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[Killthee]

Hands on impressions are starting to go live, I'll try to keep the OP updated with more as they come in:

Shacknews:

PlanetSide 2 on PlayStation 4: played at E3 2014

While the PlayStation 4 version of PlanetSide 2 isn't quite finished, given that the development team is still ironing out some UI kinks, the shooting still feels as solid as it ever has. If anything, I felt better handling a DualShock 4 when searching for enemies. The shoulder button control scheme should feel comfortable for any console FPS player, with L2 used to aim down sights, L1 used for special abilities, and R2 used to gun down enemies. It's easy enough to get the hang of that I quickly racked up a kill streak, something I once thought unthinkable after previously playing on PC.

However, the controls aren't quite perfect, which is where the PS4 version has hit somewhat of a snag. The developers point out that while infantry controls are smooth, vehicle controls are feeling somewhat clunky. While I witnessed tanks and aircraft moving about during my session, they weren't doing so very gracefully. In fact, I saw an aircraft accidentally plow right into a mountain at one point. Refining vehicle controls is among the PlanetSide 2 team's top priorities.

On a more positive note, PlanetSide 2 looks every bit as beautiful on PS4 as it does on PC. Creative director Matt Higby previously boasted that the PS4 version would be like the PC version set to Ultra. Having seen it for myself on a 50" HDTV, it's somewhat difficult to dispute that claim. The framerate ran smooth throughout and there were no visible tears or glitches to be found. On top of being a solid shooting experience, it should be a pleasant visual one for PS4 owners, as well.

Game Informer:

PlanetSide 2 Coming To The PS4

While I can't claim to be a console FPS specialist, the controls did feel intuitive. If you've played any Halo or Call of Duty title, you're going to be able to instantly grasp the controls. The game's class and loadout system is easy to pick up and play with, and also allows for deeper customization for advanced players. Outside of the controls being moved to the PS4 controller, all other content from the PC game from vehicles to the world is unchanged in the console version. In addition, I'm fairly certain that the game looks better on the PS4 than it looks on many PCs running the game on medium or lower settings.

PS Nation:

Planetside 2 impressions – massive warfare has never been this

How this game plans to differentiate itself is by controlling like a competent first person shooter. Unlike other MMO FPS games out there, the developers at SOE are focused on making sure the shooting aspect is nailed down. I can safely report after watching and getting my hands on the game that they are on the right track to make a great feeling shooter. Everything from the gunplay to the movement of the character moved fluidly. It’s difficult to describe why the controls feel right without going into how other games do it wrong, but rest assured this plays and feels like a proper FPS first and an MMO second, but that is not to underscore the MMO aspect of the game because based on what was shown from the PC version, which is currently available, the world is huge with battles happening throughout as the three factions battle for control of the map.

Unfortunately the UI for the PlayStation 4 version wasn’t fully up yet as they are trying to find the best way to display all the information present currently in the menus on PC. They are aware of other MMO’s difficulties with UI and are working on solutions to make the best possible experience for console gamers. Which is good to hear since past MMOs to make the jump to consoles have been troubled in the UI department.

Currently there are hopes for a 2014 launch on PS4, but they are in no rush to push the game out before it is ready. With promises of a fair and complete free to play experience PlanetSide 2 looks very promising. For those interested in giving the game a shot on PS4, information on the beta is expected in the near future.

The Escapist:

Planetside 2 (PS4) Hands On - Perfectionism Takes Time

Thankfully, the title isn't stuck in developmental purgatory. In fact, today I spent a little quality time chatting with the developers and playing Planetside 2, and those negative emotions magically turned positive.

Planetside fans will be happy to know that the visuals really flex the PlayStation 4's graphical muscles. For anyone who might be thinking about making the transition from PC, the graphics probably won't be a disappointment. Though, if you're one of those people who owns a $3,000 graphics card, you might regret making the switch.

But if you're one of those people, why would you even consider making the switch in the first place?

According to Luke Sigmund, the game's lead designer, the development team has been spending a lot of time on control pad mechanics. Porting a video game is nitpicky work, and the Planetside team wants to get things just right.

"Right now, we're still working on aim assist, trying to get it right" Sigmund said. "We don't want it to be too strong or not strong enough. We're trying to get it right, and that's definitely been the hardest part of the process."

Sigmund and his team are obviously perfectionists, which is a good thing. During my time behind the control pad, the mechanics felt silky smooth, but Sigmund describes the controls as "about 70 percent complete."

Even after the Planetside crew finishes tweaking the controller setup, they still have a laundry list of items that need to completed before the game will be ready for public consumption. But Sigmund is confident that the game will be ready in 2014.

"We're aiming for sometime this year," he said. "We haven't given the date yet, but we're having a beta relatively soon. And we'll see how that goes and decide what happens next."

 

[Prologue]

I thought this was suppose to be out last year? Seems like theres still work to be done.

 

[PeregrinSe7en]

this is all fantastic news.

if destiny doesnt turn out to be as great as i hope it to be, then at least PS2 will make the pain easier

 

[No Love]

This is going to be an awesome, awesome game for PS4. When people boot up their new PS4's and are able to play this for free... great move on Sony's part. Can't wait to load up with some GAFbros in a platoon and go to town.

 

[Maleficence]

Planes crashing into mountains?

Sounds like the controls aren't that bad compared to PC then, that's a fairly common sight

Spoiler

Ok, mainly among newbies but I imagine most people at E3 would be new to PS2.

 

[bigboss370]

and its free to try! can't wait

 

[Finalizer]

In fact, I saw an aircraft accidentally plow right into a mountain at one point.

So console gamers getting an experience indistinguishable from the PC version. Sounds like good work!

 

[Acheteedo]

Unfortunately the UI for the PlayStation 4 version wasn’t fully up yet as they are trying to find the best way to display all the information present currently in the menus on PC. They are aware of other MMO’s difficulties with UI and are working on solutions to make the best possible experience for console gamers. Which is good to hear since past MMOs to make the jump to consoles have been troubled in the UI department.

Currently there are hopes for a 2014 launch on PS4, but they are in no rush to push the game out before it is ready. With promises of a fair and complete free to play experience PlanetSide 2 looks very promising. For those interested in giving the game a shot on PS4, information on the beta is expected in the near future.

God damn it, thought it was much closer than this.

Also, no vids?

 

[TheRealTalker]

hopes for 2014



then there is a possibility it may be tossed into 2015

 

[Bundy]

Jesus Christ..... all these good PS4 news since the E3 presser.....

PlanetSide 2 is so damn awesome!!

 

[valkillmore]

Planes crashing into mountains?

Sounds like the controls aren't that bad compared to PC then, that's a fairly common sight

Spoiler

Ok, mainly among newbies but I imagine most people at E3 would be new to PS2.

So completely indistinguishable from the PC version then. Sounds like good work!

Lol

Man I can't wait to play this game. Heard so much about it.

 

[Killthee]

I thought this was suppose to be out last year? Seems like theres still work to be done.

They were aiming for launch/launch window, but it looks like they had trouble porting over the engine in time so the game got pushed back.

 

[OdysseusVA]

Currently there are hopes for a 2014 launch on PS4, but they are in no rush to push the game out before it is ready

Sony pls
Light a fire under the devs. Halt PC development if you have to

Spoiler

 

[Syf]

Sounds like it's coming along nicely. Great game that PS4 players should love, especially given it's free. I've put a good couple hundred hours into it on PC.

 

[WetPotatoBread]

Here is a short (and when I say short I mean short) video.

 

[SJRB]

Currently there are hopes for a 2014 launch on PS4, but they are in no rush to push the game out before it is ready.

Jesus Christ..

 

[kaching]

It's F2P, so rather than obsess over converting the MMO UI "just right" why not get it so it's "good enough", get it out sooner and start getting feedback from players. Really shouldn't be any need for this to delay into 2015.

 

[Portugeezer]

Glad they got it looking and running well on PS4, shame it's taking them so long to port it, wasn't it meant to be a launch window game initially? Was hoping we would get it this summer.

I thought this was suppose to be out last year? Seems like theres still work to be done.

When they released on PC, it still needed work.

It's F2P, so rather than obsess over converting the MMO UI "just right" why not get it so it's "good enough", get it out sooner and start getting feedback from players. Really shouldn't be any need for this to delay into 2015.

I wouldn't trust console gamers to be so understanding.

 

[Killthee]

God damn it, thought it was much closer than this.

Also, no vids?

There's 1 crappy off screen video up on YouTube right now.

If I see any direct feed videos or some good offscreen footage I'll add them to the OP.

 

[TheCanisDirus]

I thought this was suppose to be out last year? Seems like theres still work to be done.

Yup... launch window i believe. It really doesn't seem like it's anywhere close to release from all the impressions. I wonder will PS2 be desirable or even relevant when it's released with all the other shooters that will have saturated the market by then.

I'm still excited for it. I just hope that there will be more people playing than BlackLight.

 

[Loudninja]

It's F2P, so rather than obsess over converting the MMO UI "just right" why not get it so it's "good enough", get it out sooner and start getting feedback from players. Really shouldn't be any need for this to delay into 2015.

You dont release unfinished games.

 

[geordiemp]

I would rather they charged a small fee like £ 15 and gave all players the unlocks with a progression system.

Would be much better than the free to play mechanics and grind...

 

[Sentenza]

You dont release unfinished games.

MMOs are never actually finished as far as they have an user base.

 

[Obscured]

I'm really hoping this is sooner than later. Was one of the reasons I picked up the PS4 as early as I did, so it was a bit disappointing it isn't out yet, but I'm glad that they are getting it right versus getting it fast. Good to hear impressions are mostly positive so far.

It's F2P, so rather than obsess over converting the MMO UI "just right" why not get it so it's "good enough", get it out sooner and start getting feedback from players. Really shouldn't be any need for this to delay into 2015.

Doesn't sound like it is even to the "good enough" stage, but getting closer.

 

[Loudninja]

MMOs are never actually finished as far as they have an user base.

Sure,but releasing it with a unfinished UI is to me a bad idea.

 

[MarauderShields]

It went from launch to maybe 2015? Hilarious.

 

[kiguel182]

So this Summer seems unlikely. Bummer.

This game was one of the reasons that made me buy the console at launch so it's a shame it's taking this long.

But it seems like it's looking great so at least there's that.

 

[Confused Cheeseburger]

Sony's 2 biggest free-to-play games for the PS4:

Deep Down-Doesn't even have a western release planned
Planetside 2-went from launch, to early 2014, to mid 2014, to who knows when.

Man, this gen is moving very slowly with things.

 

[Odrion]

Yeah but when Planetside 2 launches. Man, you guys are in for a treat.

 

[BigDug13]

Sony's 2 biggest free-to-play games for the PS4:

Deep Down-Doesn't even have a western release planned
Planetside 2-went from launch, to early 2014, to mid 2014, to who knows when.

Man, this gen is moving very slowly with things.

Hopefully we won't have to wait so long past the PC release for other games like H1Z1 and Everquest.

I've been wanting this game since launch. hurry up!!

 

[Glorious Ownage]

Man this game was supposed to be launch window now it might not make 2014 that really stinks been looking forwards to this since launch

 

[Canis lupus]

Hopefully we won't have to wait so long past the PC release for other games like H1Z1 and Everquest.

I've been wanting this game since launch. hurry up!!

Are all these games not using the same engine? If they had trouble porting the engine over, I think we'll get H1Z1 and EQNext in a more timely manner.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

There is absolutely nothing like this on consoles. I cannot wait for PS4 players to try this.

 

[Killthee]

Higby is about to go on the PS blog E3 stream. It's over now.

It doesn't sound like it's coming out anytime soon, he mentioned that they're focusing on improving the controls and making sure the UI is console friendly over the next few months.

Are all these games not using the same engine? If they had trouble porting the engine over, I think we'll get H1Z1 and EQNext in a more timely manner.

Yeah, they're all using SOE's Forgelight engine.

 

[hesido]

Time to triangle on my PS4 is longer than what Cerny told me! At least the warframe guys were effing quick.

 

[Reckless Onion]

targeting 60fps!

 

[Cornbread78]

wow, eveything with this game sounds awesome, mighy be the year to skip on CoD if this hots before the holidays!

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

I am fine with how it sounds. If they want to release it and fix the rest with patches in the future, I'm fine with it. I just want to get my hands on it.

 

[Jas]

Here's the Higby interview from the PS Blog stream...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZfR9ONunWw

 

[Killthee]

Another offscreen video: http://instagram.com/p/pHu6eiy-1K/#

And an offscreen screenshot:

 

[Killthee]

The Escapist:

Planetside 2 (PS4) Hands On - Perfectionism Takes Time

Thankfully, the title isn't stuck in developmental purgatory. In fact, today I spent a little quality time chatting with the developers and playing Planetside 2, and those negative emotions magically turned positive.

Planetside fans will be happy to know that the visuals really flex the PlayStation 4's graphical muscles. For anyone who might be thinking about making the transition from PC, the graphics probably won't be a disappointment. Though, if you're one of those people who owns a $3,000 graphics card, you might regret making the switch.

But if you're one of those people, why would you even consider making the switch in the first place?

According to Luke Sigmund, the game's lead designer, the development team has been spending a lot of time on control pad mechanics. Porting a video game is nitpicky work, and the Planetside team wants to get things just right.

"Right now, we're still working on aim assist, trying to get it right" Sigmund said. "We don't want it to be too strong or not strong enough. We're trying to get it right, and that's definitely been the hardest part of the process."

Sigmund and his team are obviously perfectionists, which is a good thing. During my time behind the control pad, the mechanics felt silky smooth, but Sigmund describes the controls as "about 70 percent complete."

Even after the Planetside crew finishes tweaking the controller setup, they still have a laundry list of items that need to completed before the game will be ready for public consumption. But Sigmund is confident that the game will be ready in 2014.

"We're aiming for sometime this year," he said. "We haven't given the date yet, but we're having a beta relatively soon. And we'll see how that goes and decide what happens next."

 

[CraZed]

I thought this was suppose to be out last year? Seems like theres still work to be done.

You mean when the PS4 launched? Yeah, no.

 

[Shining Sunshine]

Yeah, I played it. It was great.

A lot of tweaks just for console, and the framerate was smooth. Probably 60 smooth.

The thing is that there were only like 10 players in view, so hard to say when it gets busy with 1000 players.

 

[shem935]

Sweet looking forward to it. Please be 2014...

 

[Random_Guy]

IGN posted this offscreen footage. Looks good, but we don't see a large number of players on the screen.

 

[Commanche Raisin Toast]

Looks great. So smooth!

 

[valkillmore]

There is absolutely nothing like this on consoles. I cannot wait for PS4 players to try this.

Count me as one of them. Can't wait. Everything I've seen from E3 has looked damn good.

 

[midasmulligan]

I thought this was suppose to be out last year? Seems like theres still work to be done.

Which is why I'm getting sick of companies pushing their wares so far in advance. These alpha showings 1 year+ out have been annoying when so much can change. And then the developer can say "ahhhh, but we told you that was pre-alpha gameplay/features GOTCHA B*TCH!"

 

[ComputerBlue]

I wonder when this will end up dropping, I have a feeling it'l be in the fall when we're already so jam packed with releases. Can't wait to play it. I know a lot of people hate the idea of f2p on consoles but I welcome it.

 

[MDSLKTR]

Time to triangle on my PS4 is longer than what Cerny told me! At least the warframe guys were effing quick.

Warframe is such a bad port tough. The performance with 4 players is atrocious plus they cut out all the physx stuff. No reason it can't run better than what it is right now