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FngKestrel · 10-31-2004, 02:11 AM

I've got all the systems listed. I've always been a fervent PC gamer. But as of lately, I've been moving more and more into the console world.

PC games, while they're great and upgradeable and beautiful for all the reasons listed above, have their share of problems.

Recently, LAN sessions I have with friends have been fraught with looking for patches for games, making sure everyone has the game, coercing idiots who don't have the game into getting it, tackling connectivity issues, getting installers to work, etc, etc, etc. By the time all the issues are worked out, it's time to call it a night. Basically, I'm sick and tired of wasting all my time.

Console systems? Pop in the game, boom. One night, my friends and I were playing X-men Legends at my place. People come over, I pop in the disk, we're playing.

Now you can argue that PCs are the only thing for FPSes and RTSes and you know what? I totally agree with that. Mouse and keyboard are still the only way I'd ever play an FPS. The last FPS I thought was really well done on a console was Goldeneye on the N64. But with the latest FPSes, my computer (2.4 Ghz with GeForce 5600 FX) chugs. A 2.4 Ghz!? I refuse to stay on the upgrading treadmill. The cost of a good video card rivals that of a console system these days.

[rant]
The strength of the console is that it's completely uniform, allowing for drop in and go play, but that's also their weakness, since there's limited upgradeability. Console developers get that and are utilising it to their full potential. Now that online connectivity exists, console makers are using it to deliver CONTENT, not patches. PC developers have gotten lazy and insist on patching the game after it's shipped in order to make their dates.
[/rant]

As for the system, I used to swear by my PS2, because it was shiny and new (many moons ago). I got a Gamecube a few years back because of exclusive content (Zelda titles, Metroid, etc) and got some good use out of it. I just recently picked up an Xbox after many years of protest (the "I've got a PC, why do I need an Xbox" argument) and it's my system du jour.

Long and short, for the PC/Console debate, it really depends on what the game type is. The console implementation has certain strengths that the PC lacks, and vice versa.

Console:
Sports
Driving
Fighting Games
Alternative Peripherals (DDR pads, etc)
Exclusive content
Third Person Action/Adventure (not gun based, e.g. Spiderman 2, Prince of Persia)
RPGs (FFX, Dark Cloud 2)

PC:
RTSes
FPSes
Flight Sims
Any hardcore sim (Steel Beasts, rock!)
Third Person Action/Adventure (gun based, e.g. Max Payne)
RPGs (Neverwinter Nights, KOTOR)
Adventure (Monkey Island, "Aye?")

That's my 2 cents...well, more like a buck and change.

10-31-2004, 02:11 AM	#35 (permalink)
FngKestrel Junkie	I've got all the systems listed. I've always been a fervent PC gamer. But as of lately, I've been moving more and more into the console world. PC games, while they're great and upgradeable and beautiful for all the reasons listed above, have their share of problems. Recently, LAN sessions I have with friends have been fraught with looking for patches for games, making sure everyone has the game, coercing idiots who don't have the game into getting it, tackling connectivity issues, getting installers to work, etc, etc, etc. By the time all the issues are worked out, it's time to call it a night. Basically, I'm sick and tired of wasting all my time. Console systems? Pop in the game, boom. One night, my friends and I were playing X-men Legends at my place. People come over, I pop in the disk, we're playing. Now you can argue that PCs are the only thing for FPSes and RTSes and you know what? I totally agree with that. Mouse and keyboard are still the only way I'd ever play an FPS. The last FPS I thought was really well done on a console was Goldeneye on the N64. But with the latest FPSes, my computer (2.4 Ghz with GeForce 5600 FX) chugs. A 2.4 Ghz!? I refuse to stay on the upgrading treadmill. The cost of a good video card rivals that of a console system these days. [rant] The strength of the console is that it's completely uniform, allowing for drop in and go play, but that's also their weakness, since there's limited upgradeability. Console developers get that and are utilising it to their full potential. Now that online connectivity exists, console makers are using it to deliver CONTENT, not patches. PC developers have gotten lazy and insist on patching the game after it's shipped in order to make their dates. [/rant] As for the system, I used to swear by my PS2, because it was shiny and new (many moons ago). I got a Gamecube a few years back because of exclusive content (Zelda titles, Metroid, etc) and got some good use out of it. I just recently picked up an Xbox after many years of protest (the "I've got a PC, why do I need an Xbox" argument) and it's my system du jour. Long and short, for the PC/Console debate, it really depends on what the game type is. The console implementation has certain strengths that the PC lacks, and vice versa. Console: Sports Driving Fighting Games Alternative Peripherals (DDR pads, etc) Exclusive content Third Person Action/Adventure (not gun based, e.g. Spiderman 2, Prince of Persia) RPGs (FFX, Dark Cloud 2) PC: RTSes FPSes Flight Sims Any hardcore sim (Steel Beasts, rock!) Third Person Action/Adventure (gun based, e.g. Max Payne) RPGs (Neverwinter Nights, KOTOR) Adventure (Monkey Island, "Aye?") That's my 2 cents...well, more like a buck and change.