Ben-DutkaThe PlayStation 4 is here and thus far, I'm sticking by my launch day analysis .
Unfortunately, Sony, "mixed" reviews CAN hurt a launch
While I'm the biggest proponent of Sony's first-party titles, and I firmly believe that once again Sony will offer the most diverse, highest-quality exclusives on the market, there's no doubt that the PS4 software launch lineup is lacking.
It's all the more noticeable when the two biggest exclusives – Killzone: Shadow Fall and Knack – don't quite meet expectations. You'll see my reviews for both shortly, but let's just say I'm mostly in agreement with the general consensus. I don't believe Shadow Fall is worth less than an 8 and Knack is worth less than a 6, but that's about all I can say for them. We really needed inFamous: Second Son , I believe. That could've been the game to really push the new console over the top in the eyes of both gamers and journalists.
Thing is, even though Yoshida said that the "mixed" review scores won't hurt the system's launch , I don't believe that's 100% accurate. I think he's right in saying that the launch lineup won't dissuade those who have already resolved to buy the console. The pre-orders will sell, regardless. But I think from a media, hype and early reputation standpoint, better reviews could've done nothing but help. I think we all know that's true.
Sony needs to be as upfront as possible about these defective systems
Some say the reports are overblown. Some say Xbox fans are artificially flooding the Internet with bogus complaints. Some say the issues people are having are either A. easily fixed, or B. the fault of the user. Now, I'm certain that each possibility is legitimate, and it all factors into the overall picture. However, that's precisely why Sony needs to be as candid and forthright as possible. They need to continually address the situation because right now, vagueness and evasion are not what consumers want to see. We definitely need more official statements like this one , which work immediately to refute stories like this , which spread like wildfire. Just be honest and if there is a problem, tell us. Keep us up-to-date on all PSN maintenance, too.
If the reported defective rates are still well within expectations (and we always have to anticipate growing pains with new hardware), great. Just keep telling us. Verify what you can and put the brunt of the consuming public at rest. That's the absolute best plan of action moving forward; answer all questions and address all concerns.
Personal gaming update
Well, gee, there are plenty of PS4 games in the hopper right now. 😉 I've decided I won't be providing entirely new reviews for PS4 versions of games I've already reviewed, like Call of Duty: Ghosts , Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag , and Battlefield 4 . We're really talking about the same games, with obviously better graphics and maybe better frame rate. I think we all know the PS4 versions are a little better, so just add a few tenths to the scores you already see. If I haven't yet done a review of a cross-gen game, like Need for Speed: Rivals , I'll just do a review for the PS4 version.
Not sure about all those downloadable games, though. Guess I'll start with Contrast and Resogun . So, if you've got the PS4, how has your experience been thus far? Thoroughly positive?
My experience has been positive. Well, except Bf4 which keeps force closing and it corrupted my play through. I was quite far in the game. Other than that I love my Ps4. I have been using it a lot. I can't help but feel like there's nothing to do though… The lack of games make it feel weird. It's odd, I have my Ps3 with a huge library and all I want to do is play 1 game, yet I have my Ps4 with a few games, but I want to do so much.
The PlayStation store barely has any games and some games you can't play multiplayer like Bf4. I miss browsing the PSStore, just browsing what's new, what's old, and what I missed… But in time we will see the games grow!
Anyway, I have been mostly playing KZ:SF online and it's a blast. The graphics are really great and the game is solid.
yah, before long many people will have no choice but to go back to playing their PS3's for a good while before the PS4 actually "arrives" with enough games to be a self sustaining platform. Right now it's 1080p 60fps current gen games. That's always nice and all but that's not why most of us buy new consoles.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 11/17/2013 2:03:53 AM
Yep, apparently Greatness…is still waiting. I'm not though. I sprang for a ps4 even though I said I wouldn't.
I know what you mean. I feel the same way. For me, it's mostly due to negligence on my part. I didn't look at the shipping details when ordering my 3 for 2 through Amazon. So I have three games coming Monday. The graphics are awesome, especially Resogun in simulated 3D.
It is a bummer about KZ and Knack. At least one of those needed to be a killer-app but neither deliver. I felt certain KZ would be hard up to get 9's and stuff but the ~70'ish response was lower than I expected.
So right now I'm reading that it's not the "Red Line of Death" but the "Pulsing Blue Light of Death" whatever it is it smells like paranoia and smaller sites looking for quick hits… this is one aspect of new console launches that is ALWAYS consistent. There's always small but vocal groups touting defective consoles. but apparently the most popular PS4 news right now, courtesy of the ever accurate community driven social indicator interest site known as N4G.. HA! is that the PS4 has a hidden co-processor and additional 2GB's of RAM….
Anyway, a guy in my position who already has a higher powered PC and current gen systems is feeling pretty unimpressed with the PS4 and XO right now. That is, in what it adds to what I already have. Sony needed to give me their A game as that's what sets it apart for me. Seems there's gonna be A LOT of pressure now on Infamous to deliver. I've always loved Infamous, but it would seem it doesn't ever get the attention, even ratings, AC does. But whatever, any Infamous is as good as any AC game in my book.
PGU: Well. I beat Jak 2… again. first time was on PS2. Other than that I've finished drawing my DOA tribute art. Which can be seen here for those who want to see it.
http://david-mason.deviantart.com/art/Dead-or-Alive-412880820
Last edited by Temjin001 on 11/17/2013 1:37:39 AM
Im not seeing the mixed reviews hurting Sonys console at all for a few reasons. 1) being two huge FPS franchises being available along with a solid AC title. As well as some other titles like Lego Marvel and the sports games. They are selling trust me almost every store where I live with a population of 60, 000 plus is low on PS4 games or just sold out.
2) The consumers are loving Killzone and Knack. All the word of mouth is fantastic about these titles. Killzone in my opinion is nothin less than a high 8. And users seem to be feeling the same way. All I hear about Knack Iis how much it reminds people of the older platformers and regardless of what that means as a game now, to me thats great news. Its what I wanted when I ordered the game. The reviews had me worried it was something else, fortunately it appears most reviews were expecting something else.
3) I was in Best buy today just browsing the games (again a low amount available) and no joke in 10 minutes about 5 people asked if they had PS4's. Many more wanted to simply know about it. Whats more interesting is only one person was curious about how many games were available while everyone else had no issues with the lack of games and many said the obvious, that more will be available so. On top of which nobody cared about the KZ reviews, that was the game they wanted. One person (the employee actually) said he played every KZ game prior to Shadow Fall to get ready for it. And Knack was popular in its own right mainly for those platformer fans and you could tell most people were looking right at the FPS' games.
Im thoroughly enjoying my PS4. Honestly I thought I knew a lot about the PS4 but Im so surprised at how accesible, easy, and smooth everything is. I love this thing. Im having a blast with it.
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 11/17/2013 1:46:26 AM
The only game im seeing staying on store shelves is COD:Ghosts. Watchdogs would've done well
I hear the same thing about knack too. It seems the consumers and gamers are really liking it, and honestly the game informer review seemed more in line with how I would view games so I trust his 84%.
Look forward to buying KZ and Knack next paycheck.
Dont worry about the ps4 saboteurs. The console speaks for itself, i have had a few friends who have decided to get it simply from playing Playroom.
Besides i've seen some complaints by those reviewing the xbox 1,i think most of the ps4 light of death crap is being sponsored by microsoft…they always play dirty
And if you haven't yet, Target's buy 2 get one free is on only till tomorrow. You can buy 3 ps4 games in one store and trade one for a game that's available in another store (i traded COD: ghosts for need for speed at a seperate store),just don't tear the shrink wrap and keep your receipt.
Last edited by karneli lll on 11/17/2013 2:14:18 AM
Yep, and a Target employee told me apparently they refill their stocks on Sundays, so, tomorrow would be a good time, and the last day, to take advantage of the deal.
Regarding defect rates, out of the gate, 360 was 33% (until the later Jasper chip revision which dropped reduced it to 14-16%), PS3 was 3%, and the Wii was still less than that. So, far the PS4, according to Sony, has a reported defect rate of .4%, well within industrial standard of 4-5%, and well below last generation's mess (and I guess we'll have to take their word for it, until outlets start telling us otherwise). This may climb in the oncoming weeks, but so far, the media blitz does seem to be making mountains out of mole hills. It'll be interesting to see how they cover the failure rate of the xbone. My prediction: higher failure rate, and less media exposure about it.
I have to give a shout out to Dave N, and Dave M. I took Dave M's advice and got me a gaming rig at nice price, and I broke down and took Dave N's headsup on the temp refilling of Amazon's ps4 stock post launch. I waited outside Bestbuy for an hour in the cold only to return with a $5 coupon apology. Feeling cold, (and a little embarrassed of myself), I was greeted by the uplifting advice in the comment section, and nabbed me a ps4 via Amazon's Saturday shipping. This morning, I was outside for my morning run in the windy, thickly forested back roads circumventing golf country course in a beautiful weather when I ran by a Fedex truck. I flagged him down. Despite being a half mile out from home, I asked him if he was going to my address. He replied in the affirmative, "with a Playstation 4". Man, I remember what it felt like to be 12 again opening up my Sega Genesis. Though, I still have, yet, to open my ps4…I was waiting to read some of Ben's reviews, but I am savoring the wait!
Anyhow, I've been a reader here at psxextreme since the PS2 days (on and off), and I figured it would be a good time to give a shout out Ben, John, Arnold, Dave M and Dave N, the burgeoning readership, and even from guys we haven't heard from in a while like BikerSaint, Highlander. I think I saw comment form AdventChild (how was Harvard and congrats on your first) who I haven't heard from in a while. Welcome to the next gen, though I still have plenty of backlogged ps3 games to get at, including my copy of R&C:Enter the Nexus! Here's to many more.
I had that same feeling all day waiting for my PS4 from Amazon. How awesome it was to open it!
Ah! The fresh, plastic, packaging scent. Unforgettable and right up there with new car smell!
33% percent failure rate on the 1st ten million units shipped(maybe more)
Knock at LEAST 3 million off that 80+million 360 tally so.
If it was'nt for dutch watchdogs groups & rotterdam being one off the biggest shipping hubs on the planet,alot of MS customers might not of gotten their warranty renewed.
33%….the stones on mirosoft…..
Last edited by Lord carlos on 11/17/2013 6:36:22 AM
BikerSaint may be showing up around here soon. I saw him logged onto psn the other day. Of course I spoke to him to see how he was doing. I miss all the tips and articles he used to send to Ben and I especially miss watching him go off on some of the young idiots who would provoke him.
Good to know. I guess that means he didn't have to sell off everything, and he has internet access again. I know between piling medical bills and layoff, he was going through tough times. I hope the best for him.
maybe i should wait for ps4 slim to come out…
Sony are masters of design so i ain't worried!
Still waiting untill Uncharted releasese on PS4 though,but by then i'll have driveclub,killzone&inFamous as well 🙂
No cross gen game shall pass the entry port of the blu ray disc drive on my as of yet to be bought PS4,if its on ps3 then i'm getting my moneys worth(about 900 euro for 2 consoles since 2007)
PGU:Batman AO & Assassins Creed 4(i swore i'd never play another AC game after 3 but i remembered how awesome the sea battles were & while the new control scheme pi$$ed me off bigtime,it was really the last section & the last cutscene that made me curse the AC name…so i caved & got blackflag….& it reminds me of…..brotherhood the best one so yay i suppose)
Last edited by Lord carlos on 11/17/2013 7:02:26 AM
hope you lucky american's are enjoying your ps4's whoever has got one, can't believe what i just read on another site that ps4 sold 1,ooo,ooo ps4's in the first 24hrs of realese in north america, actually confirmed by sony.
this news actually makes the ps4 launch the biggest in console history going by wiki sales figures, well done to everyone at sony playstation side 🙂
I'm enjoying my PS4 – may sound strange, but enjoyed the "setting up" experience – well packaged, looks great, set up was very easy. like the XMB replacement, definitely loads (both start up and games) quicker than the PS3.
I'm a Plus member, so downloaded Resogun and Contrast – didn't think I would enjoy Resogun as much as I do! AC4 and KZ on disc – playing a lot more of AC4. It has that "hook" to it, where I just want to get one more viewpoint or treasure!
Video capture/editing and screenshot capture are great…very easy to use.
Remote play – well done! Wife is watching the TV my PS4 is hooked up to – and I can continue to play using my Vita – great feature.
I love my new system! both KZ and Ghosts look amazing and the big surprise? I actually think Ghosts is the best COD I have ever played online. I never though I would have played a COD game for as much as I have in the last 2 days and still want to play more. I'm shocked but I need to give credit where credit is due.
Looking forward to seeing what other secrets this system holds.
I took Friday off to make sure my PS4 didn't sit unattended for hours. Had I not taken off, I would've been home thirty minutes before it arrived. 🙂 I wanted the day off anyway, so no tears from me over the lost wages.
Like some people, I was surprised by the size of the PS4. It looks bigger in the pictures I've seen on the internet.
I like the system a lot. Everything is faster. The store, games, and even Amazon's video service loads in a matter of seconds.
I'm about half way through Knack and although it hasn't received very good review scores, I like it. I also played a little bit of Contrast and Resogun. I loaded both Assassin's Creed IV and Killzone:SF onto the HDD but I haven't played much of them yet.
Resogun is a blast to play. It reminds me of the arcade game Defender. I haven't played Defender on home consoles since it came out on Atari 2600 and 5200.
Yeah we needed a third game. Now I don't feel so alone in my perspective that the PS4 launch had 2 games.
I'm playing a little free Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen which is pretty darn cool when it wants to be and Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory which is fun and perverted.
Wanted to write something for you guys but got busy watching Iron Man 3 🙂
Killzone is soooooooo goood….
PS4 is as silent as my ps3. I've seen a few videos where people are using a blow dryer off screen saying thats how loud the ps4 gets. Whether it be for a joke or to disuade people from buying a ps4, I don't know. I do know I love it so far and that's all about that matters. If it breaks, I'll do what I was supposed to do and wait till after Dark Souls 2 to buy one again. Gran Turismo 6 is going to pull me away from my ps4 because no other racing game has gripped me so firmly in its awesome claws.
As for this week, I platinumed Colonial Marines and Dead Island. Now I never have to play them again. Other than that its been all about Shadowfall. Also, its been like 40 degrees over here even though its sunny everyday. Its one thing I love about the mountains, its always cold.
I do have one complaint about the ps4 and its the lack of games. Granted I'm going to be playing Killzone for a long time, but FFX HD as a launch title would have been incredible. Something extra would have been nice, since I wasn't going to play Knack and I do get bored of shooters. Like Ben said, Second Sun would have been a nice addition to the launch line-up but at the same time its a good thing most people haven't boughten one yet. It leaves little incentive for people to buy gt6 or dark souls 2 or kh2.5 remix and FFX HD. Maybe sony did the ps4 line-up like that intentionally? Who knows, but it would certainly maximize profits.
I also haven't slept in 27 hours because I've been on the ps4, so any typos please discredit. Oh, also excited for TLOU DLC. Its going to be interesting to see what happened with whats her name and how they are going to defend themselves since Ellie wasn't trained by Joel yet.
Glad you like KZ, now go get some sleep.
Ben you should review Warframe, its F2P on the PS4 and its actually more enjoyable on the console than the PC.
For a free game its incredibly solid. Just dont pass on it because its F2P a lot of fun can be had without spending a dime.
PGU-
Been playing mostly dota 2 still. However I recently got Sonic Allstar racers transformed and I really really like it. Its such a solid kart racing game to play with friends.
Other than that I am just jumping around between games on the PC and PS3 without focusing to much on any one.
Ok, I got my Ps4 at midnight plugged it in and haven't looked back yet. No problems whatsoever.
On a sour note its like my Ps3 knew she was being replaced and the drive crapped out on my wife while she was playing Beyond (which by chance is now the game she proclaims to be her favorite).
Oh well I guess I'll be playing the PS4 while the PS3 gets its tune-up. I know what your thinking……life is hard =)
Bummer, your PS3 went to the beyond.
Not sure if it has been posted here yet, but it has been reported that Sony sold more than one million PS4 units on Day 1 in the US and Canada. Very impressive numbers, I must say!
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/playstation4-sales-surpass-1-million-units-in-north-america-in-24-hours-232248401.html
Well I am content with my PS3 for at least another year. There are still quite a few games to pick up for it that I have not gotten around to playing.
Until then, enjoy and hopefully Sony will have other surprises for Xmas for you!
Keep playing!
Well Killzone is really up against some tough competition. With COD and Battlefield.
The latest iteration of COD didn't go as well with critics, and Battlefield did do fairly well. But since KZ3 came out, the standard of quality in the FPS genre is much higher then it used to be.
I think KZ:SF probably deserves an 8 at minimum, but the reviews are a bit mixed as well. Some of them put the game down for trying to focus on story, saying to forget a story and focus on the action and MP (Obvious COD fans), and others are saying the story needed to be much better.
I can't wait to play it myself and find out.
Its far better than anyone is giving it credit. I think the FPS genre is just getting stale for people. Thats why each of these games between BF, CoD and KZ are getting fair to good reviews.
So heres the deal. KZ's gameplay is some of the best and so far theres not much else that can top it. Im talking from the solid control to the spot on gun accuracy. Its tight in every sense of the word both the mp and sp. The graphics dont need much explaining its better than anything before it and thats obviously because of the PS4. GG did a fantastic job on one of the first PS4 exclusives and setting the standard for what we will look forward too.
Next there was a large outcry to go where they hadnt gone before and create a game that wasnt on rails. Let me tell you that they added a sandbox esque element. Yes you still go where the missions lead, however you have room to explore and attack in different ways. Much like in Crysis2. They also implemented the touch pad flawlessly. Honestly I had no idea it would work this good, and they put it to use and it freed up the buttons on the controller. In otherwords they took full advantage of the PS4 controller better than any game has before in all generations.
Im not to far into the story but its in fact entriguing atleast. Im only in so far and already experienced some excellent stealth missions, and the freedom of alternate routes made it so much more enjoyable than that in KZ3. Ive been in heavy fire fights and the combat is excellent.
Im not trying to give a review here, but im not impressed with these reviews. They are all almost contradicting eachother. I am however impressed with KZ. Its the FPS I thought it would be and more.
I can't wait to see what GG's other game is. They have been working on it for awhile, I think we will probably get more info on it next year, maybe E3.
If it is anything of the quality that the KZ series has had, then it should be another jewel in Sony's first party crown.
yeah i cudn't agree more me and my hoping friends are just hoping our console are okay cos down in NZ we won't be getting more till next year so here's hoping for a smooth NZ/AU/EU launch. as for the reviews i don't care too much as i have already decide what games i wanted and that ain't going to change my mind so i'm gud.
happy gaming =)
*Deep breath*
I DON'T THINK THE PS4 CONTROLLER LOOKS ANYWHERE NEAR AS SEXY AS THE DUALSHOCK 3
:0
But it works so good!
i know this is off topic, but whats happening with the weather lately?, just seen sky news an the devestation caused by those horeendous tornado's in the U.s, hope you aremican psx readers are ok an hav'nt been caught up in them if you live in those area's, just really concerned!
The possibility that "Xbox users" are artificially inflating hardware problems is pretty lol, but either way I'm sure Sony will get them ironed out pretty quick.
Pretty much every launch lineup sucks, I'm sure Sony's first party stuff will deliver in the end, and from what I know from my friend at Bungie PS4 is the place to be when it comes to Destiny so I'll be picking up one soon enough.
Well I do admit that the Xbox One lineup is more appealing.
I mean, speaking from the point of view of someone who isn't into FPS games.
I like it how you disagree with Shuhei Yoshida about the game reviews affecting the PS4 launch.
Because you know, he didn't get to the position he is in now by not knowing anything about business right?
Is this addressed to me? Because I don't recall saying anything like that? I just said I think Sony will deliver on the first party in the end. Sony has better first party stuff than MS.
I think it's directed at me.
And I wasn't stating it as fact. I can state an opinion, or am I not even allowed to do that anymore? Or is it that Yoshida is an infallible human being?
You can state an opinion, obviously. I just don't think it's a viable one. But we wouldn't be interesting if we always agreed 😉