Are the games on consoles generally better than the games on PCs?

[fuzzybabybunny]

The last console I owned was the Sega Genesis, so I have no idea about the quality of console games. Are they generally more satisfying to play than PC games? I'm seriously getting tired of PC games because it's always just more of the same, oftentimes to the point where I'm angry for spending money on a game that's not interesting and has no replay value. Character development sucks, plot sucks (or non-existent), Yet Another Shooter, gameplay sucks (enemies spawning out of midair, weak, shooting gallery style enmassed enemies, etc.)

 

[TheStu]

Well, it all depends on what kind of games you like to play.

One advantage of a console over a PC is that you can just bop over to Blockbuster to rent a title to try it out for a week (or use GameFly I guess). Also, you can re-sell your console games easier than you can PC games (since the PC games often have 1 use DRM these days).

I play more games on my PC, but that is mostly because my PS3 is hooked up to the family TV and it is harder to get a couple of hours of free game time there than on my PC.

If you have an HDTV, then get a 360 or a PS3, people will disagree with me, but the Wii is a toy, it is absolutely using last gen tech (at best) whereas the PS3 and 360 are truly current/next gen. Generally, I have seen better graphics on 360 titles (that are also released on PS3), so you might want to go that route, plus there are a lot of good titles for the 360.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
The last console I owned was the Sega Genesis, so I have no idea about the quality of console games. Are they generally more satisfying to play than PC games? I'm seriously getting tired of PC games because it's always just more of the same, oftentimes to the point where I'm angry for spending money on a game that's not interesting and has no replay value. Character development sucks, plot sucks (or non-existent), Yet Another Shooter, gameplay sucks (enemies spawning out of midair, weak, shooting gallery style enmassed enemies, etc.)

This is probably going to be worse on consoles given their more casual pick up and play for 15 minutes gameplay.

Your best bet seems to be more niche type PC games that you may have missed rather than big heavily advertised games on PC or console.

EDIT: Since you say the last console you played was the genesis there are plenty of awesome older games on PS1, PS2, Gamecube, and XBox that you may have missed.

 

[Dumac]

There are some great games on the consoles. Honestly, I would say there are more great console games than PC games as of late.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Dumac
There are some great games on the consoles. Honestly, I would say there are more great console games than PC games as of late.

Duh cus that's where all the companies focus on.

 

[gorcorps]

Eh, it's different for different games. There are certain games that PC gamers just don't get to play, like sports games and most fighting games. There's also a decent amount of console only RPGs. I'm not sure what you're looking for but there are reasons why consoles are so popular.

 

[Qbah]

I have both a Xbox360 and a PC. I'd say the quality of games is pretty much the same. You get your fair share of shit titles on both platforms Nice X360 exclusive games I have played recently include Fable 2 and Gears of War 2. The Darkness was also pretty good :thumbsup: Even though it was a FPS... Worked out "ok" in the end. as far as controls go. The story was very good

Then you get the cross-platform titles like Dead Space, Fallout 3 or Red Faction: Guerilla which are really nice. I opted for the Xbox 360 due to exclusive DLC that did and will happen again (like for GTA IV - also a really nice game or the new Prince of Persia - enjoyed it a lot too). It's also easier and less of a hassle to get the DLC stuff. Either in game or 2 category jumps on the Dashboard. It's a total PITA for Fallout 3 on the PC for example. Also, there's no modding in console games - so you play them only the way "intended". Unlike the huge modding comunity for Fallout 3 PC. For some people this might be a deal breaker (not for me though).

Finally. you got the bad shit like Sacred 2 (recently) which sends a clear message about all consolers being retards :thumbsdown:

 

[alcoholbob]

You have a wider variety so I believe being a console gamer is more rewarding. Also you get the joy of "it works!" on release date. And so many games are multiplatform these days--which means they are console-first games. Take Terminator Salvation for example. Universal launch date, the PC version somehow fails to work -.-

Also for me, for a guy whose probably spent 90% of my time gaming on a PC, I find that it's a lot easier to find a console game to pick up and enjoy than a PC game, which not only requires monetary, technical investment, but often patience (patches...) as well. Consoles have a lot of genres cornered and most of my favorite developers have moved to the consoles (more money). At this point in time, what does the PC have consoles don't? World of Warcraft...

 

[WildW]

Each has their own style of games that work better on one than the other. Since I've long been a strategy game player I tend to lean towards the PC. Other game types work better on consoles. Personal taste and all that.

I've personally rarely cared about plot and character development. Those things are for stories that are told to me. . . a game is a story I play, I am the character, I do what I choose. Who dies and who falls in love with who can be left to movies.

 

[skace]

Console games are usually shallower but more polished. Multiplayer is much stronger in the PC world but party games are practically non-existent. Often times, console games will focus on a fun concept, even if that means the game itself isn't that amazing, while a lot of PC developers get too caught up on the technical aspects and sometimes forget how fun their game is.

The problem with consoles in general is that, as of late, they've been trying to ape PC games in so many ways. Lots of poorly done FPS games, lots of RPGs that look more like the western style RPG than the 'classic JRPG'. You've got console gamers who look forward to stuff like Oblivion which is a PC RPG, over stuff like the latest Final Fantasy.

The thing about the PC/Console comparison is that games like Fire Emblem don't have any equivalent on the PC. The PC strategy RPG genre is practically dead and gone. It's completely overlooked. And there are other similar genres.

 

[imaheadcase]

The only console game i like is Mario Cart playing against someone on Wii. I honestly have not found any really fun guns on Wii or Ps3 that blew me away like on PC.

I thought PC gaming was dying, but so many great games on PC now I don't have time for every one. hehe

 

[WhipperSnapper]

PC gaming is the master of online multiplayer and custom content. If you prefer games with more depth, online multiplayer, and games where members of the gaming community will produce freely-downloadable custom content, then PC gaming is the way to go. Consider the original Unreal Tournament (1999). Devotees must have produced at least 10,000 custom maps and mods that you could download for free. I'm pretty sure that PC gaming still leads the way for FPS, RPG, and RTS.

Sadly, the money is in consoles. The money is in producing disposable games with less depth that people will play for a few weeks before selling them to Gamestop. One of the problems with producing PC games is that many people will purchase one game and then play it for a long time, perhaps years. (Best entertainment buy I ever made was the original Unreal Tournament for $10 back in February of 2001. I played that heavily in online multiplayer until the middle of 2007 and even released my own custom maps.)

 

[acheron]

Not really. If you're concerned about PC games all being "more of the same", then console games are even worse. There are a couple games doing interesting things for the Wii, but there's a ton of crap there too. The 360 and PS3 are basically crippled computers, and more or less have the same type of games as PC but less complex and with worse controls. (Though with some variation in genres, as others have pointed out -- PCs haven't gotten good sports games for years, and I don't think there's ever been a good console strategy game.)

It used to be you could get more polished and completed games for consoles, since developers knew that they couldn't just send out a patch to fix bugs after release, but now they can patch console games too, so you're starting to see some of the same unfinished buggy shit on consoles that we're used to seeing from certain PC developers.

In the end it's mostly preference I guess. I've never been into consoles -- I have a Wii, which like I said has some fun stuff, but at this point I'd never do "serious" gaming (whatever that means!) on a console.

 

[ibex333]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
The last console I owned was the Sega Genesis, so I have no idea about the quality of console games. Are they generally more satisfying to play than PC games? I'm seriously getting tired of PC games because it's always just more of the same, oftentimes to the point where I'm angry for spending money on a game that's not interesting and has no replay value. Character development sucks, plot sucks (or non-existent), Yet Another Shooter, gameplay sucks (enemies spawning out of midair, weak, shooting gallery style enmassed enemies, etc.)

Heh and I thought I was the only person who can say that the last console they ever owned was Sega Genesis... amazing.


Well, I'll tell you this much. In my case there was a reason for this. I never got another console by choice. I felt that Sega Genesis was the last ever truly good console and there never was, and never will be anything like it again. I hated Sony with all my heart for killing Sega with it's stupid, lame PlayStation, and so I decided to pretty much "boycott" everything else that came since then. I jumped on to the PC and never looked back.

The only reason why I sometimes regret not having a console is because of the FIGHTING GAMES. Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, King of Fighters, Soul Calibur, and Tekken. I am a huge fighting game fan, but even that cant make me buy a console, because I rather spend my money on a new video card or a cpu every time I have money to buy a console...

There are some reasons why gaming on the PC is better than on the console:

1)You can constantly upgrade as much as your funds allow to always have the best performance possible.
2)There is no shortage of TONS of good games unlike on the PS3.
3)A PC will never give you a RROD unlike the Xbox, and it's CD/DVD drive will most likely NOT start having laser issues later down the road. If your PC does break down, oftentimes, it will cost much less to repair than an Xbox. Parts and tools are easy to obtain and I don't have to send it to a manufacturer for repair because it's so EASY to repair it by myself.
4)Hard Drives are not overpriced.
5)It's free to play online unless you are playing an MMORPG. And even then, there are free MMOGs.
6)There are much more RTS/FPS games available, they control much better too, and they tend to look significantly better on high end systems. MMORPGS are virtually non existent on consoles.
7)You can "test out" games before you buy them on the PC.. Ahem.. (not that it cant be done with a console, but on a PC there's less hassle, and no risk to destroy your system while doing so)
8)You can play games on a PC in a window and do other things at the same time!
9)A PC can FULLY emulate ANY console provided someone creates a working emulator and your PC is powerful enough to run it. Most of the modern consoles are still not emulated, but they can be, if enough people wanted to bother with this.

All that being said, there are still PLENTY of advantages to console gaming. Can gaming on a console be better than it is on the PC? YES. But is it "generally" better overall? NO.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: acheron
There are a couple games doing interesting things for the Wii, but there's a ton of crap there too.

The most interesting product on Wii isn't even a game, it's Wii Fit

 

[Fox5]

There are very few games made for PC exclusively anymore, most are cross platform.

That said, that consoles do have some good exclusives.

What games have you been playing?

 

[pontifex]

i got a ps3 recently and i've played some really amazing games on it. much better than the crap thats been on PC lately.

I should also say that i've played demos of some pretty crappy games too though.

 

[DaveSimmons]

PC has the best versions of western RPGs and more of them. And some games like Oblivion and Neverwinter Nights 1 have huge collections of user-created content.

PS2 has dozens of (J)RPGs like Final Fantasy X,XII, Xenosaga I-III, Shadow Hearts, etc. plus platformers and platformer/shooters like Ratchet & Clank, action titles like God of War I-II. If current PS3s still played PS2 games it would be easy to recommend a PS3 over a 360 just for the PS2 library. But they don't, so a PS2 slim could be your best choice to catch up on console gaming.

Then get a PS3 or 360 around xmas. The PS3 slim is rumored to be out by then, and the 360 is possibly getting a price drop where you get the 120GB Elite model for the same $299 that gets you a 60GB Pro now.

 

[coloumb]

In this day and age - from a price comparison and ease of being able to play the game [don't have to jump through multiple hoops or buy new hardware] - yes. [Most] console games are geared towards "party" play where as PC games are geared towards single play.

 

[4537256]

PC games today with their DRM,activations..etc, can shove it. no resale value and the publishers treat you as if in their eyes, your probably a pirate. pc hardware updating gets very expensive and to stay on top you need to do it once a year at least, update drivers and fixes like its a freaking anti-viral drug or something..all of which i wouldnt mind so much if devs would develop specifically targeting its power, but alas, instead its just ports.
console games dont have the best graphics, little to no kb/mice option and thats about the only negatives.

the next generation of consoles will probably wipe out any benefit pc gaming currently has left, which isnt much anymore. the only ones playing pc at that point will be pirates who are too cheap to buy console games.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: 4537256
PC games today with their DRM,activations..etc, can shove it. no resale value and the publishers treat you as if in their eyes, your probably a pirate. pc hardware updating gets very expensive and to stay on top you need to do it once a year at least, update drivers and fixes like its a freaking anti-viral drug or something..all of which i wouldnt mind so much if devs would develop specifically targeting its power, but alas, instead its just ports.
console games dont have the best graphics, little to no kb/mice option and thats about the only negatives.

the next generation of consoles will probably wipe out any benefit pc gaming currently has left, which isnt much anymore. the only ones playing pc at that point will be pirates who are too cheap to buy console games.

upgrade every year? maybe if you want to run everything at max at all times, but you don't need to upgrade every year.

 

[videogames101]

PC gaming has less money in it because players demand real multiplayer support, and often play games upwards of hundreds of hours. I've played CS:S TF2 and L4D constantly for the past 2 years, and haven't purchased any other games. If I played consoles, I would have purchased far more games, because the quality of most console games simply isn't up to par, especially with multiplayer aspect and custom content.

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
The last console I owned was the Sega Genesis, so I have no idea about the quality of console games. Are they generally more satisfying to play than PC games? I'm seriously getting tired of PC games because it's always just more of the same, oftentimes to the point where I'm angry for spending money on a game that's not interesting and has no replay value. Character development sucks, plot sucks (or non-existent), Yet Another Shooter, gameplay sucks (enemies spawning out of midair, weak, shooting gallery style enmassed enemies, etc.)

No theres crap games on consoles as well as PC's, you just need to know which games are good. In general the PC is better for RTS games and their varients also some FPS, the console is better for everything else because you dont need to deal with the DRM crap or it dosent work because of X error or it crashes when i do this etc.

Buy good RTS games for the PC, valve and blizzard games on the PC, everything else on a console. Thats generally what i do, not a rule but it works. The main thing is avoiding bad games.

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: 4537256
PC games today with their DRM,activations..etc, can shove it. no resale value and the publishers treat you as if in their eyes, your probably a pirate. pc hardware updating gets very expensive and to stay on top you need to do it once a year at least, update drivers and fixes like its a freaking anti-viral drug or something..all of which i wouldnt mind so much if devs would develop specifically targeting its power, but alas, instead its just ports.
console games dont have the best graphics, little to no kb/mice option and thats about the only negatives.

the next generation of consoles will probably wipe out any benefit pc gaming currently has left, which isnt much anymore. the only ones playing pc at that point will be pirates who are too cheap to buy console games.

upgrade every year? maybe if you want to run everything at max at all times, but you don't need to upgrade every year.

Seriously, end of 2006 I built a core 2 duo PC with an X1950XT and 4GB of ram for around $800. Such a PC would still offer acceptable performance nowadays if you're willing to deal with toned down settings or don't play the latest and greatest (team fortress 2 for instance runs quite well on an x1950xt).
More expensive than a console, but a PC does more than a console, and only needs a video card every once in a while to keep up. Plus, I'd prefer the option of being able to play better looking games than to suffer with poor performance.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: 4537256
PC games today with their DRM,activations..etc, can shove it. no resale value and the publishers treat you as if in their eyes, your probably a pirate. pc hardware updating gets very expensive and to stay on top you need to do it once a year at least, update drivers and fixes like its a freaking anti-viral drug or something..all of which i wouldnt mind so much if devs would develop specifically targeting its power, but alas, instead its just ports.
console games dont have the best graphics, little to no kb/mice option and thats about the only negatives.

the next generation of consoles will probably wipe out any benefit pc gaming currently has left, which isnt much anymore. the only ones playing pc at that point will be pirates who are too cheap to buy console games.

Clueless, you are.