hardware review: Pro EX controller

Background:

The PS3 has many good things going on for it, but one thing the fans have been craving is a better controller. Many wanted a controller with the ergonomic feel of the Xbox 360 controller. The PS3's controller is extremely sensitive allowing for gamers to be able to do smaller and more accurate movements. This is pretty much the only good thing going for the PS3 controller in comparison to the Xbox 360 controller. one more thing is that the fans are starting to complain about the expensive pricing of the controller a large sum of $60 versus the much better Xbox controller for a mere sum of $40. This is because Sony includes useless technology like six-axis movement controls. Don't get me wrong it was a great idea, but their platform does not have too many games that support this technology. most of the population of PlayStation users are playing first person shooter games that don't even take control of six-axis. The only first person shooter game that I know of that utilizes this is Call of Duty 3, the other popular game, although not a first person shooter is Motorstorm just your average racing game except for the fact that it utilizes six-axis.

Design + Comfort:

The design of this controller is stellar and could very well be the best controller on the market. This controller takes the best aspects of the PS3's controller like the front bumpers and merge it with the really good aspects of the Xbox controller, so basically everything. I am happy that this controller doesn't look exactly the same as the Xbox controller even though it performs just as well. This controller looks beautiful out of the box, coming in two colors, red and black. This controller gives itself a distinctive look with the grips on the handles and the LED lights used for the home button and the buttons. The only disappointment is the D-pad it is a tremendous improvement from the original Xbox controller but no where as satisfying as the original PS3 controller's D-pad. This controller also comes with some of the best triggers I have ever used. This is really great for first person shooters because they are really comfortable to eliminate cramping on the hands. Although great for first person shooters I was not really able to enjoy my racing games like split second with this controller. The concave joysticks just have to much of a dead zone for me to control my car as best as possible, but that is not really a problem because most people would buy this controller just to play shooting games with it. A large debate was whether the small amount of dead zone with this controller would affect its performance during gaming. In my experience with this controller I noticed it, but it was never a problem, in fact I actually liked it. I was able to control my player better in shooting games.

Value:
This is a great controller and I would any day play with this compared to a normal PS3 controller. I originally bought this controller only thinking that I should try it out and give it a chance, but after a couple hours of getting used to it became my go-to controller. The original Sony controller costs a whopping 60 dollars, but this much better controller comes in at an unbelievable 20 dollars. There is also a wireless version of this controller called the pro elite controller, the pro elite in addition to being wireless has the ability to support six-axis gaming. In my opinion I would not buy the wireless one because it does not justify the extra cost. The wired one comes with a 10 foot long wire which should be plenty so it being wireless really shouldn't be a problem, and for the six-axis you probably won't be able to use it to much. Also the wireless pro elite controller has many connection problems giving you one more reason not to buy it.



The Decision:
This is one of the best controllers on the market and will continue to be for a long time. This is one of the only things holding back the Ps3 system. Finally the guys at Sony have solved this problem now the PlayStation community can rejoice. If you are looking for an Xbox style controller for the PS3 this is the one. The only thing that is wrong with this controller is that is has a couple of minor problems before breaking the controller in.


Overall this product gets an 8.9 out of 10

• durability= 1 point

• ergonomic feel= 3 points

• value= 4 points

• Design= 2 points

• minor problems out of box= -1.1 point

Review: Uncharted 2 among thieves

 

Background: 
With Sony bringing in their largest game of 2010 it can be a big hit or a bust. This PlayStation exclusive has a lot of hype, but will it live up to its name? Will this game be as amazing as its predecessor Uncharted or will it be a quick cash-in on a popular franchise? In this game you will be following he action-packed story of fortune hunter Nathan Drake. You will be able to see the same characters you know and love from Uncharted, like Sully and Elaina.Still don't get this game confused with Uncharted, this game is larger in scale and way more action-packed than Uncharted.


Campaign:
This is one of the best single player games of all time. The storyline will blow your mind with twists and turns along the way you will never be bored. Warning this game is extremely addicting the first time we played the game we could not put the controller down for seven hours. This game is extremely balanced giving you a challenge, but at the same time it does not frustrate you. With most games I get completely frustrated forcing me to either change the difficulty, throw a fit, or start raging and turn off the PS3. Other games were so easy that I got bored due to the lack of challenge, but this game was just perfect even for a guy with a really short temper span. Along with the strategy and challenges, Uncharted 2 is a good shooter game. This game is a third person, over the shoulder shooter game kind of like the popular franchise resident evil. This campaign is so outstanding that it may even give franchises like resistance a run for their money.


Multiplayer: 
First of all unlike most gaming reviews we are not going to compare every single multiplayer to call of duty because we understand that not every game is going to be able to provide the same multiplayer experience as call of duty. The multiplayer is nothing that will give a killzone's a run for its money, but the campaign makes up for this disgrace of a multiplayer. This multiplayer is a little different from your normal shooting multiplayer game. This game does not only involve fast reflexes and good aiming to master, but also the strategy of being in the right place at the right time to have an advantage over your opponents. This is not the best multiplayer on the market so if you are a person who likes to skip the campaign and go right to the multiplayer stick to call of duty.


Value:
This game has a ton of replay value, you can play the campaign at least three times being just as excited each time through. The graphics are some of the best yet, you could buy this game just to stare at the screen, the graphics are just that good. The only thing holding this game back from reaching its full potential is the terrible multiplayer. The game of the year edition brand new will only cost you $25. This is a game worth every penny and more.

The Decision:
This game is a solid buy, go out and do yourself a favor by getting this game.


overall this game gets a 9.3 out of 10

• great campaign: 5 points 
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• great replay value: 2 points
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• value for money: 3 points
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• terrible multiplayer: -0.7 points