After our lengthy review of the PlayStation 3 version of "Battlefield 4", we now offer a brief refresher on the next-gen version for the PlayStation 4. Overall, the PS3 title fared very well with us, impressing with its strong presentation and unique demonstration of the Frostbite 3 engine.
For the supplementary PS3 test >>
As a result, our expectations for the PS4 version rose, leading us to anticipate significant changes that could even rival the PC version's performance. EA therefore committed to pushing their in-house engine to its limits and delivering their planned masterpiece on the more developer-friendly console. We'll present the results in a short review.
64, instead of 24
We owe a huge leap in the number of players during multiplayer matches to the PlayStation 4. What wasn't possible on Sony's third home console is now a reality. A total of 40 additional players create chaos and destruction on the gigantic maps, which have been further expanded for this occasion. As usual, after the start of a round, you have a wide variety of vehicles to choose from for transportation. After about five minutes, if you look around, you'll see a dynamic battlefield where three tanks might approach from the left, two crewed boats might approach from the right, aiming to eliminate you from a great distance, and numerous jets and attack helicopters in the sky, engaging in fierce battles. It's simply incredible how free and lively the matches, and especially the "Conquest" mode, feel. Previously, these intense situations could only be observed near capture points, but thanks to the slightly larger maps and the large number of players, these individual battles expand and occupy the entire map. Whether by air, water or on foot – you always have different routes to play on a map.
The graphical differences
As planned, we examined both versions of "Battlefield 4" and compared them, focusing on differences and features that clearly favored the PlayStation 4. It was obvious from the outset that the next-gen version, with its textures, dynamic weather conditions, smooth surfaces, and generally sharper and more realistic graphics, would perform better. However, the improvements were clearly visible in the details – while we would have liked to see even more dramatic graphical differences, the PlayStation 4 version compares very favorably to the PC version on "high" graphics settings. Overall, the PlayStation 4 version holds its own and can compete with the PC version, hardware prices aside.
The features
With the new console come new possibilities that we can use while gaming. As you've seen, we've been using the streaming function with the provider "USTREAM." We had some initial difficulties due to sound issues because EA didn't release the necessary patch until two days later. After that, it worked perfectly. The great thing is that the gameplay isn't affected in any way, so it makes no difference whether we're streaming or not, as there are no stutters or other glitches. Posting videos and photos to Facebook and Twitter also only takes a few moments.
Initial difficulties
Sony wasn't the only one struggling with server issues at launch; EA also caused server outages – to this day, we still get a message saying the connection was lost, even though we manage to connect to the server on the third attempt. The bugs were also part of the launch plan. For example, we experienced problems like ditches suddenly appearing on the road or our vehicle suddenly reappearing in a completely different location.
Developer: DICE
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release: Available
Official homepage: www.battlefield.com
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