Games released on PC and console. How do you tell which is better?

[AstroManLuca]

It's very simple. Whenever a game is released on consoles and PC, PC version is always better. I could go into a long discussion talking about "why", but there is no reason, unless we are dealing with console fanboys who are always in denial.

Did you seriously just accuse others of being fanboys?

PS: GTA IV. Resident Evil 4. Any Final Fantasy game. Saints Row 2. Not every game is better on PC. Although to be fair, I think all of the PC versions of those games were originally released for consoles only and had the PC version ported later. Simultaneous releases tend to be better quality on PC, but some types of games are better on consoles.

 

[Liet]

Street Fighter-type fighting games are the ONLY genre I think work better on consoles.

When devs are not lazy and do a proper PC port, I find the PC version is always better than the console.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

You can use gamepads on PCs so unless there's some sort of flaw/bug introduced only in the port the PC version will just be the same but with better graphics assuming you own a 360 controllers or something.

 

[JoshGuru7]

It's very simple. Whenever a game is released on consoles and PC, PC version is always better.

You obviously have not played the PC version of NBA2k10. It is far and away the most infuriating experience I have had in the last year while gaming and the last time I will ever purchase a sports game for the PC that isn't a management sim.

 

[JoshGuru7]

It's very simple. Whenever a game is released on consoles and PC, PC version is always better. I could go into a long discussion talking about "why", but there is no reason, unless we are dealing with console fanboys who are always in denial.

Did you seriously just accuse others of being fanboys?

That's one of the necessary steps of winning internet debates.

Step 1: Make a ridiculous but absolute statement that can be easily invalidated by hundreds of examples.
Step 2: Prevent critics from picking apart your supporting arguments by omitting the arguments entirely.
Step 3: Label any future critics of your position as fanboys.
Step 4: You win!?

 

[Raduque]

It's very simple. Whenever a game is released on consoles and PC, PC version is always better. I could go into a long discussion talking about "why", but there is no reason, unless we are dealing with console fanboys who are always in denial.

Bioshock 2 has Securom date and validation checks requiring an active internet connection to install. It also has GfWL that you have to have a profile to save games and play online with. GfWL also has a 15 activations limit.

How is the PC version better now? Oh wait, I forgot it's better "just because". I swear, sometimes PC Gaming fanboys are as bad as Apple fanboys.

 

[Liet]

Resolution, to start.

Besides, it's an FPS. That automatically makes it better on a PC due to mouse / keyboard.

Man, I WISH I could play L4D online against consolers. What a slaughter that would be.

 

[mindcycle]

It depends on the game. If the PC version is badly optimized and "DRM'ed" to hell, then the superior version is going to be on the console IMO.

A good cross platform game would be something like Fallout 3, a bad cross platform game would be something like GTA4.

 

[Gothgar]

I wonder how different the responses to this question would be if asked in the console forum?

I buy everything for PC unless it is console only, then I will get it for console.

 

[pmv]

It's very simple. Whenever a game is released on consoles and PC, PC version is always better. I could go into a long discussion talking about "why", but there is no reason, unless we are dealing with console fanboys who are always in denial.

Not if its designed for consoles and then very badly ported with crap control schemes and inefficient coding.

 

[pmv]

Yea it's sad that now since you can release updates on consoles now, we're seeing console games that are super buggy as hell.

Also, as in the case of the infamous Oblivion animation freeze bug, bugs are far more likely to get fixed on the PC, even if it has to be done by amateur modders.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Easy.

Console version > PC version, always, unless it's well-known that the developer actually took the time to optimize the game for the PC.

For example...

Dragon Age: Origins for the PC was the superior version, but DA:O is the exception, not the norm. Most PC versions are just poorly-done console ports loaded up with DRM and other annoyances.

 

[zerocool84]

You obviously have not played the PC version of NBA2k10. It is far and away the most infuriating experience I have had in the last year while gaming and the last time I will ever purchase a sports game for the PC that isn't a management sim.

I got 2k10 on the Steam New Years deal for only $13 but still wish I paid $40 for it on Xbox. It's so damn frustrating. There are tons of games which are better on consoles. Many games, especially ports, are horribly ported to PC's and buggy as hell but I usually wait a while to play those games until they patch it to hell.

 

[VashHT]

You really have to go on a game by game basis, some are ported well and others are terribly done. If you're really worried about it just wait until both versions come out and then check out user reviews of it, otherwise just go for the version you're most comfortable with.

 

[sygyzy]

I think many of you are missing the point of my original question. I am not asking what platform you prefer playing on. Answers like "I have an old video card so I prefer the 360" don't really help either.

What I want to know is if a game is released on both the PC and console, how do you figure out which version to get, from a technical perspective.

 

[JoshGuru7]

I got 2k10 on the Steam New Years deal for only $13 but still wish I paid $40 for it on Xbox. It's so damn frustrating.

I picked it up in the same deal and it's probably for the best that I wasn't playing with a wireless KB or it would have gone through something expensive for sure. I finally picked up a PS3 copy (which is great) but got it used to ensure that 2k Games wouldn't get a nickel for it. It will also be the last 2k title I buy new on any platform, regardless of reviews.

 

[Tristicus]

You play them.
Some games are better on PS3, like Mirror's Edge and Saints Row 2, while others are better on PC, like Left 4 Dead and Unreal Tournament III.

 

[JoshGuru7]

What I want to know is if a game is released on both the PC and console, how do you figure out which version to get, from a technical perspective.

I think you've gotten plenty of answers that address this point. It's different for each game and for each person.

PC advantages:
- K/B and mouse favor fps, rts and strategy genres
- Community potential (mods, user created content) for some games
- Better online play (matchmaking, vent) for some games
- Better graphics/resolution potential if you have a high-end system

Console advantages:
- Controller and HDTV favor action, rpg and sports genres
- Much better DRM solutions that do not have activation limits
- Better split-screen play or pass the controller type play
- Fewer bugs usually, although this advantage is changing

As for Bioshock 2 which you mention, I'll be picking it up for the console. While I would ideally prefer the K/B and mouse and resolution on the PC for this game, the PC version is shipping with a form of DRM that is a deal breaker for me.

 

[ibex333]

Did you seriously just accuse others of being fanboys?

PS: GTA IV. Resident Evil 4. Any Final Fantasy game. Saints Row 2. Not every game is better on PC. Although to be fair, I think all of the PC versions of those games were originally released for consoles only and had the PC version ported later. Simultaneous releases tend to be better quality on PC, but some types of games are better on consoles.

No, not really. I called people who zealously argue in defense of consoles - fanboys. (and yes, you can call me a PC fanboy if you want)

The only reason why some games are supposedly "better" on consoles is because console makers pay big money to game companies to make certain games to be played better on consoles. There is really nothing stopping them from making these same games PC exclusive aside from greed. "IF" those same games were made on PC, they would ALWAYS be better when compared to consoles.

There was a bunch of people that argued how fighting games belonged on consoles.... They were off course proven wrong when SFIV was released on the PC. It's all about money and greed.

 

[VashHT]

I think many of you are missing the point of my original question. I am not asking what platform you prefer playing on. Answers like "I have an old video card so I prefer the 360" don't really help either.

What I want to know is if a game is released on both the PC and console, how do you figure out which version to get, from a technical perspective.

If you really want to know then check out benchmarks and reviews like I said. Console versions usually run smooth but nowadays there are some console games released that have poor framerates in certain situations or have a lot of bugs.

Checking benchmarks for the PC version will show how well it runs on a lot of different hardware. If you go out and look at a bunch of different console port benchmarks you will see that some are ported way better than others. Personally I almost always go for the PC version since I have a high end PC, and maxing out a game at 1900x1200 with all options and AA and AF pretty much always looks better than a console.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

I think many of you are missing the point of my original question. I am not asking what platform you prefer playing on. Answers like "I have an old video card so I prefer the 360" don't really help either.

What I want to know is if a game is released on both the PC and console, how do you figure out which version to get, from a technical perspective.

I already answered your question. The console version is the one to go with unless you hear news that the developers actually put effort into the PC port. Such cases are rare (DA:O being the only recent example I can think of), so it's better to be safe than sorry. There are too many shoddy and buggy ports to the PC loaded down with restrictive DRM to risk taking the chance. Just buy the console version if you have the choice. Is that clear enough of an answer?

 

[VashHT]

I already answered your question. The console version is the one to go with unless you hear news that the developers actually put effort into the PC port. Such cases are rare (DA:O being the only recent example I can think of), so it's better to be safe than sorry. There are too many shoddy and buggy ports to the PC loaded down with restrictive DRM to risk taking the chance. Just buy the console version if you have the choice. Is that clear enough of an answer?

That's a pretty ridiculous answer, playing console versions because you don't like DRM is an ideological reason, not a technical one. Not every port is a buggy mess, that's a totally over-exaggerated idea. I've played a lot of ports on my PC and I haven't had any that were so broken that I could not play them. The idea that every port is unoptimized is exaggerated too, I've found a lot of ports are very easy to run. My brother is playing ME2 on a X1900XTX and it runs pretty well, that's like a 6 year old video card or something.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

That's a pretty ridiculous answer

No, it's really not. It's actually the most truthful answer you will find. Just because you don't like it, that doesn't make it any less true.

And your example is...surprise! Another BioWare game, who was a PC-only developer for most of their company life. They are known for their quality support of PC products, just like I mentioned BioWare's Dragon Age: Origins as an exception to the norm.

Care to discuss the ports of Grand Theft Auto IV (ran poorly even on recommended specs), Assassin's Creed (ditto), BioShock (horrible DRM, no better than the console version, in fact it actually crashed a ton, and I've played both versions), etc.? No? Why is that? Because bad PC ports are far more common than good ones, and yes, sorry, they are loaded with restrictive DRM that is not present on the console versions.

Sorry if the truth is "ideological" to you.

 

[AstroManLuca]

No, not really. I called people who zealously argue in defense of consoles - fanboys. (and yes, you can call me a PC fanboy if you want)

The only reason why some games are supposedly "better" on consoles is because console makers pay big money to game companies to make certain games to be played better on consoles. There is really nothing stopping them from making these same games PC exclusive aside from greed. "IF" those same games were made on PC, they would ALWAYS be better when compared to consoles.

There was a bunch of people that argued how fighting games belonged on consoles.... They were off course proven wrong when SFIV was released on the PC. It's all about money and greed.

Ah, so you're a fanboy AND a conspiracy theorist.

 

[VashHT]

No, it's really not. It's actually the most truthful answer you will find. Just because you don't like it, that doesn't make it any less true.

And your example is...surprise! Another BioWare game, who was a PC-only developer for most of their company life. They are known for their quality support of PC products, just like I mentioned BioWare's Dragon Age: Origins as an exception to the norm.

Care to discuss the ports of Grand Theft Auto IV (ran poorly even on recommended specs), Assassin's Creed (ditto), BioShock (horrible DRM, no better than the console version, in fact it actually crashed a ton, and I've played both versions), etc.? No? Why is that? Because bad PC ports are far more common than good ones, and yes, sorry, they are loaded with restrictive DRM that is not present on the console versions.

Sorry if the truth is "ideological" to you.

Assassin's Creed ran fine for me, but my system is better than the recommended specs. That's why I told the OP to check benchmarks, specs given by the devs are usually garbage anyway. Bioshock ran fine for me too, and it may not have been different from the console version but playing it at 1900x1200 locked at 60fps is pretty nice. I've played dead space and gears of war on my PC too, didn't have much problems with those.

EDIT: I just wanted to add Ihave a ps3 and a 360 too, so it's not like I never game on a console. Like I said before checking out reviews and benchmarks on the internet is the best way to compare versions, unlike you I don't believe in absolute truths, even you admit some ports run well on the PC. It only takes one look around this forum to see that there are people playing more than just bioware ports without any problems.