Poll: How Japanese Gamers Feel About The PS4

The PlayStation 4 was released in Japan nearly one year ago. So are Japanese buyers of the console happy with their purchase?

Over 1000 PS4 owners answered a customer satisfaction survey in this week’s Weekly Famitsu. Many were happy. Some were not. Here’s what was asked, what was answered, and a bit of what was said.

How Satisfied Are You With the PS4?

Very satisfied

I thought the PS3’s graphics were beautiful, but when I compared them to the PS4, it was completely different. Now that I’ve tasted the PS4, I can’t go back to the PS3… (Male in his 30s)

The remote play with the Vita is beyond convenient. (Male in his 20s)

Satisfied

I like that I can easily take high quality screenshots. The fact that I can easily upload them is also a plus. (Woman in her 20s)

It’s wonderful that by utilising the standby mode, I can purchase a game when outside and instruct my PS4 to download it so that when I get home, I can play without waiting. (Male in his 30s)

Normal

I’m still a little unsatisfied with the lack of titles. The current lineup looks to consist mainly of big foreign titles localised for Japan, so I’d like to see more uniquely Japanese titles. (Male in his 40s)

The “Share” function is useful not only for streaming, but for watching other people’s streams. (Male in his teens)

Unsatisfied

I have no problems with the functions and software of the system, but I just wish there were more appealing games. It seems to be mostly FPSs and games with a lot of violence… (Woman in her 30s)

There are a lot of titles that are very pretty, but not enough seem to utilise the unique features of the PS4’s system. I want someone to make a game that takes advantage of not the graphics side, but the system side of the PS4. (Male in his 30s)

There are a lot of multi-platform games shared with the PS3, and I don’t think the PS4’s capabilities are being fully utilized. I’m waiting for a fun exclusive game! (Male in his 20s)

Very unsatisfied

It’s unfortunate that online play requires a PS Plus subscription. (Male in his teens)

I purchased one on release day and I’ve already sent it in for repairs once. I only pray it doesn’t break again… (Male in his 30s)

Why Did You Purchase a PS4?

I thought the Dragon Quest Metal Slime edition PS4 was cute, so I bought one. (Male in his 20s)

I own most of the other consoles, but I didn’t have a PS4. (Male in his 30s)

Because it was cheap. (Woman in her 40s)

I wanted to play a racing game, so I bought one with Driveclub. (Male in his 30s)

Compared with the other latest hardware, the PS4 seemed to fit me the most so I decided to but one. (Male in his 40s)

What Title Do You Frequently Play?

GTAV: 206 votes
Battlefield 4: 165 votes
Destiny: 107 votes
Farcry 4: 106 votes
Dragon Age: Inquisition: 105 votes
Call of Duty Advanced Warfare: 70 votes
The Last of Us Remastered: 66 votes
Diablo III: 60 votes
Samurai Warriors 4: 51 votes
Yakuza Ishin!: 44 votes

How Satisfied Are You With the Games?

Very satisfied

From domestic to foreign, retro to the latest, the vast lineup, plus the wide variety of games is great. (Male in his 30s)

When it came out, the lineup of games was a little underwhelming, but recently the number has increased which makes me happy. (Male in his teens)

I think there may be an imbalance in the genres, but I generally only play Western games, so I’m very happy with the current lineup. (Male in his 20s)

Satisfied

I happy that there are a lot of Western and online coop games. I hope Japanese game makers make more games for not only the PS3, but the PS4 as well. (Male in his 20s)

I wish more Japanese game developers put out games for the console’s launch. But they have been putting a lot of effort into indie titles and I feel the lineup has become more varied. (Male in his 20s)

Undecided

Most of the domestic games seem to be trying to catch up to Western games and there aren’t enough games that make me think “This is a Japanese game!” But it looks like a lot more are coming out, so I’m looking forward to that. (Male in his teens)

In terms of games, a lot more titles have been announced for this year, so im impressions are “things are starting from here.” Samurai Warriors, Dragon Quest Heroes, Dear of Alive 5 Last Round… The fact that I can purchase the download versions of all these games and the PS4 has room to spare makes me feel the console’s potential. (Woman in her 20s)

Slightly unsatisfied

Everything seems to be for adults only. It’s becoming a non-family-friendly console. (Male in his 40s)

All the games seem so hard and it feels like there aren’t enough titles for light users. I’m not really interested in cars, soccer, or war. (Woman in her 40s)

Unsatisfied

There aren’t enough games. Everything seems to be ports of PS3 titles. (Male in his 40s)

What Titles Are You Looking Forward To? (Up to 3 choices)

Final Fantasy XV: 521 votes
Dragon Quest Heroes: 472 votes
Persona 5: 389 vptes
Bloodborne: 376 votes
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain: 308 votes
The Order: 1886: 177 votes
Yakuza 0: 160 votes
God Eater 2 Rage Burst: 151 votes
Final Fantasy Type-0 HD: 133 votes
Uncharted 4: 92 votes

How Do You Feel About The Price?

Overall, gamers of all sorts seem happy with the PS4. However, one overarching opinion was the lack of distinctly Japanese games. Of course, not all Japanese games are necessarily a good idea.