Sony’s PS4 is a nifty little console, replete with numerous hidden features you might not know about. For example, did you know you can use motion controls to type in your login information, or for any other keyboard functions? Did you know you can use your phone to type if you have the PlayStation app on your phone? How about HDMI Device Link, which allows you to simultaneously turn off your PS4 and your TV when you’re done gaming for the day?
All of these are great little features the PS4 doesn’t trumpet from the rooftops, but perhaps the most unsung feature of Sony’s black box (and one of its best) is PS4 Remote Play. There are a number of devices available on which this handy feature works – from smart TVs to Sony’s mobile devices and the PlayStation TV system, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your PS4 from the comfort of any room in your home WiFi network.
A lot of people might not actually know what PS4 Remote Play is, or why they might want to utilise it. Here are some of the reasons why PS4 Remote Play might be for you.
You can’t use the TV
Maybe a family member is hogging your TV, or maybe someone else in your household needs it for more important things. Whatever the reason might be, you just don’t have access to your TV right now. In this instance, PS4 Remote Play is your saviour. Using your PC (laptop or desktop) or Mac, you can play PS4 games on that system via Remote Play. Simply download the PS4 Remote Play app and go through the setup process, then plug your DualShock 4 controller into one of your computer’s USB ports. Once this is done, you can enjoy PS4 games on your PC – crazy, right?
You want to get some use out of your PS Vita
We know, we know – you love your PS Vita, and it’s served you well over the years. Be honest, though – you probably ran out of games to play on the wonderful little system a while ago, didn’t you? If so, you might not even know that you can play PS4 games via your PlayStation Vita. Again, the setup process is simplicity itself. Navigate to the PS4 Link app on your Vita, then go to the Add Device screen on the PS4. The console will generate a code, which you must input on the Vita. Once you’ve done this, your consoles are connected, and playing a game on your PS4 will also enable you to play it on the Vita.
You want to experience PS4 on your mobile
If you’ve got one of a certain few Sony Xperia devices, then PlayStation Remote Play can be accessed via those, too. At time of writing, the Xperia XZ2, XZ1, XZ Premium, X, Z5, Z4 and Z3 ranges can all access Remote Play, meaning if you have one of these phones you can experience Bloodborne, God of War, Spider-Man and many other excellent titles on your mobile screen. All you need to do is make sure your console and phone are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network, then download the Remote Play app from Google Play and get started.
You need to leave the TV, but you’re not done
When you’re halfway through a critical mission or boss fight, having to give the TV over so someone else can watch something or use it for something else isn’t much fun. Luckily, Remote Play will give you the option to seamlessly continue fighting or exploring without needing to save and stop. This option is ideal for games like Horizon: Zero Dawn, which is immersive enough that needing to stop can often wrench you out of the experience, or God of War, where a particularly tear-jerking cutscene can easily be interrupted by a sudden play session full stop.
You love RPGs
One thing that we should mention about Remote Play: if you don’t have a super-strong connection, you might notice a little bit of input lag. Input lag, if you’re not familiar, is essentially a buffer time between inputting your command and seeing it play out on screen. For most strong and stable connections, this won’t be an issue, but there are plenty of Wi-Fi connections out there that don’t hold up to scrutiny. As such, the perfect games to play on Remote Play are the best RPGs the PS4 has to offer – why not try Persona 5, Trails of Cold Steel or tactical strategy game XCOM 2 over Remote Play?
We hope we’ve given you some idea of how you could use Remote Play to enhance your PlayStation 4 experience. It’s not for everyone, and not everyone will find a use for it, but for those who need it it can be a real lifesaver.
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