Counseling about Consoles

Review by Kye Sieffert

Playstation wins best game station around

The Playstation 4 ($229.99), the newest system released from Sony, is best for exclusive games, which are games only available on the PS4; typically, they will be more story-based or single-player like Uncharted, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Spider-Man.

If the user enjoys recording videos of their specific gameplay, there is software built into the console that gives the ability to either upload or stream from the system.

The user can record, edit, and upload all from the system with this free software. The content creator can directly stream to either Twitch or YouTube and have a live text chat with the people who are watching the stream.

Playstation also provides a chat system otherwise known as Parties where individuals can talk to 16 people at a time while playing the same game; this means that live discussions can take place whether it be with friends from real life or friends met while playing a favorite video game.

On top of the chat system, Playstation has a direct messaging option that allows players to ask when someone may hop on and if they can join at that time

The PS4 Pro, which is basically an upgraded system, can run better graphics and provides 4K video resolution with a smooth gameplay experience; on the other hand, the base PS4 can only run 1080p (1080 pixels on a screen).

With more and more 4K capable games/TV’s, this system variant is an overall better choice for PlayStation.

The Playstation has a nice controller with analog sticks that are parallel to each other. The controller also has a feature that is a change from the classic PlayStation controller design.

It’s a touchpad at the top center of the controller; the way in which this feature is implemented in some games is interesting. One game that I played had me use the touchpad to flip through pages in a magazine or turn a flashlight on so I could see in the cave.

When it comes to charging, basic PlayStation controllers don’t need batteries, and they have never been required because a charging cable is given with the purchase of a new console, unlike Xbox.

Since its release in 2016, Playstation has introduced virtual reality, selling 4.2 million headsets. This does not come with the PS4 and costs upward of $300, but it is the first virtual reality thing that doesn’t require a computer. It runs smoothly and was better than expected at release.

I’ve had my PS4 for four years, and I haven’t had any issues with the system slowing down, but I do have to admit the base 500 gigabytes aren’t much with how much space games are starting to take up.

Xbox is solid but contains weak games

The Xbox One ($179.99), the newest system released from Microsoft, is better for online gameplay over a typical single-player story-based game.

The Xbox allows the user to stream to both Twitch and YouTube, but there is a third option that is available for streamers that choose to stream on Xbox called Mixer.

There is still the option to have a text chat along the side of the screen.

With game developers favoring Sony over Microsoft, the Xbox loses out on some of the games/game modes for a period of time; for example, the next Call of Duty titled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare will be giving Sony a game mode that is planned to stay a Playstation exclusive for a year.

While talking about exclusive games/game modes, Xbox’s exclusive games are a bit lackluster.

I do admit that there are some good exclusive games titled Quantum Break, Halo, Gears of War, as well as Cup Head, but I find that the majority of them are hard to get into because the stories are lackluster and do not have an interesting plot or concept, and even Halo has been falling apart since Halo 4’s release in 2012.

With my time playing on the Xbox One, I have noticed that people have more of a toxic attitude.

I have overall received more hate mail on Xbox than I have on any other console that I have played.

One thing that Playstation does have that Xbox has failed to produce would be PSVR.

Although Microsoft has developed a Virtual Reality system, it has not been released for use on the Xbox, and there is no date set for a potential release in the future.

The Xbox lets you talk to people in Xbox’s version of the party chat, but you are only able to have half of what if available with the Playstation, eight.

The Xbox also has its own spin on the direct messaging that is capable of all the same things that the PlayStation’s variant can.

The Xbox has an asymmetrical analog stick design that is comfortable to hold if the user has bigger hands.

The controller is nothing too special; it is based on the classic Xbox controller.

Like the Xbox 360 controller, if the user doesn’t have a charging cable, like Playstation requires, then the Xbox One controller needs double-A batteries to function.

I have had my Xbox One for about four years, and I haven’t had any issues with the system as a whole.

But if I had to choose, I would give PlayStation the nod by a slim margin.