PSM3's PS3 impressions

[Loke]

PSM3 just received a PS3 from Sony and here are their impressions.

Yes, it's true. It's not made out of wood, it's not behind bullet-proof glass at the Tokyo Game Show - it's a real live PS3 and we're really playing it. The two Sony reps that were kind enough to bring us the machine brought it in a bag, popped it out and placed it on our table. We connected it to our TV and we were away. Forget any dev-kit speculation and empty cases. PS3 is real and it works brilliantly.
Consider this a follow up to Friday's blog - where we posted a pic of the PS3 and a crowd of sweaty men fighting to have a go on it. Well, given that this post has proved insanely popular across the internet here are more pictures of men being excited around a real live working PS3.
Some more details of the brute in action:

1) It's quiet like a sleeping baby. A barely audible hum. With the TV on you simply can't hear it at all.
2) It's heavy like a planet. No, really. It's impossible to pick up with one hand.
3) It's shiny like a mirror. In fact, it's impossible to take a photograph of it without the flash spanging every picture into a starburst mess. And therefore it's massively prone to fingerprintage too, with the tiny amount of dust in the office magically attaching itself to its surface in seconds.
4) The PS3 joypad is very light and the tilt system is very responsive. We like.
5) The start up is amazingly fast. And game load times were faster than expected. In fact, PS3 does both at about the same speed of PSP. ie, Long load times due to the massive Blu-ray disc? Nope. Simply not an issue.
6) Andy's fingers kept sliding off the shoulder buttons. But that's because his fingers are slippery.
Want to see more? Here you go.

Dan Dawkins of PSM3 proves that PS3 is real (and so is that grin).

Nathan of PSM3 beaming like the cat that got to play PS3. (And grew thumbs…)

PS3, up close, running Motorstorm. Note that it's covered in fingerprints already.

MotorStorm in action.

David Meikleham, our work experience dude proves that dreams can come true.

It was so great that Andy almost smiled. Almost.

Look, no wires. Please bear in mind that this is a photograph of a TV and the actual game looks a million times better than this.

MotorStorm loaded up.

One lead does it all. Power in one side, HDMI output for all sound and video on the other.

And this is the PSM3 office while PS3 is in the building… Say no more.

AND FINALLY:
The important bit: A video of PS3 in action. We turn the machine on and load up MotorStorm,

Things to note:
1) The speed the machine sucks the disc in. Wow!
2) The PS3 start up sound - it's like an orchestra tuning up. Cool.
3) The similarity between the PS3 interface and the PSP interface.
4) Watch out for the first recorded lifting of the PS3's flaps.
5) Listen out for the fact that Sony don't officially have a name for the 'PS' button in the middle yet.
6) And check out those flashing blue and green lights. Groovy.
Want to download the video and keep it forever?
Click here.

Source.

Damn, can't wait for it.

 

[VictimOfScience]

Just saw this too! Good news really! I am so jealous of these guys. Motorstorm has been one of my most wanted titles since the first target footage showed up! Man, I will probably get a 360 at first price drop and then a PS3 whenever MGS4 comes out (should be many other games by then too ).

 

[Icarusintel]

1) It's quiet like a sleeping baby. A barely audible hum. With the TV on you simply can't hear it at all.

5) The start up is amazingly fast. And game load times were faster than expected. In fact, PS3 does both at about the same speed of PSP. ie, Long load times due to the massive Blu-ray disc? Nope. Simply not an issue.

Awesome. The only things I was even slightly worried about aren;t even a problem. November can;t come soon enough.

 

[Gargantou]

I can wait, but my bro's getting a PS3 so I won't have to.

 

[<RJMC>]

dam I hate when electronics devices hav that mirror looking shini cover,the dust stick to it like flys to the shit

however is good to see that it exist

also games dont look so bad but I will go to see the video

 

[Reginald]

Nice to see some positive comments for a change. :cheese: I doubt I'll ever play one outside a demo booth because I know none of my friends want or can afford one and I certainly can't. Providing I play... um.... the new Twisted Metal?

 

[dream431ca]

Great source. Can't wait for it. I'm also getting a samsung 1080p 46 inch screen for this thing

EDIT: what's more important to me, is what will the PS2 and PS1 games look like? Will the PS3 have anti-aliasing for PS2 games? not to mention upconversion?? I hope the PS3 also will improve the look of PS1 games. If any of you had a dreamcast, remember Bleem! for Gran turismo 2? If you haven't tried it, it drastically improved the graphics for GT2. I hope the PS3 does something similar.

 

[Gargantou]

I sorta doubt it dream, btw, how the hell can you afford a Samsung 1080p 46 incher?! Are you t3h rich or t3h spoiledz0r?

 

[dream431ca]

I sorta doubt it dream, btw, how the hell can you afford a Samsung 1080p 46 incher?! Are you t3h rich or t3h spoiledz0r?

Nah. My brother and I will buy it later..not for a while anyway. We share the price so it's not that bad. (I've also been saving quite a bit)

Sony stated that the PS3 will upconvert the PS2 games to HD levels...I hope I can find the link for you..but I guess will see when it finally comes out.

 

[Gargantou]

Upconvert as in them actually running in a much higher res or just upscale like the 360 does? Because if upconverting, does that mean they're basically running an emu? If so that could mean compatability issues..

 

[Noobulon]

Damn, the games look superb even in flash photography aimed at a TV set!


I wish I could afford one of these buggers... No way is it going happen though.
I would also like the TV in those pictures. Oh well.

 

[Cube]

Wow...that PS3 in those pictures looks filthy.

Shame that the load times are still quite long (from what I've heard about the PSP)

Damn, the games look superb even in flash photography aimed at a TV set!

Put any game on that TV, and the same will apply.

 

[dream431ca]

Upconvert as in them actually running in a much higher res or just upscale like the 360 does? Because if upconverting, does that mean they're basically running an emu? If so that could mean compatability issues..

Well..the PS2 had some compatability issues with PS1 games...not like major ones but some. For example:

Street fighter alpha 3: in the PS2 options make the PS2 load the game faster. When you go to arcade mode, the game freezes.

Silent Hill: When you put on smooth textures the trees have a white highlighted line on the edges of them.

These might happen with the PS2 games as well.

And upconvert does not require emulation. It requires a scaler. If you want anti-alising in the PS2 games, then it requires emulation.

 

[smwScott]

Shame that the load times are still quite long (from what I've heard about the PSP).

Well, those complaints were because it's a handheld, and load times are less excusable on handhelds. In my experience with the PSP it generally loads games up significantly faster than the PS2. Of course it all depends on the game.

Anyway, this is good news. It's nice to see the thing up and running.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

Finally get to see it in action!

Bleh about the uber-shiny factor! I would rather have my devices be a bit more dull so I won't be blinded by reflections by the damn thing.

Awesome boot time. Pure sechs (though I really like the Xbox360 start-up movie, I wish PS3 would have some sort of intro movie)

I wish they could comment on the PS3's internet capabilities, but it appears they haven't even hooked it up to the net (maybe Sony guys aren't allowing them to yet or they were just too lazy / excited to do it then and there)

 

[hungryduck]

wow....I was surprised to see this....

 

[Anthraxxx]

I'm still 'meh' about the PS3. There's been nothing that really impressed me. Graphically, it looks pretty much the same as Xbox360, so it's gonna be the games that will decide when I get one, and considering that most of the good stuff won't start coming out until a year after it's release...that's when I'll look into getting a PS3.

 

[Ren.182]

Looks nice, but I doubt I'll get one for a long while. Looks like its a magnet for fingerprints and grime too. Nasty. But thats not really a downside

 

[destrukt]

I'm actually pretty impressed now but there are still so many things I need to know about (Their answer to Live) and change (Price).

 

[TCfromBN]

Whats that other game that they are playing, Motorstorm... and?

 

[Korgoth]

now I just wish they'd hurry up and tell the stores how many units they are getting at launch so I can reserve me one!

 

[Bad^Hat]

Whats that other game that they are playing, Motorstorm... and?

Killzone?

Good to see it's finally materialised. Still 99% sure I won't be getting one, and if I do it'll be alot further down the track, and only if it turns out getting alot of good exclusive titles.

 

[Combine Hybrid]

Fact that it makes no sound is cool.

But the long loading time makes me think otherwise.

I prefer loud noise over ridiculous long loading like PSP.

 

[Tamer17]

The other game looks to be Resistance fall of men to me.

 

[Gargantou]

The other game looks to be Resistance fall of men to me.

Yeah it does.. I doubt it's Killzone..

 

[Combine Hybrid]

There aren't even any killzone title for ps3.

 

[Gargantou]

I beg to differ, http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/killzone2/index.html

 

[Bad^Hat]

The lack of sound is cool, the 360 has a bit of a buzz going when it's running a disc.

 

[destrukt]

The lack of sound is cool, the 360 has a bit of a buzz going when it's running a disc.

That's true but does anyone actually notice when you are doing anything besides browsing the Dashboard ? I don't.. hell, I stopped noticing the sound after I played my first game on the day I bought it.

Though being silent is a very nice bonus. Let's hope for a firmware update from MS though I doubt it..

 

[3ssence]

I don't notice the sound of the fans inside the console, however i do find the noise of the drive spinning the dvd'd quite intrusive. However, when you are playing a game with the volume turned up this isn't really an issue. Still, kudos to sony for making the PS3 silent, quite cool imo.

Will get a PS3, but not at launch, will wait for a while to see what titles are released etc.

 

[Asknoone]

PSM3 gave Driver 3 a 9.

 

[Cube]

The lack of sound is cool, the 360 has a bit of a buzz going when it's running a disc.

They said you can't hear it over a TV. So it probably makes as much sound as the 360.

 

[Korgoth]

bullshit 360 is loud as hell, and especially loud if you have that intercooler fan on it... And its almost required for the stupid thing to perform properly.

 

[StardogChampion]

The PS3 itself does look totally horrible. I would've preferred a casing with a similar texture to the PS2 one, rather than a shiny one.

Not that I'll be buying it anyway

 

[Korgoth]

As far as I know the premium version is the only one with the chrome case, and honestly, it looks a lot better than the 360's cheap white plastic.

 

[Warbie]

The noise of the 360 doesn't bother me either - unless it's late and i'm watching a movie with the volume down low, which is very rarely. I've never noticed it while playing.

The PS3 is looking more impressive as launch arrives. It's still massive and ugly as hell, but it's the games that matter. It being quiet has no bearing at all on how attractive a purchase it is to me.

I'm a little concerned with the online service, though - various games that are appearing on the 360 and the ps3 at the same time will only be online with the 360. Hopefully there are just a few bugs to be ironed out, but I wouldn't be suprised if taking the PS3 online is a mess for a while (looks at PS2 and PSP online :/). Seeing as both consoles are similar in power this could be the only area that one machine is clearly superior to the other. Xbox Live is really very good and Sony will have to match it.

 

[Bad^Hat]

Fight fire with Xfire?



























I'll get me coat.

 

[-Psy-]

It's pretty OK.

Just another console with the same titles as last generation but with fancier graphics

PSM3 gave Driver 3 a 9.

Rofl. It's the worst game ever...apart from Big Rigs and Superman 64 of course.

 

[smwScott]

PSM3 gave Driver 3 a 9.

It was a pretty good game. A 9 is overrating it but everyone else massively underrated it. I wonder how many detractors actually played the game.

And how is the PS3 ugly? It's easily the sleekest, best looking console. The Wii looks damn good too mainly because it's so small.

 

[Deadline]

Ah nice, shiny = bad though. Just got a Onyx DS Lite and I cant STAND it because its constantly covered in finger prints and hand sweat...

And what TV was that they were playing on? Anyone?