
As of late, I’ve been hearing a lot of negative criticisms of the PS3 in my circle of friends. Now as a PS3 owner, I could really care less about if everyone loves the machine or not. It’s been a fine addition to my trio of next gen consoles and am definitely proud of the purchase. The real issue that gets under my skin is when people bash the system with no real basis. I hear the cries anytime someone asks about upcoming or new releases. “What a disappointment” they say. “There’s nothing to play on it!” they scream. First off, let me ask those who purchased a PS3 after owning a Xbox 360 a question. What the fuck did you expect? You already own the leading console for the hardcore market. I’m sureĀ the price, online infrastructure, or exclusive titles were one, if not all of the selling points that probably drew you to purchase the 360. So why did you buy a PS3? Was it for the exclusive Sony franchises? Oh, you say you don’t like Socom….hmmmmm. Gran Turismo doesn’t get that heart pumping? God of War is ok huh? Thought Final Fantasy XIII was gonna be exclusive, ouchhh. Metal Gear is nothing but a movie…. sounds like someone wasted their $399.

Let’s face it, in an economy as shitty as this and with development costs rising with little chance for most games to turn a profit, multiplatform is the name of the game. Did you not see this coming? If you aren’t willing to try any of Sony’s exclusives (retail or PSN), watch Blu rays, download movies, or are turned off by their online service, I have a suggestion. Please go sell that Foreman grill of a system.
I sound like I’m trying to champion the system, but that’s not my intent. It does have some issues. Home is terrible, for now at least. Will it become something worth using? For some people, maybe. Exclusives are sparse. The PS3 is in dire need of a price drop even though they are on the brink of finally turning a profit on the system. PSN isn’t as elegant as an interface as Xbox Live is.
A lot of the issues they’ve had have been nicked and strides have been made towards some type of parity with the Xbox 360. Sony has finally mandated that all PS3 games from now on have trophies, so that at least appeases the achievement whores. Installs are becoming less rampant, or if they are included, take considerably less time than before. There’s less of a disparity in quality between PS3 ports of 360 games that are lead console. And Sony does have some good exclusives in Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted, Resistance 2, Valkyria Chronicles, Little Big Planet, Killzone 2, and Motorstorm 2. Not to mention, the console sellers like God of War, Metal Gear Solid, and Gran Turismo. But with 1 of those games already out and the other 2 to likely be released in 2009, what else does Sony have to sell consoles? I sure as hell don’t know and am glad I don’t have to be the one in those meetings.

Which brings me back to my usual response when people talk about the PS3. There are some really good and unique games to play if you own a PS3. If you don’t own one yet, it’s really up to your own tastes on whether it’s worth that investment. If you own it though, stop shitting on the system every chance you get and at least try the games on it. If it’s multiplatform and single player, why not try it on the PS3? Why not try some of the more unique downloadable titles they offer? Hell, go rent a damn Blu ray. Point is, do something with the system.