Sony's PlayStation 4: A Bolder, Better Console That Avoids PS3's Missteps

After seven years of waiting, we have finally experienced next-generation gaming. Sony's PlayStation 4 gives us hope for more powerful, jaw-dropping video games, and leaves a lot to the imagination for the future.

The Japanese electronics giant has been tantalizing fans with the PS4 since February, and now, the console is only two days away from its worldwide release. Read on for part one of our review (part two covers the PS4's online features, which haven't yet been activated at the time of this writing).

The Console

The PlayStation 4 is a sleek, beautifully designed machine. Online photos really don't do its angles justice. The device's backward slope masks its optical drive, making it visually appealing when sitting either horizontally or vertically. The entire box has clean lines, bisected on the top by a glowing LED strip that indicates when it's on. All the ventilation is hidden in the back, preserving the neat aesthetics, while still preventing the console from overheating. Read more...