Playstation TV Review

Also known as PSVita TV Review

The Playstation TV is the way to play your favorite PSVita and Playstation classic's on the tv.
Or use it as an add-on device for the PS4 to continue playing in different room if you're banished from the other one.

While this sound great, sadly the PSTV is not perfect.
There are enough games that have yet to get PSTV support.
And if you're new to the PSVita environment don't expect to play Gravity Rush or Tearaway on the PSTV.
The PSTV only support games for the PSVita that don't use or barely use the touch options of the PSVita.

There are allot of things that the PSTV could support but isn't getting for now.
One of those options is to play WipEout 2048 on the PSTV.
While I understand that WipEout 2048 has motion controls.
They don't need be there to play WipEout 2048 on the PSTV.
Games like Olli Olli don't even have proper menu controls and require the use of the R3 of the Dualshock 3 and 4 or the use of the Dualshock 4 touch pad to be played.
So please Playstation make WipEout 2048 available to the PSTV because it would look awesome on the tv.
Also allot of video service are not yet supported on the PSTV.
And it makes no sense why there not compatible.

But enough about the games and apps that don't work on the PSTV.
Let talk about the stuff that the PSTV is supporting and if it is is worth your money.

The PSTV is available for only €99.

Which is nice price except next to this price you still have to get a few other things like a controller (€50) and a memory card (8gb = €20). 

Which makes your total around 169 euros.

This still a nice price but still expensive for a micro console.

The PSTV work great as an add-on for the PS4 as long it is on the same network.

I noticed no lag when playing via remote play when I was on my home network with both device.

There is some quality loss if any of the 2 device is connected via Wi-Fi.

So my advice is to connect both to LAN for the best experience.

Me trying out the PSTV on a PC screen

As a standalone device the PSTV has some issues.
The UI is just not build for the tv.
And I hope in the future the PSTV will get a similar UI as the PS4.
While it controls okay it just felt more work getting through my PSTV compared my PSVita.

There is no separate login for the PSTV and the PSVita.
When I login on one the other one logs out.
And all because the PSTV is recognized as a PSVita by the PSN and not as a different device.

so much fun
and now on a small box named the PSTV

Many PSVita games on the PSTV look not that good or even bad on the tv.
And should have been given a HD upgrade for there PSTV version.
But some titles really standout for doing it completely right and are a good reason to have just for the PSTV.
Titles like Spelunky and Guacamele work just like there PS3 versions and can even be played with more than just one person given the PSTV a couch multiplayer experience.
(Guacamele only recently joined the option to play the game with more than one person for the PSTV, read more about it here)

Persona 4 Golden and Killzone Mercenary stand out for just looking good on the tv.
And I have to admit watching the opening of Persona 4 Golden on a tv is so much better than on the PSVita.
And I freaking love to watch it on my PSVita.

Playstation classics were made for the tv.
So having a new way to put them there feels only logical.
I never had a issue with PSP and Playstation classics looking pixel like on there original console.
So why should I bother now with it.
Playstation classics like Crash Bandicoot or MediEvil look great on the PSTV.

Setting up the PSTV is really easy.
And I also found it really easy to take it with me so I can play games with a friend on the PSTV at there house.
Sadly there not much support for couch multiplayer games on the PSTV for now.
So the PSTV is forced to act as an ad-hoc multiplayer console.
I have played many games via my PSVita and PSTV using the same account for ad-hoc.
This works just like as two PSVita's or PSP would.

So putting everything together the PSTV is a good option to have but it just lacks the support to many good PSVita titles that could work on the PSTV.
I found the PSTV a good excuse to have as second console for at my parents home.
And the price was not to expensive.
Sadly the support for the PSTV by Playstation is just a instruction page and a big list that shows what games are supported in your region for the PSTV.
It would be nice if Playstation made a separate category in the PSN for the PSTV supported games.
And a sub category for games that support couch multiplayer for the PSTV.

The PSTV just needs time and love.
Because this console is a great alternative.

Pix the Cat Review

The return of games that feel and play like arcade games but are fresh and new at the same time made me a happy gamer.

One title that also fit this bill is Pix the Cat.
Pix the Cat is a mixture of pacman and snake.

easy perfect 

The gameplay is pretty straight forward and repetitive but nonetheless this works and is fun.
The main game is a arcade version that has 3 modes that act as difficulty levels of the arcade mode.
The gameplay revolves on getting a better high score by collecting ducks and getting deeper in to the stage.
The first mode (beginner) and is unlocked from the start.
The other modes need to be unlocked via a certain goal that mostly involves getting a better high score.

Beside arcade there is a puzzle mode (labs) which involves solving puzzles in the Pix the Cat style.
There is also a mode which I sadly haven't unlocked yet that involves speed run mode (nostalgia) which requires to complete a stage with a time frame.
And all in a classical style.

There is one more mode that should also be on the Vita version of Pix the Cat.
And thats Battle mode.
Battle mode is great and sooo addicting to play.
I have played it with sadly only one other player and felt that it needed more chaos.
That moment when you're about to crush an opponent with a dash so sativing that it never gets old.

The game moves well on the PS4 and PSVita.

With no delay on the PSVita version.

Sadly the PSVita Tv version Has more delay than the PS4.

So much even that it is noticeable and makes playing it on the PSVita Tv less enjoyable.
Even makes it irritating because this game requires absolute precision for a good score.

The game sadly also has no cross-save option.
I had to complete the lab levels twice to get myself a nice shiny silver trophy.
While I had no problem doing it all again a second time I would like to have this option.

Pix the Cat is great at its core but lack certain features and battle mode on the PSVita.
Nonetheless this game is fun and truly a game to play as a break from any other game.

I would advise anyone to pick this game up and give it a try.

Monthly Look Back (November,2014)

This is the last Monthly Look Back of this year.
In in the last weeks of december I won't have any time to write since I am busy with family and the holidays.

I will publish my review of Pix the Cat as I promised in the last Monthly look back.
So look forward seeing it here soon.

Next to that I will do one other blog article this year.
I have had the PS Tv (PSVita Tv) for around 2 weeks now and I would like to share my opinion on this new console.

As always enjoy the list and until next time.

Killzone Shadow Fall (PS4) 100% 54%
For those that know me, I am Killzone fan at heart.
So its only natural for me that I come back for more Killzone.
In this month I watch my brother complete the story.
Which I found less entertaining than my previous playthroughs.
And I must admit that find this story of all the killzone games the weakest.

I have also played some more multiplayer to simply enjoy the fine experience of the fight.
I have been grinding on the Sniper class to get a trophy related to this class.
Also for those that have not yet seen the news about the new patch.
Killzone Shadow Fall is getting a currency system similar to Killzone mercenaries in the multiplayer.
There is a video on Twitch but as may know that video will be gone soon.
So watch it here before it's gone. http://www.twitch.tv/killzoneofficial/b/592642253

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (PS3) 100% 54%
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax came out here in the EU way faster than the previous Persona 4 Arena.
And I am happy they did.

The game it self is a huge improvement on the previous one.
The story is more linear and the combat system still feels like a natural thing.
Even with the changes they made.
I can't say this enough but the Persona 4 Arena combat system is so easy to learn and to enjoy even for a noob like me.

Luftrausers (PSVita) 14%
I can't say much about Luftrausers except that it is a enjoyable game.
Its pretty straight forward shoot, die en retry.

I played Luftrausers on the PS Tv and have yet to try it on the Vita.
I can say for sure that this game looks and plays great on the PS Tv.

Metrico (PSVita) 0% 0%

Metal Gear Solid 2 (PSVita) 25% 14%

Proteus (PS4, PS3) 0% 0%

Spelunky (PS4, PSVita, PS3) 9%
I bet many have said it before me but I am going to say it.
Spelunky is awesome.

I have been playing this allot vs other players.
But exploring the world with a friend is also really nice.

Also a pro tip for those that have a PS Tv.
You can play this game with 4 people on one PS Tv.

Worms Revolution Extreme (PSVita) 1% 2%
While I love Worms this game looks soooooo pixelated.
It's okay on the PSVita but on the PS Tv it looks really bad.
And thats to bad because I felt that this game would be totally at home on the PS Tv.

Besides the class system I find this game not that different.
But it is still enjoyable.

Pix The Cat (PS4) 23%

KNACK (PSVita) 55% 21%

OlliOlli (PSVita) 10% 0%

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PS3) 100% 68%
Back to the world of Ni no Kuni to defeat the ultimate boss.
And score a nice gold trophy.

While I am slowly grinding to the top to defeat the coliseum I felt tough enough to take him down.

I am disappointed that I have still not achieved Little Battler Experience and Glim Reaper.
There is no way to track how far I am.

BLAZBLUE CHRONOPHANTASMA (PS3, PSVita) 100% 48%

The Unfinished Swan (PSVita) 100% 100%
Why is The Unfinished Swan 2 times on this list you ask.

Because I felt the need to play this game again.
And when I was done I was still in the mood for more.
So I just did everything again on the PSVita.

If you haven't played this seriously go play it.
It's fun experience.

Also check out this nice documentary here -> http://www.twitch.tv/playstation/c/5387943

Everybody's Golf (PSVita) 20% 5%

The Unfinished Swan (PS4) 100% 100%

Green % are story,  Purple % are trophy/achievements (android games are in  X / X view).