The next generation is here. Now wait.

The good: The PlayStation 4 serves up dazzling graphics, runs on a simplified and logical interface, and boasts a fantastic controller. It's also $100 cheaper than rival Xbox One and has the upper hand on indie and day one digital-only offerings.

The bad: Triple-A titles are lacking at launch, and the PS4 won't come close to matching its predecessor's gaming or software library for months -- or possibly years. PS3 games aren't compatible, though Sony is hinting that its Gaikai game-streaming service will open the door to retro gaming in 2014.

The bottom line: The PlayStation 4's beautiful graphics, blazing interface, and near-perfect controller make it a worthy successor to the PS3, but it would be wise to wait for more titles and features before you buy.

November 15. That's the day Sony births the PlayStation 4, the long-awaited prince of gaming consoles, and the company's first all-new home gaming system since the PS3 was unleashed back in 2006. The labor has been tedious and bloodied by an intense rivalry with Microsoft's Xbox One, due exactly one week later.
Both new consoles arrive with a unique claim to the gaming throne: at $400, the PS4 is the “affordable” next-gen machine, whereas the $500 Xbox One promises an ambitious, always-on integration with live TV that aims to subsume your cable box.
Without these distinctions, however, Sony and Microsoft consoles could be separated at birth. Both offer powerful HD graphics equivalent to high-end gaming PCs. Each delivers an impressive set of nongaming streaming-entertainment apps, and a relatively small slate of exclusive games right out of the gate. Meanwhile, both offer a strikingly similar lineup of third-party games, including the requisite roster of EA Sports titles, and the latest installments of the Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and Battlefield franchises -- all of which have already been released on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
The PS4 and the Xbox One also share one ugly defect: neither console can play games purchased for their respective predecessors. Your library of PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 discs is not welcome here.
That’s the playing field onto which these two next-gen consoles arrive this holiday season. So, which console is right for you? Is it worth spending $400 or more on a new console now? Does the PS4 make the case for PS3 owners to upgrade -- or for Xbox 360 owners to switch?
It’s a lot to digest, so let’s get started. I'll walk you through the future of Sony gaming.

Editors' note: A sizable chunk of the PlayStation 4's functionality was not live at the time of this review. As more services go online with additional software updates in the coming days, we will continue to update the content herein accordingly. We'll assign a rating once we've had a chance to evaluate those eventual features, including media functionality and online gameplay.

What's in the box
Included inside every PlayStation 4 box is the console, power cord, a 6-foot HDMI cable (finally!), a DualShock 4 controller, a Micro-USB cable (to charge the DualShock 4), and a monoaural earbud for online chat. (The earbud plugs directly into the DualShock controller; you can alternately use any pair of headphones with a standard 3.5mm plug.)

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 

The PS4 won't be sold in multiple models this time around. There's only one version, a 500GB model that retails for $400. This is $100 less than an Xbox One, though the latter ships with its camera and voice/motion-sensing peripheral, Kinect, in the box. It'll cost you $60 extra to pick up the PlayStation Camera that provides similar functionality -- which I'll get to a little later.
For early adopters, Sony is also throwing in a free month of PlayStation Network Plus and a free month of the Sony Music Unlimited music-streaming service, as well as a $10 credit for the PlayStation Store.

The hardware
Despite its smallish size -- at least compared with an Xbox One -- the PS4 packs a lot of power under the hood. The 2x11x12-inch (HxWxD) box weighs about 9 pounds and packs in 8GB of DDR5 RAM. The CPU is a low-power x86-64 "Jaguar" eight-core chip, and the graphics are powered by a 1.84 TFLOP AMD Radeon "next engine." The fine print may not impress the layperson, but suffice it to say, the PS4's innards are in line with a mid- to high-end gaming PC.

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 

Like previous PlayStations before it, the PS4's 500GB hard-disk drive is user replaceable (a standard SATA laptop hard drive or SSD will work), something I'm thrilled Sony has decided to keep in tact. That 500GB may seem like more than enough storage, but with game sizes beginning to flirt with 50GB apiece, that might not cut it a few years down the road.
The PS4 boasts a striking angular design with a modestly low profile. The front end angles toward the user, sleekly hiding two USB 3.0 slots to the right and a slot-loading 6x Blu-ray drive to the left. Between these two ports are touch-sensitive power and eject buttons that give off familiar PS3 beeps when activated.

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 

Around back of the PS4 are four simple interfaces in addition to a standard power connect -- the same size plug each PlayStation in the past has adorned. From left to right there's an optical audio, HDMI, Ethernet, and auxiliary port, which is used for the optional PlayStation Camera.
Note that the PS4 must be connected to an HDTV with an HDMI input; there are no analog (composite or component) outputs for this PlayStation.
The PS4 is equipped with wireless 802.11 b/g/n protocols and Bluetooth 2.1. That said, Sony has indicated that most current Bluetooth peripherals -- including headsets and older DualShock 3 PS3 controllers -- won't work with the PS4.
The PS4 has two power off modes when not in use. It can be turned completely off or it can be put into standby mode. It's worth noting that the PS4 must be on or in standby mode to receive automatic updates or be woken up remotely.
The top surface of the PS4 is one-third glossy and two-thirds matte black. Between these finishes is a slick multicolor LED that glows amber in standby, white while powered on, and blue when booting up.
Unlike the Xbox One, which must rest horizontally, the PS4 can be used vertically as well. Sony recommends using a dedicated stand for vertical operation, but the PS4 seems to sit on its side just fine by itself.

Not included: PlayStation Camera

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 

Not included with the PS4, the aforementioned PlayStation Camera is a $60 accessory that allows you to control your PS4 with your voice. It'll also recognize your face and log you in should you set it up that way. Its functionality is quite similar to the Xbox One's Kinect, though it doesn't feature any IR blasting support. In fact, there's no IR port on the PS4 hardware, either, so you're stuck using the DualShock 4 controller when watching movies or streaming video. (Sony says a special Bluetooth remote is in the works, but didn't supply an ETA.)

Gameplay
So what does playing a PlayStation 4 feel like? Quite honestly, it's a lot like the PlayStation 3. There's a noticeable bump in graphics, of course, but it's logical to assume the real heavy hitters won't have their day until we're deeper into the system's life cycle. Like I mentioned earlier, the jump in visuals is not as dramatic as it was going from SD to HD. Also, PC gamers with the luxury of a souped-up machine probably won't be much impressed at all. It's also worth mentioning that some cross-platform games like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag don't look nearly as good as PS4-exclusive games like Killzone: Shadow Fall.

Not all of the PS4's launch software received the next-gen "port" treatment. A lot of the sports games (FIFA 14, Madden 25, and NBA 2K14) are reworked from the ground up and run on next-gen engines to take better advantage of the new hardware. Of course, these next-gen games will be available for the Xbox One as well.
In terms of gameplay, the PS4 experience is greatly improved thanks to the fantastic DualShock4 controller. Nearly every genre I tested seems to benefit from the redesign.
During any gameplay session you can suspend the action and back out into the Dynamic Menu. Double-tapping the Home button will bring you back to the game or you can manually select it from the menu. However, if you put the system in standby mode or turn it off, you'll lose your gameplay session.
Sony has been very vocal about the PS4's support for independent game development and plans on offering a healthy selection of titles at launch and soon after. These titles can only be accessed through the PlayStation Store exclusively.

(Credit: Sony)

 

Game saves are synced in the cloud (and backed up locally as well) and can be accessed on any PS4 you log in to as long as there's an Internet connection. I'll dive deeper into account management in the next section.
Of course we can't overlook backward compatibility. For all intents and purposes, there is no disc-based backward compatibility at all on the PS4 -- none of your PS3 games will work on this machine. (Xbox 360 games are similarly incompatible on the Xbox One.) However, Sony has teased streaming capabilities that the company plans on implementing thanks to its acquisition of Gaikai last year. The service won't go live until 2014, but the plan right now is to have a portion of the PS3 library available for streaming play. Of course, that will require a wicked-fast high-speed Internet connection and -- probably -- the repurchasing of the titles you want to play (or at least a subscription to Sony's PSN Plus service).
The PS3's answer to Xbox 360 Achievements, known as Trophies, continues on the PS4 and will merge both PS3 and PS4 trophies together. The PS4 introduces a dynamic trophy system where developers can program new trophies as well as classifying the rarity of items based on the performance of other players.

The controller
While the Xbox 360's controller was the seemingly perfect evolution of the original Xbox's pad, the DualShock4 is just as, if not more of an impressive realization. It felt absolutely wonderful and addresses nearly all of the shortcomings of the DualShock3 (the predecessor controller that shipped with the PlayStation 3). Unlike the slippery dome coverings of the DualShock3's sticks, the two analog sticks on the new controller have smaller embossed faces that make for much easier control. The DualShock4's sticks flank the familiar PlayStation Home button and audio speaker that is built into the controller. (Don't worry -- audio from the controller can be turned off.) Below the PS Home button is the headset jack (for online chat) and an "EXT" port for use with something else down the line.

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 

The DualShock4 is wider than the DualShock3, perhaps to fit the controller's clickable touch pad that sits between the Share and Options buttons. The touch pad works just like a laptop touch pad and feels equally as responsive. The Share and Options buttons replace Start and Select. Though they occasionally function like their predecessors, they are also used to activate game DVR footage and sharing.
The L1, L2, R1, and R2 buttons have all received redesigns as well, but no button on the pad seems to have benefited more than the L2 and R2 triggers. These now extend out and feel much more comfortable to pull. The DualShock4 also has two rumble motors so developers can localize the vibration feedback contextually within a game.

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 

Like the DS3, the DS4 has a six-axis motion-sensing system, which encompasses a three-axis gyroscope and a three-axis accelerometer. A fun little note here: you can click the right stick during text entry to get a tiltable keyboard that's slightly quicker than entering letters manually.
You'll likely notice the glowing light emanating from the DS4's back. It's designed to work with the PlayStation Camera accessory and will change colors if there's more than one controller connected to the system. Below it sits a Micro-USB port for charging the controller's built-in rechargeable battery.

The interface
Both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have made substantial efforts in streamlining the user interface. The PlayStation 3's cross-media-bar has evolved into the PlayStation 4's "Dynamic Menu" that casts a blanket of simplicity throughout the operating system, logically grouping like-minded items together.
It basically consists of two horizontal rows, the top filled with icons for various functionalities like Friends, Trophies, and Settings, and a thumbnail lower row that is populated by recent activities like the last game you've played, shared game DVR clips, downloaded titles, Web access, other media, and more.

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 

When you highlight an item in the Dynamic Menu, "live" items from the PlayStation Network (PSN) will populate with relevant content for you to browse.

I'm told a 300MB on Day 1 (though not required to play games) will flesh the Dynamic Menu out more and open up more functionality. This review will reflect these updates once I've had time to make my way through them.
People who own a PlayStation Vita will be able to use remote play features with some software on the PS4, but that isn't something we've been able to test just yet. Two Vitas will be able to connect to a PS4 at once.

Entertainment options
During our initial review period, none of Sony's digital entertainment services was turned on. That includes streaming apps like Netflix, Sony's Music and Video Unlimited service, the entire PlayStation Store -- basically anything that requires an Internet connection wasn't working. All of those features are expected to be activated (via that previously mentioned software patch) once the console is available in stores November 15. We'll continue to update this review, but even without much hands-on time, there's plenty we know about the PS4's entertainment capabilities, both from hands-on demos and Sony's released information.

Streaming-media: Sony is promising that the PS4 will launch with 14 streaming-media apps, including many major services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Redbox Instant and Crackle. (We've compiled a full list of apps, directly compared with the Xbox One's, if you're interested.) It's a decent collection of apps, but YouTube and HBO Go certainly stand out as major omissions. One distinction to note is that all of the PS4's launch apps should be available on Day 1, whereas the Xbox One is only promising app availability within a launch window from now until spring 2014.
The PS4 also supports Sony's own streaming-media platforms, Sony Music Unlimited (a $5-$10/month Spotify-like service), and Sony Video Unlimited (rent or buy movies and TV shows for viewing on the PS4 and elsewhere). In the demos we've seen of the "final" PS4 interface, those services are more front-and-center than ever before. The main PS4 interface will be regularly recommending movies and music from Sony's stores, based on what you've streamed in the past and what's popular. One change from the PS3 is that movies and TV shows from Sony will be stream-only, with no option to download. Sony says that's to ensure you don't fill up your hard drive with large HD video files, but those with less reliable broadband connections may miss the option to fully download a title before watching.
Perhaps the neatest feature is the ability to play Sony Music Unlimited tracks in the background while playing a game, but you'll need to be a Music Unlimited subscriber to take advantage of it. Conversely, the Xbox One can play nearly any app in the background using its "snap" feature, although at launch the audio between the two sources will be mixed together, so you'll always hear both at the same time. The PS4 lets you pick (or mix) which audio stream you'd like to listen to.

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 

Disc player: In addition to PS4 games, the PS4's disc drive is capable of playing back Blu-ray and DVD discs, but it can't play audio CDs or SACDs. It's hard to believe that the PS4 can't play a CD, but if you stick one in the drive you'll get a message that says "disc unsupported." In a sense, the PS4 is a step back from the "plays everything" nature of the PS3, although that could change with a future firmware update.

Digital media player: If you're willing to give the PS4 a pass by not supporting the 30-year-old compact disc format, it's harder to explain away the fact that it's not DLNA-compliant and can't play MP3s. Again, that may just be a launch-day limitation, with more features added in a future firmware update, but at least for now, the PS4 isn't nearly as capable as the PS3 is on the digital media side.

No TV integration: And if you're stacking up the PS4 vs. the soon-to-be released Xbox One, there's none of the TV integration that Microsoft is pushing as the future of living room technology. There's no onscreen program guide or the ability to watch TV and play games at the same time via a picture-in-picture window.

No compatibility with infrared remotes: Furthermore, unlike the Xbox One, the PS4 can't control the rest of your home theater equipment, nor can it be controlled via a typical IR-based universal remote. And it doesn't have Kinect's extensive voice control capabilities, although the optional PlayStation camera, as mentioned above, does support some limited voice control.
All of that isn't necessarily a knock -- we won't know how well the Xbox One's features work until we get a chance to test them in the real world -- but the PS4 is certainly less ambitious when it comes to its living room capabilities.

PlayStation Network, PlayStation Plus, and social
Though not live at the time of this writing, the PlayStation Network will provide a huge portion of the PlayStation 4's functionality. I got to see some of the features in action at a PS4 preview event in New York, and have recounted them below; we'll provide hands-on impressions once they go live.
PlayStation Plus subscriptions ($50 for a year) will also carry over from the PS3 to PS4 and are now required for online multiplayer gaming. (Notably, unlike Xbox consoles, you do not need a PS Plus membership for using the media apps.) PS Plus members will also get automated game updates (the PS4 can update itself while in standby mode) so you won't need to wait when starting a game just to find out it needs updating. For system firmware updates, both PS Plus and non-PS Plus members will receive automated updates.
A PSN member must make one PS4 the "primary" console, but once that's situated up to 16 people can log in to it. That primary account holder can also log in to any PS4 and have access to games and saves.
The PlayStation Store is doing away with downloaded content. Starting with the PS4, everything will now be streamed directly through the Sony Entertainment Network service or content portal of your choice.
That said, you will need to download games directly to the PS4's hard drive. All "large file" games will support play-as-you-download capabilities, and some titles -- if the developer wishes to do so -- can support downloading of a certain part of a game and not the other. For example, downloading Call of Duty: Ghosts on the PS4 gives you the option to only install the campaign or multiplayer component separately.
Since a PS4 in standby mode can now be remotely turned on, a purchase made through the Sony Entertainment Network site can be downloaded to a PS4 without having to be in front of the physical console. Essentially you could make a purchase at work and have it ready to play by the time you get home.

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 

The PSN experience and store is deeply woven into the fabric of the Dynamic Menu. Live items are built in everywhere you look, and social features are present at every corner, especially when it comes to your friends list. Your account can be tied to your Facebook and Twitter profiles and have the option of posting on your behalf depending on your settings. Your friends list will actually be made up of your friends' real names if they approve your friend request.
The PS4 has a game DVR feature that's constantly recording so that you won't miss any sequence you'd like to share. With the touch of a button, you can stream to Twitch or Ustream and send a link to social networks, though recorded video sharing will only be offered on Facebook to start. You can also view a live feed of a friend's gameplay directly from the PS4, and you can add comments, too. Screenshots can be uploaded to Facebook and Twitter as well.
Also not available at the time of this writing was access to the PlayStation App on iOS and Android that will complement the PS4 experience with games that support second-screen functionality. The plan is for it to also work with the PS4's Dynamic Menu and offer options for things like text input.

PS4 vs. Xbox One
The big question surrounding two major home consoles being released a week apart is: "Which one should I get?" Unfortunately the answer isn't that simple. While both consoles offer next-generation visuals and gameplay, PS4 does not come with a camera peripheral in the box, unlike Xbox One's Kinect. The PS4 also doesn't incorporate live TV into the experience at all.

Perhaps the omission of a camera accessory is why the PS4 is $100 cheaper than the Xbox One. While the PlayStation Camera experience is certainly stitched into the PS4's operating system, it isn't vital to the console's functionality -- you can absolutely get by without it. On the other hand, the Xbox One's Kinect is required for the system to run. You don't necessarily need to incorporate it into your usage, but you will have to get used to it watching and listening to you, even when the Xbox is in standby mode.
Both consoles offer content-streaming services, but won't reach the full number of media apps their predecessors currently have for some time (though the PS4 looks on track to have most of the PS3's entertainment apps at launch). It's safe to say that the biggest players in that space (the Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon on Demands of the world) will be addressed the quickest, though we don't have concrete details on the release for apps down the road. If history is any indication, most software will be deployed as it's ready to go.
On the social front, from what I've seen early on, it appears that the PS4 has a better integration of Facebook and Twitter, though of course all of that is subject to change.
Placing media functionality and social to the side, a lot of the decision-making about next-generation console purchases is tethered to exclusive games. The PS3 has had a wonderful few years of exclusive games, and for the most part that trend will continue into the next generation. However, we're not necessarily seeing that come to fruition at launch, save for a modest number of exclusive independent games.
When it comes to big triple-A titles, the Xbox One might actually have the slight edge. Confirmed for the Xbox One launch are Forza Motorsport 4, Dead Rising 3, and Ryse: Son of Rome, compared with the PS4's Killzone: Shadow Fall and Knack. But taste in games is always somewhat subjective; either those games will appeal to you, or they won't.
First-day and launch window (the first few months) digital-only titles definitely fall into the PS4's favor. Launch window exclusive games are mostly even, with the Xbox One getting Titanfall (also available on PC and Xbox 360), and the PS4 getting inFamous: Second Son in early 2014.
You might read about the PS4's specs trumping that of the Xbox One's, but it's important to keep in mind how that translates into actual results. Remember that the PS3 was originally poised to be a massive powerhouse over the Xbox 360, but in reality didn't perform much better. You could even make the argument that most multiplatform games played smoother and looked better on the Xbox 360.
So while the PS4 may have quicker RAM, a faster GPU, and higher native resolution (1080p), we just don't know how those numbers will pan out when it comes to raw results and performance.

Conclusion
The PlayStation 4 is a worthy successor to the PlayStation 3, but like most launch consoles, there's a ton of promise for the future and not a whole lot to write home about out of the gate.
So what does that mean for the prospective next-generation gamer? If you already own a current-generation gaming system and don't necessarily need the absolute latest and greatest, it might be smart to hold off on a purchase. A handful of PS4 features are planned to go live in the coming months, and there's no shame in waiting to see how the dust settles.
An awful number of PS4 games already exist on the PS3 and Xbox 360, not to mention the enormous library of well-established media-streaming software currently available right now. It might be wishful thinking, but another PS3 or Xbox 360 price drop could also be right around the corner.

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 

If you don't already own a current-generation console, you might want to wait and see if the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 get a price cut this holiday and beyond. Or, you can make your decision based on games at launch or the launch window. Additionally, you may want to take into consideration both the PS4 and Xbox One's media functionalities outside of gaming. Finally, of course, there's always the difference in price to examine.
Just like the last-generation's launch, it's logical to assume the big "system-selling" software is primed for release later in 2014 and beyond, likely making the 2014 holiday season one packed to the brim with amazing next-generation software. Early adopters are always rolling the dice with a purchase, but Sony seems to have a somewhat convincing road map worked out. The PS4 will likely be greeted by franchise staples like God of War, and games from the Naughty Dog team (Uncharted, The Last of Us), among others.
With the PlayStation 4, Sony is giving us a very clear indication of where the company wants to take gaming, with its focus on streaming, social networking, and sharing. The meshing of the PlayStation Network into the console's OS is a compelling narrative on paper, but whether it pans out is still up in the air.