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PS3 Move Precision Shot
Score: 78%
Developer: InterWorks
Device Type: Accessory


Function:

InterWorks Unlimited's PS3 Move Precision Shot attempts to make shooter-style games feel more realistic while using the PS3 Move in a similar manner as the Wii Zapper; unfortunately, there are a number of design decisions that makes the hardware feel more awkward than helpful.

The Precision Shot is designed to cradle the Move controller so that the controller is like the barrel of the gun. It provides a trigger that is directly tied to the Move's trigger button and is spring-loaded to release the trigger button when you let go of the gun's trigger.

While in the Precision Shot, the Move still has all of its buttons exposed (with the exception of the trigger, of course). This includes the (Start) and (Select) buttons positioned on the sides of the wand. The controller is held in place by not only having a snug place to slide into, but also a semi-circular plastic clamp snap over the part of the controller that transitions between the wand and the ball. This extra clamp also provides the front sights for the gun accessory, the rear sights of course being positioned at the back of the barrel as you would expect.

The second component to the PS3 Move Precision Shot is the optional front grip that can house the Navigation Controller. The extra controller pops into place rather nicely, and the only button that is even slightly obscured by the grip is the (L1) button. The grip itself slides into the Precision Shot below the barrel.


Performance:

As far as structural integrity is concerned, the PS3 Move Precision Shot's main body seems to hold up pretty well. With very few moving parts and a fairly solid feeling plastic construction, I wouldn't expect it to fall apart anytime soon, short of a toss across the room, of course.

The accessory's optional grip, on the other hand, is a different story. This part feels far flimsier, and given the small neck that is used to connect the grip to the rest of the cradle, it feels like it is something to be babied and wary of. While the piece didn't break off while playing with it, it still feels like one or two overly tight grips during a firefight could leave the part in two pieces.

Outside of that, the overall package seems to do what it needs as far as adding a bit more weight and realism to the shooting-game experience. That isn't to say that it is a perfect accessory, though. There are several issues I had, and much like the construction quality of the two parts, most of them involve the extra grip.


Features:
  • Universally Compatible with all Move Games
  • Specifically Compatible with all Shooting Games
  • 1 Hand Pistol or 2 Handed Navigation Grip
  • Include Sub-Controller Attachment

Drawbacks & Problems::

The PS3 Move Precision Shot's biggest failing seems to come from the optional grip used to hold the Navigation Controller. Problem one stems from how close to the extra piece is to the normal gun grip. When you have the Navigation controller in place, your hands just feel too close together. With the Wii Zapper, there is more distance between the front and rear hands to allow for a slightly more comfortable handle of the device.

The other problems seem to stem more from the necessity of the extra grip itself. The only game available to us to effectively test the Precision Shot was Time Crisis: Razing Storm, and there are several aspects of that game's handling of the controls that make using the Navigational Controller, much less its grip, all but useless. For one, in order to reload the weapons in Razing Storm, you press the (Move) button (the big one on the face with the controller's logo on it). If were any of the buttons found on the Navigational Controller, (Circle) or (X) for example, things would be different, but as it is, being able to hit that button frequently is a must. This means no extra grip, and your off hand will most likely be holding the front of the barrel of the accessory pistol-grip shotgun style so that your thumb rests over the (Move) button.

Razing Storm does have a first-person mode that requires the Navigational Controller. In this mode, reload can be done by either tapping the (Square) or the (Right) D-pad button. The Square is on the wand, while the D-pad is on the Navigation Controller, and you will actually need both parts of the Move controller in order to walk around and shoot your enemies in the game's first-person Story Mode. Unfortunately, because of the previously-mentioned uncomfortable nature positioning of the hands when both parts of the accessory are put together, not having the second controller attached to the gun becomes a better-feeling experience. Of course, none of this is helped by the fact that the game's FPS mode has a ton of issues on its own, but you will have to read the Razing Storm review to learn more about that.

Of course, the control layout and decisions made by Time Crisis isn't going to be what every shooter with Move support will use, and hopefully a future game will feel better with this accessory, but given the current limited number of products, it's hard to say. In the end, the Precision Shot accomplishes a lot of its goals, but the optional grip seems to muck a few things up in the overall quality of the product. On the other hand, there doesn't seem to be too many other gun-accessories out there that even attempt to solve the problem of the Navigation Controller.


-J.R. Nip, GameVortex Communications
AKA Chris Meyer

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