PlayStation Move Review
- Posted September 14th, 2010 at 18:46 EDT by Adam Dolge
- 25 Comments
Review Score
- PSU Review Score
- 8.0
- Avg. user review score:
- 9.2
Summary
Move is the most precise motion controller on the market and offers a brand new gaming experience on the PS3. With the launch of Move, Sony appears poised to change its game and introduce a new generation to the PlayStation brand. With triple-A titles launching around the holidays, even core gamers will have plenty of reason to see what all the buzz is about.
We like
- The precise tracking capabilities
- Move provides a unique gaming experience to the PS3
- The built-in vibration is even more responsive than the DualShock 3's
We dislike
- The PS Eye's sensitivity can create problems in brightly lit rooms
- Pricing may keep some away
- Move's performance is largely based on the software
See PSU's review on Metacritic & GameRankings
For as long as there’s been a PlayStation 3, Sony has consistently touted that all of its consoles are built and marketed with a 10-year life span. So when the PS3 was released, complete with its beefy horsepower and a price tag to match, Sony wanted to provide features later into its lifespan to increase the console’s appeal. One of those new features is nearly within consumers’ grasp—the PlayStation Move.
Move is the PS3’s answer to motion controls, and while strikingly similar to Nintendo’s Wii, it utilizes different technology that offers one-to-one tracking. Both systems use a wand-style motion controller, but while the Wii utilizes infrared technology, Move uses the PlayStation Eye webcam to track the glowing ball on top of the controller. On a simple level, the LED marker tracking system allows the PS Eye to determine the controller’s position and distance in the gaming environment. This technology allows three dimensional, highly accurate tracking of the Move controller.
Even with the addition of the Wii Motion Plus, Nintendo’s controller is not nearly as precise as Move. Furthermore, Move uses a three-axis linear accelerometer and an angular rate sensor to track rotation and movement. Even if the controller is hidden from the camera, say behind the user’s body, the internal magnetometer helps track Move and calibrate it against natural magnetic fields.
This is all technical jargon, and there is plenty more we could include, that is absolutely not necessary to understand in order to play. All you need to know is that the technology in the little black wand, coupled with the PS Eye, brings you into the game, sometimes literally with games like EyePet and Start The Party.
There are a few caveats that come along with all of this technology. Our review kit included two Move controllers, the PS Eye, and five games that will all be available at launch. As this writer was responsible for PSU’s Move review coverage, I can tell you that it’s extremely important to create a space big enough to move around, and sometimes that can be tough. My game room is pretty small. In fact, I had to rearrange furniture to find adequate space and a background that was not backlit by a window. This isn’t exactly a complaint so much as a general warning: Move requires adequate lighting, plenty of open space, and a proper position for the Eye. I was able to make it work in my small room, but these requirements may not be attainable for everyone. The sensitivity of the PS Eye is partially the reason why set up is important.
As an example of how the PS Eye will impact your gaming experience, I recently attempted to make a video demoing Move and Sports Champions. The video was shot at night so several lights were used to illuminate the room. When trying to calibrate the controller to the PS Eye, an error message popped up, indicating there was too much light in the camera’s view plane. Sure, this is not a problem many people will encounter, but it is worth noting that lighting is extremely important.
Once you figure out your optimal playing environment, you’ll probably notice that Move’s sensitivity is dependent on the software. For the sake of our review, we were given five games to try out. When it came to performance and lag, all five games had drastically different results (look for more details in our game-specific reviews). For instance, Sports Champions offers arguably the best performance, no lag, and provides a great representation of Move’s capabilities. On the other hand, Kung Fu Rider really lacks originality with the use of Move and Racquet Sports (a game from Ubisoft, and the only title not from SCE) had noticeable lag. While this review is for the hardware, software developers will ultimately shape Move’s future. It will be interesting to see how well the motion controller works when it’s tacked onto games like Heavy Rain and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11.
The Move controller is easy to hold, and feels like it’s built quite well. The white ball on top is rubber, not a ping-pong ball, and the bottom of the controller has a port to plug-in a USB cord. Like other PS3 controllers, ... (continued on next page)
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Comments
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Young_Charter
- 1:47pm EDT - September 14th, 2010
- 1
I'm buying it. Hands down.. To me it'll help stay active in certain ways when I dnt feel like
working out so much :P for example, "the fight".
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DeepHorizon00
- 2:01pm EDT - September 14th, 2010
- 2
i want it real bad..too bad im at a military institute..this thing looks impressive
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Wingo_17
- 2:08pm EDT - September 14th, 2010
- 3
: ) First of all, I think the new 'thank you for logging in' is a very nice touch. The Move looks cool and I do think I will be buying it in the next 6 months, although a lot of awesome games are coming out so I'm not sure. The technology seems great, and when I look at LBP, I just think something genius will come along and make this amazing. Obviously it won't be for every single person out there, but I do see a lot of possibilities. Anything from Cod4 with a Move update to the new Need for Speed with Move and a steering wheel. I am excited.
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mikeghtmare
- 2:22pm EDT - September 14th, 2010
- 5
Come on PSU, I know you are trying to give an impartial review but you are trying too hard... look at your list of dislikes:
* The PS Eye\'s sensitivity can create problems in brightly lit rooms
* Pricing may keep some away
* Move\'s performance is largely based on the software
- Sensitivity is ok.
- But pricing... you are reviewing the product not the price, if we talk about pricing then you are looking at the wrong console. Price issues differ from person to person, and then there are bundles and deals and promos.
- And your last comment, that is true of EVERYTHING. You can have lame games on the PS3 if not developed well. Again, you are reviewing the peripheral leave the software review for when you are reviewing a particular game. -
Kostchtchie
- 4:58pm EDT - September 14th, 2010
- 6
for real review on the move check this guy out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAu2jhJbr-E -
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lnews76
- 8:58pm EDT - September 14th, 2010
- 8
I HIGHLY suggest you try move before putting any money into it. It is the Wiimote with a ball on it. Woopdeedoo!
As a loyal PS3 owner I couldn't wait to give it a try but after not too long you realize it's the Wii with PS3 graphics. Might be great for some but a gimmick is still a gimmick.
The Kinect on the other hand while still in casual game category is so much fun. So much in fact that I immediately put my pre-order in for the bundle after selling my 360 last year in anticipation. I wasn't sold however until I got to play with it. Move will do ok, nothing stellar but Kinect will be the only thing you hear about this holiday and beyond.
Next generation will resemble Kinect on all three consoles, not Move or Wiimotes.
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xxxJay
- 12:54am EDT - September 15th, 2010
- 10
@8-x-box ur kidding right........got two moves preordered with one nav. already great games up and coming supporting it Heavy Rain sould be a blast with the move and that sorcerer game looks to be well worth it, sure sony has alot planned for the MOVE!!!!!
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honomaru
- 1:44am EDT - September 15th, 2010
- 11
How is the fact that the performance of the controller is based on the software a "dislike"? Isn't that basically what hardware is about? The success of a console depends on its software too doesn't it? Either you have a developer that makes really good use of the controller or one that does not. Simple as that. How can you blame Sony for how well the Move works during certain games? That's like giving a man a ticket because his son switched lanes like an Asian lady and caused an accident in the car he bought him.
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SilentNoise |
SilentNoise1780- 3:32am EDT - September 15th, 2010
- 13
@8... have fun dancing by yourself in th living room and playing peek-a-boo with your pet tiger while the rest of us are shooting things up with the Move
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mcav
- 4:59am EDT - September 15th, 2010
- 14
Am I to assume that your reviewers have been replaced by knobs with delusions of eloquence? This is the second review I have read that is trying it's best to be "good" writing and comes off like a first year undergraduates hungover assignment.
Also your cons could not be more bull!
The performance is based on SOFTWARE? DUHHHHH!!!!! Really?? Hardware needs software? Tell me you didn't just figure that out!
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TheTenth
- 11:37am EDT - September 15th, 2010
- 16
- The PS Eye's sensitivity can create problems in brightly lit rooms
- Pricing may keep some away
- Move's performance is largely based on the software
they really had to dig up to find these negative points?
bright light as the sun? who has the sun inside their living rooms?
you don't have to buy all the things, and and you don't have to buy all day one
"based on the software"??? absolutely stupid, everything this gen is based on software, consoles first then any kind of controller or extension
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adamdolge
- 2:36pm EDT - September 15th, 2010
- 17
To everyone complaining about dislike #3 - Move's performance is largely based on the software - let's put it this way, we tried five games, and only one felt really precise, the other's demonstrated some of the poor qualities of motion controls. if developers can't work well with the product, that is not a 'good' thing, right? Still, i understand if my wording was a bit off, but the idea there was that many of the games we played showed that Move can fall victim to the same flaws of the Wii. Just my personal experience with it. Still, it's plenty of fun with the right game and we're hopeful to see better games post launch. I guess better put for dislike 3: Poor launch titles.
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VerySilverOwns
- 2:42pm EDT - September 19th, 2010
- 19
I don't get this. If people wanted Wii-like gimmicks why didn't you people just buy a Wii ? Duelshock is for true hardcore gamers which is funny because while Move is targeting casuals all of the hardcore are getting happy over it.
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Lenn777
- 4:42pm EDT - September 19th, 2010
- 20
Bought it yesterday and like Sports Champions a lot. My only concern is Sony has a habbit of not supporting their hardware like PSP Go which I traded in to get the Move. Un-like some who said that don't care about re calibrating the Move, I think that it's a good idea based on the person playing. I have two teenage sons who play and Im 6'2" which I appreciate being given the options of re calibrating for my size. I would like for Sony to get EA to incorporate Madden 2012 with the move next year along with some other games in particular fighting and first person shooters. Now I'm fourtunate to own both XBOX 360 and Playstation 3. Im still not sure if Im going to purchase Kinect but probally wont because of the games that they have coming out. It's still early but I think Sony has an advantage on Microsoft and could capture some of the market share on Wii if they support the hardware with advertising and good software. Let me also state that I have owned a Wii but never played it and my youngest son got bored with it after 6 months.
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