Playstation 3 has made significant strides in 2008. It went a long way from being an expensive product nobody wants to a formidable and enticing system for gaming. Still, it has plenty to improve on if it ever wants to recapture the magic of the first two Playstation video game systems. Here is a review of the Playstation 3 in 2008.
Good
Established Blu-ray Movie Format
The Playstation 3 played a big role in Blu-ray triumph over HD DVD in early 2008. By doubling as a Blu-ray player, it was able to help spur sales of the movie format. Not to mention that the victory also adds to the value of the Playstation 3.
Enticing Exclusive Games
While the Playstation 3 has some great games, it lacked some real exclusive system-selling titles. That is, until 2008. LittleBigPlanet and Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots are breakout must-have exclusive games while Valkyria Chronicles and Wipeout HD give the hardcore fan base something to brag about.
Playstation Network Store Expansion
What used to be a ghost town is now one of the most important features to the Playstation 3. The Playstation Network Store quickly expanded with first-party games like PixelJunk Monsters and Wipeout HD in addition to increasing third-party support. The store also saw a redesigned for a more streamline experience and the opening of the video download store.
Bad
Playstation Home
The virtual world of the Playstation 3 was announced by Sony in early 2007. After numerous delays, Playstation Home was finally released at the end of 2008. However, it was only an open beta with several promising features absent. Although the Playstation Home will certainly expand in the coming months and years, it has lost a lot of steam from the initial hype and excitement.
Playstation Network Card
All the new content for the Playstation Network Store means mute without the Playstation Network Card. The card enables those without a debit or credit card to purchase content on the digital distribution store. Since the competitors, Nintendo and Microsoft, already have their equivalent cards on the market for years, there is no excuse for Sony for the slow arrival of Playstation Network Card in stores.
PSone Classics
Sony is missing out on some easy money by ignoring PSone Classics. The original Playstation is home to some of the best games of all time. Unfortunately, only a handful of them can be downloaded from the Playstation Network Store due to licensing and other issues.
Looking Forward to 2009
Massively Multiplayer Online Games
One genre that hasn’t breakthrough to home consoles from the PC is the MMO (short for Massively Multiplayer Online). The Playstation 3 hopes to change that with three MMO games: MAG, The Agency and DC Universe Online. It will be interesting how Sony will handle the price for dedicated servers needed to run these types of games.
New PSP Connection
A beta is already out in Japan displaying the ability for the Playstation 3 to act as an online hub for the PSP. This new feature will enable offline-only multiplayer PSP games to be played online via the Playstation 3.
Price Cut
Sony decided to skip on the price cut in 2008 despite being outsold by competition. It will be hard for them to stay in the game with the expensive $400 entry point. Thus, one might suspect a price cut is due sometime in 2009. Rumor has it that we will see a cheaper Playstation 3 next spring.
Best Exclusives of 2008
Valkyria Chronicles
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Motorstorm: Pacific Rift
Resistance 2
LittleBigPlanet
Probable Big 2009 Exclusives
God of War III
Gran Turismo 5
Killzone 2
White Knight Story
Heavy Rain
