CeX (not what it says on the tin)
As we reported last week, CeX has managed to get its hands on some much coveted PS3 hardware for its stores across the country. We've got some hands-on impressions for your consumption.
If you take a walk into your nearest CeX (ours is the Albion Street store in Leeds) you'll find the console placed venerably in a glass cabinet. You might need to wander a little way in, it was the glut of skater kids that gave away the location to us (presumably said glut would be something of an annoyance by the door).
In the words of CeX's in-house tester:
We'll attest to this. Playing face-on to the machine really emphasises what a mammoth it is. Unfortunately the standard definition screen the machine is attached to (in the Leeds store at least) doesn't show off all that the hardware's capable of, and a glass screen doesn't help. That said, a large number of gamers will be playing on SD tellies for the foreseeable future, so you might want to get used to seeing less than optimal performance from the PS3 now.
CeX's man goes on:
So it turns out Sony aren't quite the hard-asses they'd have us believe. The consoles are fully playable and you won't be forced to guess at Japanese text all over your PS3 experience.
At the end of the day, though, it's all well and good us telling you about it, but we'd recommend getting yourself down to your nearest CeX (you can find it on their website) and getting your thumbs on it. And when you get home, get on the forums and tell us what you think.
If you take a walk into your nearest CeX (ours is the Albion Street store in Leeds) you'll find the console placed venerably in a glass cabinet. You might need to wander a little way in, it was the glut of skater kids that gave away the location to us (presumably said glut would be something of an annoyance by the door).
In the words of CeX's in-house tester:
"The first thing that strikes you about the machine is its daunting size. It really is the biggest console you've ever seen, matching some smaller desk-top PCs in sheer volume. One thing Sony's promotional pictures didn't reveal is exactly how shiny the unit is. We were about to take photographs of ourselves in the reflection of the machine with perfect clarity, such is the amazingly reflective sheen of the beast."
We'll attest to this. Playing face-on to the machine really emphasises what a mammoth it is. Unfortunately the standard definition screen the machine is attached to (in the Leeds store at least) doesn't show off all that the hardware's capable of, and a glass screen doesn't help. That said, a large number of gamers will be playing on SD tellies for the foreseeable future, so you might want to get used to seeing less than optimal performance from the PS3 now.
CeX's man goes on:
"Upon successfully booting Ridge Racer 7 (ignoring the option to partially install the game to the HD - such was our feverish anticipation), we were struck by some pretty abusive loading times. Clearly, the installation is necessary if you don't plan on becoming overly familiar with loading screens. Despite Sony's strict stance on importing the machines into Europe, the Japanese software is surprisingly import-friendly, with RR7 offering full English language support (along with the unit even recognising that we'd changed to English language and inverting the X and O buttons.)"
So it turns out Sony aren't quite the hard-asses they'd have us believe. The consoles are fully playable and you won't be forced to guess at Japanese text all over your PS3 experience.
At the end of the day, though, it's all well and good us telling you about it, but we'd recommend getting yourself down to your nearest CeX (you can find it on their website) and getting your thumbs on it. And when you get home, get on the forums and tell us what you think.
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
fluffstardx 5 Dec 2006 13:09
1/2
Had a look at the Newcastle store's one last week - not sure if they're letting people play it yet, as they were naturally unwilling to hand a wireless controller to punters in a busy store. Still, I watched the guy playing RR7, and I was left unimpressed. He didn't think it was that amazing, either.
The guy behind the counter also told me it's already got unwanted attention: they'd had 2 attempts to smash the glass already...
The guy behind the counter also told me it's already got unwanted attention: they'd had 2 attempts to smash the glass already...
Ditto 5 Dec 2006 14:05
2/2
Wow, there was one person playing it in my local one - a distinct lack of interest.
They appear to be letting anyone play.
He was playing what looked like a football game although I didn't really take much of a look.
They appear to be letting anyone play.
He was playing what looked like a football game although I didn't really take much of a look.