| 22 JUN 2003 at 3:41pm |
sparkySorcerer Apprentice
Posts : 270
Joined: 18 JUN 2003
Status : Online | NO!!!!
Consoles are the root of all evil.
but seriously in my opnion consoles are a waste of money, they have a limted diversty of games which can be played on them and those are expensive.
not to mention that stratgy games are a no go for consoles. games like Splinter Cell are absoultly the same on PC and Consoles. the only really good games for Consoles are fighting games or shooters, and they run on Pc as well. If that wasn't enough you can download a console emulator and buy a console joystick and make you PC a Console (minus the TV screen).
so as i said in the begining - NO!!!
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exisit.
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 3:42pm |
GayleSchattenjger
Posts : 2544
Joined: 12 OCT 2002
Status : Online | That is a good question. I bought a PS2 a year or so ago.
There are a lot of RPG's for it and Action. Adventure (as in what most here think of adventure) not sure.
Have played Draken II and some others but for me, I am so use to a PC that some games just don't do it for me on a console.
Once you get use to the controls for the game it can be great. efinitely not knocking it.
Most commercials I see are for Xbox but because they are lagging behind PS in development and sales I chose PS2.
You can play PS games on PS2. I never have played them so that opens more games to you. You need to buy memory chips, etc. No biggies. I guess you can buy all the accessories but why.
Look on the net and other players and see what their thoughts are, I know the PS2 saves me when there aren't any PC games for me.
Pricing is a bit rough. They run around $40-50 as a norm. The local chain of video stores sells used ones for all the consoles and there is a store fairly close that has new and used games for all the consoles. Just make sure you can bring the game back if it doesn't run (scratches and such). So check around your area for used games and also sites like ebgames on the net.
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 5:09pm |
SCiVPrivate Detective
Posts : 671
Joined: 22 OCT 2002
Status : Online | As said on the other thread, I have both a PS2 and a GC.
I bought my PS2 (2 years ago) because:
- It has a dvd-player
- It plays PSX games
- It plays PS2 games
- It has some excellent PS2 only games (like Final Fantasy)
I bought my GC (2 months ago) because:
- I had coupons and only had to paid EUR 99 for it (got them with my GBA-SP)
- It has some excellent GC only games (like Zelda)
Whether you need one depends on the games you see in stores that you would like to play, but can't because you don't own a console.
There's probably just a few you really want (for me, I think I buy 6 to 8 console games a year max) and which are unique to the console (I'm guessing that 70-80% of all games are cross-console now, including PC).
The good news is that since the PS2 has been out for quite a while, there should be a decent second hand market for it.
Playing: World of Warcraft / Monkey Island SE&&Reading: Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance - Harry Turtledove&&Watching: Repo! The Genetic Opera
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 5:37pm |
jujigatameSchattenjger
Posts : 1976
Joined: 14 FEB 2003
Status : Online | Get a console if any of these are important to you:
Metroid
Zelda
Halo
Tony Hawk
Sega Sports games
Platform games
Japanese-style RPGs
Getting GTA 8 months before the PC version comes out
The handful of other console-exclusive games that matter, like Eternal Darkness, Panzer Dragoon, MechAssault, etcetera
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 6:04pm |
SCiVPrivate Detective
Posts : 671
Joined: 22 OCT 2002
Status : Online | Originally Posted By jujigatame (22 JUN 2003 5:37pm)
Halo
Tony Hawk
And even these will be released on PC. THPS PC version usually has a 2 to 3 month delay, Halo suffered a, what, year delay because of Billy? It will finally be released on PC though.
Playing: World of Warcraft / Monkey Island SE&&Reading: Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance - Harry Turtledove&&Watching: Repo! The Genetic Opera
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 6:04pm |
Bob_the_BuilderJourneyman
Posts : 956
Joined: 25 APR 2003
Status : Online | Consoles do have a fair amount of rpgs and survival horror games but PCs do too if you look in the right places.
RPGs
Balder's Gate 1 and 2
Planescape
Icewind Dale 1 and 2
Arcanum
Morrowind
Horror
Alone in the Dark 1-4
Undying
Alien Vs. Predator 1,2
System Shock 1,2
The Thing
But if you want adventure or survival horror games, I recommend Gamecube with it's games like Zelda, Metroid, Eternal Darkness, Resident Evil 1 and Zero, (Maybe Starfox Adventures), Skies of Arcadia, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles which is not out yet.
PS2 has a lot of the Japanese RPGs and has some survival horror games.
NO SOUP FOR YOU!
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 6:17pm |
jujigatameSchattenjger
Posts : 1976
Joined: 14 FEB 2003
Status : Online | Yes, Halo and Tony Hawk will be released on PC, however, Tony Hawk is a year behind the console version, and Halo is a whopping 2 years behind. Hell, Halo for PC is coming out around the same time as Halo 2 for XBox!
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 6:25pm |
sparkySorcerer Apprentice
Posts : 270
Joined: 18 JUN 2003
Status : Online | well think about all the games that never make it to consloes - and we are not talking about a handful of games but just about every stratgy game that comes out (warcraft 3 comes to mind). not to mention that the pc just offers so much more - for instance open source games and the likes.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exisit.
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 6:30pm |
jujigatameSchattenjger
Posts : 1976
Joined: 14 FEB 2003
Status : Online | Well of course there are plenty of PC games as well, possibly even more. I actually don't own a console myself. I just don't think it's worth it to plunk down $150-200 just to play the 3 or 4 games per system I'd be really interested in. However, it may be worth it for others.
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 6:51pm |
InlandAZGuild Master
Posts : 5586
Joined: 4 MAY 2007
Status : Offline | I've managed to collect a number of console systems over the years, everything from the early Magnavox Odyssey (the original "console" system) to PS2's - X-Box is on my list of things to do, I just haven't got to it yet.
You don't really need them, but they're nice to have. It all depends on how much money you're willing to part with.
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 8:14pm |
SCiVPrivate Detective
Posts : 671
Joined: 22 OCT 2002
Status : Online | Let's take some time so answer these:
Originally Posted By sparky (22 JUN 2003 3:41pm)
they have a limted diversty of games which can be played on them and those are expensive.
Yes, they are expensive, there's no doubt about that. On average, you'll pay 10-15 Euro more for a console game than a PC game.
But a limited diversity of games? Check again sparky, there are loads of games out there for the consoles, and there are numerous with game concepts never seen on PC.
not to mention that stratgy games are a no go for consoles.
True, it's been tried once, C&C I think, not sure though. It's clearly a genre which needs a mouse (and keyboard).
games like Splinter Cell are absoultly the same on PC and Consoles
True, if you keep your machine up to date all the time, the PC could be even better looking (usually does). But if you have an older PC, the performance will be suffering big time and that can't happen with a console.
A PC will need a major upgrade about every 3 or 4 years, every 4 years there will be a new console. The major PC upgrade will allow you to buy all three consoles and some games probably.
. the only really good games for Consoles are fighting games or shooters, and they run on Pc as well.
I bought my consoles for certain games, and those aren't fighting games or shooters. I got it for the games that aren't typical PC games. There are dozens of games that are unique to consoles and which will not be released (or copied) for the PC.
If that wasn't enough you can download a console emulator and buy a console joystick and make you PC a Console (minus the TV screen).
You can't emulate the PS2, the GC or the XBOX right now. After 4 years (I'm not sure of the exact number of years since it's release), we've finally got the processing power in PC's to come close to emulating the Dreamcast. A machine inferior to the other consoles.
A possible exception for this could be the Xbox, it is running on a stripped Win2K kernel, so it might be possible to run these games on a regular PC (depending on how the kernel deals with it's hardware).
About the RPG's on consoles, these generally are of a completely different sort than the PC ones. To put it simply: PC RPG -> Baldurs Gate Console RPG -> Final Fantasy.
Playing: World of Warcraft / Monkey Island SE&&Reading: Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance - Harry Turtledove&&Watching: Repo! The Genetic Opera
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 8:33pm |
sparkySorcerer Apprentice
Posts : 270
Joined: 18 JUN 2003
Status : Online | hey there SCIV.
okay i'm new to the forum so i have no idead how to make nifty quotes of what other people say so be patient:
about the diversty i meant between the PC games and the console games. as for the games with a unique concept i wouldn't know what games you're talking about - examples would be nice.
about the computer upgrade every 2-4 years - that's simply wrong. you have to understand that the Pc is a machine which was not mainly developed to run games. the true diffuclty in runnig games isn't comuting power (compuers are much stronger than consoles) but graphic engine. So instead of a coplete computer upgrade all you need is a graphic card update and the newest drivers (plus directX). This is espacially true if you only use your computer for games - this way all your memeory can be harnesed for it.
but on that note a computer usually isn'y used only for games but for programming, writing , graphics (amonst others making console games) and the works.
so when you upgrade a computer you also get all these cool features.
i don;t know waht games you're playing but consoles do well in running simulation games.
it's true you can't download emulators fot all versions but i believe that's more because of a lack of demand rather than technology - the main problem is graphics and it's only a matter of hard work to solve it.
and for a final note - unless one has spare cash lying around the PC is much more sound invesment than the console- gaming and otherwise
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exisit.
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 9:44pm |
SCiVPrivate Detective
Posts : 671
Joined: 22 OCT 2002
Status : Online | Well the quote options is easy:
1. You can press the Quote button (top right) on the message of the person who you would like to quote.
2. You can use the [ q u o t e ] [ / q u o t e ] tags which work like normal html tags. The text in between the tags will be shown in a box (in my example, I put spaces in the tags, otherwise they would be translated )
it's true you can't download emulators fot all versions but i believe that's more because of a lack of demand rather than technology - the main problem is graphics and it's only a matter of hard work to solve it.
I don't think there's a lack of demand. There are thousands of people who would want to use this software. Especially since the disc images can be gotten from the internet as well. Even the emulators of older/simpler consoles are still very popular (like the N64, GBA). The PSX emulator (what's it's name again) from Connectix was also very popular (legal, commercial product). It only ended because Sony bought the rights to the software.
Also, the main problem is not just the graphics, it's overall performance. Consoles use their hardware differently than pc's do. Each console has it's fixed hardware, so every bit of programming in that console is focussed on that hardware. A PC can have hardware from a dozen different suppliers. Therefore it needs a sublevel to operate those different pieces of hardware (like DirectX).
So if you want to emulate a console, you have to catch all those direct hardware access calls and translate them to calls which a PC understands (all meaning graphics, sound, cpu, harddrive or cddrive, input devices).
This slows down the processing power dramatically and that's the reason why you need such fast PC's to emulate consoles.
Another problem faced by people who try to build emulators for the current generation of consoles is copy protection, though for the PS2 and XBOX this has been reverse engineered. The copy protection in the GC however has not been discovered yet, probably because Nintendo uses it's own type of dvd player which does not conform to industry standards.
So what do you need to build an emulator:
- people with technical engineering skills (basic probably) who can remove chips from the console and retrieve the programming inside them
- system programmers who can understand that programming and build a PC based sublevel which interprets the programming and converts is to the PC
- a whole lot of time, dedication and patience.
Which problems will you face:
- legal problems ofcourse, Sony, Nintendo and MS won't be happy with your product
- finding good system programmers, those are a rare breed. And if you find one, is he willing to spent a year (or two) of his life on this stuff?
Not an entirely on-topic post, I know. But if you use an emulator (any type of), you now know the effort it took.
Playing: World of Warcraft / Monkey Island SE&&Reading: Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance - Harry Turtledove&&Watching: Repo! The Genetic Opera
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 9:52pm |
KillTheGrimaceSpace Cadet
Posts : 177
Joined: 6 MAY 2003
Status : Online | Originally Posted By Gamaholic (22 JUN 2003 3:30pm)
My gaming interests are adventure and RPG, with a little survival horror thrown in for good measure. I've only ever played pc games.
Are there any console games I'm really missing out on that justify purchase of a console system?
The PS2 has the biggest selection of RPG and survival horror games. I do not own one though, so I've never actually played any of the games.
I do however own a GameCube and I love it. As someone else mentioned, there are a number of great games that are only available on the Cube, like Zelda Wind Waker (action adventure), Pikmin (strategy), and Animal Crossing (real time relationship game).
There are a number of cool console-only RPGs for GameCube, like Mystic Heroes, Phantasy Star Online, and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. And some very cool new ones are going to be released within the next few months.
My favorite thing about the Cube though are multiplayer games. As far as I know, no other console today has such amazing, high-powered multiplayer games as Mario Party 4 and Super Smash Bros Melee. Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance also has an excellent multiplayer mode.
My only complaint with the GameCube is that most of the action adventure/rpg games are single player only. Many advertise multiplayer support but don't actually let you go through the story in multiplayer mode. (Baldur's Gate, Hunter: The Reckoning, and Gauntlet: Legends are the only games I know of that do.)
I occasionally wish I had a PS2, just so I could play the Final Fantasy games. I'm also curious about new titles like the new Clock Tower.
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 10:03pm |
SCiVPrivate Detective
Posts : 671
Joined: 22 OCT 2002
Status : Online | How is Animal Crossing? I've seen it being hyped in several magazines, but it hasn't made it over here yet. I understand it's very popular in Japan and the US?
Playing: World of Warcraft / Monkey Island SE&&Reading: Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance - Harry Turtledove&&Watching: Repo! The Genetic Opera
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 10:35pm |
ElfstoneGuild Master
Posts : 5892
Joined: 4 NOV 2002
Status : Online | Originally Posted By jujigatame (22 JUN 2003 6:17pm)
Hell, Halo for PC is coming out around the same time as Halo 2 for XBox!
Bungee sold it's soul to the devil (Microsoft)!
I don't care about Halo...
[b]playing[/b]: Destination Treasure Island (done in two sittings, but it's nice), Syberia (ho-hum), Dracula: Last Sanctuary (on hold)&&[b]reading[/b]: even more study papers&&[b]listening to[/b]: [url=http://www.last.fm/user/Brax82/]this and that[/url], plus [url=http://www.musicovery.com/]Musicovery[/url]&&[b]TV favorites[/b]: (currently) Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Journeyman (cancelled! grrr...), Heroes&& all-time) 24, Stargate SG1, X-Files, Lost, House
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 10:49pm |
GamaholicPrivate Detective
Posts : 724
Joined: 3 NOV 2002
Status : Online | Is Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance completely different from the PC Baldur's Gate games and their expansions? Has anyone played both?
I remember Randy doing a good write up of Animal Crossing. However, it's available from Amazon for the PC too, so not a console factor. I've thought of getting it, but being unsure about it, the comparatively high price puts me off.
I just got Final Fantasy VII for the PC. Is it the same game as on PS2? I've only installed and tried out the first scene. Gotta say from just the beginning I can't see what the popularity is about. I mean, those characters with giant eyes, no lips and blocks for hands....egad! I'm so bloody spoiled by games like Morrowind. on't get me wrong, I love animation, but I don't see the charm in the animation in Final Fantasy. Perhaps the story and gameplay make up for it..
That which makes one happy is not a waste of time
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 10:50pm |
GamaholicPrivate Detective
Posts : 724
Joined: 3 NOV 2002
Status : Online | What kinds of games are Halo and Zelda?
That which makes one happy is not a waste of time
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 11:11pm |
SCiVPrivate Detective
Posts : 671
Joined: 22 OCT 2002
Status : Online | Originally Posted By Gamaholic (22 JUN 2003 10:48pm)
I just got Final Fantasy VII for the PC. Is it the same game as on PS2? I've only installed and tried out the first scene. Gotta say from just the beginning I can't see what the popularity is about. I mean, those characters with giant eyes, no lips and blocks for hands....egad! I'm so bloody spoiled by games like Morrowind. Don't get me wrong, I love animation, but I don't see the charm in the animation in Final Fantasy. Perhaps the story and gameplay make up for it..
VII? I think you mean VIII? If not I'll be running to the stores again OMG, there is a PC version of VII, it never made it over here (checked on Amazon).
But VII, VIII, IX are all PSX games, not PS2. So you can't really compare it to Morrowind. The storyline will definately make up for it though, I haven't played enough Morrowind yet, but it would surprise me if it had a better one (then again, it's a question of taste). So yes, try to look past the graphics and enjoy the story and gameplay, it should make an enjoyable experience, I think that VII is one of the most popular episodes.
Playing: World of Warcraft / Monkey Island SE&&Reading: Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance - Harry Turtledove&&Watching: Repo! The Genetic Opera
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 11:22pm |
AndromusGuild Master
Posts : 5538
Joined: 6 NOV 2002
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By SCiV (22 JUN 2003 11:11pm)
VII? I think you mean VIII? If not I'll be running to the stores again OMG, there is a PC version of VII, it never made it over here (checked on Amazon).
Yup, FF7 for the PC exists -- Eidos even re-released it under the "Platinum Collection" series, so it's infinitely easier to find than FF8 for the PC.
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 11:40pm |
GamaholicPrivate Detective
Posts : 724
Joined: 3 NOV 2002
Status : Online | Andromus is correct. I bought FF7 for the PC just recently on eBay.
That which makes one happy is not a waste of time
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| 22 JUN 2003 at 11:41pm |
AllanonJourneyman
Posts : 1322
Joined: 19 JUN 2003
Status : Offline | I absolutely agree with SCiV - FF VII wasn't appreciated for its graphics but for the incredible story and absorbing gameplay - can't beat finally raising that damn gold chocobo and gettin' the " knights of the round materia !! " If you do not play this game , Gamaholic , in its entirety , you will be doing yourself a disservice - give it a chance . Cheers .
You only live once , but , if you live right , once is enough . Being happy takes work ...
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| 23 JUN 2003 at 1:46am |
Bob_the_BuilderJourneyman
Posts : 956
Joined: 25 APR 2003
Status : Online | Zelda is an adventure/action game, Halo is a FPS. Both are great games though.
Animal Crossing is a great game too but it isn't for everyone.
Balder's Gate for consoles is completely different from the PC series and has no relation except that it takes place in the same universe.
NO SOUP FOR YOU!
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| 23 JUN 2003 at 3:01am |
KillTheGrimaceSpace Cadet
Posts : 177
Joined: 6 MAY 2003
Status : Online | Originally Posted By SCiV (22 JUN 2003 10:03pm)
How is Animal Crossing? I've seen it being hyped in several magazines, but it hasn't made it over here yet. I understand it's very popular in Japan and the US?
It's very odd, but also very addictive. There are tons of little surprises every day you play it. Also, the game world always changes- the weather changes with the seasons, and new townsfolk come and go. There are lots of things to do: People to meet, fish and bugs to catch, fossils to collect. And if you have a GameBoy Advance, there's even a tropical island you can go to and make big bucks with the things you find there.
I remember Randy doing a good write up of Animal Crossing. However, it's available from Amazon for the PC too, so not a console factor.
I'm pretty sure Animal Crossing is a GameCube exclusive. I don't think Nintendo ports any of the games they develop to any other platforms. Do you have a link to a PC version?
Is Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance completely different from the PC Baldur's Gate games and their expansions? Has anyone played both?
I was never interested in the PC Baldur's Gate games because of the graphics. But now that I'm kinda into RPGs I might give them a second look. Anyway, this Baldur's Gate is a pure hack'n'slash RPG. It IS an RPG in that you level up, develop skills, have mana/hp, but it's very heavy on the action.
I have to say though, that the graphics are fantastic. It has the most realistic water I've ever seen (better than Morrowind's) and the ice caves are almost distractingly beautiful.
Also, about Zelda: Wind Waker, the first Zelda game I've ever played. I am continually amazed by the scope of the game- it's huge. Almost Morrowind huge, which is very rare for an action adventure game. Once you get past the first few islands you can go anywhere in the gameworld and find all kinds of buried treasure and helpful people that have nothing to do with the main storyline.
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