What is it really like to use a PlayStation 3?
Greg Howson
Thursday November 2, 2006
The Guardian
Even with your hands on one, it is hard to say. We've been testing a pre-production machine that plays games but lacks the movie playback and network facilities that are an integral part of the machine. The launch games we've played do look impressive, especially when viewed on a high-definition TV, but there is nothing on display that Microsoft's competing Xbox 360 couldn't produce. In fact, upcoming Xbox 360 titles such as Gears of War offer superior graphics to anything we've seen so far on PS3. However, the PS3 titles do compare favourably to the initial 360 games; a complete comparison will have to wait until next year when developers will have had more time to get grips with the system.
But while it is hard to get a conclusive feel of the games, the console itself is easier to assess. Build quality is high, with touch sensitive buttons and a weighty substantial feel. The PS3 has built in power supply - unlike the 360's huge power brick - which makes it a much tidier package. The curvaceous styling can't disguise the boys-toy aesthetic, although the target audience will lap up the shiny black case and chrome finish. Perhaps more importantly for a console that has designs on being a serious movie player, the PS3 runs very quietly - especially when compared to the noisy 360.
The new controller takes a little getting used to, mainly because it feels so light. In fact, it is almost too light and feels slightly cheap compared to the rest of the hardware.
Games are only one part of the PS3, with Blu-ray movie playback almost of equal importance. The unit we tested couldn't play movies or go online, so testing was impossible. But the minimalist menu system that allows access to all the features of the PS3 compared well to the 360's equivalent.
So, after a tortuous gestation period, the PS3 is almost here. We've been quite impressed with what we've seen so far, even without any of the multimedia or network elements that will be a huge part of the PS3. The games may offer little new, but they have a visual polish uncommon in launch titles. The real test of which console is best comes next year when the PS3's movie playback and online facilities arrive along with the beast itself.
