Editorial: “A Week With the Playstation 4” Hardware & Software Impressions

After eight long years the arrival of Sony’s Playstation 4 marks the true beginning of the next generation of video game consoles.  Yes, I know that Nintendo’s Wii U launched last year but let’s be honest and state that just about everyone understands that it is vastly underpowered when compared to either the Xbox One or Playstation 4.  However, this post is not meant to be some rant against the Wii U which, I actually like as a gaming console, but to point out that in terms of pure tech specs that it lags behind both products from Microsoft and Sony.  Now, having spent an entire week with the Playstation 4 I can finally report a few quick impressions of the new console.

Marketing – “This is For the Players” Playstation 4 Launch Video

Yes, the next generation of video game consoles is now upon us as the Playstation 4 launches at midnight with stores across Canada/USA opening to sell the console to those who were smart enough to pre-order it many months ago.  Any console launch is intrinsically exciting and this one will be no different although I really sympathize with those people who haven’t pre-ordered their units and will have no choice but to camp in the cold for hours hoping to pick up an unassigned console.

Giant Bomb’s Game of Thrones Characters as Video Game Consoles

Considering that I have my reviews for Game of Thrones Season One and Season Two right now batting in lead-off positions for my site I figured I might as well draw your attention to this rather funny post over on Giantbomb.com where they decide to compare various characters from George R.R. Martin’s series to, of all things, individual video game consoles.

Marketing – Xbox One Invitation Advertisement

With less than a month till the launch of Microsoft’s next-gen console many have been asking why marketing has not ramped up for the product considering rival Sony has already begun its teaser ad campaign for its Playstation 4.  Well, wait no more as Microsoft has finally begun its massive marketing blitz for the Xbox One by recruiting some celebrities to bolster its multi-million dollar campaign.

Alternate Ending – The Last of Us (2013)

I…was…not…expecting…this.  Seriously, as long time readers know I gave Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us a glowing five star review a short while ago for being one of the best video games this entire generation.  Today, Naughty Dog decided to throw fans a small bone by releasing this video that details an alternate ending for the game that is…totally unexpected.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Opening CG

It is no secret that I am a big fan of Final Fantasy but it also has to be said that Square Enix, as a company, has had an incredibly rough last couple of years and there is no better example of their apparent fall from grace than Final Fantasy XIII.  I’ve played every Final Fantasy and XIII was the first game which enraged me to no end and though I finished it I came away feeling as if I had wasted those hours of my life when I could have been watching fresh paint dry on my wall.

Xbox One – Ryse: Son of Rome (2013) 1080p Footage

While Ryse: Son of Rome has seen its fair share of criticism, nearly all revolving around its somewhat generic and QTE-inspired gameplay, it also has garnered some enthusiasm when it comes to grading the game’s graphical prowess.  This is no surprise as it is developed by Crytek, you know, the guys who made Crysis into a semi-household name.  Thus, here’s a nice six minute High Definition video running at 1080p showing combat gameplay to whet your appetite.

Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014) Update & Screenshots

Regular readers will know that I’m a big Bioware fan, specifically of Mass Effect, but I also played the heck out of Dragon Age: Origins although I’ve only finished its sequel Dragon Age 2 once.  I didn’t exactly hate the sequel but it certainly felt every bit like an extended DLC scenario rather than a full blown game as evinced by the atrocious amount of repetitive locations.  Nevertheless, while we all await the first reveal of Mass Effect 4 there’s still another game to not forget and that would be Dragon Age: Inquisition the third part in the trilogy now due to be released Fall 2014.