the cloud to offload the main systems from tasks such as matchmaking or creating a network connection. Although in this case there will be some restrictions.

As I already said, PS4, unlike Xbox One, has no restrictions or mandatory requirements for having a permanent connection to the Internet. Therefore, Sony recommends using the power of the cloud, for example, when developing multiplayer games and online modes, within which the console is guaranteed to be connected to the Internet.

PlayStation 4 review (video)

You can watch the full PS4 video review at.

Another good news about the PlayStation 4 console was the information that the PS4 does not have regional restrictions, therefore, its owners will be able to play games purchased in any country in the world. A PS4 user will be able to buy the console in one place and the game in another. Once again the scales are tipping towards the PlayStation 4. The Xbox One will certainly have such restrictions due to the requirements of the company's policy regarding the provision of entertainment content. Sony has officially confirmed that there are no regional restrictions on the PlayStation 4.

As promised, the ability to play files from a USB drive was added in one of the firmwares - you can read about all the multimedia capabilities of the PS4 console in the article.

However, the new PlayStation 4 has one feature that definitely not everyone will like. One of the main advantages of the PlayStation 3 console was free access to the PlayStation Network, that is, access to the online part and multiplayer was free. Xbox 360, in turn, demanded money for multiplayer, asking to subscribe to Xbox Live Gold. In addition, Sony offered a subscription to PlayStation Plus, which gave owners of PS3 consoles a number of bonuses: such as early access to beta versions of some games, expanded functionality and exclusive materials. Subscription was not required, but the choice was offered. A PlayStation Plus subscription will now be mandatory for those who want to play online. This requirement will still not apply to owners of the PlayStation 3 and Vita portable, and also does not apply to cases where the console is played on the same TV. The cost of a monthly subscription is 449 rubles. Sony justified itself by saying that all proceeds will be used to support the PSN service and improve it. In addition, all PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive not only access to exclusive materials, discount programs, etc., but also one digital copy of an indie game every month, not only for PlayStation 4, but also for PlayStation 3 and Vita .

Screenshots of the PS4 interface

The PlayStation 4 game console has another very interesting detail. PS4 owners and smartphone owners will be able to order through their mobile devices and launch them immediately after they get to the console, without wasting time.

Here's what Suhei Yoshida (head of Sony Worldwide Studios) wrote on Twitter:

“When you purchase a PlayStation 4 game using your smartphone, this process will “wake up” your console and it will begin downloading the game you purchased. Immediately after the download is complete, the PS4 automatically goes back to sleep mode.”

In the photo below you can see the box design of the new PlayStation 4 game console. How

The PlayStation 4 box confirms that the console comes with a 500GB hard drive. The cost of the set-top box, as I already wrote, is 29,990 rubles, which is as much as 100 dollars lower than the cost of the set-top box from Microsoft. However, keep in mind that the PS Eye biometric camera will not be included in the kit - you will have to buy it separately for 3,599 rubles (as well as the second joystick, which will cost the same price). All exclusive AAA games for the console will cost 3,999 rubles.

Since the console itself turned out to be somewhat larger in size compared to the PlayStation 4 (343 x 263 x 80 mm for the XBOX versus 305 x 275 x 53 mm for the PS4), Microsoft’s box itself was larger.

I think you have received enough information in this and it’s time to get acquainted with the games that will be released on the new PlayStation 4 console.

PlayStation 4 | Games

I made a selection best games for PlayStation 4. There are videos for all exclusives.

• #DRIVECLUB(free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, but only in 2014)

• Killzone™: Shadow Fall

• inFAMOUS™ Second Son

• Contrast

• GALAK-Z
• Don't Starve
• Mad Max
• Mercenary Kings
• Transistor
• Blacklight: Retribution
• Hohokum™
• The Order: 1886™

• Warframe™
• Outlast
• Daylight

• Battlefield 4™
• Secret Ponchos
• Skylanders SWAP Force
• Watch_Dogs
• Assassin's Creed®IV Black Flag™
• deep down
• THIEF™
• Call of Duty®: Ghosts

• The Witness
• KNACK™

PlayStation 4 | Video

I also bring to your attention a short video review of the PlayStation 4 and upcoming games.

They did not become the first representatives of the eighth generation of game consoles. Nintendo was ahead of them by a whole year with its Wii U. However, the main struggle will take place between the recently released brainchildren of Sony and Microsoft, who are ready to offer games of the very next-gen level that few Wii U fans will not see.

Shortly after the start of sales, Sony and Microsoft reported record high demand for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, respectively. This is despite the fact that there are still very few games, not to mention exclusives, for new consoles. We tested the PS4 for several days and now we will tell you whether nextgen is as good as the developers say it is.

Equipment and design

It has long been the custom that manufacturers sell game consoles at a loss, making money on services and royalties from games. Improving the technical process and reducing the cost of components allowed Sony and Microsoft to improve the situation - now consoles are sold at cost, that is, they managed to get rid of direct losses. At the same time, it is noticeable from the configuration that the Japanese are saving as much as they can.

In the large box with PS4, in addition to the console itself, we will find one DualShock 4 wireless controller, a power cable, a mono headset connected to the gamepad, as well as a cable for charging the controller and HDMI for connecting to a TV. As you can see, the Japanese vendor was generous with only the essentials. There is no PlayStation 4 Eye camera, no PS Move, and, what’s most offensive, there is no second DualShock 4 controller.

The appearance of the console seems to suggest that this black box should be a purely utilitarian thing, opening a window to the world of entertainment, but not intended to become a noticeable piece of furniture. At the same time, it cannot be said that the PS4 is ugly; it has its own charm. We liked the dimensions of the console. It is only slightly larger in size than the PlayStation 3 Super Slim and much more compact than its main competitor, the Xbox One. At the same time, the Japanese managed to hide the power supply in the depths of the device.

Visually, it seems as if the upper part in the form of a beveled angular “pancake” hovers above the lower one. This, coupled with an unusual indicator, gives the console some futurism. The said indicator is located between the two halves of the top “plate” of the PS4, dividing it into glossy and matte parts. When the console is turned off, the indicator in the form of a glossy strip can be mistaken for a decorative element. But depending on different system events, the bar may glow blue, white or orange.

At first it is not clear how to turn on the console and where to insert the disc. The slot-type Blu-ray drive is hidden neatly in a recessed layer between two plastic plates. Despite the fact that the disk drive is practically invisible, there are no problems with misses - thanks to the well-thought-out design, it is impossible to miss, the disk slides along the guides and falls directly into the drive. By the way, the new product, like its predecessor, can be installed in both horizontal and vertical positions.

Sony engineers or designers have been clever with the PS4 power button. I would never have thought that a key could be disguised as successfully as the Japanese did. To launch the console, just touch the small vertical bar that turns into the indicator mentioned above. The disk eject key is located at the end of the lower half of the console and visually looks like a continuation of the embodiment of Sony's design idea. But no - everything carries a functional load.

Ports and connectors are also hidden away from the eyes of the owners. On the front panel there is a pair of USB 3.0 hidden in a recess; at the back there is a power connector, HDMI, Ethernet, optical audio output and a proprietary connector for connecting accessories like the PlayStation 4 Eye.

Thus, in most cases, the player will see only an inconspicuous black box without extra wires, connectors, drive slots, etc. To “dilute” the appearance, Sony decided to use two materials of different textures. Almost the entire body of the PS4 is made of rough plastic, but about 40% of the top of the device has a glossy finish. That would be fine - this technique really freshens up the console - but the smooth plastic gets scratched very quickly and easily. In addition, our PS4 copy willingly creaked in our hands.

However, it is unlikely that you will often carry the console with you and hold it in your hands. It’s good if gamers wipe the dust off their device once a week. The main thing is that the developers thought well about the placement of all controls and ports, offering a structurally excellent solution, miniature and invisible.

"Iron"

Comparison of technical characteristics of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Good news for PC gamers! Now consoles are not much different from a regular computer. The Japanese had the courage to abandon the Cell microprocessor architecture - fear and horror for game developers. The PS4 hardware is not much different from what can be seen in the system unit of a good gaming computer. There is an 8-core 64-bit chip, graphics roughly equivalent in performance to a Radeon HD7850 video card, 8 GB of fast RAM and a hard drive. Here is a computer in a small black box.

Sony claims that the PS4 is 10 times more productive than its predecessor. As for the Xbox One, theoretically, the “Japanese” at peak load can be 30-50% more powerful than its competitor. Microsoft's brainchild, however, has its own tricks in the form of ultra-fast eSRAM memory. But the architecture of the two consoles is identical, and if preliminary comparisons are to be believed, the difference in performance between the two consoles is unlikely to be noticeable in games. The only major advantage of the PS4 is that it supports games at 1080p resolution, while the Xbox One is currently limited to 720p for most games.

Thanks to the "computer" hardware, it will be much easier for developers to port a game from one platform to another than before. It seems that the era of cross-platform projects has finally and irrevocably reigned in the virtual entertainment market. This does not mean that PlayStation and Xbox will be left without exclusives. Surely several titles (for example, Killzone and Halo), which are the “face” of two ecosystems, will remain so for a long time. However, from the technical side there are almost no obstacles to the release of cross-platform games. Of course, Sony and Microsoft will primarily promote their own consoles, but a huge number of third-party publishers, not bound by “tasty” agreements with one or another corporation, will be aimed at releasing games for the maximum number of platforms.

Note that during operation we did not notice any performance problems. The heating of the PS4 case is moderate, you definitely won’t get burned, and the cooling, taking into account the compact size of the console, is well organized. There is no need to complain about noise either. If you are at least two meters away from the device, you will not hear the cooling system at all, even if the room is completely silent. A slight rustling noise only appears if you get very close to the console.

Perhaps the only complaint about the hardware component of the set-top box may be the small size of the hard drive. Only about 400 GB is available to the user. Since top games “weigh” about 50 GB and in any case will have to be installed on the hard drive, the HDD will fill up already on the tenth project. And this does not take into account saved little things like screenshots, videos, etc.

Interface

The first thing that will pleasantly surprise current PS3 owners after turning on the PS4 is the speed of the entire system. Opening new windows, launching a game, going online, sharing screenshots and videos - all this happens immediately after pressing the buttons, without a single slowdown. There is even a desire to compare the console with modern mobile gadgets, which are just as easy to respond to controls.

Those familiar with the previous generation PlayStation interface will find it easy to navigate the new console. Although even beginners will need 10 minutes to fully understand the simplified UI structure compared to its predecessor. From the main menu you can launch any of the available games or move on to using other services. At the time of testing, PS4 could not boast of many online services.

In fact, you can only launch the browser, go to the PlayStation Store and surf the Internet. Surprisingly, using sticks you can quickly type the address of the desired site on the virtual keyboard. The convenience of individual accessories is a long way off, but quite tolerable. Fans of everything innovative can try entering text using the gyroscope built into the gamepad, tilting the DualShock 4 in the desired direction. We found this method to be very tedious.

Above the main menu there is another one, with smaller labels. Here you can feast your eyes on the trophies you received in games, see the activity of your friends, and open the settings.

Playing games, watching movies and reading news online is all you can do with the PS4 for now. In this case, it is the first one - that is, the game process - that plays the main role. And rightly so: it is better to hone in on what the console is intended for in the first place, rather than “stuffing” it with a bunch of little-useful or barely working online functions.

The console can download new games or updates from the Internet while in sleep mode. What's even more interesting is that PS4 allows you to play until the installation process is complete. In this case, the set-top box will clarify up to what point you can go through and continue loading. A very useful feature!

Sony tried to breathe new life into the PS Vita by organizing the transfer of images from the PS4 to the screen of the handheld console. Unfortunately, due to the lack of a Vita, we were not able to test the implementation of this function.

But otherwise, the PS4 software left a purely positive impression. Fast, with new necessary features, truly player-oriented - what more do you need from a gaming device?

Controller

If the user finds it inconvenient to control his virtual protagonist, no processors or online services will save the console. Both Sony and Microsoft understand this well, so the developers carefully approached the modification of what already works well - the gamepads of the two consoles.

You can argue for as long as you like about which is more convenient - a DualShock or an Xbox controller. We find both gamepads to be equally ergonomic and comfortable. Nevertheless, they managed to make them even better. Contrary to some reports, the DualShock 4 is not rubberized, but is made entirely of plastic. The rough material does not slip in the palms, and the familiar ergonomic shape is perfect for grasping with two hands of any size.

A touchpad has appeared on the gamepad. How to use its potential is up to game developers to decide. In Killzone: Shadow Fall, you can swipe right, left, up, and down to select various tools, such as using a tether or issuing commands to an assistant drone. The pad is clickable and can act as a button.

Triggers have become much more convenient, analog sticks have a border for additional finger support, and we have already talked about the Share button - pressing it will open a menu with the ability to take a screenshot and record a 15-minute video of the game.

The wide LED indicator seemed like a dubious innovation to us. Some users complain that it cannot be turned off and the bright “color music” prevents them from concentrating on the game. We didn't think this was a big problem. The light strip is located on the front end of the DualShock 4 and during the game “looks” at the TV, but not at the user. You are unlikely to see what color the indicator is currently glowing at, because it will be turned in the other direction.

Vibration motors are still here. The gamepad is also packed with sensors in the form of a gyroscope and accelerometer. So far, however, they have not found widespread use. In addition, there is a headset jack and speaker. In Killzone: Shadow Fall, for example, voiced diaries are broadcast through it, which the main character finds.

As for the battery life of the gamepad, there is nothing to please here. The manufacturer claims 8 hours of battery life, which is about three times less compared to the DualShock 3. You will have to be prepared to frequently charge the gamepad from the console.

Games

It is still difficult to assess the gaming potential of the new consoles. There are few exclusives for PS4 and Xbox One; cross-platform projects rule the roost. Of course, over time, all the juice will be squeezed out of eighth-generation consoles, but now we are not seeing everything that the new consoles are capable of. Nevertheless, Killzone: Shadow Fall will amaze you, if not with the plot, then with the graphics.

Chip's opinion: approximately 2.5 years after its first release, the PlayStation 4 established itself on the market as the best gaming console. High performance and sophisticated software have allowed the PS4 to take a dominant position in the world of consoles. With a huge selection of high-quality games, users can enjoy the console for months without interruption.

Technical data Sony PlayStation 4

CPU	AMD "Jaguar" APU
Architecture	x86-64
Number of CPU cores	8
CPU clock speed	1.6 GHz
GPU	18 computing cores
GPU clock speed	800 MHz
API	DirectX 11.2, OGL 4.4
RAM	8 GB GDDR5
Storage device	500–1000 GB, 2.5" HDD/SSD
Disk drive	Blu-ray
Interfaces	WLAN-n, Bluetooth, LAN, 2x USB 3.0, AUX, Audio (optical)
Controller	DualShock 4

Given the weak competition from Nintendo and Microsoft, Sony's future in this market seems rosy. 30 months after release, we are again evaluating the PS4 and testing the console using methods that are currently relevant.

Evolution of PlayStation 4

Advantages and disadvantages:

Most games are in 1080p
+ Great game controller
+ Easy HDD replacement
+ Lots of games
+ Variety of body colors
+ Extensive OS capabilities

– Noisy fan
– The power of gaming PCs is still higher
– Still no PlayStation Now
– PS4 Camera is practically useless

Since the first release of the console, the manufacturer has improved some things in it - for example, in terms of software. However, Sony has also slightly modernized the hardware, releasing a new revision to the market that is lighter and consumes less power.

The case makes a pleasant impression with its high quality workmanship, its shape is simple and at the same time elegant. The appearance of the device will be a wonderful visual addition to any TV or home theater. The angular design has a small notch on the front and each side. It has a Blu-ray drive and two USB 3.0 ports on the front panel.

On the reverse side there is an input for the electrical cable, an HDMI output, a gigabit LAN port and an optical audio output, as well as AUX for the practically unused PlayStation Camera.

AMD based PC architecture

The technical specifications of the PlayStation 4 are well known. The main components include an AMD processor with eight cores and a powerful integrated video core, 8 GB of GDDR5 RAM and a 2.5-inch hard drive with a capacity of 500 or 1000 GB.

What's especially good is that the hard drive can be replaced very easily. In principle, you can use any 2.5-inch form factor hard drive with a thickness of no more than 9.5 mm. Currently, you can get the most storage space with the Seagate Spinpoint M9T 2TB or Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB drives.

Convenient controller

The PS4 controller, called the Dualshock 4, feels very comfortable in your hands. The quality of its execution is good, there are no sharp edges or angularities that could interfere with the game.

In addition to the famous “PlayStation buttons,” there are two analog sticks that are located at the same height. In addition, there are two triggers and two trigger keys, a D-pad and an Options button. However, we have known all of them for a long time.

New is the Share button, which allows you to share your best gameplay moments within the PlayStation network. In addition, there is a small touch field at the top, and inside there is an integrated PS Move module, which on the PS3 was generally made as a separate controller.

Since the PS4 does not have a headphone audio output, the headset connects directly to the Dualshock 4, which has a corresponding 3.5mm jack for this purpose.

PlayStation 4: What should your PS4 look like?

At launch, the PlayStation 4 came exclusively in black. At the same time, Sony uses different textures - varnished and rough. At the moment, you can purchase the all-white version of the console or take advantage of the numerous options to personalize the console according to your personal preferences.

In particular, Sony itself offers different single-color front panels, so-called covers for the hard drive compartment, at prices ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 rubles. Skins, that is, self-adhesive films that change the appearance of the entire surface of the case, can be found from many third-party manufacturers that are represented on Amazon or eBay. The choice is very wide - from floral patterns and football themes to design in the style of a specific video game.

Another alternative is to purchase the console in the “Limited Edition” version. In our opinion, the special versions of the console for the games “Star Wars Battlefront” and “Metal Gear Solid 5” deserve special attention.

PS4 Software: Lots of new stuff since launch

Most of the new things that have been done in recent years have been in terms of upgrading the console firmware. During this time, the console received several useful improvements that clearly benefited the functionality of the PS4. For example, starting with version 3.50, the console supports streaming to a Mac or PC running Windows.

At the start of sales, this was simply unthinkable. Thus, if your home TV is occupied by other family members, you can quite comfortably play through your home network using a computer.

During this time, Sony did not forget about the “social” components. Currently, you can add contacts from Facebook to PSN, invite friends to try out games through Share Play, stream gameplay to YouTube, significantly modify the PS4 skin, and even watch videos from Blu-ray discs.

Unfortunately, as before, the software does not recognize external hard drives as storage media, only allowing you to listen to music from them.

PS4 games: a giant treasure trove of quality

Of course, the PlayStation 4 is not immune to bad games, but the number of high-quality masterpieces is so large that you can enjoy the games for months, especially if you have just plunged into the world of this gaming console. To begin with, we have prepared for you a list of recommended games, which is presented in the table below. Here everyone can find something suitable for themselves.

10 Recommended PlayStation 4 Games (as of May 2016)

	action adventure
FIFA 16	football simulator
Grand Theft Auto 5	action
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	role-playing game
Fallout 4	role-playing game
Doom	3D shooter
NBA 2K16	basketball simulator
"The Last of Us" (remaster)	action-adventure/horror
Overwatch	multiplayer shooter
DiRT Rally	rally simulator

Just a perfect day
you made me forget myself
someone good...
Lou Reed

Oh no, what am I talking about! It was a beautiful day. Well, there, the birds were singing, the sun was shining in a blue sky, like the eyes of the inhabitants of Arrakis**. The translucent rays of the luminary bathed, along with cheerful gray-brown sparrows, on the puddles left by the recent warm rain, making their surface wavy and iridescent, as if it were not a puddle at all, but the sea of ​​some unknown micro-universe...

What is there! If you have electricity in your outlet and a new generation PlayStation 4 console on your desk, every day is wonderful! Sipping sangria on a bench with a friend***? Well, if he and I are fighters of the special forces “Ghosts”, and this shop has excellent textures, then it’s possible. And then, having had a good rest, blow up this bench and watch the beautiful depiction of the smallest fragments of fiery flashes, the metal frame and wooden chips flying to pieces, followed by the settling of unbearably realistic dust and fumes...

The editors thank the Pspmarket.com.ua store for the wonderful days we spent with the Sony PlayStation 4 console.

Just a perfect day
you made me forget myself
I thought I was someone else,
someone good...
Lou Reed

It was a beautiful day. It was pouring rain, at times turning into wet, dirty gray snow, falling on the sidewalks of the gloomy streets of the city and the heads of random passers-by. An incessant squall wind periodically intensified and howled like a wounded werewolf on a full moon, trying to get into my cozy lair through the cracks left on the window openings by bloodthirsty time and the no less bloodthirsty craftsmen of the Komuokna-door company...

Oh no, what am I talking about! It was a beautiful day. Well, there, the birds were singing, the sun was shining in a blue sky, like the eyes of the inhabitants of Arrakis**. The translucent rays of the luminary bathed, along with cheerful gray-brown sparrows, on the puddles left by the recent warm rain, making their surface wavy and iridescent, as if it were not a puddle at all, but the sea of ​​some unknown micro-universe...

What is there! If you have electricity in your outlet and a new generation PlayStation 4 console on your desk, every day is wonderful! Sipping sangria on a bench with a friend***? Well, if he and I are fighters of the “Ghosts” special forces unit, and this shop has excellent textures, then we can do it that way. And then, having had a good rest, blow up this bench and watch the beautiful depiction of the smallest fragments of fiery flashes, the metal frame and wooden chips flying to pieces, followed by the settling of unbearably realistic dust and fumes...

*Not only an overview, but also general facts. And emotions. **Planet from Frank Herbert's novel Dune.
Its inhabitants' eyes glowed blue due to the presence in its depths
a huge amount of some mysterious spice. ***Lyrics from Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" as used by Sony
in an advertisement for my new console, and I included it in the epigraph.
For those who haven't heard it, I recommend listening to it.

Background that smoothly flows into technical specifications

Picture from the site http://www.gameranx.com/

In the background, let's start from the end. In it, as in the prologue, there were some wonderful days. Those very ones that the press once again labeled as “doomsday”, “fateful” or simply days “X” (I ask you to consider the coincidence with the beginning of the name of one of the generation eight consoles to be a pure coincidence).

They were nominated by the gaming world's powers at the end of November. It was then that gamers in most countries saw two powerful consoles of the new generation (eighth). They saw it, at least, via the Internet, and some especially smart ones managed to become the happy owners of treasured boxes with mega-filling and a couple of games from the starting lines (each line had more than two dozen positions).

We won’t talk much about Microsoft Xbox One here; after all, we’re not talking about it. Let us only note that at launch the Sony PlayStation 4 was 100 conventional units cheaper than its direct competitor. However, the set-top box created by the Redmond Giant includes such a nice bonus as the second generation Microsoft Kinect. The developers call it a non-contact touch game controller, but in essence it is a camera that recognizes and processes human movements, and a device for transmitting the received data to the console. PS4 has also acquired the second generation of gadgets for outdoor games (Motion Gaming), but the PlayStation Camera (aka PlayStation 4 Eye) will have to be purchased separately. Officially “from them” - for 60 dollars.

Sony remembered very well the controversial start of the previous console, the PlayStation 3. Firstly, it was expensive. Secondly, with a non-standard and complex architecture, the main element of which was the Cell processor. This hybrid computer used the POWER core and eight more SPEs, synergetic processor elements... difficult to program, but easy to fight: this same Cell performed well in GRID networks, taking on large computing loads.

Therefore, this time Sony went for simplification, or rather standardization. The eight-core AMD Jaguar central processor is based on the familiar x86-64 architecture, and its graphics counterpart is an approximate analogue of the Radeon HD 7850/7870. So what we have before us, in fact, is a powerful home computer with certain specifics in the operating system and games tailored for the system. For Xbox One, by the way, the situation is very similar.

Sony PlayStation 4
CPU	AMD Jaguar x86-64, 28nm process technology, 8 cores, 1.6 Hz
GPU	AMD Radeon, 18 compute units
RAM	8 GB DDR5
Storage device	500 GB, 5400 rpm
Interfaces, inputs, outputs	2xUSB 2.0, HDMI, RJ-45, S/PDIF, AUX
Dimensions and weight	305x275x53 mm, 2.8 kg
Gamepad, dimensions	98x168x52 mm, 210 grams
Gamepad, battery	1000 mAh
Gamepad, ports	Micro-USB 3.0, expansion port, headphone port
Gamepad, the rest	touchpad (2-finger multi-touch), light bar, vibration, built-in speaker, six-axis motion controller (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)

Appearance, connectors, convenience

Only the laziest gadget lovers have not seen photographs of this beautiful non-rectangular black parallelepiped, as if divided into four other parallelepipeds by stripes. If the Sony PS3 of any revision has streamlined, slightly swollen shapes, then the “four” is chopped, aggressive, and dynamic. The design of the “troika” appeals to the traditions of home appliances of the last two decades, PS4, with the exception of the glossy insert - something expensive from the late eighties or early nineties. Either a good VCR or a laser disc player.

The surface of the console is mostly matte, and only one part of it, let's call it a quarter, is covered with gloss. This gloss, alas, literally instantly becomes covered with micro-scratches, and this can (whatever it can, will!) irritate a neat person.

image from http://insideplaystation.com/

A brilliant quarter is not just a quarter; its surface is a cover under which the hard drive is hidden. Now it can be removed without losing the warranty: the manufacturer has allowed himself unprecedented generosity!

The case can be placed on the table not only “lying”, as in this photo, but also “standing”, as in the official photo below. I tried it: the position is stable, but still, if you touch the console carelessly, it will fall, and... I don’t want to voice a disappointing forecast. I’m not saying this to dissuade you from such a spectacular position of the console: you should just wait for the release of a special stand, which is designed to protect an expensive toy from accidentally falling from a vertical position. Well, buy it.

PS4 weighs like a large laptop, a little less than three kilograms, and its thickness is about 5 centimeters. That is, you can’t carry such a colossus with you regularly, but going with it to friends is a small problem. Tested, the console easily fits into a backpack for a 15-inch laptop.

There are two USB connectors in front, HDMI, LAN and S/PDIF connectors behind, as well as a socket for connecting a PlayStation Camera.

Forget about the keys, you won’t find them on the console, no matter how hard you try. Since I’m usually inattentive to details of this kind, before my personal inspection I didn’t know where the PS4’s disk drive was, and therefore the inconspicuous slot on the front panel and, in fact, the touch key, were not immediately discovered. Capturing discs works great, although I didn’t really like that to extract them I had to go to a special menu and answer the question “remove the disc?”

But how beautiful is the luminous strip cutting through the console with a beam similar to a Jedi’s weapon!...

Gamepad or controller or joystick

I'll start with one important note: I consider the gamepad from PS3, Dualshock3 convenient, although most adult male gamers will not agree with me. Almost always the joystick is too small for them, short, the angles of the “wings” of the grip are too sharp, the sticks are positioned incorrectly, “this is for the Japanese,” “this is for children,” and so on. Obviously, the large hands of experienced gamers get pretty tired when playing with the Dualshock 3 for a long time. That's why the PS3 joystick lost in terms of ergonomics in all conceivable and inconceivable ratings to its standard, universally praised competitor: the Microsoft Xbox 360 controller.

It is not surprising that Microsoft did not bother much with the shape of the new Xbox One manipulator and made it very similar to the previous model.

Whether it’s Sony that’s been criticized by everyone! Attention in the photo: this is a normal person’s joystick and joystick smoker the same "wrong" Dualshock 3.

So, the new gamepad has become larger, its wings have grown (grown, more accurately), and they have also become smoother, which means less strain on the hands. Finally, depressions appeared on the sticks, which is also better suited to representatives of the human race. And the movement of the sticks feels clearer, and they themselves have become somewhat smaller and located a little further from each other.

The changes don't stop there. The almost obsolete Start and Select keys have disappeared. Instead, Options appeared (essentially the same Start) and Share, a true daughter of its social network time, which allows you to transfer screenshots and videos recorded during the game to the network (Facebook, Twitter, Twich, Ustream).

And in the middle of the joystick there is a touch panel button. So far, only a few games have used its capabilities. The one I saw was Killzone: Shadow Fall, where a slight touch on the panel led to serious consequences in the form of changing abilities.

I really liked the presence of a motion controller with six axes. This means that the system "knows" at what angle you are holding the controller and where it is facing, allowing it to replace PlayStation Move joysticks. The triangular LED indicator lights up alternately blue, then white, then green. Well, if your alter ego is dying, then it will be red. This lighting has caused mixed reactions from gamers. On the one hand, it’s great, a kind of “revival” of what’s happening. On the other hand, eyes that are already pretty tired from the game require rest, but here there is a bright, painfully bright glow. Sony heeded the feedback, and in the next (at the time of the review) firmware it implemented the ability to reduce the backlight to a minimum, although it will not be possible to turn it off completely. The LED consumes little energy, so you can’t blame it for the fact that the gamepad runs out of charge in about 7 hours. It's all about the touch panel, speakers, noticeable vibration and other joys...

Finally, there is a speaker above the PS button. Let me note that this is not the first joystick with a speaker; before it there were Nintendo Wii/Wii U. By default, chat voices, additional dialogues, etc. are heard from this speaker. It turns out funny. By the way, you can connect headphones to the joystick. And in general, all sound can be played through the joystick. At the beginning of my acquaintance with the PS4, I injured my hand, so it was difficult for me to adequately assess its convenience. In the sense that the Dualshock 3 in two healthy hands is prohibitively more comfortable than the Dualshock 4 in one healthy and one not so healthy. However, experience, fellow gamers and logic help me, and here are their conclusions about the gamepad of the new Sony console.

Pros:

• Dualshock 4 is larger and more comfortable than Dualshock 3 (PS3 joystick): the grips are longer and more “anatomical” in shape;
• Dualshock 4 has small, non-slip sticks with precise movement. The main thing is that now they have indentations for the fingers;
• excellent three-axis gyroscope and three-axis accelerometer, good vibration;
• The speaker and headphone output are great, you can play without wires running to the TV if you need silence.

Minuses:

• Experts agreed that, despite Sony’s efforts, the XBox One gamepad is still unattainable in terms of convenience;
• 7 hours of autonomy? What is 7 hours for a hardcore gamer?? You give four times more, as in the case of PS3!
• The Share and Options buttons are a bit inconvenient.

Interface and exciting features

After updating the system the first time you launch it, you can log into your PSN account or create a new one and launch the console. I had no problems with Wi-Fi, although when I switched to a new network, the PS4 completely “forgot” the settings of the previous one and did not pick them up. However, for a stationary device this is not a big problem.

New PS4 menu. Ready to play immediately!

Those who are familiar with the interfaces of previous Sony game consoles will immediately notice both changes and related features. In the Sony PlayStation 3, the main "desktop" was a horizontally scrolling bar, each icon of which was a main menu item. The items in each of them were flipped through by vertical scrolling.

Similar to the traditional PlayStation menu

The PS4 also has a main menu bar, almost in the same form, but it has faded into the background. The main thing is now a bright horizontal strip with new events and all the games that are available. They can be called directly from here, without going to the "Games" menu, as before. And this is correct, and this is logical! After all, games take precedence in such a device. Navigating through the menu is quick, but the speed of launching games depends on the “severity” of the game itself. Although, compared to the PS3, the new console is much more gentle on the nerve cells of impatient gamers, and launches games noticeably faster.

I also liked the clearly implemented multitasking. No, you won’t run two games at the same time, but downloading several games from the PS Store (still slow, by the way) at the same time and playing at the same time is quite possible for the console. But there is one thing that I absolutely do not like about both the PS3 and PS4: when you go into sleep mode, paused games are unloaded from memory. Sony, hear us: this is not possible! I was sure that this would be fixed in the new console, but for now, alas. But the gamepad can receive power during quiet hours of the console. A natural consequence of a world immersed in the Internet is the ability to share a screenshot or 15 minutes of gameplay on social networks (this is done using the Share button). Or you can not distribute them, but simply save them in the PS4 memory.

The most unusual feature with a high degree of interest in it is the ability to create a worldwide live broadcast through the Twitch and Ustream services. Imagine, you are playing in your room, and everyone, even from Antarctica, can admire your achievements. Well, or there to ridicule mistakes.

And if you connect the PlayStation 4 Eye camera to the console, you can demonstrate not only the game itself, but also yourself, your loved one, during the gameplay. And not only gaming... A few months ago, a certain couple, it seems, from Russia, decided that their personal life was too vibrant to remain purely private, and they took it beyond their own room using the PlayStation 4 Eye... I don’t know, how many young ardent gamers, watching the act of love, thanked the world for such a gift of fate... I also don’t know how Sony monitors the adequacy of the content. In any case, it makes sense for parents of lucky youngsters who own a PS4 to take a look at the parental settings.

Games

At the beginning of a console's life cycle, the problem of the number of games released is quite traditional. Compared to previous years, the PS4 isn't doing too badly. More than twenty positions were announced in the starting lineup. The line is heavily seasoned with casual games and re-releases, but there are also exclusive projects among them. I was able to play some of the first round of games.

Specifically, Killzone: Shadow Fall. As for me, this is an ordinary shooter, with a very good picture and dynamics. It impresses with the vividness of the actors' facial expressions, and sometimes with their dynamism. But not the plot and not the originality. I would not classify this exclusive as a masterpiece, and there is unlikely to be a person who will buy a PS4 just for Killzone: Shadow Fall. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag turned out to be very good. However, this is not exclusive at all, but an adaptation of a game that was previously released on PS3 (as well as on PC, WiiU, Xbox 360 and Xbox One). What to say? Lively, quite diverse, with an open world and a more or less clear plot, this game is certainly worthy of adding to the collection of those who accept this genre.

An original and funny game, Knack is a classic in its essence and three-dimensional platformer with a main character who is able to absorb some kind of “ancient relic” into his body, causing him to grow in size. The hero does not grow linearly, in the sense that from the blows of enemies, these relics fall away from him and he becomes smaller again. With skillful play, you can transform into a huge colossus for the brutal murder of goblins and robots. Murders are completely bloodless, wrapped, as is often the case with platformers, in a colorful and cute wrapping of a children's cartoon picture. The game is not bad, somewhat original and funny, but mainly young players can appreciate it.

I also played re-releases of free online shooters Blacklight Retribution and Warframe. The only thing I can note about the advantages of the PS4 is the operator’s commands coming not from anywhere, but from the gamepad. Another game seems to be exclusive, but in fact it is converted from a puzzle adventure for PS Vita called Escape Plan. I think you will remember its original completely black and white picture with two heroes, fat and thin, who had to be brought to freedom, overcoming a lot of obstacles that no healthy brain could come up with... The game is nice, but the version for PS4 is very bad The PS Vita touch screen is enough. There’s no escaping the truth: this game is designed for a portable console, and the gamepad’s touchpad doesn’t help with the terribly inconvenient controls (it’s far from ideal on the Vita, too!). Fortunately, if you buy the game for PS4, you will also get it for Vita. And vice versa. However, the developers can be forgiven for the strange step of transferring the game to PS4. At least for the opportunity to see the mysterious and crazy black and white world of Escape Plan on the big screen.

The list of games for the console that have already been released or will be released this year is quite long, and can be found on the official Sone PlayStation blog. Upon careful study, it becomes clear that it already contains games that are worth thinking about buying a console for. For example, inFAMOUS Second Son, which recently went on sale. The third part of the superhero action movie impresses with its picture and game dynamics, and, in addition, uses the capabilities of the gameplay. Well, as always in this series, the main character faces a choice: to side with good or evil. I don’t know if the game is really that good, but the first reviews about it are mostly laudatory.

Further. Uncharted 4. It’s not clear when, but it will definitely happen! I'm not exactly a fan, but I'm a big fan of these adventure, completely unrealistic, but no less lively games about Nathan Drake. I like action-adventure much more than first-person shooters, and in many ways for the sake of such games I will be glad to part with my money and buy a PlayStation 4.

Moreover, I love playing Japanese RPGs, and those who agree with me on this issue will be glad to hear that Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be released this spring, and later Persona 5 (however, it should also available on PS3).

I almost forgot to tell you about what eyewitnesses say is a very funny activity called The PlayRoom. This augmented reality toy comes pre-installed on all PS4 units. I really regretted that I wasn’t given a PS4 Eye camera along with the test console when I saw the trailer below.

PS4 + Vita = ?

Yes, this is true love! Thanks to the Wi-Fi connection, these two are a perfect match. PS4 games run fine on the Vita's screen, although sometimes artifacts appeared on the screen of the small console, and sometimes it completely lost contact with its big sister. However, Wi-Fi is most likely to blame. I performed the connection operation via two different networks, and in one of them there were absolutely no problems. This is done extremely simply, if you are interested in how, you are welcome to watch the somewhat shaky video published under this line.

Competitors

PS4 or XBox One?

The technical characteristics of the competitors are almost identical (with a slight advantage in favor of the PS4), so this debate lies on other planes. In religious, for example. If you watched the Black Friday trilogy of the 17th season of the TV series South Park, you were probably convinced that everything was serious. In fact, it matters which exclusives you like. In my opinion, Sony has a better chance, although if you are interested in outdoor games, it is better to buy an Xbox One; its updated Kinnect wins the argument with the PlayStation 4 Eye.

PS4 or PS3?

As often happens with Sony, the most powerful competitors of new products are their older siblings. Let's just remember the extremely successful PlayStation 2, the last game for which was released in the foreseeable past, in the summer of 2013. Considering the collection of hits that have come out over the long seven years of the PlayStation 3's life, anyone who has this old lady in stock may be stuck with it for a while longer. In the end, here is GTA 5, and Last of Us, which won all sorts of gaming Oscars, and the dubious but interesting Beyond: Two souls. And a lot of old hits, for example, Heavy Rain. And there are still upcoming hits and potential hits, for example, Dark Soul 2. For example, I hope to see such an exclusive as Persona 5 at the beginning of next year. In short, it’s too early for her to retire.

PS4 or PC?

The magic word "optimization", alas, is rarely found in the vocabulary of PC game developers. Is the game slow? Buy a new computer. Is it new and cost a thousand dollars? Well, then wait for the patch... or not, lower the settings to a minimum... or reinstall Windows. Or buy more memory. If you want to play games rather than customize your computer for games, it makes sense to consider purchasing a next-generation gaming console. By the way, it will be cheaper even now, when the price of the console is close to the starting price. Although we shouldn't forget, there are still a ton of exclusive games coming to PC. In addition, many gamers, especially shooter fans, prefer a keyboard and mouse to even the most convenient gamepad.

So, shall we take it?

It's not just that, oh, it's not just that Sony used the song Perfect Day (it once served as the soundtrack to Danny Boyle's cult film Trainspotting) in advertising its brainchild, the fourth generation PlayStation, which replaced the seven-year-old PS3! Well, somewhere, and in this company they know very well that games take you away from reality no worse than mind-altering substances! And they also sit firmly on them...

The answer to the question in the title is: we definitely take it if we love good and varied games. But if you are willing to wait, or there is no such game on PS4 yet that it would be completely unbearable without a new product, then it is better not to rush. In six months or a year, the choice of games will be wider, and, hopefully, the official price of the console will drop somewhat. Those who can’t bear to play the latest hits can purchase a PS4 in many domestic stores. So, in PSPMarket, which provided us with the console, PS4 is sold at a price of 6999 hryvnia.

3reasons to buy Sony PlayStation 4

• the most powerful console of the new generation
• cheaper than Microsoft Xbox One
• great joystick

2 reasons not to buy a Sony PlayStation 4

• there are still few decent games
• Are you a PC or Xbox fan?