We're coming up on an entire year since Sony and Microsoft both released brand new videogame consoles. There's been heaps of new revelations about each machine, their futures and most importantly, the games.So let's take this time to revisit their respective reviews and reassess the current landscape of home gaming consoles.
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
At this point in the game, the PS4 is still looking pretty good and is getting better by the day.
The Sony console has the edge on value -- it delivers a better bang for your buck, as does its subscription service, PlayStation Plus. Sony continues to announce gaming and entertainment features due in the coming months to make the investment in a PS4 pay off in 2015 and beyond.
The affordability appeal is twofold. The PS4 is available for $100 less than the Xbox One -- $399 versus $499 for the Microsoft console (though now there's a Kinect-less Xbox One for the price of $399) -- so you're saving money right off the bat. While Microsoft has lessened the restrictions of Xbox One owners without a "Gold" subscription, I still feel PlayStation Plus subscribers are getting the better deal among the two services. The "free" games that come with the fee are of a better quality and quantity than Microsoft's "Games with Gold" promotion.
PlayStation Now, the platform's game streaming service is now live and offers a select amount of games to be played over a speedy Internet connection. As of this writing the pricing structure still seems to be a point of contention, but Sony has said the model can change. We'll have to see how that part shakes out. However, the gameplay experience is mostly acceptable given your Internet speed is solid, just don't assume you be playing with the low latency that some shooters demand.Sony has also teased an online TV service, that of which we've yet to see, though it was promised to hit before the end of the year. Details are vague, but it looks to be a cable-like video streaming app -- think Netflix or Hulu, but with live TV channels.
Almost a year into their lifecycles, game lineups on the PS4 and Xbox One are both still small, but they'll continue to expand as months and years progress. And if there's a must-have title on your list that's exclusive to one platform or the other -- well, that pretty much makes the decision easy.
It's still worth mentioning, even a year in, that there's still no urgency to purchase a new game console, especially if you're happy with the PS3 or Xbox 360 you probably already own. "Last-gen" consoles are beginning to show their age, but there are still plenty of games seeing simultaneous PS4/Xbox One and PS3/Xbox 360 debuts. That said, the sand on that hourglass is likely starting to empty, so just keep that in mind.
But if you feel compelled to make the jump into next-gen gaming right now and hold no severe software loyalties, the PlayStation 4 is a solid choice.
Here's why.
Editors' note (September 4, 2014): This is the second major overhaul of our PlayStation 4 review, taking into consideration the always-evolving gaming landscape.
Editors' note (February 6, 2014): This review was originally published on November 13, 2013, and has been updated from its earlier version with additional impressions of the PS4 and Xbox One (now that we've lived with them for more than two months), along with more information on what to expect from the console in 2014 based on Sony's announcements at CES.
What's in the box
Included inside every PlayStation 4 box is the console, power cord, a 6-foot HDMI cable (finally!), a DualShock 4 controller, a Micro-USB cable (to charge the DualShock 4), and a monoaural earbud for online chat. (The earbud plugs directly into the DualShock controller; you can alternately use any pair of headphones with a standard 3.5mm plug.)
Unlike the PlayStation 3, the PS4 isn't sold in multiple configurations: There's only one version, a 500GB model that retails for $400. Limited Edition PS4 models will likely come and go -- like this all-white Destiny-branded one -- but for now, there's only one main version. This is $100 less than an Xbox One, though the latter ships with its camera and voice/motion-sensing peripheral, Kinect, in the box. (That aside, you do now have the option to purchase an Xbox One without Kinect for the same price as a PS4.) It'll cost you $60 extra to pick up the PlayStation Camera for the PS4 -- not a must have accessory it should be known -- which I'll get to a little later. The camera provides some of the same features as the Kinect, but it's less sophisticated than Microsoft's, and isn't as tightly integrated into the system.
Early PS4 adopters received promotions on PlayStation Plus memberships, but those aren't guaranteed to be packed in anymore. PlayStation Plus members are treated with a number of discounted and "free-to-play" titles each month. If you like trying new games often, the service is highly recommended.
The hardware
Despite its smallish size -- at least compared with an Xbox One -- the PS4 packs a lot of power under the hood. The box is 2 inches high by 11 inches wide by 12 inches deep, weighs about 9 pounds, and packs in 8GB of DDR5 RAM. The CPU is a low-power x86-64 "Jaguar" eight-core chip, and the graphics are powered by a 1.84 TFLOP AMD Radeon "next engine." The fine print may not impress the layperson, but suffice it to say, the PS4's innards are in line with a mid- to high-end gaming PC.
Like previous PlayStations before it, the PS4's 500GB hard-disk drive is user replaceable (a standard SATA laptop hard drive or SSD will work), something I'm thrilled Sony has decided to keep intact. That 500GB may seem like more than enough storage, but with game sizes beginning to flirt with 50GB apiece, that might not cut it a few years down the road.
The PS4 boasts a striking angular design with a modestly low profile. The front end angles toward the user, sleekly hiding two USB 3.0 slots to the right and a slot-loading 6x Blu-ray drive to the left. Between these two ports are touch-sensitive power and eject buttons that give off familiar PS3 beeps when activated.
Around back on the PS4 are four simple interfaces in addition to a standard power connector -- the same size plug each PlayStation in the past has adorned. From left to right there's an optical audio, HDMI, Ethernet, and auxiliary port, which is used for the optional PlayStation Camera.
Note that the PS4 must be connected to an HDTV with an HDMI input; there are no analog (composite or component) outputs for this PlayStation.
The PS4 is equipped with wireless 802.11 b/g/n protocols (but not dual-band 5GHz nor the new 802.11ac standard) and also supports Bluetooth 2.1. That said, very few Bluetooth peripherals are actually currently compatible with the PS4 -- for now, just the DualShock 4 controller, the older PlayStation Move motion controller (if and when there's a PS4 game that's designed to work with it), and some Bluetooth keyboards. In other words, do not expect the PS4 to work with mice, Bluetooth headsets, and older DualShock 3 PS3 controllers -- unless and until Sony decides to widen support with a future firmware upgrade.
The PS4 has two power-off modes when not in use. It can be turned completely off or it can be put into standby mode. It's worth noting that the PS4 must be on or in standby mode to receive automatic updates or be woken up remotely. While PS4 can download updates while in standby mode, you'll need to manually accept the terms for it to install.
The top surface of the PS4 is one-third glossy and two-thirds matte black. Between these finishes is a slick multicolor LED that glows amber in standby, white while powered on, and blue when booting up.
Unlike the Xbox One, which must rest horizontally, the PS4 can be used vertically as well. Sony recommends using a dedicated stand for vertical operation (available for around $20), but the PS4 seems to sit on its side just fine by itself.
Not included: PlayStation Camera
Not included with the PS4, the aforementioned PlayStation Camera is a $60 accessory that allows you to control your PS4 with your voice. It'll also recognize your face and log you in should you set it up that way. Its functionality is quite similar to the Xbox One's Kinect, though it doesn't feature any IR blasting support. In fact, there's no IR port on the PS4 hardware, either, so you're stuck using the DualShock 4 controller when watching movies or streaming video. (Sony says a special Bluetooth remote is in the works, but didn't supply an ETA.)
Built into the PS4's operating system is interactive software called The Playroom that creatively demonstrates the PlayStation Camera's place in the PS4 environment. If you don't have the camera, The Playroom falls flat. An update to the Playroom that features more minigames and functionality is also coming soon.
Gameplay
So what does playing a PlayStation 4 feel like? Quite honestly, it's a lot like the PlayStation 3. There's a noticeable bump in graphics, of course, but it's logical to assume the real heavy hitters won't have their day until we're deeper into the system's life cycle. Like I mentioned earlier, the jump in visuals is not as dramatic as it was going from SD to HD a generation ago. Also, PC gamers with the luxury of a souped-up machine probably won't be much impressed at all. It's also worth mentioning that some cross-platform games like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag don't look nearly as good as PS4-exclusive games like Killzone: Shadow Fall. That said, some multiplatform games do tend to perform better on the PS4. A year in and that trend, for the most part, still reigns true.
In terms of gameplay, the PS4 experience is greatly improved thanks to the fantastic DualShock 4 controller. Nearly every genre I tested seems to benefit from the redesign.
During any gameplay session you can suspend the action and back out into the Dynamic Menu. Double-tapping the Home button will bring you back to the game or you can manually select it from the menu. However, if you put the system in standby mode or turn it off, you'll lose your gameplay session.
Sony has been very vocal about the PS4's support for independent game development and has delivered. It seems as often as every week, there are new independent games offered on the PlayStation Network. If you're just starting your journey in the world of indie gaming, give Rogue Legacy, Velocity 2X and 1001 Spikes a try.
Game saves are synced in the cloud (and backed up locally as well) and can be accessed on any PS4 you log in to as long as there's an Internet connection -- though you'll need to be a PlayStation Plus member to make use of this. I'll dive deeper into account management later on.
The PS3's answer to Xbox 360 Achievements, known as Trophies, continues on the PS4 and will merge both PS3 and PS4 trophies together. The PS4 introduces a dynamic trophy system where developers can program new trophies as well as classifying the rarity of items based on the performance of other players.
PlayStation Now
Of course we can't overlook backward compatibility. For all intents and purposes, there is no disc-based backward compatibility at all on the PS4 -- none of your PS3 games will work on this machine. (Xbox 360 games are similarly incompatible on the Xbox One.)
Instead, Sony has debuted a game-streaming service, known as PlayStation Now. PS4 owners are able to stream PS3, PS2, and original PlayStation games not just to a PS4 but also a PS3 and other devices (As of this writing only PS4 is currently supported.) For more on PlayStation Now, check out what it's like to use it.
The DualShock 4 controller
While the Xbox 360's controller was the seemingly perfect evolution of the original Xbox's pad, the DualShock 4 is just as, if not more of an impressive realization. It felt absolutely wonderful and addresses nearly all of the shortcomings of the DualShock 3 (the predecessor controller that shipped with the PlayStation 3). Unlike the slippery dome coverings of the DualShock 3's sticks, the two analog sticks on the new controller have smaller embossed faces that make for much easier control. The DualShock 4's sticks flank the familiar PlayStation Home button and audio speaker that is built into the controller. (Don't worry -- audio from the controller can be turned off.) Below the PS Home button is the headset jack (for online chat and game audio) and an "EXT" port for use with something else down the line. Sending PS4 game audio through the controller will only give you stereo sound, but just having the option to do is a small revelation. If you want to send chat and game audio through the headphone jack, the audio being sent through the HDMI port will cut out. You'll need a mic-equipped pair of headphones (like one you might use with your smartphone) to have game audio and chat in one shot.
The DualShock 4 is wider than the DualShock 3, perhaps to fit the controller's clickable touch pad that sits between the Share and Options buttons. The touch pad works just like a laptop touch pad and feels equally as responsive. The Share and Options buttons replace Start and Select. Though they occasionally function like their predecessors, they are also used to activate game DVR footage and sharing.
The L1, L2, R1, and R2 buttons have all received redesigns as well, but no button on the pad seems to have benefited more than the L2 and R2 triggers. These now extend out and feel much more comfortable to pull. The DualShock 4 also has two rumble motors so developers can localize the vibration feedback contextually within a game.
Like the DS3, the DS4 has a six-axis motion-sensing system, which encompasses a three-axis gyroscope and a three-axis accelerometer. A fun little note here: you can click the right stick during text entry to get a tiltable keyboard that's slightly quicker than entering letters manually.
You'll likely notice the glowing light emanating from the DS4's back. It's designed to work with the PlayStation Camera accessory and will change colors if there's more than one controller connected to the system. Below it sits a Micro-USB port for charging the controller's built-in rechargeable battery.
Additional DualShock 4 controllers will cost you $60 each. The console supports up to four.
The interface
Both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have made substantial efforts in streamlining the user interface. The PlayStation 3's cross-media-bar has evolved into the PlayStation 4's "Dynamic Menu" that casts a blanket of simplicity throughout the operating system, logically grouping like-minded items together.
It basically consists of two horizontal rows, the top filled with icons for various functionalities like Friends, Trophies, and Settings, and a thumbnail lower row that is populated by recent activities like the last game you've played, shared game DVR clips, downloaded titles, Web access, other media, and more.
When you highlight an item in the Dynamic Menu, "live" items from the PlayStation Network (PSN) will populate with relevant content for you to browse. (For the first wave on PS4s that were sold in late 2013, signing up on the PlayStation Network for the first time required a 323MB day 1 download that unlocked most of the console's connected features. Consoles purchased after launch will likely have these updates already baked in.)
Those who own a PlayStation Vita can connect the portable to the PS4 to activate remote play. Setup is fairly simple and it actually works well, but performance all depends on the strength of your home network. The concept is similar to what Wii U owners can do with that console's GamePad controller except for the fact that PS4 remote play uses your home. It's a godsend when your PS4 TV is being used up, but it's not a bulletproof work around because of its reliance on an ever-changing connection speed. While it's entirely possible down the line, you won't be able to play your PS4 outside of your home network.
Entertainment options
Streaming-media: The PS4 currently offers major streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Redbox Instant and Crackle. (We've compiled a full list of apps, directly compared with the Xbox One's, if you're interested.) It's a decent collection of apps, but it's not quite as robust as the offerings on Xbox One. Among the major omissions are YouTube (which, curiously, is on the PS3) and HBO Go -- though Sony has already pledged that HBO Go will be coming soon and it sounds like YouTube will be included in a soon-to-be-released system update.
The PS4 also supports Sony's own streaming-media platforms, Sony Music Unlimited (a $5-10/month Spotify-like service), and Sony Video Unlimited (rent or buy movies and TV shows for viewing on the PS4 and elsewhere). Those services are more front-and-center than ever before. The main PS4 interface will be regularly recommending movies and music from Sony's stores, based on what you've streamed in the past and what's popular. One change from the PS3 is that movies and TV shows from Sony will be stream-only, with no option to download. Sony says that's to ensure you don't fill up your hard drive with large HD video files, but those with less reliable broadband connections may miss the option to fully download a title before watching.
Perhaps the neatest feature is the ability to play Sony Music Unlimited tracks in the background while playing a game, but you'll need to be a Music Unlimited subscriber to take advantage of it. Conversely, the Xbox One can play nearly any app in the background using its "snap" feature, although at launch the audio between the two sources will be mixed together, so you'll always hear both at the same time. The PS4 lets you pick (or mix) which audio stream you'd like to listen to.
No live TV integration now -- but a streaming TV service on the way: At first glance, the PS4 falls short of the ambitious TV integration of the Xbox One, which lets you view your cable or satellite box through the Microsoft console, complete with limited voice control, an on-screen program guide, and the ability to watch TV and play games at the same time via a picture-in-picture window. That said, the Xbox experience can be buggy and leaves a lot to be desired, including no integrated support for DVR control.
Instead of integrating your existing TV service, Sony is opting to give you an alternative. The company announced it will be offering a streaming TV service on the PS4 and other Sony products before the end of 2014. Few details were announced, but we expect an app-based service that will offer a collection of existing TV channels -- for an additional fee, of course.
Disc player: In addition to PS4 games, the PS4's disc drive is capable of playing back Blu-ray and DVD discs, but it can't play audio CDs or SACDs. It's hard to believe that the PS4 can't play a CD, but if you stick one in the drive you'll get a message that says "disc unsupported." In a sense, the PS4 is a step back from the "plays everything" nature of the PS3, although that could change with a future firmware update.
Digital media player: If you're willing to give the PS4 a pass by not supporting the 30-year-old compact-disc format, it's harder to explain away the fact that it's not DLNA-compliant and can't play MP3s. Again, that may just be a launch-day limitation, with more features added in a future firmware update, but at least for now, the PS4 isn't nearly as capable as the PS3 is on the digital media side.
No compatibility with infrared remotes: Furthermore, unlike the Xbox One, the PS4 can't control the rest of your home theater equipment, nor can it be controlled via a typical IR-based universal remote. And it doesn't have Kinect's extensive voice control capabilities, although the optional PlayStation camera, as mentioned above, does support a surprising amount of voice control.
PlayStation Network, PlayStation Plus, and social
PlayStation Network provides a huge portion of the PlayStation 4's functionality. You'll need to be logged in to an account to activate almost all of the PS4's extra features.
PlayStation Plus subscriptions ($50 for a year) can carry over from the PS3 to PS4 and are now required for online multiplayer gaming. (Notably, unlike Xbox consoles, you do not need a PS Plus membership for using the media apps.) PS Plus members will also get automated game updates (the PS4 can download updates by itself while in standby mode) so you won't need to wait when starting a game just to find out it needs updating. For system firmware updates, both PS Plus and non-PS Plus members will receive automatic downloads for updates.
PlayStation Plus members have access to 1GB of cloud game saves, free and discounted games across all Sony platforms, automatic game updates, access to game demos, online multiplayer and some beta invites. To be clear, "free" comes with a catch. Everything you download for free is accessible only while you still have a PS+ account. If your membership expires or you cancel, you'll lose those titles.
A PSN member must make one PS4 their "primary" console, but once that's situated up to 16 people can log in to it. That primary account holder can also log in to any PS4 and have access to games and saves. Again, it's important to note PS+ is required for cloud game saves.
The PlayStation Store is doing away with downloaded content. Starting with the PS4, everything will now be streamed directly through the Sony Entertainment Network service or content portal of your choice.
That said, you will need to download games directly to the PS4's hard drive. All "large file" games will support play-as-you-download capabilities, and some titles -- if the developer wishes to do so -- can support downloading of a certain part of a game and not the other. For example, downloading Call of Duty: Ghosts on the PS4 gives you the option to only install the campaign or multiplayer component separately.
Since a PS4 in standby mode can now be remotely turned on, a purchase made through the Sony Entertainment Network site can be downloaded to a PS4 without having to be in front of the physical console. Essentially you could make a purchase at work and have it ready to play by the time you get home.
The PSN experience and store is deeply woven into the fabric of the Dynamic Menu. Live items are built in everywhere you look, and social features are present at every corner, especially when it comes to your friends list. Your account can be tied to your Facebook and Twitter profiles and have the option of posting on your behalf depending on your settings. Your friends list will actually be made up of your friends' real names if they approve your friend request.
The PS4 has a game DVR feature that's constantly recording so that you won't miss any sequence you'd like to share. With the touch of a button, you can stream to Twitch or Ustream and send a link to social networks, though recorded video sharing will only be offered on Facebook to start. You can also view a live feed of a friend's gameplay directly from the PS4, and you can add comments, too. Screenshots can be uploaded to Facebook and Twitter as well.
Built into the Dynamic Menu is a section called "Live from PlayStation" that gives you access to watch various video streams. From here you can watch Twitch and Ustream live broadcasts, search for specific feeds and comment on content as well. If you own a game that you're watching, you can start the game from the video screen or even get linked out to the PS Store to buy it.
Facebook integration appears to be more closely interwoven into the PS4 experience, whereas Twitter only seems to crossover for screenshot uploads. In fact, when you run the initial PS4 setup you'll have the chance to connect your Facebook account and even use your profile photo on PSN.
The PlayStation App on iOS and Android complements the PS4 experience with games that support second-screen functionality. It can also act as a navigational screen for the PS4 as well act as a keyboard when a text entry box pops up. Connecting the app to my PS4 was very easy (as long as they're on the same network) and the keyboard option comes in very handy when entering codes, tweeting screenshots, or commenting on videos.
My first-ever PS4 screenshot! #Killzone #PS4share pic.twitter.com/baPqnI7VJ4
-- Jeff Bakalar (@jeffbakalar) November 13, 2013
Beginning with system update 2.00, PS4 owners will have the ability to play a friend's game over the Internet. SharePlay, as it's dubbed will only allow games to be played in 60 minute increments. I'll update this section once SharePlay is released with full impressions of the feature.
PS4 vs. Xbox One
The Xbox One and the PS4 were released just days apart, leading gaming fans to the torturous question: "Which one should I get?" Unfortunately the answer isn't that simple. While both consoles offer next-generation visuals and gameplay, they each have some relative strengths and weaknesses.
While the PS4's first big advantage was cost, it's tough to make that argument anymore since Xbox One is now sold without Kinect for the same price.
Even comparing the add-on services -- PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold -- and you arrive at an impasse, though I'd still argue that Plus provides a better overall gaming value. Both cost about $50 annually.
Both consoles offer a good amount of content-streaming services, but neither has yet reached the full number of media apps their predecessors (PS3 and Xbox 360) currently offer. Xbox One has a slight edge here for now, but it's safe to say each console will be getting plenty of media apps down the road and odds are the one you buy will have or soon have the app you want.
On the social front, from what I've seen up till this point, it appears that the PS4 has a better integration of Facebook and Twitter, though of course all of that is subject to change. In this time of constant firmware tweaking, it's almost guaranteed.
Placing media functionality and social to the side, a lot of the decision-making about next-generation console purchases is tethered to exclusive games. The PS3 has had a wonderful few years of exclusive games, and for the most part that trend will continue into the next generation. Right now PS4 and Xbox One are neck and neck with exclusives -- though PS4 also has a better range of digital-only titles. But taste in games is always somewhat subjective; either those games will appeal to you, or they won't.
You might read about the PS4's specs trumping that of the Xbox One's, but it's important to keep in mind how that translates into actual results. You'll remember that the PS3 was originally poised to be a massive powerhouse that would leap passed the Xbox 360, but in reality didn't perform much better. You could even make the argument that most multiplatform games played smoother and looked better on the Xbox 360. That said, at the time of this writing (and having considered all the multiplatform games currently available), the PS4 does seem to perform slightly better than Xbox One.
Conclusion
2014 has been a great year for PlayStation 4. The combination of the PlayStation Now game streaming service, and the forthcoming Sony streaming TV app bode well. Now we just need Sony and its partners to begin to deliver on a list of must-have games. Thankfully, Sony seems to have a promising road map worked out. inFamous: Second Son was a solid title and The Last of Us Remastered was well received thanks to its impressive visual improvement. The PS4 will likely see Sony franchise staples like God of War and games from the Naughty Dog team (Uncharted, The Last of Us), among others. The next big exclusive for the PS4 is The Order: 1886 which will hit in February of 2015.
It's almost been a year since its release, but it's still early for the Xbox One and PS4. But right now, the PS4 is a strong contender to be your one and only game console for the next generation.
CNET Editor Matthew Moskovciak contributed to this review.