I disagree. While BF4 is visually impressive, it is disposable. NFS Rivals and Assassin's Creed IV are must haves, imo.

A. Creed IV is a pretty big departure for the series and is more a high seas pirate adventure than the A. Creed most know. There's a reason why quite a few people have been throwing it on Best of 2013 lists, and it's not because it's a complete rehash of previous versions. It fixes a lot of what has been stagnant with the series for some time now. It was not a simple roster update. It's still not perfect and it isn't overflowing with content, but it is pretty awesome.

NFS Rivals is the most visually impressive racers out there (sorry, Forza is just too damn static) and easily the most fun of any of the modern ones, it has its faults but it's honestly one of the most fun games I've played recently. Just needs more content.

BF4 is on those lists too. To each their own.

Don't forget the free to play games.

I absolutely love Warframe to the tune of 300+ hours, and I'm really looking forward to Planetside 2. Both are technically impressive and have monetization models that don't feel gross. Warframe has a really steep early learning curve, but once you get past the initial WTF, there's a really deep and fun game in there that scratches the same itch as something like Borderlands (but better IMO).

Agree with others that NFS Rivals is a great game, especially if you have a soft spot for Burnout.

I also have BF4 and KZ, but I haven't played either enough to comment, and most of the discussion around NBA 2K14 and and AC4 has been very positive.

And on PS+ freebies, Resogun is awesome and hopefully still free, Contrast wasn't a waste of time, Don't Starve is interesting but not for me, and I'm really looking forward to Outlast.

I'm not forgetting the free games, but obviously I don't have to buy those.

Fair enough, point was more that Assassin's Creed IV was pretty much the best retail launch game on either platform and is excellent even if you ignore the fact it's a launch title (which was great because I'm not a fan of the series), Rivals is debatable since it's basically a high end Burnout game and that isn't everybody's cup of tea. Battlefield is pretty and has fun multiplayer when it works.

Despite all that, I actually find this to be one of the stronger console launches in recent history. Sure the Xbox One did it a little better in terms of title variety (though the launch exclusives on both consoles have been pretty weak), but both had some excellent third party titles and downloadable titles. I still remember having my Xbox 360 wondering why I just paid $400 to play Kameo and a horrible interpretation of Perfect Dark.

As I understand it, all of BF4's issues are technical/server side. The core multiplayer game is supposed to be phenomenal.

It is primarily technical, something EA is truly awful about (see: SimCity, Spore, and Battlefield 4 launches)

Honestly, the only issues are in 64-player Conquest (which unfortunately is the most popular). If you play the smaller MP modes like Obliteration, Air Superiority, etc there doesn't seem to be any problems. But Conquest seems to have a problem with lag/rubber-banding. Something just doesn't a feel right about it. It's not all the time either which is frustrating. 9 out of 10 rounds will play flawlessly and then all of a sudden guys are glitching all over the screen. The popular opinion seems to be it happens when people join out of region servers. Who knows? But when its working properly, it's truly excellent. I certainly have no desire to play anything else at the moment.

I have it on PC and can keep a few good rounds then it goes to shit. I have a slight bias against it because EA seems to be turning a blind eye to fixing it properly. When it works right, it's amazing. EA/Dice just need to make it work right all the time.

The fact that there were three titles I was contemplating getting, with a fourth being recommended, means that this launch is already significantly better than the PS3 launch.

Are there options of smaller Conquest? 32 perhaps?

Conquest pretty much is Battlefield for me. The only mode I enjoy.

I guess there is a smaller conquest mode, but it supposedly has been disabled until they figure out the core problem. In the Game mode list, there's Conquest and Conquest Large. The "Large" is the only one that has ever had servers to pick from since I've had a PS4. I've heard the smaller mode was working at launch, but I didn't have a PS4 then so I can't confirm that.

Got mine in the mail today. They work great!

I've had mine for about a week now and highly recommended. I had to because the LH thumb stick top was already half off. I had to take the whole rubber part off so the cover would go on right and it actually fits better than over the one with the rubber on it.

Yeah, I'm definitely a fan and am glad you like them.

I don't care for the rubber compound Sony chose for the sticks, and the shape of the tops caused me to only make contact with the edges sometimes. The Grip-Its fix both problems brilliantly, and you could presumably take them off and give them a rinse every now and then.

I hope none of you are holding your breath waiting for Planetside 2. Doesn't sounds like it's coming anytime soon.

"This year is what we’re shooting for. It’s taking time to do this right but coming along great."

Tried out Don't Starve over the weekend. It took a couple rounds to get a sense of what to do, but it's really quite a bit of fun. I'm having a bit of a problem making it past day 7 or 8, as that seems to be when wild dogs start showing up at night. I'm guessing I probably need to get some walls up around my base camp in the first week, but am having a tough time getting a map with the resources placed well for that. Still, it's a nice little time killer and I can see it getting fairly addictive.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/My_FjOXSq_k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

A behind the scenes/making of type thing for Infamous.

If that story even remotely holds together, Infamous will be in GOTY discussions. At a minimum, it will be visually stunning and fun.

So purdy

Can't wait!

I put in a pre-order to get the bonus mission. Didn't care for the extras with the Collector's Edition.

Just found another use for the Pulse Elite Headphones : Plug a cable (with 3.5 to 2.5 mm adaptor) into the stereo receiver, plug other end of audio cable into 2.5 mm hole in side of USB dongle. Plug dongle into USB slot in cable box = Wireless TV or Xbox audio headset. Sweet! I love those cans.

What retailer is offering a bonus mission? Amazon is offering vests.

I use the adapter from my old wired Turtle Beach headset that converts stereo red/white cables into 2.5 audio to do that too direct from my cable box.