PS4 review - Is Sony winning the console war?

The PlayStation 4 was now launched 18 months ago. With a raft of exciting new PS4 games just released, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Project Cars, we thought it was a good time to give our review a thorough overhaul. The console has come a long way since launch, with numerous system updates smoothing out most of its rough edges.

If you're reading this you may well have already decided which console you want, but we'll be pointing out some of the lesser-known features on offer. If you're still undecided whether to buy a PS4 or an Xbox One, then it's well worth exploring the differences between the two as well, so see our PS4 vs Xbox One article too.

Sony has positioned the angular PS4 as a purebred gaming machine with a powerful hardware specification. Open the box and it's clear that the vast majority of your money has been spent inside the casing. There's no bundled camera peripheral, only the bare minimum of ports on the back, and even the power brick has been integrated inside the chassis. It's neat, compact and powerful-looking. But has its lived up to the early hype and expectations?

PS4 CONSOLE

The PS4 is an pretty sleek piece of kit. It's raked angles plus a mix of matt and gloss finishes look far classier than you might expect for a plastic-shelled games console. A recessed central gully contains the slot-loading disc drive and twin front USB3 ports, while a line bisecting the console the other way integrates the power and eject controls and a strip light that lets you know the console's power and notification status.

We really like the look, but we'd prefer proper buttons that click in when you touch them, rather than the touch-sensitive controls. Even after 18 months we still get confused about which is which sometime and eject a disc instead of just turning on the console.

 ^ The PS4 is a smart-looking piece of kit and, despite it having PC-related components inside, it looks nothing like a PC

Around the back is the HDMI output, Ethernet port, S/PDIF output and an AUX port for the PlayStation Camera peripheral. Power is provided by plugging in a typical figure-eight power lead and it draws from 80W idling, up to 140W in-game, but just 3W when in its Rest Mode. 

Rest Mode is essentially a very clever standby mode for the console, during which it can charge controllers, download system and game updates, and even keep your games in a Suspend mode. This means you be playing a game, pause it, put the console in Rest Mode and it will save your game state. Then when you power it back up, you can start playing just where you left off almost instantaneously. It's a brilliant feature (also available on Xbox One) that works with any game that doesn't require you be online, such as Destiny.

 ^ There's not much in the way of ports at the back, but there's plenty of venting

Placed horizontally it's practically silent when idling, which is good for Blu-ray playback or streaming TV. However, it does pick up considerably when playing a game, and even more so when navigating the main menu while a game ran in the background. It's notably louder than the Xbox One and you'll want to keep it as far away from you as possible when gaming. Position it upright and the fan noise increases further still, so best to keep it lying down somewhere with good air flow.

PS4 SPECS

Inside the console Sony has used similar components to Microsoft, with a powerful AMD chip at its heart. For the PS4 this single integrated chip contains both an eight-core CPU and a GPU with 18 compute units. That's 50% more compute units than the Xbox One, providing a significant advantage in graphical horsepower, which can also be turned to use in special effects and advanced physics simulation if preferred.

The PS4's memory system consists of a single large pool of 8GB of super-fast GDDR5 memory - more than we've seen on even the most expensive PC graphics cards. The Xbox One by comparison uses the same amount of slower DDR3 memory, with a super-fast 32MB cache to help make up the difference.

18 months in, we're confident in saying that the PS4's simpler memory architecture and superior GPU has proved the better choice. In multiplatform games, the PS4 consistently outperforms the Xbox One, with either smoother frame rates or higher resolutions onscreen. Most commonly PS4 games run at a Full HD 1,920x1,080, while Xbox One games go for a 1,600x900 resolution. It's not a huge visual disparity but you can see it, and we're now confident it's an advantage that the Xbox One won't close.

PS4 CONTROLLER

The DualShock 4 is a huge improvement over its predecessor, and it needed to be. Though still recognisably a PlayStation controller, the new controller is larger and more comfortably rounded. The back has a non-slip micro-texture and the front is dominated by a light that reacts to in-game events, identify players by colour, and allows the PS4 camera peripheral to track its movements accurately.

The light is a little too bright for our tastes at its default setting, reflecting off our TV screen in the dark; thankfully, you can change it from the original Bright setting, down to Medium or Dim by simply holding down the PS button on the controller and select Adjust Devices.

It has a built-in 800mAh battery that charges over a micro USB connection. It's very convenient but it's limited battery life of around eight hours means you'll want to leave on charge whenever you're not playing. Thankfully you can set the PS4's USB port to output power for 3 hours after the console goes into its Rest Mode, which is enough to get your controllers fully charged.

 ^ The new controller is more comfortable to hold, has more precise controls and a couple of next-gen features too - it's a fantastic evolution of previous DualShock controllers

The analogue sticks have more resistance and very little deadzone before they react to your inputs; they're also further apart, so you thumbs never touch, and are very precise. The d-pad is responsive with good feedback, though the face buttons could have clicked a little more positively. The triggers are good too, though they lack the vibration feedback of the Xbox One's.

The new gamepad also adds a touchpad, so you can execute swipes and other gesture-based commands. This also clicks in to provide a way to select options from onscreen menus. Less obvious is the built-in motion controls which are beautifully refined, giving you instinctive input in supporting games. We're still yet to see much integration of these features in big games, though.

 ^ You can hook up any headphones to the controller for late-night gaming sessions

One feature we love on the DualShock 4 is its microphone port. As well as being used to add a chat headset for multiplayer games (a basic one comes bundled), you can also output full stereo audio from the PS4 (game, movie, TV catch-up, anything) through it. It's brilliant for late night sessions with headphones without disturbing anyone else or running cables across your living room. There's a crisp mono speaker too for up-close sound effects and you can talk back thanks to a microphone.

PS4 INTERFACE

The PS4's three-line menu isn't the most striking piece of design but it's simple to navigate. The central row is a long line of tiles for all the games you've played recently, plus some grouped apps, such as catch-up TV and streaming video services.

As you scroll across each one, additional details load beneath it. Pushing down from the main menu accesses those additional options and the screen themes itself appropriately, with a background to match the game content. Above the main menu is a notification bar, which alerts you to messages, friends online, trophies won etc. Pushing up gives you all the options and settings you need to react to these.

 The main interface. Notifications at the top, main menu in the centre, with updates and options shown below ...

There's a lot less advertising on show than on the Xbox One, with that kept largely tucked away in the PlayStation Store, which has its own tile at the far left of the menu.

It's quick to switch back and forth between tasks, you can access the menu instantly from a game by pressing the PS button on the controller. If you want to switch to say netflix, it will take a couple of seconds for your game to go into suspend mode first. You can switch back to a game in an instant though, straight to where you left off, by selecting the game's icon on the main menu.

 ... push down and you get this themed menu area specific to that game title

Put in a game disc and it starts installing automatically. You can often start playing games before they've finished installing, letting you get playing as soon as possibke. The same process works when downloading supported titles.

All your save games are uploaded automatically uploaded to the cloud, presuming you have a PlayStation Plus subscription (£40 a year). This also provides free games on a monthly basis and access to online multiplayer, so it's really a must-have and should be considered when costing up the console. Online saves mean you can log into any PS4 anywhere and play as if you were at home (presuming the brought the disc, if required).

 PlayStation Plus is now required for online multiplayer, but the free games make it a good deal anyway

PS4 BLU-RAY AND CATCH-UP TV

When you tire of gaming the PS4 is relatively well-equipped. There's BBC iPlayer and Demand 5, but ITV Player and All4 (previously 4OD) haven't yet made apps for the console. In terms of subscription services Amazon Prime Instant Video and Netflix are supported, plus there's Now TV from Sky, and a Sky app for satellite subscribers too.

There's a built-in Blu-ray drive that's as easy to use as popping in a disc. You can stream files over your network via the Plex app, but there's no built-in DLNA support yet. You still can't play CDs strangely, but you can play MP3 files from external storage devices. Sony's own music service is gone, but Spotify support has been added in its stead, and you can even listen to your choice of music from this while playing some games.

PS4 REMOTE PLAY

If you've got a PS Vita then you can connect it to your PS4 and use the Remote Play function - a technical marvel of modern gaming. Getting this set up is simple, with no fiddling with passwords or codes. Once connected you can then play games or navigate the interface on your PS4 as if you were sitting in front of your TV. The video and audio is routed to your PS Vita, and your control inputs are sent back.

All this works best over Wi-Fi in your home, where you should experience minimal lag to your inputs, though we still wouldn't recommend it for for competitve online gaming. If your PS4 is in Rest Mode then you can even boot it up remotely, so you can start playing from anywhere. However, the lag over an internet connection is usually pretty bad; though strategy games are playable and you'll be able to log into your PS4 interface to check stuff or set up a download for when you get home.

 Remote Play on PS Vita is a technical marvel, letting you play games from anywhere around your home, and even beyond

The biggest downside is that the PS Vita doesn't have the full button complement of the DualShock 4, so the rear touchpad and touchscreen are pressed into service - to make up for two missing shoulder buttons and analogue sticks that don't click in. Some games simply work better than others in this regard, and some developers have taken the time to make sure the most important controls are assigned to physical buttons. Destiny, for example works far better than you might expect.

You can also use Remote Play with the PlayStation TV. It's essentially a PS Vita thats been shorn of its screen. You plug it into a TV and stream gameplay across your home network from your PS4. Letting you play your games elsewhere in the house, although at a hit to image quality and responsiveness. The big plus here being that you can use a proper DualShock 4 when playing. The same goes for Sony's more recent Xperia line of smartphones and tablets, that when paired with a DualShock 4, become a great Remote Play option.

^ Playing Destiny over the internet from our office was possible, though not recommended. The lag makes it tough to pull off headshots, though crushing things with a huge alien sword is straightforward enough

Equally easy to connect, though not yet as impressive, is the PlayStation App. This is available for iOS or Android devices and provides you numerous features. You can access your PS4 and PSN account, check up on what friends have been up to and make purchases to be downloaded to your PS4. It will also act as a second screen, in much the same way as Microsoft's SmartGlass, providing additional information, maps and inventory access to some titles.

PS4 SHARING AND STREAMING

The PS4 is ready for social media from the off. You can enter your Facebook and Twitter account information at setup and it supports live streamed gaming services Twitch and Ustream - you can create an account from the PS4 with ease.

 Upload pictures, videos or broadcast your gameplay live - console gaming just went social

Just push the share button on the gamepad and select the option you want. You can livestream to the web, see how many people are watching the stream and they can comment in a sidebar. Livestreams now have 720p video quality, and you can save clips locally to your PS4 without disrupting your stream. You can easily upload recorded video clips (the PS4 maintains a constant 15 minute buffer) to Facebook or YouTube at the press of a couple of buttons.

Video copied off this way is 1,280x720 at 30fps with a respectable 8Mbit/s bitrate and stereo 48KHz audio at 128kbit/s. It's not the full HD the console is capable of then, but it holds up pretty well for most purposes. If that's a problem you can also switch off HDCP copy protection in Settings. This allows for easy capture by HDMI capture devices, such as our much-beloved Hauppauge HD PVR Rocket, at full HD resolutions

 Uploading video to Facebook is a great way to show off your new hardware or gaming prowess

You can also upload screenshots to Facebook or Twitter and comment them, though you'll want to hook up a Bluetooth keyboard to your PS4 if this appeals to you, as typing on the onscreen keyboard is a pain, even with the new slightly-speedier touchpad interface.

You can also use the new Share Play feature to share your gaming with a friend. This way they can watch you play, play multiplayer with you as if they were sitting beside you on the couch, and even take over your controls if you get stuck and need some help. We've not found it essential, but it's technically very impressive.

PS4 EXCLUSIVE GAMES

With great hardware, a good controller, an easy-to-navigate interface and some clever tricks like Remote Play, it looks like the PS4 has things sewn up. However, it's the games that really make a games console and Sony's record on exclusive titles has been a bit patchy to date.

Launch games are rarely the best examples of a consoles potential, although Killzone Shadow Fall made a good case with some stunning graphics and solid class-based multiplayer. Since then we’ve had the pretty and capable inFamous: Second Son. It looked great with some fantastic particle effects and solid brawling, but as a whole it didn't feel like a true next-gen experience.

 inFamous is a good game but it’s not a reason to buy a PS4

Even now, it's still not a great time for PS4 exclusives. After the debacle of DriveClub's online issues, we were hoping The Order 1886 might be able to pick up the slack. Sadly, this wasn't the case. Despite the quite maginificent amount of next-gen facial hair on show, The Order's short run time and almost non-existent gameplay left it feeling incredibly rigid and linear, with almost no replay value whatsoever. 

The latest exclusive is Bloodborne, the spiritual sucessor to the famously-hard Dark Souls series. We didn't expect the developer to go easy on PS4 gamers, but we did expect a little more explanation of what was going on, or even what the controls were, with this exclusive reboot of the series. It's certainly not a game to attract anyone who's isn't already dead set on playing it.

Unfortunately, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End has now been delayed until next year, so we won't see Drake and company in action until next spring, according to Naughty Dog. 

MULTIPLATFORM GAMES

Thankfully, multi-platform games shine on the PS4, bringing fantastic-looking HD versions of popular games to your TV without the fuss of maintaining a gaming PC in your living room. Destiny is great on the console, and has a smattering of free additional content thanks to a deal struck by Sony. More recently The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has provided a genuinely brilliant next-gen RPG, though of course you can play it elsewhere too. We're also clamouring to get our hand on Tom Clancy’s The Division, which is a single and multiplayer shooter set in New York after a disastrous event. But that's been delayed until 2016.

PS4 PS+ AND DOWNLOAD-ONLY TITLES

The current thin line-up of exclusive titles on the PS4 has been rounded out somewhat by some excellent smaller, less expensive, download only titles. It's worth noting that most of these games are, or have been, available for free as part of the PlayStation Plus Instant Game Collection, so it's well worth the £40 year that costs. Most recently we've written full reviews of Transistor and Child of Light which are both worthy of a gander if you're looking for something a little smaller to play, but just as perfectly formed.

PS4 CONCLUSION

Next-generation gaming should be about so much more than just prettier graphics, but at the same time a certain amount of eye candy is required. The PS4 certainly delivers on that front, with a growing selection of decent games, even if most of them are cross-platform titles. It's a step behind in terms of exclusive games but then neither side has produced a true must have exclusive yet.

The PS4's hardware innovations are largely confined to the excellent new controller, and though the touchpad and improved motion tracking are impressive, neither has been fully utilised. However, that headphone output on the controller is simply brilliant, both for games and other viewing. Remote Play on the PS Vita is a technical tour-de-force, but still feels a little peripheral at present (excuse the pun), but the addition of game suspend since launch is a massive boon.

 ^ The PS4 is our pick of the two next-gen consoles at present, but it's early days and the quality of exclusive software over the next couple of years will be crucial

We prefer the PS4's interface. It's easy on the eye and easy to navigate. There's good support for social media sharing and a reasonablevrange of catch-up and streaming TV apps.  Despite the multimedia boasts of the Xbox One, the PS4 is still a decent choice.

It's a tight contest then, but for us the PS4 continues to make a more convincing argument. If you're spending big money on a new console, you want something that looks like it has a long life ahead of it, which the PS4 does. The Xbox One has some neat tricks, but they're not key to gaming itself. Quite simply the PS4 is the better device to play multi-platform titles on today and that's enough to give it our top award.

And if that's made up your mind, then for the latest deals read our Best PS4 deals article.