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PlayStation Move Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

PlayStation Move Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

Move Sony’s Moneymaker

Back in 2006 when the Nintendo Wii launched, it was only a matter of weeks before gamers the world over began to wonder when Sony and Microsoft would launch their response to that extraordinarily successful technology. Microsoft’s Kinect isn’t due on store shelves for another month, but Sony’s Move has officially launched. Aside from a few minor quibbles, so far we’re extremely impressed with the technology. The dedicated PS Move games, however, could use a lot of work.

PlayStation Move screenshot

But let’s begin with the technology. That is the element that it’s really going to need to separate the Move from the other two motion controlled gaming systems, Wii and Kinect. We have little idea how Kinect will work once it releases, but right now it’s going to be tough to top what Sony has created with the Move. It’s a highly precise system which has further beauty because of its incredible simplicity. In fact, most PS3 owners probably already have most of the components to make it work. If you already have a PlayStation Eye camera, then all you really need is a small software update and the new Move controller.

Though it may be a simple solution to the motion control quandary, the Move is accurate and its motions are extremely well represented on the screen. Most games feature a nearly 1:1 movement ratio. This gets even better when you’ve got two controllers to work with. This allows great immersion in games like Sports Champions’ Archery game which functions just like a real bow with two controllers, or Sports Champions’ Gladiator battles which allows you perfect control over a sword and shield at the same time. These are both fun games that open up a whole new realm of possibility for motion control.

The use of the PlayStation Eye camera allows the games to map not only the controller motion, but sometimes your body’s motion as well. Other times the controller is able to infer what your body is doing. For instance, in Sports Champions Ping Pong moving closer or further from the camera automatically corresponds to the character moving closer or further from the table.

PlayStation Move screenshot

It’s an elegant and intelligent system that seemingly allows for a lot of developer wriggle room to improvise. The bizarre thing that happened with the Nintendo Wii is that its few innovations actually limited developers rather than opening up new avenues like many had hoped. Its unique properties forced them down pre-prescribed paths. The PlayStation Move may have fixed that issue by making the controls more open and implementing the camera.

Rather than the controller itself attempting to measure force, Move uses several methods that all measure your movements. When added together they are a far more precise interpretation of the player’s movement. Wii controllers often just logged that a movement was made, and then sent that information to the computer which displayed a canned pre-rendered motion. In practice it was no different than pressing a button. Move can map the angle and force of your motion and create an authentic, unique swing to match it.

PlayStation Move screenshot

But it’s all for nothing unless the new peripheral has the games that will make the technology a compelling purchase. Unfortunately, this is one category where Sony still has some work to do. There is really only one dedicated game on the system that can truly be said is a must-own game if you bought a Move bundle. That game, Sports Champions, brings together the best things about the technology and gets players up off the couch for a riveting set of sports games. The included games are Bocce, Archery, Disc Golf, Gladiator Duel, Beach Volleyball, and Table Tennis. Sure, it’s a total rip-off of Wii Sports, but at least all of the sports are different from those already included in other compilations. Plus Sports Champions is far better than Wii Sports.

The rest of the Move library is not nearly as fun, and includes far too many tech demos that were turned into full games. Start the Party is a decent but short-lived party game that will only be fun for young kids, and even then will probably grow tiresome after a couple rounds.

PlayStation Move screenshot

Eyepet is similar in that regard. This “game” will provide a few hours of fun for young kids, but will hold next to zero appeal for adults or anyone looking beyond those few hours. It’s an intriguing toy that will probably sell quite a few Move controllers thanks to TV ad spots during the Saturday morning cartoons, but it’s a less than compelling gaming experience.

Other genres have been poorly represented as well. Kung Fu Rider is the Move’s first foray into racing game territory, but it mostly falls flat despite a few entertaining moments. Time Crisis and The Shoot also make interesting showings, but ultimately make us fear for future installments in the shooter genre.

Most of the games created specifically for the Move controller aren’t very good. However, don’t let that keep you from trying it out. There are a host of other games slated to receive patches that will include support for motion control. Some notables include MAG, SOCOM 4, and Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition. The latter of which seems to be the most compelling choice. I’ve yet to try it out for myself, but Resident Evil 4 on the Nintendo Wii was a great combination, and it is said to play similarly.

Personally, I have a lot of faith that this technology is going to do very well for fans of hardcore games and fans of casual experiences alike. Its early experiences have been impressive in terms of showing us what the technology is capable of, if not necessarily providing awesome gaming. I’m looking forward to seeing what the technology will do for sports games in particular. Sports games have failed miserably to push the genre forward on the Wii (they’ve actually regressed considerably). But with the advanced technology of the Move controller coupled with the processing power of the PlayStation 3, this could be a match made in heaven.

Move has all the advantages of the Wii’s motion controller, and none of the weaknesses of the Wii console. Sports Champions has proved that the system can support quality gaming experiences, now the onus is on the developers to make that happen. Expect a rocky first year though. When things like this come out, developers have a tendency to insert that new technology into their in-progress games in order to be one of the first to market, which isn’t always the best use of new gadgets. However, in about a year we’ll start seeing true Move games, then I think we’ll really start to be impressed with how far motion gaming has come.

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Game Features:

  • Nearly 1:1 movement ratio.
  • Adds motion control capability to many older PS3 games.
  • Utilizes several different technologies to more accurate translate your movements into the game.

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