Thinking about getting me a PS3...

[DaveMMR]

So the GF and I finally got things in order and splurged on a new TV.  Now I'm feeling like I want to get a Blu-Ray player as well and I was thinking about buying a PS3 around the holidays - mostly for the Blu-Ray movies, of course (wink wink)... but also to play an occasional game. 

So my questions:

1) How does it perform as a Blu-Ray Player?   I read it's pretty solid but I wanted to see if others thought that.  Also up-converting standard DVDs.  How does it look?

2) I know I was preaching the "graphics aren't important" rhetoric many times in defense of Wii, but I can't deny that I like me some eye-candy.  Any game suggestions?  I should add that I'm more a fan of simpler, unique games rather than the same 'ole "FPS". 

3) Any other opinions?  Should I spend a few extra bucks and get the "Move" bundle or not waste my money like I did with the Eyetoy...

Looking forward to the feedback.  Thanks in advance.

[Malenko]

its a great blu ray player, in fact thats about all I ever use it for. While I'm not an xbox360 fanboy as some claim, I am in fact a bit of a Sony hater.  The PSP would be useless if I couldnt run emulators on it, and PS3 will be until they get some homebrew running on it. As for games, I tend to get my games on the 360, but Im sure some Sony Fanboys will hop in and give you the normal "God Of War, Gran Turismo (not out yet), Metal Gear Solid (interactive movie), Little Big Planet (boring ass game),etc " list of games.

[shmokes]

I haven't played either of the first two God of War games, but I recently played God of War III and it is just absolutely phenomenal from beginning to end.  Ultra violent, though.  There's a scene where you graphically tear a guy's head off and it takes a bit of work and time and the skin and tendons stretch a big before giving.  It was probably too much.  But it's really great.  Similarly, and much more family friendly, Uncharted 2 was one of the best games I've ever played.  The production values are astounding.  Demon's Souls is amazing too.  Heavy Rain looks amazing and super innovative.  I just ordered that today, so I'll find out soon enough.  I've only played about five minutes of Little Big Planet.  It seemed super boring, but my brother loves it and he has good taste in games so I've always chalked that up to just never putting in enough time to get into it.  Judging by its popularity and the reviews, I suspect that it is pretty phenomenal.  And Metal Gear Solid is really good, even though it does have too many cut scenes.

As far as simple games go, check out Echochrome and Braid and FLOWer and Scott Pilgrim on PSN.  These are all amazing, inexpensive little games.

I think all of those, except Braid, are PS3 exclusives.  If you don't have a 360 there's a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- ton more games you'll want to consider.  Bayonetta, GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Infamous, Batman: Arkham Asylum . . .

Lots more I guess, but these come to mind.

[Ginsu Victim]

Coming eventually is The Last Guardian, from the makers of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. I almost bought a PS3 just for this game.

[Malenko]

Scott Pilgrim is on XBOX360 as well (have it, its a fantastic River City Ransom type game).  As for little big planet, my GF logged about 20 hours on it and it didn't get any better, its just a really boring platformer that you can make your own levels for.

Infamous is a PS3 exclusive, you prolly have it mixed up with Prototype (which was on both 360 and PS3, and I mix them up all the time) and its pretty good ; shame the lead character's arch nemesis is the chain link fence.

[shateredsoul]

i must say that god of war III was impressive, I haven't noticed a leap in graphics like that since we went from ps1/n64 to sega dreamcast. 

Ok ok maybe it was because I experiences it at my friends house who had a projectors and some fancy surround sound speakers... and I really only felt that way in the first stage, hades was standards *meh* stuff. 

I have a xbox 360 too, but a ps3 is a good investment.. I'd get one if I had the funds for a handful of ps3 games.  To be honest though.. isn't that all you need nowadays? Yeah as a kid I would have cared that the 360 has more fun games, but the ps3 has at least enough to keep me busy Heavy Rain, uncharted 2, that new game from the ico team, and plus pretty much all the games i'd want on the 360 (such as, red dead redemption).

[Gorotsuki]

The only real disappointing surprise I got with
the playstation 3 was the half hour game installs
with each new game.
It's not a huge deal, but coming from an arcade generation guy
it's a half hour I would rather have spent actually playing the game.

[HaRuMaN]

The only real disappointing surprise I got with
the playstation 3 was the half hour game installs
with each new game.
It's not a huge deal, but coming from an arcade generation guy
it's a half hour I would rather have spent actually playing the game.

What?  I pop a game in my PS3 and play it.

[shmokes]

Lot's of games require installs.  Lot's of games have optional installs to improve load times.  Lots of games are just put in and play.  Installs, including installs for PSN titles, do tend to take a lot longer than one would expect, though never (rarely?) a half hour.

[Malenko]

Lot's of games require installs.  Lot's of games have optional installs to improve load times.  Lots of games are just put in and play.  Installs, including installs for PSN titles, do tend to take a lot longer than one would expect, though never (rarely?) a half hour.

Wait till you get Heavy Rain, its like 20 min, then when you fire it up it does a 10 min update

Shoulda got it new, you'd get the origami to do to pass the time.

[Blanka]

Katamari on the PS3 is great. It is ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- on the XBOX (all fun levels are online buyable add ons), and does not exist on the Wii (when does that piece of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- get a decent controller?). So let that game be your reason for a PS 3

[Necroticart]

The games I'm waiting for now are Killzone 3, and Gran Turismo 5 which I just pre ordered the Collectors Edition yesterday. The only thing i'm not looking forward to is the 10GB optional install on GT5 but considering the game more than likely takes up the full 50GB blu ray disc. it's not that big of a deal i'm sure it will be worth the space.

[DaveMMR]

Katamari on the PS3 is great. It is ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- on the XBOX (all fun levels are online buyable add ons), and does not exist on the Wii (when does that piece of ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- get a decent controller?). So let that game be your reason for a PS 3

Sold!  I love Katamari Damacy. 

Thanks for the input.  I think I've gotten over my "Sony-Hate" for now and will take the plunge. 

[MriswitH]

I've got a PS3 as well, mostly use it for media streaming. (Not been really big into games lately, dunno what my deal is  )

I use PlayOn and stream all kinds of content to my PS3 from my home computer. They have tons of add-on scripts/plugins you can use that people have created where you can stream anything from Anime to MMA fights, Netflix, etc., for free. (Sure, XBOX can do it as well, but that's not the point of the topic)

I've played several Blu-Ray discs; look beautiful. As far as up-converting, I can't really comment though.

Game content is also great. Heavy Rain is beautiful and has some of the coolest gameplay i've ever done. Call of Duty games are a great bit of fun; especially multiplayer. Little Big Planet was bashed on earlier, but its simplistic puzzle fun. Fat Princess (PSN) is simply amazing as well. (CO-OP anyone?) God of War III is a great game also; uber violent, but great storyline and very fun.

For the price point I don't really think you can go wrong. If you watch the deals, you can occasionally get one from Dell for $225-250.

[quadrider1]

If you ever thinking of playing other games than ps3, like ps2, then i would go for an older 80gb ps3. Those can run all the good stuff like homebrew, linux, emulators and so on.

[shmokes]

Don't go for an older PS3.  They can't run any of that stuff (except with the new mod, but it's way too early and expensive to want to buy that).  They used to be able to run Linux, but that option was taken away a few months back by a required firmware update.  I'm pretty sure this firmware update applied to old-model PS3s as well as new ones, but I could be wrong about that.  In any case, I doubt that you have any interest in running Linux on your PS3.

If PS2 backward compatibility is that important to you go ahead and consider buying an old fat-model PS3 (used).  But if you REALLY want to play PS2 games, you're probably a lot better off just buying a new PS3 Slim and a PS2.  While doing all this, though, keep in mind that you're an adult now and there are already too many great PS3 games available for you to get to them all, so the chances of actually getting around to the PS2 games seem pretty low.  Also bumped-resolution versions of God of War 1&2 are available on a single $30 collector's edition disc, and it appears that Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are getting the same treatment.  And let's be honest . . . if you were actually going to put down your PS3 games to play PS2, it'd probably be for one of those games anyway.  Backward Compatibility is like flood insurance.  It's nice to know it's there if you ever need it . . . but you probably won't ever use it.

[Malenko]

Backward Compatibility is like flood insurance.  It's nice to know it's there if you ever need it . . . but you probably won't ever use it.

I couldnt disagree more.

[Ginsu Victim]

Backward Compatibility is like flood insurance.  It's nice to know it's there if you ever need it . . . but you probably won't ever use it.

I couldnt disagree more.

Yeah, I play PS1 games on my PS2, as well a LOT of Gamecube games on my Wii. I never had a Gamecube, so when I got Wii, I had the chance to finally catch up on many games I missed out on (at way better prices).

[shateredsoul]

Yup backwards compatibility rocks!

But he has a point, are you married? do you have kids? a full time job? then realistically you don't have time for all the ps2 games + ps3 games

If' you're a student or a single guy then go for it!

[Ginsu Victim]

Yup backwards compatibility rocks!

But he has a point, are you married? do you have kids? a full time job? then realistically you don't have time for all the ps2 games + ps3 games

If' you're a student or a single guy then go for it!

Married home-owner with a full-time job.

[shateredsoul]

Yup backwards compatibility rocks!

But he has a point, are you married? do you have kids? a full time job? then realistically you don't have time for all the ps2 games + ps3 games

If' you're a student or a single guy then go for it!

Married home-owner with a full-time job.

Dunno how you do it, but very nice. 

[Ginsu Victim]

I don't have much time to play, but I'm not ditching the old games I didn't get around to playing just because I have a newer system.

[shmokes]

It's not just because you have a newer system.  It's because newer, more tempting games are constantly being released for that system.  It's not that when I bought Fear Effect 2 I didn't intend to play it.  It's just that it's still sitting there in its case after like 4+ years because it just keeps being something that I'll eventually get around to.  Except I won't.

[shateredsoul]

althought not on an old system, you guys inspired me to go revisit the xbox 360 games I never finished.

Lost Odyssey.. I left off in the 3rd disc about a year ago.  Maybe after I finish this I can try out final fantasy XII, unless any other better rpgs or adventure games exist... or maybe an action game to keep it short.

[Malenko]

It's not just because you have a newer system.  It's because newer, more tempting games are constantly being released for that system.  It's not that when I bought Fear Effect 2 I didn't intend to play it.  It's just that it's still sitting there in its case after like 4+ years because it just keeps being something that I'll eventually get around to.  Except I won't.

Opinion is not fact; and while your opinion is not wrong, you can't assume everyone shares the same opinion.

A new game may be tempting but if there was a game you missed or never heard of and you can buy it for next to nothing wouldnt it be great to not have to buy an old system just to play it? Ginsu's Wii / Game Cube example is perfect. I didnt buy a gamecube but there were a few games I would have liked to have played, so now that I got a Wii (against my will) I can pick up the few good GC titles and not have a purple box sitting next to my TV, just a purple controller.

I wish my PS3 could play PS2, I'd prolly play it more; I love me some Tokyo Extreme Racer (I have import Tuner on 360) I just dont have room on my shelf for the system, so its sitting in a plastic Bin

[HaRuMaN]

My gamecube is silver...   

[shmokes]

Opinion is not fact;

Seriously . . . banish that from your vocabulary.  It doesn't mean anything.  Of course what I say here is my opinion.  On the other hand, I think (and it's pretty obvious to everyone that it's my opinion I'm giving here, so no need to point it out), that it probably is objective fact that very few people make use of backward compatibility, even of the people who like the idea of it.  Since most people won't use it (even if they initially think they will), or won't use it enough to justify the cons (used, out-of-warranty, huge system, tiny hard drive) and the extra cost, and since statistically the OP probably falls within the "most people" category, it can be said with some degree of reliability that backward compatibility is probably not a good idea for him (or most people).

In any case, who whether it's opinion or fact?  I'm giving him my opinion, you're giving him yours, and then I'm giving him objective facts that suggest that my opinion is more useful to him than yours.  If a mechanic suggests a particular brand of air filter, he's giving you his opinion.  But just because it's his opinion doesn't mean that it has no more value than the brand your 5-year-old kid suggests based on the color of the packaging.  Not all opinions are created equal.

[HaRuMaN]

Tiny hard drive?

I have a backwards compatable PS3, the 60Gb version.  Also, most laptop hard drives can be swapped right in, no modding necessary.

[shmokes]

The cheapest model PS3 comes with a 160GB HD now.  $50 more gets you 250GB. 

[shateredsoul]

heard they hacked the ps3 dongle hack.. so soon enough you should see cheaper jailbreak dongles (and guides on how to make your own).

http://www.ps3news.com/forums/ps3-hacks/psgroove-open-source-ps-jailbreak-ps3-exploit-released-112277.html

[Malenko]

The cheapest model PS3 comes with a 160GB HD now.  $50 more gets you 250GB. 

not used at gamestop; and that a fact. 


You say newer games are more tempting, I say older ones are. Why you got them fishnet panties of yours all up in a bunch over that? Lighten up Francis.

[DaveMMR]

You know, backwards compatibility, or rather, the newer PS3's lack of it (save for PS1 games), has long been one my reasons for hating on Sony and the PS3.  But shmokes is right in that it's not so much a big deal now seeing as there's a perfectly fine library of PS3 games and I have a working PS2 that can be hooked up with relative ease.  Yes, it would be nice but it's really not so much a deal-breaker for me any longer and it's not incentive enough to find an older model.

I did read about the recent updates that prevented users from installing a secondary operating system to their PS3's (i.e. Linux) but to me that's a complete non-issue.  I did a lot of modding with my original Xbox and PSP and I ended up "reversing" both of them. (Yeah I know, "apples and oranges" as the former was a legal modification.   But it's somewhat similar so bear with me.)  It was cool to play homebrews, but it made regular use a little more complicated (had to flip a switch for the Xbox, couldn't update the PSP, etc.)  At the end of the day, I find myself using my consoles more legitimately than not.  My emulation needs are met with the PC.  

Soon as a new system comes out, I'm RARELY interested in playing old garbage.  I'll make the obvious exceptions for arcade games but you'd literally have to pay me to get me to fire up a Gamecube or PS2.  

I don't think a great games turns to "garbage" just because it gets older, especially last generation since the graphics weren't horrible piles of jagged, foggy mess like in the PS1/N64 days.  I still have a lot of fine games in my PS2 library that I have no intention of ever getting rid of.   Heck, I can get into playing Crash Bandicoot: Warped.

Yup backwards compatibility rocks!

But he has a point, are you married? do you have kids? a full time job? then realistically you don't have time for all the ps2 games + ps3 games

If' you're a student or a single guy then go for it!

Not married but in a relationship.  No plans for kids.  Yes, full time job with side work.   But even so, the gaming happens on the main TV and the girlfriend is always watching something.  So gaming for me is quite limited.   I still have 2-1/2 Metroid Primes to finish, as well as the Wiiware version of River City Ransom.   Then there's the dozen or so games put on the back burner...

But if I were single, I would worry less about backwards compatability.  I would have all my game systems stored prominently in the living room with miles of ugly wires clogging the back of my entertainment center.  If anything, BC is more useful to me now - the girlfriend doesn't want the clutter.  

Actually, she doesn't even know I'm buying a PS3 yet.  I'm telling her it's a BluRay player that doubles as a gaming machine.  Then I'll get a game that she'll enjoy like "Buzz" or something.  

[shmokes]

FLOWer.  My wife love Flower.  Also Heavy Rain . . . at least that's my theory.  I've never played it before, but I'll try it out tonight and I'll see if she wants to watch.

[DaveMMR]

FLOWer.  My wife love Flower.  Also Heavy Rain . . . at least that's my theory.  I've never played it before, but I'll try it out tonight and I'll see if she wants to watch.

Hmmm, I looked it up.  Sounds interesting.   

[Mikezilla]

Seriously . . . banish that from your vocabulary.  It doesn't mean anything.  Of course what I say here is my opinion.  On the other hand, I think (and it's pretty obvious to everyone that it's my opinion I'm giving here, so no need to point it out), that it probably is objective fact that very few people make use of backward compatibility, even of the people who like the idea of it.  Since most people won't use it (even if they initially think they will), or won't use it enough to justify the cons (used, out-of-warranty, huge system, tiny hard drive) and the extra cost, and since statistically the OP probably falls within the "most people" category, it can be said with some degree of reliability that backward compatibility is probably not a good idea for him (or most people).

In any case, who whether it's opinion or fact?  I'm giving him my opinion, you're giving him yours, and then I'm giving him objective facts that suggest that my opinion is more useful to him than yours.  If a mechanic suggests a particular brand of air filter, he's giving you his opinion.  But just because it's his opinion doesn't mean that it has no more value than the brand your 5-year-old kid suggests based on the color of the packaging.  Not all opinions are created equal.

Shmokes, you sound pretty smart. 

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

I'm probably opening a can by putting this out there... but Heavy Rain wasn't all that great to me.   It has fantastic graphics, yes.  In fact, the entire presentation is polished and cohesive.  It has innovative gameplay elements, yes.  It has a "mature" story, in that it was intended for adult players -- I appreciated that immensely. 

However, playing through the actual gameplay was only occasionally what I would call engaging, let alone fun.  The story is drawn out far too long in the attempt to build dramatic tension.  It's also sometimes really hackneyed, and contains some plot holes you could drive a truck through.  Your mileage will vary based on your sensitivity to those things.

Sidebar: The voice acting also gets ragged on a lot.  That said, I felt that the acting was not bad - but as a performer myself, having had a lot of focused dialect work in grad school - it was frequently apparent that the voice actors were not from the States, as the story intends.  Most folks won't notice except in the most egregious of examples.

All that said; you should play it (and ffs buy it if you love it... it's the only way better games of this type will get made!) but I would rent before buying.

[shmokes]

I've been really enjoying Heavy Rain so far.  I've only played it maybe 2-3 hours in total, but I think the gameplay mechanics are super well done . . . really engaging.  Except moving the character around.  It's just terrible.  You push the left stick in the direction you want to go and then . . . I'm totally not making this up . . . nothing happens.  You have to, additionally, hold the R2 button down to go.  The left stick controls the direction your character will walk if you are holding down the R2 button.  Otherwise it does nothing.  It's super clumsy.  Also you can't run.  Just walk.  It's an adventure game, though.  Obviously in an action game or a platformer this would decisively relegate the game to the garbage can and it wouldn't get higher than maybe a 2 of 10 from any publication.  Still, though, it's really annoying.

But everything you do that isn't walking is done super well.  Interacting with objects is done in ways that are far far more immersive than I would have thought possible with a gamepad.  Same goes for the quick time events.  The developers have really transformed the quick time events into being more than just hitting a button at the right time in order to see some prescripted thing play out.  The quick time events suck you into the story, and not just because of what you're seeing on screen, but because of the way in which you interact with the controller.

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

Going back to the OP: I'd say "wait and see" on the Move bundle.  The software isn't there, if you ask me.   

More importantly though, do you enjoy motion gaming?  It took me a while to understand it for myself: Generally, I don't actually want to be "Active!" when I'm gaming, unless it's Rock Band or, say, a driving/flight sim where the interface is inherent to the gameplay.  I'm perfectly content to sit on ---my bottom--- and press A to swing my sword (or "Press X to Jason" haha!)  I'm "Active!" in other ways.

@shmokes: Yeah, the gameplay mechanic is great, it's how they utilized it (with a few exceptions) that was not at all engaging to me.   I thought most of the combat/chase set-pieces (despite being QTE) were amazing(!) when using the motion mechanic.  I just don't think spending time making dinner and changing babies is at all fun (or even RELEVANT to the plot!) in this same context - regardless of how immersive it might feel.  In an "interactive experience" where plot and characterization is the primary selling point, I don't want to be distracted from it just to fulfill the "Hey you're playing a GAME" requirement.

I guess what I'm saying is this: I wouldn't have minded if they had made the whole game a QTE "Choose Your Own Adventure" if they kept the story moving and didn't digress into "look what we made you do" moments.  That's probably why I liked Metal Gear Solid 4!  (By the way, another great PS3 exclusive...)

I am INCREDIBLY excited to see them follow up on this style of storytelling.  I just don't think Heavy Rain quite hit the mark.

[shmokes]

I think the point of the diaper changing and making dinner and stuff is to develop an emotional connection to the characters.  Like . . . you were personally went into the back yard and played with your kids, and you make them food, and tuck them in at night.  Then something happens and maybe it means a bit more to you.  I think it works.  Maybe they could have just played a couple cut-scenes telling you that you have a relationship with your family . . . but I think there's a decent chance that the way they did it actually connected you to the characters and events in a more substantial way.

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

Hmmm... shmokes, that's a totally valid point ... and what's interesting is that what I want to say about that will COMPLETELY spoil the end for you, which I don't want to do.  Regardless of how I eventually felt about the game!  

So, in that sense, the game is certainly a success -- it has a distinct value that I, as a gamer, feel strongly enough about not to spoil your experiencing it -- but I do believe it can go much, much further.

Imma shuddup now.    PM me if you want to continue the conversation at some point. Good stuff!

EDIT: Sorry for the threadjack, DaveMMR, but at least you know now that the game is certainly worthy of discussion!