Upgraded to PS4

Over the weekend, I finally took the plunge to the next gen systems. Can we call them the current gen yet, or does the focus have to shift from 360/PS3 to XboxOne/PS4 completely before that's proper? Eh, either way, I'm up to date and so far, so good! In fact, wow, this new machine is a BEAST by comparison. Let's shake a few things down.

I owned both 360 and PS3 before, but my gaming leaned more towards the 360 than the PS3. Aside from The Show and UFC Undisputed 3 (I liked the PS3 controller better for it) the 360 got everything else. However, something changed in the last couple months that led me to where I am.

For one, I started streaming the WWE Network on the PS3 at the Royal Rumble. I wanted to run a side by side comparison between the ps3 and 360 on this. The PS3 blew the 360 completely out of the water. The 360 lagged and skipped a lot, whereas the PS3 flowed like it was a cable PPV purchase. Secondly, the graphics on the PS4 seemed to be a bit above those of the XB1. Which, normally isn't a huge deciding factor, but things seemed more clear and crisp on the PS4. I tend to like things brighter so that was a bit important to me. Lastly, Sony is dedicated to gaming first. And I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad thing, but when a GAMING SYSTEM is released and its media heavy and gaming is secondary, it concerns me a bit. I can buy a set top box with all the apps that I use to watch movies/tv/etc. The PS4 has enough media fun to it to suffice a quick need, but it shines on the gaming end of things and THAT, to me, was probably the final consideration that won me back to the Sony side.

Prior to the 360, I was a big Sony fan. I had the PSX and then that flowed into the PS2, which I still consider to be the BEST system that I've ever played. When the PS3 came out, however, its higher price point initially turned me off. Blu-Ray? Please! Give me that 360! And that was my mentality. However, I ended up with the PS3 because I found a TV package that just so happened to be lumped in with the PS3. So I ended up paying just a bit over the price of the PS3 to get a brand new 40 inch 1080p tv and the PS3. I couldn't pass it up. But the PS3 never really impressed me. The 360 popped out to me more, the controller felt more comfortable, and I really liked the stability of the Xbox Live network compared to the free PS network. But now, I'm back in Sony's good graces and I have to say I'm very happy.

The two games I picked up were NBA 2k14 and FIFA 14. I'm by no mean knowledgable about soccer. I'm a beginner fan, so to speak. I know a couple players here and there and I have a vague idea of how the game works. Put the ball into the net using your feet. That's about it. But, from a gaming standpoint, the game is BEAUTIFUL! When I fired it up, I immediately noticed little things. Jerseys bunching up, ruffling with every step. Wind blowing hair and jerseys! WIND! JERSEYS! YES! It was very hi-def and faces were immediately noticeable. And not in that cartoonish way either, this seemed real. The game controlled very well and from what I was doing, assuming I was playing right, the game rolled smoothly.

Then I popped in NBA 2k14. As I mentioned in a previous blog, this has become one of my favorite franchises over the years. I love the MyPlayer mode and do enjoy playing the GM mode. While the next gen version is VERY stripped down (which was disappointing) it is also VERY fun. MyGM is the mode that I have been excited for, as I love being able to do the negotiations, the tickets/pricing, everything from top to bottom. MyPlayer is fun as well, although the fact you can't always skip cutscenes can get a bit old. However, I don't mind. When I first booted it up, it took quite a while to get up to date. But that's fine and I expected it. At one point, my wife thought I was watching a game and asked "why aren't you playing your new games?" "Baby, I AM!" Even she noticed it. There's a bit of a shadowing effect sometimes that seems like a blur around characters at times, but its nothing that kills the graphics. THIS is a beautiful game. And if this is what the next gen is going to be like, then I'm perfectly at home. And just think of how much better the developers can get as time goes by?

Overall, my PS4 experience has been great. And I am getting more geared up for Tuesday when I pick up my copy of MLB 14 The Show. I'm looking forward to some conversation about that game, as well as friendly banter about who has the best Career, Franchise and much more. So, to the next generation, you have taken me from skeptical gamer to fully committed to what you are about to provide. Bring it on and go crazy!