Update! 5 PS4 system reviews: Judge for yourself

http://reviews.cnet.com/ps4/

The good: The PlayStation 4 serves up dazzling graphics, runs on a simplified and logical interface, and boasts a fantastic controller. It's also $100 cheaper than rival Xbox One and has the upper hand on indie and day one digital-only offerings.

The bad: Triple-A titles are lacking at launch, and the PS4 won't come close to matching its predecessor's gaming or software library for months -- or possibly years. PS3 games aren't compatible, though Sony is hinting that its Gaikai game-streaming service will open the door to retro gaming in 2014.

The bottom line: The PlayStation 4's beautiful graphics, blazing interface, and near-perfect controller make it a worthy successor to the PS3, but it would be wise to wait for more titles and features before you buy.

http://www.polygon.com/a/ps4-review/games

Downloadable shooter Resogun is a beautiful bright spot in the PlayStation 4's lineup, and even better, it's free for PlayStation Plus subscribers. But Sony's major AAA launch exclusives are impossible to recommend. Killzone: Shadow Fall is gorgeous but poorly designed and boring for the duration of its campaign. Sony Japan's Knack is a surprisingly difficult grind, which drags on for too long with too little to say or do.

Worse for Sony, the delta between most next-gen and current-gen releases this fall has proven minimal beyond superficial visual improvements. While games like Assassin's Creed 4 look better on PlayStation 4, they aren't enough to recommend stepping onward and upward to a new console.

This is an enormous challenge for the PS4. As a system focusing on games, that's where it currently lives or dies. Just as problematic, Sony's currently announced slate of platform exclusives is thin — shy of Infamous: Second Son, there's little to carry the PS4 through the spring and summer of 2014. This is a notoriously precarious period for new consoles, as demonstrated by the software struggles of both the PlayStation Vita and the Wii U in the year following their release, and we're not sure what bridges Sony intends to build between release and holiday 2014.

Sony's repeated emphasis on indie titles has borne little fruit for launch outside of the disastrous Contrast, which appears for free on PlayStation Plus. We expect that 2014 will be dotted with some of the titles that Sony brought to this year's E3 and Gamescom stages — but their absence from view has us wondering what happened and, more specifically, why they couldn't make it for launch.

To be clear, we're not saying there won't be good, interesting software for the PS4. We think that's inevitable. But we don't know what that software will be, or when it will see release.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/11/13/review-playstation-4-f2c91e51/

"As welcome as party chat is, it's not perfect. Both myself and Joystiq News Editor Alexander Sliwinski experienced echoes while chatting, each hearing our own voices repeat themselves after speaking. It was faint, but definitely noticeable. I was also kicked from the chat lobby multiple times over the course of an hour, and I even ran into an error message or two. This seemed like it happened most frequently when the PS4 was engaged in bandwidth heavy tasks like downloading an update or uploading a video clip, but it will require more testing to be sure.

The Dynamic Menu in general isn't without a few hiccups of its own. I encountered one moment when it became unresponsive for several seconds, notably when installing

Killzone: Shadow Fall

. Upon installation, the game required an additional update to be downloaded. At this point

Shadow Fall

's tile briefly displayed two different "start" buttons. One of these had a disc icon indicating I could start the game. The other was unlabeled, though clicking it appeared to start installing the update. Updates are supposed to be applied automatically, so something seems to have gone awry, though it did eventually right itself.

Navigating menus can be jerky, as the selection cursor will occasionally refuse to move until a particular item or graphic has loaded. Using the Home button to quickly jump out of games and apps isn't always seamless either. None of these issues break the experience but, like the voice chat echo, they're certainly noticeable.

http://kotaku.com/the-playstation-4-the-kotaku-review-in-progress-1463521231?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Twitter&utm_source=Kotaku_Twitter&utm_medium=Socialflow

"

I just wish the launch games were better1112

I've mostly just thought about what can come of this PlayStation 4. The PS4 has a compelling agenda to make console gaming feel not just more social, but to facilitate better sharing of games and to foment more conversation about games. I'm excited, of all things, to not just curse about the tough part of a game but to hit the share button and show you that annoying section right while I'm still fired up about it. I'm excited to use the PS4's true name system to make me feel like the people with whom I connect on gaming consoles are real people who I know and who do things with games that I can care about. And, yeah, I'm excited about all this stuff that is barely tested and is on a system that doesn't offer many gaming moments that I want to share yet. (Read our Killzone: Shadow Fall and Knack reviews.)

We did hit one hardware speed bump that we're hoping/guessing is an anomaly

Aside from all this online stuff, there's one other awkward detail that I can't accurately assess at this moment. It's this: the first retail PS4 we got from Sony didn't work. Now, please, don't panic. It's impossible to tell how much of a fluke this was or whether this is the canary in a coal mine of pending PS4 hardware troubles. 9

Here are the facts: In the past week, my Kotaku colleagues and I have used one pre-release PS4 and three retail PS4s with no problems. I've also heard from fellow gaming reporters who've used their PS4s with no problems. But the first retail unit that Sony provided me failed to work when I plugged it into a TV in Kotaku's office. A colleague and I were able to compare it to a second PS4 that did work and we found that the issue was rather simple: the bad unit had a faulty HDMI jack that we couldn't fully plug an HDMI cable into. It couldn't make a solid connection and therefore, apparently, couldn't transmit a stable signal to our TV. We tried different cables and monitors. The issue was with the console.

I certainly hope this is a fluke. I've asked Sony to share any insights they have into how common this issue has been. They've not provided any official reply yet, but a rep did seem surprised when I first told him about it. Obviously, we'll be keeping an eye out for any other reports of this issue. Again, to be clear, the other four units we've tested first-hand have worked fine.

I think you'll want one eventually. But, cool as the PS4 is, a lack of a must-play game means you can afford to wait. Do you need to have a PS4?14

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/437911/playstation-4-the-launch-unit-review/

The PlayStation 4 is relatively cheap, momentously powerful and, across both the hardware and software, carries an underlying sense that the customer experience has dictated design.

But, in focusing on correcting all the problems of its past, the PlayStation 4 becomes a robust machine that nevertheless lacks innovation.

The launch unit verdict

This past generation has dragged on too long. Though there were still standout moments, many proven ideas became too relied upon, while graphics hit a ceiling. The PlayStation 4 is a long-overdue leap forward for Sony, but it doesn't take any risks. Sharing features might change how players approach playing and watching games, but it doesn't change the central experience.

The controller will make playing them more comfortable, but it too is merely an advancement on an a controller blueprint that was etched in the mid-nineties.

Fears that console gaming would buck and bend to the whims of the fickle casual market have proven false - this system is absolutely built for core gamers. And yet, for those expecting to see something that definitively turns a corner, you won't find it here just yet.

There's a good chance that the software platform will allow for greater innovations in the future, such as more streaming options expected to be added later down the line, but for now, Sony is selling a futuristic machine with not many new things to do on it.

Read the reviews for yourselves to decide what you think. So far it seems as I expected. A very powerful gaming console that's basic but well done.

yep, next gen consoles not worth it at launch

PS3.5 confirmed?

The PlayStation 4 is relatively cheap, momentously powerful and, across both the hardware and software, carries an underlying sense that the customer experience has dictated design.

Looking good! I expect things to have to be worked out for both consoles. I dont recall any launch console being perfect.

It got a 4/10 from EuroGamer.

To whom? I thought they were just to play even slightly better versions of multi-gen titles. Worth is very relative.

The main reason I got PS4 at launch was to play ACIV and CoD:G.

Nope they never are.

Certainly since consoles switched to being gimped pcs. I dont recall too many problems in the cartridge era.

You can afford to wait with any console. Launches are always treats for early adopters.

*sighs* I've been telling you people the PS4 was gonna suck.

To me? None of their launch exclusives look interesting, and the multiplats I will just get on PC, where it will look and run better.

I'm not amused.

Will definitely get the PS4 but it doesn't seem worth it unless you're a die hard Sony fan that just has to own the next Playstation ASAP. I think early 2015 will be the time to get it but I'm holding back on The One too for a bit because I'm European and want to see how it all pans out. I also suspect The One to get a price drop quite fast as the PS4 looks to sell a lot more and Microsoft are actually making a profit on each sale albeit a minor one

That's exactly how I'm looking at it. A luxury.

Fears that console gaming would buck and bend to the whims of the fickle casual market have proven false - this system is absolutely built for core gamers.

That's what i wanted and looks like we got it.

@Heil68: yep its built for core gamers alright. Except it has one problem. Core gamers like to play games and the ps4 has none.

PS4 is the best next gen console........1080p,better multiplat games.more powerful and cheaper.

I managed to buy 6 retail games to play, I think I'll be ok. I see you rock a PS3 though, so according to you" I'll jump on board for the ps4 early in 2014" I'll see you then, be sure to add me to PSN BroknOath.

@BPoole96:

Any console whose features list consists of five things is going to have a tough time selling. One of those five things is an app, and the other is another console.

Innovation? Minimal.

PS3.5 Indeed.

LMAO i was wondering when you bovines would show your faces today.

Sony made the PS4 to make the PS3 look better. But they seriously need to smooth out PSN, navigating the UI, and the chat options.

LOL what a shame, ps4 officially sucks ass.

It sounds a lot like the PS3 launch... lacking refinement on the software side of things. Gladly this will improve over time, and honestly, I enjoy watching a console develop. The PS3 is a totally different machine that it was at launch thanks to firmware and added services. Still, I do hope that the hardware is more reliable than the 60gb I had that died twice under normal conditions.

@noob622: what exactly did Microsoft innovate

You do realize this won't sway the early adopters right? Also How many time did I hear that about the PS3? Ps4 was supposed to never come out or a myriad of other things about how sony was going to collapse.

This is what this launch feels like...

Wobble wobble.

EDIT: Why does this thing wobble?

@danabo:

I'll check that out Thursday night. I didn't see it in the tear down video I saw. If it is like that, that's lame, but I'll be able to correct it pretty easily.

I already know im waiting a good 4-6 months before buying a PS4.

WOW. First time i've ever agreed with you. Honestly, I hope lots of foolish people buy the consoles at launch so they can act as beta testers while I'll wait till Destiny comes out and pick up a destiny ps4 bundle with the order, driveclub and infamous second son. X1 can wait until X1 slim edition or never tbh.

@TheTruthIsREAL: When did I say Microsoft innovated? *confused*

First console to come with a HDD as standard, first console to allow full game installs, Achievements on console and first integrated online play for a console, Granted all of these where already on the PC but as far as consoles go MS has innovated quite a bit.

@danabo said:

This is what this launch feels like...

Wobble wobble.

EDIT: Why does this thing wobble?

It only wobbles if you press down on the shiny side, lol

i stick to my original plan, if ps4 is selling for good price on ebay then it will be sold otherwise i will buy battlefield 4. i think what these reviewers are forgetting is the current gen consoles will be gimped from here on out, just look at the difference between bf4 between ps3 and ps4. also ps4 isnt going to get a price drop in the next 2 years im certain of that

@shawn30 said:

@danabo said:

This is what this launch feels like...

Wobble wobble.

EDIT: Why does this thing wobble?

It only wobbles if you press down on the shiny side, lol

it doesnt have any feet towards the shiny side. it should be stable unless u press down on shiny side.

Seems pretty accurate. When a journalist site takes the mick out of another, it's clear the credibility of one must be questioned.

So hardware is good but software is poor ? Sounds great to me.... there's always bad games being released but there's always games being released so there's a good chance of getting good games in the near future... so long as the hardware runs it fine. Also i've noticed some harsh bashing coming from that polygon site against the PS4, yikes! Anyways put on your hats for when Titan Fall scores 9's all over the place for no reason O: !

@ghostwarrior786 said:

@shawn30 said:

@danabo said:

This is what this launch feels like...

Wobble wobble.

EDIT: Why does this thing wobble?

It only wobbles if you press down on the shiny side, lol

it doesnt have any feet towards the shiny side. it should be stable unless u press down on shiny side.

Why didn't they add a feet to the shiny side? Why would they **** up something so simple.

@lostrib: looks like ps4 rushed. Xbo gonna deliver tho much to the chagrin of cows

Innovation isn't needed atm at all.... what we need is good entertainment. Not really anything new. I mean you can say how much innovation the Wii U has and for that we should purchase it. But i'll say that's quite silly bob. Things people want, games like the Witcher 3, and Dark Souls 2 and maybe an adventure game like Mario 3D world or The second son or even Mario Galaxy 3 ( if it ever get's made ) Not to watch TV on the remote controller. They want a good game to play.. not to have something do more than what it should when there's no reason for it such as what the X1 is doing.

Because it does not have 4 feet but 3 feet placed under the non-glossy half of the console. It lays perfectly flat, unless you exert force on the corner (which no sane individual would do)

Ahhh... Can't wait until Friday :)

The only negative is the lack of games...which is the case with any new system and will change over time

if you have the money why not buy it now? there are still games to enjoy

i doubt it

Like I keep saying, I'll wait till it has some games I wanna play

Damn man I wish your ass would graduated 2nd grade already.

am i the only one excited to play battlefield 4 on next gen since i hated how small the player count was on current gen

heck if BF4 was not being released i would have skipped on ps4.

All those reviews are saying what I've been saying about the ps4 for months. Decent hardware but no games so the xbone is actually the better purchase at launch. If you are truly honest and not some fanboy you'd think this too. Doesn't mean I ain't getting a ps4, I am just next year, but the facts are out there xbone has more going for it at launch

The CNET review makes me glad I'm waiting until February and InFamous