Top Video Game Reviews

Not sure about your selection? Still trying to find which game console you should buy for you and your family?

On the following description, I tried to summarize some technical aspects of Sony PS3 with the hope that, after reading this review you will get some ideas about this product. Pros and Cons from some customers are also presented.

We may start with technical summary:

-It’s 33% slimmer, 36% lighter than previous PlayStation 3, and consume less energy also.

-HDD size is 120GB, enough capacity to store your games, music, videos and photos.

-HDMI + Bravia Sync functionality, provides 1080p output resolution and instant connectivity.

-Built-in Wi-Fi make you ready for update anywhere.

-Compatibility with multiple media format including Blu-ray.

-Powered by IBM “Cell” Processor and NVIDIA graphics processor that together make the system is able to perform two trillion calculations per second.

-Dualshock-3 wireless controller with pressure sensors on each button and Sixaxis motion technology, giving you sensational game play experience.

-Access to The PlayStation Network (PSN) free of charge, where you can download games, game demos, movies and other content through The PlayStation Store and PlayStation Home.

- Sound: LPCM 7.1ch, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTs, DTS-HD, AAC

- Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM

- Networking: Ethernet X1 (10BASE-T,100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)

- AV Output: Resolution 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i (for PAL 576p, 576i), HDMI OUT + Bravia Synch, AV MULTI OUT, DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL)

- Dimensions: 13.385″(w) x 13.385″(h) x 6.299″(d)

- Weight: Approx. 7.05 lb.

And now Pros and Cons about PlayStation 3 from some users:

Pros:

+ Excellent game selection. Good pricing.

+ a great Blu-ray player that is updated frequently by Sony ( firmware updates allow this player to evolve over time!)
+ ability to rent/stream movies from my couch through PSN. No subscription required.
+ obviously the SLIM is lighter, smaller, and required less energy.
+ much less noise than 40GB PS3! (especially during blu-ray playback and long game play!)
+ PS3 Slim has ability to bitstream Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA audio( my receiver can now display TrueHD audio properly!)
+ Amazing overall build/construction.
+ Very good graphics.
+ Compact size.
+ Solid menu system.
+ Streaming-media works flawless.
+ Has held up for almost non-stop running for a few months now, doesn’t even seem to hiccup.
+ Great cost/value

Cons:

- No linux support, games a little bit expensive, expensive accesories as well

- No PS2 Backward compatibility

- Backup Utility is awkward (nobody uses FAT32 format anymore and it’s actually a process to even format a HDD that way)

- Online play isn’t as good as 360’s

- No mic jack on controller

- Controller requires a USB connection for charging. Controller does not have removable batteries.

- The relatively low loading of blue ray (from the moment you put it in to the moment it actually starts playing)

- That it only has 2 usb ports and that both are in the front (I would have liked to have one or two in the back to connect the dongle for my wireless keyboard)

- The webrowser is nice to have, but not very fast and not too friendly. A more common safari/opera/IE would have been even nicer

- That it doesn’t support SACD, PS2 games or even have the card readers the original model had.

Well, that’s it. Hope this will help you a little bit.

Not sure which one is your selection? Still looking for a game console that most suits your wants and needs? Then this article may help you.

On the following description, I tried to summarize shortly but comprehensive some technical aspects of Sony PS3. Some customer’s Pros and Cons are also included.

We may start with technical summary:

-It’s 33% slimmer, 36% lighter than previous PlayStation 3, and consume less energy also.

-HDD size is 120GB, big enough to store your games, music, videos and photos.

-HDMI + Bravia Sync functionality, provides 1080p output resolution and instant connectivity.

-Integrated Wi-Fi for connectivity anywhere.

-Compatible with multiple media format including Blu-ray.

-Powered by IBM “Cell” Processor and NVIDIA graphics processor.

-Dualshock-3 wireless controller with pressure sensors on each button and Sixaxis motion technology, giving you sensational game play experience.

-Access to The PlayStation Network (PSN) free of charge, where you can download games, game demos, movies and other content through The PlayStation Store and PlayStation Home.

And now Pros and Cons from some users :

Pros:

+ Excellent game selection. Free online play. Bluray player. Good price.

+ a great Blu-ray player that is updated frequently by Sony ( firmware updates allow this player to evolve over time!)

+ ability to rent/stream movies from my couch through PSN is great! No subscription required.( this was also present in the older models, just one that i love!)

+ obviously the SLIM is lighter, smaller, and more energy efficient.

+ much quieter than my 40GB PS3! (especially during blu-ray playback and long game play!)

+ PS3 Slim has ability to bitstream Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA audio( my receiver can now display TrueHD audio properly!)

+ Blu-ray, free playstation network, best graphics, best games, best controller..

+ Amazing overall build/construction.

+ Quiet (or at least with a game or movie on I sure can’t hear it).

+ Very nice graphics.
+ Compact size.
+ Bluetooth wireless accessories.
+ Built-in wifi.
+ Free access to PlayStation Network.
+ 120gb HDD.
+ Solid menu system.
+ Streaming-media works flawless.
+ Has held up for almost non-stop running for a few months now, doesn’t even seem to hiccup.
+ Great cost/value

Cons:

- No linux support, games a little bit expensive, expensive accesories as well

- No PS2 Backward compatibility

- Backup Utility is awkward (nobody uses FAT32 format anymore and it’s actually a process to even format a HDD that way)

- Online play isn’t as good as 360’s

- No mic jack on controller

- Controller requires a USB connection for charging. Controller does not have removable batteries. No compatibility with PS2. Arguably better exclusives found on the 360.

- The relatively low loading of blue ray (from the moment you put it in to the moment it actually starts playing)

- That it only has 2 usb ports and that both are in the front (I would have liked to have one or two in the back to connect the dongle for my wireless keyboard)

- The webrowser is nice to have, but not very fast and not too friendly. A more common safari/opera/IE would have been even nicer

- That it doesn’t support SACD, PS2 games or even have the card readers the original model had

Well, that’s all. Hope this will help. You may check here for more details about Sony PS3.

The wave of the realise of the recent JRPGs persists through this month with the release of  the Resonance of Fate from producers of Sega. Following fast on the heels of  the larger names Final Fantasy and White Knight Chronicles, this game was in peril of being completely overshadowed, but has in reality proved to be a dark horse entry, gathering a heightened degree of affection from RPG fans.

The Resonance of Fate revolves around a distant world which is descending into anarchy. Vast cities are being poisoned whilst the aristocratic higher classes do nothing to assist, and thus you command three heroes battling for justice. Gameplay revolves solely around gun battles, and as you progress deeper your firearms will be custom-made and augmented.

The battle technique employed within Resonance of Fate has split many gamers. Initially, it is fairly unforgiving and piles a variety of info onto the gamer directly, making it all appear quite troublesome when beginning. Nevertheless, commit just a few hard hours to perfecting it and the result’s an elaborate and dynamic system boasting balletic gun battles.

Visually, the game is innovative to have a look at and offers a nice steampunk style world. The characters are attractive in a generic anime manner, although the ongoing ’boutique’ feature, which allows you to customize your character’s look throughout Resonance of Fate, is a great inclusion.

Overall, this makes up a great addition to the JRPG genre. It takes a chance with the age old combat method and, while the outcome won’t be to everyones appreciation, it’s a praiseworthy effort. It looks polished and crucially includes the favourite RPG elements like towns and NPC interplay, which have been strangely astray in other recent high profile offerings. If you’re a fan of JRPGs with an individual twist, give Resonance of Fate a whirl.

This week we witness the unveiling of probably one the most highly  anticipated titles of the decade; Final Fantasy XIII. This game was really  first teased at way long ago in 2006, so the long wait for launch has been  overwhelming. Well, that wait is finally over and we will all sit  down to surely what’s going to  be the gaming release of the last few  years.

Launched in December over in Japan, Final Fantasy XIII has actually amassed a bit of controversy since its unveling, and the evaluations acquired for  the title haven’t quite been the straight aces producers Square Enix were hoping for. The main reason for this being that Final Fantasy XIII  has quite significantly revised the basic  gameplay associated with the franchise, and certainly the RPG genre as a  whole. Gone are NPCs, interactive towns and an immediately open world.

Instead, Final Fantasy XIII is a lot more linear and story driven. Users  observe quite a tightly set route for the first 25 hours or so of  play. Succeeding this, the gameplay branches out and gamers are  free to observe their own selections a little bit more. This  has been a major gripe for some, whereas others welcome the more focussed  and cinematic slant. It actually does depend on your preference.

One  element which has been vastly highly praised is the  fighting system, which comprises an  impressive mesh of X and XII.  Gamers are actually able to ’stack’ attacks, and the more you’ll  be able to stack increases as you level up. Moreover, in Final Fantasy XIII there are numerous different roles your heroes can command,  such as healer and  tank, and gamers are able to shift these roles during fights.

It  goes without saying that the visuals in this title are  wonderful.  Presentation has always been Square Enix’s crux, and the franchise has always  provided high range graphics. As the first of the franchise to hit the  next gen consoles, Final Fantasy XIII is, unquestionably, the prettiest looking title ever. The FMVs  are so detailed and beautiful you may need to stare at  them all day, and the in-game visuals are enough to compete with the FMVs of  lesser games.

Throw in an undoubtedly grand storyline, and you have the  biggest title of the year. It might be a bit different to what you’re  familiar with, yet overall Final Fantasy XIII is simply what everybody’s been  waiting for. Masterful fighting, achingly attractive visuals  and a promised 60+ hours of gameplay mean Final Fantasy is back with a vengeance. Let the  adventure begin.

With Christmas arriving soon, there are a whole lot of kids who are busy putting together a list of what they want. The PlayStation gaming console is very likely to figure at the top on that list. Now if parents aren’t aware of these gaming consoles, it is going to be a pretty difficult task to find a PlayStation 3 that is ideal~. Firstly, there are five PlayStation consoles and every product has been designed for a specific kind of gaming. The Playstation prices that we tell you about here are an approximate figure and kind of an average cost of the console.

If you are a beginner, then the regular Playstation 3 120GB system is the one to start with and it includes Wi-Fi built in and free membership to the PlayStation network. It comes at a cost of $299.99.

From there, you can go ahead to the next level with the Entertainment Value Bundle from PlayStation 3 and here you have an option – whether it is the games, the console or the Blue-ray movie. All your children’s media collection CDs and DVDs is able to be played on this console. There is a dual shock wireless controller that comes with it in addition to membership to the network and it is ready for the Internet. It costs 9.00 and the 120GB memory as well as the vertical stand is extra.

The Playstation 3 Game Reviews Choice console also offers you a choice – whether it is the dual shock controller, games or the Blu-ray remote. It has an 80GB memory, it is ready for the Internet and you get the PlayStation membership. This as well can play your entire media collection DVDs as well as your CDs. It comes priced at $399.00.

While you go to look for home entertainment, there’s nothing quite like the PlayStation 3 console. Each one has a Blu-ray player which is built in and this guarantees that you get the best possible graphics and gaming excitement. And the factor that this console can play all of your media library CDs and DVDs and you’ll see how amazing it is!

There’s one more thing for those who adore Guitar Hero as well – the Sony PlayStation 3 Ultimate Rock Bundle. Here too, your console has a dual shock 3 wireless controller, hard disk storage, it’s ready to be connected to the Internet and of course, you get your membership to the PlayStation network. You can select the rock band kit that you desire and it provides you with the latest installment of the Guitar Hero World Tours. It is available for $349.00.

This concluding console completes the PlayStation 3 console prices and it is given along with 160GB as well as the uncharted Drakes Game as a bonus. It contains the Drakes Fortune Game, it is is ready for the Internet, you get your PlayStation membership, it comes with a dual shock 3 wireless controller and it also has a voucher that allows you to download the PAIN game. It can be bought for $399.00.

2009 is poised to become a big, big year for the Sony Playstation 3. In fact, this early, Sony is already dubbing this as the year that the Playstation brand has returned to prominence. 2009 marked the first time that the Sony PS3 beat the Microsoft Xbox 360 in terms of sales. 2009 also marked the first time, albeit for a fleeting moment, that the Nintendo Wii was dislodged from the top of the Japanese sales charts, also by the Sony Playstation 3.

With some big titles coming up in the fourth quarter of the year, 2009 is looking good for Sony Entertainment.

But the games that are coming this holiday season have been expected for more than a year, so they’re really no surprise. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Modern Warfare 2, Rock Band: Beatles, Brutal Legend and Tekken 6 are some of the big-name titles that are already on most PS3 owners’ want lists.

But what’s coming after 2009?

What are the big games that will define the console in 2010?

Here are 3 of the hottest franchises that will land on the Sony Playstation 3, and all of them are going to be certified blockbusters.

1. God of War III (March, 2010). What has become Sony’s flagship property is coming to the Sony Playstation 3 for the first and the last time. The third installment of the storied franchise will have Kratos, the god of war, battling the forces of the Underworld and the wrath of vindictive gods in worlds carved at the back of the long banished Titans. Yes, ENTIRE worlds on the surface of the back of Titans this is how big the scale of the third game is. The technical demo shown had the camera panning in and out - with no loss in frame rate - to reveal Kratos killing some monsters in a forest-rich environment one moment, and the back of a slowly moving Titan the next. God of War III is expected to be one of the hottest selling titles for 2010, and this early, it is being billed as a Game of the Year (GOTY) favorite.

2. Final Fantasy XIV (2010, right after the release of FF XIII). Final Fantasy XI was the first MMORPG of the Final Fantasy franchise. It was released 7 years ago, and up to this writing, it still boasts of more than 2 million active subscribers - a number that is envied by newly released and more technologically advanced MMOPRGs today. The next MMORPG for the franchise is scheduled to be released in 2010. Final Fantasy XIV Online, as of this time, is pegged as a Sony Playstation3 exclusive.

3. Heavy Rain. This PS3 game really shows off the technical power of the Playstation 3, with some of the most impressive graphics ever seen in a video game. It’s a story-driven game that puts you in the shoes of a detective investigating a mystery that has ramifications for all existence. Heavy Rain is another one of the most highly anticipated PS3 titles for 2010.

These top 10 PS3 games should be in every PS3 owner’s library. To find the best deals on them, or any other PS3 systems, accessories or games, check out the Game Console Bundles website.