Sony PlayStation 3: First Impressions

A couple of days ago I got a PS3, a system I had been thinking about getting ever since late summer. When the system first came out in late ‘06 I was totally underwhelmed by it. At that time the HD-format war was in a stalemate and compared to the XBox 360’s library of games and price the PS3 simply wasn’t a good investment.

However, after Bluray won the format war earlier this year (I think I still would have preferred HD-DVD winning, only because anything Sony makes and licenses stays pretty pricey for a long time) the inclusion of a Bluray player in the PS3 really helped justify the extra cost in the PS3 (compared to the 360). Also, by 2008 the PlayStation 3 was starting to get some pretty unique games like Uncharted, Ratchet & Clank, Metal Gear Solid 4 and Little Big Planet. This, I think, was the first year since launch when buying a PS3 was actually a smart idea.

So, I plunked down $399, plus the extended warranty $$$ you need for every tech device nowadays and within a few hours I was online, downloading the newest system update and getting things like my Bluetooth keyboard setup.

Interface:
Compared to the 360 (which I owned for over a year before selling it to pay bills) the interface for the PS3 is a bit more overwhelming I think to non-tech people. When you first start your PS3 it doesn’t automatically detect if you should be using something higher than 480p. While the 360 doesn’t either, getting to where you change this in the PS3 menus is a tad more cryptic.

The rest of the PS3 interface is pretty slick. The main navigation is very easy (left to right) and the sub-menus of categories are a quick up-and-down on the d-pad. I think it’d be very difficult for you to get lost in any part of the menu.

Devices:
Installing the keyboard was very simple – I just went to the right area (indicated in the keyboard instructions) and after typing in a verification code using the keyboard to confirm connection with the PS3 I was all set. There were no drivers to speak of and the keyboard isn’t an officially licensed Sony PS3 product so it’s kinda vague how it detected I had a keyboard. But anyways…

Transferring files (from the little bit I’ve tried) is a tad odd. Certain actions like “copy” aren’t easily found (A Triangle press vs. an X press will get you different menus it seems) and when I connected my Sony Network 20GB Walkman via USB it detected the songs…and I could play them OFF the player…but I couldn’t copy the files to my PS3’s HDD. This may have something to do with the Sony Connect store (sorta like iTunes and responsible for “authorizing” playback devices like this) being shut down since ‘07 or that Sony never intended for people to be able to copy content directly off music players – only portable hard drives.

File Format Support:
Speaking of files, I also found it odd you have to manually activate WMA and WMV playback. Like the PSP, you have to be connected to the ‘net in order to accomplish it. That’s very odd to me since I was under the impression Windows Media files, although proprietary, didn’t ned to be licensed in anyway in order to be used with devices. Again, it could just be Sony’s way of keeping non-preferred options out of the average gamer’s line of sight. Why? I have no clue.

Internet Browser:
Getting back to the whole keyboard thing, let’s talk about the internet browsing aspect of the PS3. A couple posts ago I was raving about how the PlayStation 3 could potentially be a replacement for my computer. Afterall, about 90% of what I do on my PC is browse the ‘net…and if the PS3 could do this well, I’d be all set. So, in anticipation of getting a PS3 I bought a nice Logitech Wireless Keyboard (w/ built-in trackpad) and hooked that up so I could get the most out of the web browsing experience.

Well, I have to say…after messing around with it for a few hours over the past couple of days…the PS3 web browser isn’t very good. That’s not to say it’s awful (I mean, at least the PS3 offers a browser—the 360 doesn’t do that)…I just mean it’s not going to replace your computer anytime soon.

Without going into too much detail I’ll just say many websites don’t work at all (Digg for example) while most others don’t work correctly (Hotmail, YouTube & WordPress are good examples). The browser seems to struggle with dynamic-data based pages (things that use Javascript, ASP, PHP, etc.) and Flash-support is ho-hum at best. You also can’t copy/paste text and are limited to about 500 characters in any given field (I was trying to write a post on this blog using it and when I got to a certain character limit the PS3 refused to let me type any more in that area).

Probably the biggest disappointment with the browsing experience was the keyboard. While it is excellent for typing large amounts of text quickly (typing via the controller using cellphone-style methods is NOT fun) and physically looks sharp next to the PS3 (both are glossy black) I seemed to encounter random characters appearing when I’d type (even if I didn’t touch anything) and the trackpad ended up being less useful than the arrow keys (which moved to page links much faster). The worst part was the actual navigation. The address bar is hidden so you have to bring it up using the Triangle button or the F1 key on the keyboard. The Esc key acts as the cancel button and, as far as I can tell…there are no buttons dedicated to “Go Back” or “Go Forward”. You have to press F1 and then highlight the option, just like when you want to go to a different URL. It’s all very complicated and awkward and, in the end, not worth the hassle. I might try to return the keyboard this weekend if I can and I suggest you avoid this particular peripheral.

Online Store:
One of the best parts of the PS3 is the PlayStation Store. There are tons of game demos, wallpapers, full games and more available for download instantly. That’s really neat and I can’t wait for more content to be put on it. I also really like the video section (I think something like 450 videos are available to rent/buy and about 50 or so are available as HD rentals). It’s too bad I’m on a DSL connection (~768k) but in the future when I’m back on cable speeds I’m sure the experience will be much better overall.

Final Thoughts:
In the end, I’m still very happy with my PS3 purchase. Did it knock my socks off? No. (But the Bluray support IS VERY NICE. I watched The Happening on Bluray tonight and the video quality was super sharp on my 720p 37″ screen. You could see a noticeable difference compared to standard DVDs. Maybe not night-and-day difference since Iwasn’t using a 1080p display but enough of one for you to want to see your favorite films on Bluray). However, I think the PS3 has a lot of potential and a good library of games for me to work through until newer games come out. I’m also very excited about PSP integration/support and what new things will appear on the PlayStation Store.

My Next “Computer”…

Let’s face it. My main desktop computer sucks. It wasn’t even “high end” back in August 2004 when I got it [even though it had a very nice video card that cost $200 and was needed for Doom 3] and it’s been upgraded/wiped clean/and “restored” so many times since then I’m actually surprised it’s even working.

So here’s the deal. I want to get a nice, powerful computer device to replace my crappy old PC. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the ability or desire to spend $600+ on just a computer system (BEFORE I even add the video card). Four years ago I was in college with student loan refunds and credit cards giving me some extra $$$ when I needed it – nowadays, what I make is what I have to spend. …and, let me tell you – if you are tempted to spend $800 on a computer system (no monitor) knowing that you still aren’t going to get the best experience from many games out right now you’ll feel crappy. “Crappy” as in, “what’s-the-point”???

Seriously, I don’t even need a powerful computer anymore. The most I do is run Photoshop/Flash/Illustrator and ocassionally play games from 2004 and earlier on it. I tried last year to play Bioshock on an “upgraded” system that I added more RAM and a new video card to and it played horribly. I did this again with Crysis only to experience the same thing. I felt very cheated.

I’m just tired of it.

Then I look at the XBox 360 (which I had to get rid of last year to pay bills) and I was playing Halo 3 and Oblivion on that w/o any trouble. To play Oblivion on a PC I would have had to completely replace my system with a Core 2 system just to run it as 360-visuals quality…and the 360 was less than $300 back then!!!

So what’s my plan exactly? Well, I think very, very soon I will be getting a PS3 and just letting my desktop PC work until it dies (in the event that it dies I do have a backup, my laptop…but that sorta sucks as well since now one speaker AND my wifi have died on it…arrrgghh!!!). With a PS3 I can play the newest, most hardware taxing console games for years to come, I can surf the web (meaning I can update this blog), use keyboards/mice, hook up external HDDs, camera, printers, etc. to it…basically the PS3 IS a computer. And it’s ONLY $400. AND it comes with a BluRay drive built-in. I think the expandable HDD, built-in Wifi and BluRay drive is what made me choose the PS3 over the 360 this time around (better deal overall).

It’s hard enough finding a Core 2 Duo computer for under $400 (BEFORE taxes & S&H) and it most certainly won’t have a great video card or BluRay support built-in.

So that’s the plan…I was going to maybe try to save up next year and get some high-powered Alienware or XPS Quad-Core machine but screw it – consoles are where the majority of games are and I’m tired of trying to play “catch up” every few months with the PC world. I can never afford “the best” yet all the PC game makers constantly use “the best” hardware as their baseline specs. Anything less than ideal specs mean playing games at 640×480 or 800×600 on my 22″ 1680×1050 monitor. It looks and usually plays terrible. I’m just sick and tired of it and if the PS3 can do the majority of things I want (surf the net, download songs/pictures/videos, check my email, etc.) then I can just save my computer for doing the occasional Photoshop/Illustrator thing.

Well, I’m A Sony Fanboy Once Again!

Last week I took the plunge and picked a PSP (the Blue Madden PSP, although I sold Madden because football’s retarded) and a game I’ve been looking forward to playing for a long time, Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles.

I’m actually very surprised at how great the PSP feels in my hands (I only held it at Best Buy before) and how huge the screen is. Seriously, after squinting at the DS for over a year and being let-down over and over by its lack of “uniqueness” (look, I have TWO screens! Woo hoo!…and a stylus OMG) I’m very excited to be able to have a device that can show my games off at a very large size, be used a music/video player and even access the internet. Even the 3D capabilities are very, very impressive.

I’m still finishing up the original Rondo of Blood but once that’s done you can expect a review on IGN’s site. Until then, I suggest you pick up a PSP if you haven’t already.

PlayStation Portable: Coming Soon

Well, today I traded in my Nintendo DS, 3 DS games and FFVI Advance game and got a nice sized chunk of in-store credit from GameStop. I could have sold all of them for more on eBay (well, MAYBE) but selling things on eBay is just a chore nowadays. So anyways, here’s the deal: I plan on getting a PSP within the next month or so using the credit I received(maybe it’ll be my birthday present to me in Sep.?).

The DS never “did it” for me (the two screens ALWAYS felt like a gimmick) and I honestly like the idea of getting a PSP, a 4GB memory stick and using it as a music/video player as well as a WiFi browser and stuff. I’ll probably get a PSP Bundle that comes with a game and then a couple retro compilation titles (Capcom, Metal Slug, SNK & Castlevania) as well.

Everquest II [PC] Review

I have fond memories of the original Everquest because it was the first MMORPG I ever played. Sure, parts of the original EQ bothered me like the quick deaths, painful loading times, steep learning curve, being too non-linear at times and kinda crummy visuals…but…even so, EQ was unique because its gameplay was addictive and ever-changing. Now, over 5 years after the original EQ’s release Sony Online Entertainment has released a proper sequel – not just an expansion pack.

Well…let’s say “sequel” loosely. Everquest II is actually a parallel universe version of the original EQ rather than a direct sequel. Races like the Vah Shir (one of my favorites) are gone altogether and sometimes replaced with similar looking ones (the Kerra). Classes have been weakened and strengthened and some well known items and locations have changed significantly or are absent altogether. I can see how some EQers may avoid EQ II simply because it doesn’t feel like a true sequel.

Even though EQII isn’t a true successor to EQ, it’s still fun like the original. The learning curve has been lessened and many quests can be done by solo-ing instead of always having to form groups. The interface and control has also been tweaked to make information easier to get to and command. The gameplay is pretty much the same as the original and for veterans, they’ll like it.

By far the biggest change in EQ II are the graphics. Even the highest end PCs will struggle having every effect on and I’m not surprised – EQ II knows how to get the most out of your system. It’s easily the best looking MMORPG ever and if you have a better than average gaming setup you should be able to get mouth-drooling visuals at a decent framerate. Like WoW, EQ II only has so long of a lifespan — It gets repetitive after a certain point and at times it is just way too non-linear. Some players may love it for this reason – I just prefer a game that has a purpose rather than a hundred random quests to finish.

…But, even for a MMORPG…EQ II is still a good game overall.

Graphics: 9 | Sound: 8 | Play Control: 8 | Fun Factor: 7 | Final Score: 78%