Why do you guys play a console instead of PC?

[oznerol]

I get that this is a tech forum, so I expect the abundance of PC gamers.

But seriously. Give it up. I used to be one of you, so I know. But then you grow up and get a life.

Cost per minute of entertainment? Really? Must not like games? Come on, now.

Christ, you guys are nerds.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Give it up. I used to be one of you, so I know. But then you grow up and get a life.

Christ, you guys are nerds.

If you have given up gaming, then why have you not given up visiting the gaming subforums?

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker

What do consoles have to compare with Neverwinter Nights / NWN2, The Witcher, Baldur's Gate series, etc?

Baldur's Gate for starters

Baldurs Gate on console is a completely separate game series from different companies on the console that has far different gameplay and a separate plot. Baldurs Gate is not even made by Bioware on the console.

PC Baldurs Gate

Console Baldurs Gate

 

[BenSkywalker]

Baldurs Gate on console is a completely separate game series from different companies on the console that has far different gameplay and a separate plot.

How is the gameplay far different? Because of the changes to the interface?

Baldurs Gate is not even made by Bioware on the console.

And Fallout 3 is now being made by Bethesda, doesn't mean by default it isn't a Fallout game. Baldur's Gate was brought up as the question was posed what games are like BG on the consoles, BG on the consoles is like BG on the PCs. Exact same game? No, but certainly comparable.

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: ducci
I get that this is a tech forum, so I expect the abundance of PC gamers.

But seriously. Give it up. I used to be one of you, so I know. But then you grow up and get a life.

Cost per minute of entertainment? Really? Must not like games? Come on, now.

Christ, you guys are nerds.

I don't even know who you're addressing here.

 

[Schadenfroh]

How is the gameplay far different? Because of the changes to the interface?

Exact same game? No, but certainly comparable.

The PC BG is more than just action, it focuses on plot, dialog and character development. Loads of quality interactive dialog in PC BG2, one of the most immersive games that I have ever played.

Console BG is a hack and slash action game.

Read reviews of PC Baldur's Gate series versus the console Dark Alliance series if you are really interested. I strongly suggest the PC's Baldurs Gate 2, it is one the best RPGs ever made (after PlaneScape: Torment).

PC BG review:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg...adowsofamn/review.html

Console BG review:
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rp...ag=summary;read-review

he popular PC RPG series Baldur's Gate provided a solid RPG experience while remaining true to the D&D license. Interplay's Black Isle Studios and Snowblind have teamed up to publish and develop the first console entry in the Baldur's Gate series, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. However, the similarities between the PC Baldur's Gate series and this PlayStation 2 title are in setting and name alone. Dark Alliance is an entirely new action-oriented game that still hangs on to a few traditional RPG elements, such as experience points and skill-based character advancement. Combat of the hack-and-slash variety is the name of the game here, and those dead-set on hour-long town explorations will likely be disappointed.

 

[ZzZGuy]

Co-op.

It's different when you have your buddy sitting right next to you then when your speaking to a disembodied voice. PC's are are too much a PITA to setup like this even with laptops.
The fact I can rent the games rather then buy them is a major plus as well because most console games are only worth playing once, maybe a week or 2.

The day when I can take a single cable that connects two or more laptops to a TV/main monitor (seeing what your buddy is doing is a big thing as well) with no fuss, take my air mouse and my keyboard designed for one hand and to sit nicely in my lap, run the game and I'm good to go crushing skulls with my bud is the day I burn my console (assuming PC makers start making more co-op games).

Console games lack in content/gameplay/controls for everything that I enjoy, only the social aspect makes it appealing.

 

[shingletingle]

Originally posted by: syn0s

Originally posted by: Piuc2020

I get your point but obviously you must not like games if you can "manage" playing RTS on a console, a FPS I can get, the control is worse but the games are still fun but RTS are beyond horrible on a gamepad.

LOL.. Insinuating that I "don't like games" because I can manage to control RTS games on consoles? Pssh... I wont even make a comment.

Face it. Take a look at some of the games coming out for consoles that are in the RTS market:

Halo Wars, Tom Clancy's EndWar, Red Alert 3 (even if it is a port), Universe at War, etc.

They are all on the console or coming to console for a reason.

...and when it comes to FPS games, the thumbsticks are fine. It does take some adapting, but nobody was good when they first picked up a mouse and keyboard now were they? Skill comes with practice and that's all there is to it. It also gives everyone an even battlefield so you don't have to rely on twitch movements in order to do well.

I have to agree with you. That comment "you must not like games" if you're capable of playing an RTS game on a console is completely stupid.

 

[BenSkywalker]

The PC BG is more than just action, it focuses on plot, dialog and character development. Loads of quality interactive dialog in PC BG2, one of the most immersive games that I have ever played.

Console BG is a hack and slash action game.

The both played as typical D&D videogames to me, difference between a hack&slash psuedo RPG and a RPG psuedo hack&slash(no turn based, and this is supposed to be D&D?) isn't all that big. I guess by PC standards the story was probably decent, certainly pales in comparison to the FAR more cinematic console style RPGs in terms of presentation.

I strongly suggest the PC's Baldurs Gate 2, it is one the best RPGs ever made (after PlaneScape: Torment).

Yikes, that is a different take on it. The game bored me to tears, never made it all the way through honestly.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
certainly pales in comparison to the FAR more cinematic console style RPGs in terms of presentation.

I strongly suggest the PC's Baldurs Gate 2, it is one the best RPGs ever made (after PlaneScape: Torment).

Yikes, that is a different take on it. The game bored me to tears, never made it all the way through honestly.

[/quote]

Ahh, this explains a good bit. I do not like non-interactive cut scenes (cinematics) in my RPG games, nor do I like games that mainly focus on action without extensive interactive dialog. I much prefer the way BG2 / PS:T unfolds with nearly all of the story events taking place via interactive dialog trees rather than non-interactive cinematics.

Glad we have RPGs for both types of gamers

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker

The PC BG is more than just action, it focuses on plot, dialog and character development. Loads of quality interactive dialog in PC BG2, one of the most immersive games that I have ever played.

Console BG is a hack and slash action game.

The both played as typical D&D videogames to me, difference between a hack&slash psuedo RPG and a RPG psuedo hack&slash(no turn based, and this is supposed to be D&D?) isn't all that big. I guess by PC standards the story was probably decent, certainly pales in comparison to the FAR more cinematic console style RPGs in terms of presentation.

I strongly suggest the PC's Baldurs Gate 2, it is one the best RPGs ever made (after PlaneScape: Torment).

Yikes, that is a different take on it. The game bored me to tears, never made it all the way through honestly.

I wouldn't classify the Dark Alliance games are RPGs, they shared more in common with Diablo than Baldur's Gate. To sum up, Dark Alliance. Baldur's Gate 1/2

And that doesn't count Planescape Torment

 

[BenSkywalker]

Ahh, this explains a good bit. I do not like non-interactive cut scenes (cinematics) in my RPG games, nor do I like games that mainly focus on action without extensive interactive dialog. I much prefer the way BG2 / PS:T unfolds with nearly all of the story events taking place via interactive dialog trees rather than non-interactive cinematics.

I am more then comfortable with those types of games, just I have gone past the era of 5.25 disks and no HDs, straight text? If the game was going for a genuine D&D style role playing angle I could certainly handle it, but with its' hack and slash style gameplay swapping to a sluggish text based interaction system feels very out of place. The differing elements of the game mechanics utilized don't mesh well together. Turn based, text based, all old school- I can go with that. Hack&slash, text based- muddled I can't decide what I want to be. That's how it comes across to me.

I wouldn't classify the Dark Alliance games are RPGs, they shared more in common with Diablo than Baldur's Gate. To sum up, Dark Alliance. Baldur's Gate 1/2

You are splitting an interesting hair there. You realize Diablo is a RPG, right? That isn't my definition, the game has always been classified as such. Not sure why there is supposed to be a big difference between it and Baldur's Gate precisely, they both played very much along the same lines to me. Sure, Baldur's Gate focuses more the the RPG element and less on the hack&slash, but it seems to be more of where they are on the scale then being on a different page.

And that doesn't count Planescape Torment

Couldn't get into that game in the least. Felt like I was playing an old console game that someone had put a Game Genie into on a permanent basis. The absolutely no penalty of dieing thing really turned me off. I checked it out, didn't do it for me at all.

 

[CKDragon]

I haven't played a PC game for more than an hour or two in years. That said, the Baldur's Gate series for the PC was light years ahead of the console iterations. I don't see how someone could like the KOTOR series or Mass Effect and not love Baldur's Gate.

 

[BenSkywalker]

I don't see how someone could like the KOTOR series or Mass Effect and not love Baldur's Gate.

KOTOR wasn't text based story driven. Voice acting/cinematics with hack and slash gameplay works well for flow, same with turn based and text story. When you start mixing them up it gets ugly(see FFVIII for an example going the other way, horrid game).

 

[samduhman]

STOP!

OP, there is a lot of console biased/incorrect responses and flat out lies coming your way so take them with a grain of salt. But, you really have to expect that when asking this in a console exclusive forum. Your going to get a bunch of PC gaming hater responses. <shrug>

I game on both consoles and PC. There is nothing wrong with gaming on both platforms. Stick to traditional genres on each and your good to go.

I hooked my PC up to my 60" HDTV. I recently played devil may cry 4 with my xbox controller. Your not stuck to you desk when PC gaming. You have a choice.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: samduhman
STOP!

OP, there is a lot of console biased/incorrect responses and flat out lies coming your way so take them with a grain of salt. But, you really have to expect that when asking this in a console exclusive forum. Your going to get a bunch of PC gaming hater responses. <shrug>

I game on both consoles and PC. There is nothing wrong with gaming on both platforms. Stick to traditional genres on each and your good to go.

I hooked my PC up to my 60" HDTV. I recently played devil may cry 4 with my xbox controller. Your not stuck to you desk when PC gaming. You have a choice.

Why don't you be specific about what inaccuracies you're seeing? This thread has been dominated by PC gamers for the last week (when the rest of us stopped caring).

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker

I don't see how someone could like the KOTOR series or Mass Effect and not love Baldur's Gate.

KOTOR wasn't text based story driven. Voice acting/cinematics with hack and slash gameplay works well for flow, same with turn based and text story. When you start mixing them up it gets ugly(see FFVIII for an example going the other way, horrid game).

You consider Baldur's Gate 1&2 for PC hack and slash?

I played KOTOR entirely turn-based. I loved the first one, the second one sucked (thanks Obsidian!). I played the combat in Mass Effect while constantly accessing the abilities screen to the point that it might as well have been turn-based. That was my favorite Bioware game, yet.

In my opinion, the painfully linear console versions of Baldur's Gate were nothing like an open-world Bioware RPG. To get anything comparable on a console, you have to look at Morrowind and Oblivion.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: samduhman
STOP!

OP, there is a lot of console biased/incorrect responses and flat out lies coming your way so take them with a grain of salt. But, you really have to expect that when asking this in a console exclusive forum. Your going to get a bunch of PC gaming hater responses. <shrug>

I game on both consoles and PC. There is nothing wrong with gaming on both platforms. Stick to traditional genres on each and your good to go.

I hooked my PC up to my 60" HDTV. I recently played devil may cry 4 with my xbox controller. Your not stuck to you desk when PC gaming. You have a choice.

Why don't you be specific about what inaccuracies you're seeing? This thread has been dominated by PC gamers for the last week (when the rest of us stopped caring).

lol well said.

 

[bullbert]

Originally posted by: Jules

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: samduhman
STOP!

OP, there is a lot of console biased/incorrect responses and flat out lies coming your way so take them with a grain of salt. But, you really have to expect that when asking this in a console exclusive forum. Your going to get a bunch of PC gaming hater responses. <shrug>

I game on both consoles and PC. There is nothing wrong with gaming on both platforms. Stick to traditional genres on each and your good to go.

I hooked my PC up to my 60" HDTV. I recently played devil may cry 4 with my xbox controller. Your not stuck to you desk when PC gaming. You have a choice.

Why don't you be specific about what inaccuracies you're seeing? This thread has been dominated by PC gamers for the last week (when the rest of us stopped caring).

lol well said.

Obviously, you never stopped caring, since you continue to post...

"Duh, I don't care enough to post a reply, but I do care enough about not caring enough to post a reply." -mugs' mentor

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: bullbert

Originally posted by: Jules

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: samduhman
STOP!

OP, there is a lot of console biased/incorrect responses and flat out lies coming your way so take them with a grain of salt. But, you really have to expect that when asking this in a console exclusive forum. Your going to get a bunch of PC gaming hater responses. <shrug>

I game on both consoles and PC. There is nothing wrong with gaming on both platforms. Stick to traditional genres on each and your good to go.

I hooked my PC up to my 60" HDTV. I recently played devil may cry 4 with my xbox controller. Your not stuck to you desk when PC gaming. You have a choice.

Why don't you be specific about what inaccuracies you're seeing? This thread has been dominated by PC gamers for the last week (when the rest of us stopped caring).

lol well said.

Obviously, you never stopped caring, since you continue to post...

"Duh, I don't care enough to post a reply, but I do care enough about not caring enough to post a reply." -mugs' mentor

Oh man, you got me good! If you look at my posts in this thread, there was over a week between my last two posts. Today was a slow day, so I checked in to see why this thread hadn't died. I still don't care to convince jumpem that console games are worth playing, but I was curious about what inaccurate statements samduhman was referring to.

 

[nitromullet]

Interesting thread... I just sold half of my SLI rig for what will most likely become an Xbox 360. I've always leaned in favor or PC gaming myself, but I did own an original Xbox and spent a lot of time playing my room mate's PS1 and another's PS2. I think I'm opening up to the idea of console gaming again for a few reasons really:

- PC game DRM has gotten seriously out of hand. EA has gone too far with SercuROM and activation limits.
- As much as I enjoy PC hardware and upgrading my rig, PC gaming is generally more expensive. I'm talking about console vs. gaming tower here. I'm going under the assumption that anyone seriously trying to decide between console vs. PC gaming is probably going have the other stuff required to make either work for them. Don't know many gamers without a TV or PC monitor...
- Developers are really catering to the console market more than the PC market these days for most of the games I like. Exceptions to this are Blizzard and Crytek.
- The two don't have to be mutually exclusive. I'm sure no matter what, I'll always still want to play PC games as long as they keep making them. I think by adding an Xbox 360 to my arsenal I'm only broadening my horizons.

On the other side of the debate, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Mass Effect. I don't really care for it myself, but it's my understanding that the PC port added a lot to the console version in terms of game play. IIRC, it's not possible to control the other two members in your party on the 360 version, but is in the PC version. This really seems like it would give the PC version way more in depth for RPG fans.

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker

It is common knowledge that many games are dumbed down for consoles.

Really? Which ones? I guess RTSs get simplified control schemes, what else? I'd love to see PC gamers tackle something like Ninja Gaiden though, given how retardedly easy PC games are, they probably couldn't take it. Of course, that has nothing to do with control schemes, just lousy skills.

Look how many PC sequels are ruined when they are simplified so console users can play them.

Like what? Let's get some examples going here. I have hundreds of PC titles and console titles, owned almost every gaming platform ever, please point out these games. Feel free to list exacting examples too. Elder Scrolls saw a fairly huge improvement in quality although the games became far more difficult to actually play through when consoles became a priority(ES:3 took all of what, an hour to make yourself a god?).

I guess if you are into the aim assisted style shooting for FPSs, PCs work nice, mouse/kb isn't quite as nub as a controller, but nothing like actually having to aim. I was a big fan of kb/m for shooters until I tried the Wii- actually have to aim>>>>>>>>>>>>mouse.

Racing games on the PC overall are a tragedy, they can't come close to the consoles offerings on... well..... anything. Even the 'strong' PC category, sims, aren't remotely close to an actual simulator(I own a few of the cars that some of the 'best' PC sims have used, and they aren't remotely close to right on handling dynamics, looks like they read a magazine article and guessed).

Sports games, hehe, yeah right.

Face to face social games- errr, I guess the die hard PC crowd wouldn't really have any need for that whatsoever- they don't do that human interaction thing.

Adventure titles- yeah, 20 years ago the PC did OK here. Lately? Sorry, consoles utterly obliterate PCs.

Fighting games- uhm, did the PC ever really have any? I know, requires reflexes way too fast for the typical PC gamer, 1/100th of a second reflexes may get you into a pre school tourney, if you are lucky. PC gamers have trouble realizing how 10ms ping would completely ruin a good fighting game, they just don't understand that that is a lifetime to a skilled gamer.

RPGs- Yeah, PCs have the 2 big MMOs worth playing- everything else is either on both or only on the consoles. Overall, consoles are the better platform for the genre(I am more then happy to hear of exceptions to this- even Fallout has crossed over).

Action games- the PC tries hard, almost good enough for a medal..... if this were the special olympics.

RTSs is the one place where I would say that PCs have a very clearly defined edge. Every other genre the consoles are comparable if not obscenely better then the PC. Like I said though, I have multiple games libraries, feel free to cite specific examples as to why what you say is true about PC gaming.

Not to refute or argue against anything that you said, but you yourself didn't actually cite many specifics either. You seem to have quite an opinion on this issue, and since I'm looking in to picking up a console for the first time in probably 5-6 yrs it would be useful if you could back up your post with some specifics.

I'm interested in racing games also which you touched on in your post, but didn't cite any examples. I loved the Gran Tourismo series for the PS1 and PS2, but I'll be getting a 360 if I get a console so the GT series is out. I've been looking into Forza 2, mainly because it is one of the few recent games that has Road Atlanta. I just got back last week from my 7th annual Petite Le Mans at Road Atlanta, so I have somewhat of an attraction to racing Road Atlanta. Any 360 racing suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Jules]

I thought the thread title was "Why do you guys play a console instead of PC?

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: Deeko
It wasn't an update, it was a brand new box. This was early-mid 2002 - Athlon XP 2200, Radeon 9700 Pro, 1GB RAM....all top o' the line back then. I upgraded it for probably 500-600 about three years later. It's all but useless now - in March I got a Dell XPS M1530 gaming laptop and destroys it in every way. All in all, that's $4,000 in six years. That's a lot of money. It is really undeniable that in order to play the latest PC games as they're meant to be played, it's FAR more money than consoles.

4k in 6 years? man good thing youre not into RC Helicopters for a hobby I spend that in 6 months.

blades alone are 140 bucks a set =P

I dont find 4k over 6 years to be anything to even blink about.. thats not that much cash these days.

and if you factor in the amount of time you used those items the cost per minute of entertainment goes way way down.

Uhhhh, dude, what does that have to do with anything? Consoles cost between $300-$600 every 5 or so years, depending on which one you go with. I'm not sure how your math skills are, but that's a whole lot less than $4000.

That aside....$4000 just for the base hardware, not including games, peripherals, subscriptions, etc.....that is NOT cheap. If you have that much expendable income that you think it is, congrats, but it's still a lot of money.

4000$ over 6 years is nothing.. really isnt.. thats not even the depreciation on a new car these days for that same amount of time.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: JPB
1) Do not have to upgrade the machine in order to play new titles.
2) The game selection is much better imo.
3) 98% of the time *on current gen consoles* there is no fps drops.
4) My couch is a hell of a lot softer than my computer chair.
5) Multiplayer games with my family are 100x better. Ex: Buzz Quiz , Wii Bowling , various party games.
6) Games like Devil May Cry 4, on the big screen = greatness *requires controller*.

this, and I always preferred a controller.

I think of PC as:
strategy
RPG
Sim City

clicky clicky.


for consoles I like action-based games or even the console-driven RPGs, which tend to be simpler. also for platformers and such.

 

[DivideBYZero]

True gamers do both.

 

[BenSkywalker]

You consider Baldur's Gate 1&2 for PC hack and slash?

Hack&Slash RPG absolutely, you don't?

In my opinion, the painfully linear console versions of Baldur's Gate were nothing like an open-world Bioware RPG.

KOTOR was also very linear, if it's done well enough, it doesn't have to be a bad thing(in terms of creating an immersive story it is MUCH easier).

To get anything comparable on a console, you have to look at Morrowind and Oblivion.

Perhaps in terms of how open ended it can be, but both of those games have very, very weak stories to them.

Not to refute or argue against anything that you said, but you yourself didn't actually cite many specifics either. You seem to have quite an opinion on this issue, and since I'm looking in to picking up a console for the first time in probably 5-6 yrs it would be useful if you could back up your post with some specifics.

For each genre of game? Sure

Racing games consoles have an abundance of different flavors. If you want more realistic style racing(nothing like PC "sims" which aren't even close to realistic) you have titles like Forza2(very good, but only marginal over the first), Grid(not too bad, nothing special though), MotoGP(tends to be excellent if you like motorcycle games), and DiRT for the rally racer. Arcade style racers you have Mario Kart(laugh those who will, the games are fun as hell) Burnout(wtfpwns ), Pure for a bit of a change of pace, and Gran Turisimo(I keep hoping this will head into the realistic genre, no luck yet though). Battle style racing Mario Kart simply decimates everyone else, I guess Wipeout is OK in a pinch, but it really isn't close. If you like the arcade leaning with a nod towards realism there are titles like Midnight Club, Project Gotham and the always mediocre NFS series. There are so many to chose from in this genre, just listing a few of the ones I have gotten to bang the tires on a decent amount

For sports games, I could list some, but honestly, there just isn't any competition at all here so I'm assuming that that point is simply understood

Face to face social games- titles like Super Monkey Ball, or hell, Geometry Wars with some buddies(we spent waaayyy too much time with that souped up version of Asteroids ) and the 800lb Gorilla of social games, Smash Bros.

Adventure games GTAIV would be the obvious top spot, then you have titles like Saint's Row, MGS4 and Zelda. There are many others, but the big three(Saint's Row is coming along, not quite with the others yet though) are so far beyond the rest it isn't entirely fair.

Fighting games- Tekken, VirtuaFighter, Street Fight, Soul Caliber, Smash Bros. Not really competition in this genre either.

RPGs- Consoles have most of the major series now on PCs along with the big two console series, Final Fantasy(not a big fan myself) and Dragon Quest(which I am a huge fan of- old school turn based combat system). With the majority of PC developers now porting over to the consoles and the JRPGs remaining console exclusive the console side just has a broader spectrum covered.

Action games- God of War, Ninja Gaiden, Metroid, Resident Evil and of course titles like Mario(a lot of people love to knock it, but his games are fun, although sadly they have gotten too easy lately) along with more eccentric titles like Okami.

I'm interested in racing games also which you touched on in your post, but didn't cite any examples. I loved the Gran Tourismo series for the PS1 and PS2, but I'll be getting a 360 if I get a console so the GT series is out.

Could I ask why you are thinking about picking up a console? A 360 overwhelmingly is another PC without the hassle. Almost every one of the 360's 'exclusives' that are worth playing are also on the PC. If that's what you are looking for, then it certainly does very well in that aspect. Overall as a gaming platform it seems to me to be the weakest system this generation BY FAR. That said, IMO Forza2 is the best reason to own a 360 so far. That isn't because it doesn't have a lot of really good games, just overwhelmingly the games are also out for the PC or PS3, both of which I also have. I was somewhat letdown in how little was improved over the first Forza, but the first Forza utterly obliterated all the other racing games last generation, Forza2 is still tops IMO, just not the utterly dominant title it was last gen.