It's no secret that I'm pretty much an Xbox fan at this point (despite using Linux on PC hehe).
However after my PC decided to just die on me I needed something cheap to keep myself entertained. I thought of getting another Xbox since I sold the One S I made a post about, but I found this PS4 for just R$900 ($167 USD).
That might sound a bit expensive for me mates on more developed nations, I know you can find PS4s for just $100 in the USA for instance, but for here? That's a pretty damn good price, seeing as how the normal asking price is $200 USD.
I know the PS4 is old (11 years old!!), I know that Sony will be sunsetting some of its online services soon and stuff, but I own quite a few games on Playstation already over my 1 year of owning a PS5 (I only bought a single game that's PS5 exclusive, the rest I played through Plus or work on both consoles).
The model I went with this time is the Fat, I've always thought these are prettier than the Slim line of consoles, but I couldn't get myself to buy one because their WiFI is just 2.4GHz and some other reasons. However this one was so cheap that I couldn't bring myself to ignore it. Not to mention that it's the later Matte Black model with physical power buttons and a Matte HDD cover. This isn't just aesthetics, this model is genuinely quieter due to better cooling.
The controller only has a light bar on top, which is how these original controllers worked, the new ones kinda "bleed" the light through the top of the touchbar, I don't mind the difference to be honest and this is plenty good for me. Considering this console was likely made in 2015, the controller is in pretty damn good shape and I made sure to check with the seller that the thermal paste and cleaning was on point - they are. I opened up the console just to check the dust and there's pretty much none of it in there.
Of course, another issue that arises with these older systems is the storage space, however I've already got that sorted out.
I had a 1TB laptop HDD sitting around and for just $4 I transformed it into a very decent USB 3.0 external.
Now I have plenty of space.
So what have I been using this space for? What games have I been playing?
I'll ignore games I've already beaten once, or twice, or 6 times if we're talking about Yakuza/LaD, so I'll focus on experiences that are first timers to me.
Titanfall 2
THIS IS FUN!
I wasn't expecting this game to be this good. It's a tremdendous experience.
I haven't had this much fun with an FPS since F.E.A.R and Half Life 2 and that was a LONG time ago hahaha. The story is great, the Portuguese dub is of excellent quality and the gameplay is simply great.
Horizon Zero Dawn
I started this one on PS5 when it was on Plus, but Sony is a hoe and took it off so people would buy the remaster instead.
Luckily, my friend borrowed me his copy and I've been having a lot of fun. The graphics on this thanks to the Decima engine are simply outstanding and the game itself is quite to my liking. I'm very excited to find out more about the story.
Sakura Wars
I never played the original games from this franchise (The ones on the Saturn), so this is an entirely new experience for me.
The graphics are pretty, the characters are cute, the interactions are sweet. The combat itself isn't the best thing ever but it's decent enough so I can have fun. Great game overall.
GTA V
Yes, I know, I'm VERY late.
I've tried beating this game many times over the year but dealing with Rockstar's bullshit has always gotten on my nerves on PC. I've lost multiple saves so I just gave up.
Playing on console however, is different, since the saves are handled by the console itself (and eventually PS Plus once I get that).
I've also owned this on PS3 but the experience there was so abysmal that I just didn't finish the game.
This time though? Having tons of fun I'll tell ya. It's a great game, with lots of things to do and even traversing through the open world is quite fun.
I love GTA so it's a shame I haven't beaten GTA V yet, but I'll be aiming to change that soon enough. Just in time for GTA VI (If I manage to get a PS5 by then lol).
Other Games
I've also been playing games I've already beat such as Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza 6, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and more.
There are some titles that I've been enjoying with friends too (when they bring their controllers over, still gotta get an extra one) such as Puyo Puyo Tetris, Mortal Kombat 11 and more.
I do own more games, even owning the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive collection and I've been playing some of them. I really gotta get into NFS: Heat too.
But yeah, for an 11 year old console, this thing still brings some surprise and lots of fun for those who can't afford the newest shiniest thing.
I'm currently quite effed up on the money front, so a PS5 was totally out of my league. But just owning the PS4 and experience all this again kinda makes me want to get another PS5 (I'd totally go with a Slim this time around, with a disc drive preferably).
Would I recommend getting a PS4 in 2025? Maybe.
If you don't have money for a PS5 right now but you can get more, then save up. But if you just want something to have fun whilst your PC is dead (like me), or maybe you're into collecting physical media and don't care about the newest games, then yeah, definitely, go for it.
I'll go play some Titanfall 2 now, got some titan combat to do. Thanks for reading!
