Where Are The Apps?
Apps are things that have become common in today’s society. People download apps all of the time on their smartphones and many other devices. Even though the PS4 is Sony’s newest and flashiest device, it lacks any apps to speak of. Even the PS Vita has more apps on it.
I went to the PSN store and the only apps that were available were IGN, Quickflix and Vidzone. That was all. There is currently no app to download Youtube, there are no apps for movies and there are no apps for TV shows either. Another app that was available was the Music Unlimited app. Music Unlimited is pretty redundant because you have to pay to stream music. Most people I know would rather use Spotify since it’s free.
I had a look on the USA PSN store to see they have (I live in New Zealand). They have a bit more because they have Netflix, Amazon and other apps. Americans can also buy and rent Hollywood movies using their PS4 too. Even then, the apps that are available are thin (right now) compared to the PS3.
Lack of Media Features
Another thing that I think the PS4 is lacking is overall media features. I liked using my PS3 to watch videos, listen to music and view my photos. You cannot do any of that on the PS4 sadly. USB devices right now can only be used to back save data and nothing else. You cannot even change the menu’s background either. The blue default design gets boring to look at after a while. Audio CDs don’t work on the system and only 2D Blu-ray discs work on it too. Sure not many people own 3D Blu-ray movies, but this just seems like a step backwards from the PS3.
The PS3 might be lacking in some areas, but it’s a very great media device. I have used it to play and store MP3 files, my photos and various videos. I also use my PS3 to play Youtube videos too because they look better on an HDTV as opposed to watching them on my laptop I have also used my PS3 to watch various 3D movies such as The Amazing Spider-Man, Tekken Blood Vengeance and more.
I just don’t know why the PS4 takes a step backwards in the media department. It’s possible these media features could be added in the future but as of right now, there’s nothing to do on the PS4 other than to play video games.
PS4 Launch Lineup
The PS4 launch lineup is good, but not great if you are looking for exclusives. If you’re the type of person that doesn’t mind the annual releases of Assassin’s Creed, FIFA and Call of Duty, you’ll probably think the lineup is fine. For me, I don’t really like annually released games and l usually like to play different genres. The PS4 only offers Killzone: Shadow Fall and Knack at the moment. The rest of the PS4 exclusives are only downloadable titles. Unless you are a hardcore gamer, I would say it’s best to wait to purchase a PS4 until there are more games to play. I’m a fan of RPG and fighting games, but there are no new PS4 games from either genre at the moment. 2014 will be a stronger year for the PS4 because the likes of Infamous: Second Son, Driveclub and Watch Dogs will be available. If you don’t get a PS3 this year because it’s sold out, don’t worry because I feel all of the better games will be out next year anyway.
In terms of graphics, the PS4 reaches heights that the PS3 can only dream of. Most games look smoother and brighter than ever before. The best looking games I played on the system thus far have been Knack, Killzone: Shadow Fall and NBA 2K14. NBA 2K14 is probably the best looking of the bunch. I would even go as far as saying it’s the best looking game on any next-generation console.
It’s also worth mentioning that the PS4 is not backward compatible with any previous PlayStation games. Yes, this even includes digitally downloaded titles as well. Sony is expected to roll out the Gaikai service that will allow you to play old games, but it’s likely you’ll have to pay to play your old games all over again. As of right now however, only new PS4 games will work on the system.
Verdict
The PS4 is a very great system that improves on the PS3 on so many levels. The console runs very fast and installs and download times aren’t as slow as they used to be. Remote Play with the PS Vita and the impressive DUALSHOCK 4 controller makes playing games more fun than ever before. The console itself is small and sleek so those with a small living room won’t have trouble fitting it in. The main gripes I have is that the console lacks additional features that the PS3 had. The PS4 should improve over time, but right now it’s best only as a video games machine. If you want to use the PS4 for other things, it’s best to wait to purchase it when Sony will hopefully add new features via future firmware updates.
[Editor’s Note: The PlayStation 4 was provided to us for review purposes.]