Guest blog by Corey
The PS4 has come a long way since its launch in November, 2013. Small changes, along with a few huge additions like firmware 2.51, PlayStation Now, and Share Play, have added up to make the system an even better value console now than it was 12 months ago.
Initial thoughts are that it’s clearly faster, more vibrant and has more content available than ever before.
So, you ask yourself, is it worth jumping in now at £300 or wait just another six months to see if I can get a cheaper bundle down the road? A keen gaming fan, I’ve road-tested the PS4 and can give you my insights…
The system is cleanly designed, functional and a downright joy to putter around its interface. Everything is speedy and responsive right from the start and the interface is full of clever design choices that speed things up. A key feature is that games begin to install the second you pop in the disc instead of having to wait an hour or so once the game is bought to wait for it to install; firmware updates download while the system is on standby.
Games themselves look loads better here than they did just one year ago at the peak of the PlayStation 3. When compared to other gaming options there’s a small, but notable improvement on Sony’s system with the graphics, mainly the fact that nearly all games on the PS4 run natively in 1080p.
The controller is better than last generation’s. The DualShock 4 controller is a significant upgrade over the DualShock 3. The most bothersome aspects of the DS3 have been addressed, resulting in a comfortable controller that’s more functional for games of all genres and the fact that the controller isn’t so tiny anymore stops your thumbs crashing into each other when playing an FPS such as Call of Duty: Black Ops III.
PS Plus (and the PlayStation Network in general) are more enjoyable now than they’ve ever been, while online multiplayer has a £40 paywall, Sony includes a lot of stuff to sweeten the deal. You get improved standby functionality, discounts on games in the digital store and free downloadables that are really good.
The PlayStation 4 also has a fleshed out ecosystem thanks to the PlayStation TV micro-console and PS Vita handheld. It’s also very apparent that Sony is concerned about growing the console and it’s feature-set for the long-term. It’s refusing to let its console grow stagnant by providing monthly patches and forecasting interesting features down the road.
The PlayStation 4 did all this without losing any shred of its Sony DNA. It’s hands-down one of the best media-streaming systems on the market, capable of playing lag-free Blu-rays and creating a minimalistic interface for Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Instant Video, especially now it’s got a dedicated Media Centre app.
Available now for under £300, we can also offer rental for less than £20 p/m so buy online today or find your local store for a demo.
