Video Game Thread

[Colin]

Oh, so you're a graphics whore then? Totally understandable now. And you can't even base software on a console a month into the games development, it's unfair for anything. And price is still in the console's advantage (even Sony). Top of line producer's of gaming PC's Alienware charge around $1200 for a good Notebook. A half-assed one at a Laptop Depot will run around $700, still $100 more then the PS3. Plus all the real money-making titles are on the consoles. You've got your Final Fantasy, Halo and Zelda as the big three of gaming.

yeah Pierre, Sony loses money on every console they make and they're not even selling as quickly as the Wii is.

But you can do so much more on the PC. You can get all your applications and on top of that buy the great games. See, I already have a great computer, so why on Earth would I go and buy another game system when I've got one with stuff at least the equivalent to anything these consoles have? And I'm not a graphics whore, I like a certain type of game that doesn't seem to be available on the Wii. The Half Life type games. I do see that CoD3 is there, though. Point in their favour.

Now, having said all that, I'm very disappointed to see that Call of Duty 3 isn't going to be on the PC. What a crock.

EDIT: follow up question

What's better, PS3 (once all issues are worked out) or 360 for that type of game. In your opinion?

[Pierre the Great]

Why is it that in Canada the consoles are cheaper?

[jetsniper]

But you can do so much more on the PC. You can get all your applications and on top of that buy the great games. See, I already have a great computer, so why on Earth would I go and buy another game system when I've got one with stuff at least the equivalent to anything these consoles have? And I'm not a graphics whore, I like a certain type of game that doesn't seem to be available on the Wii. The Half Life type games. I do see that CoD3 is there, though. Point in their favour.

Now, having said all that, I'm very disappointed to see that Call of Duty 3 isn't going to be on the PC. What a crock.

EDIT: follow up question

What's better, PS3 (once all issues are worked out) or 360 for that type of game. In your opinion?

Half-Life type games? Metroid Prime is easily in the genre.

As for shooters, depends whether you care more about single player or online. If you want better single player, the PS3 is probably the way to go but if you want an excellent online/multiplayer experience, get a 360. Xbox Live is easily the best online experience out there. You have to pay for it but it's only 50 bucks a year so it's like its gonna leave you broke. Looking at the type of stuff you like, I think you'd really like Gears of War too which is on the 360. If you ever pick a 360 up, definitely check it out. Although I've heard rumors of GoW port to the PC so you could just wait for that. Microsoft games seem to be interchangeable, just look at Halo (although that is a console game. I can't stand the PC version). RTS's though will always be for the PC and thats what they're relying on right now.

Follow-up follow-up question.

Have you played FEAR?

Oh yeah, I have to add something. I get the applications argument and it is a good one, I can't deny that. However, I'll never see my favorite franchises like Legend of Zelda or God of War or anything which is where I get hung up on the PC arguement.

[Colin]

Half-Life type games? Metroid Prime is easily in the genre.

As for shooters, depends whether you care more about single player or online. If you want better single player, the PS3 is probably the way to go but if you want an excellent online/multiplayer experience, get a 360.

In a nutshell, those are my favourites, yeah.

Follow-up follow-up question.

Have you played FEAR?

Oh yeah, I have to add something. I get the applications argument and it is a good one, I can't deny that. However, I'll never see my favorite franchises like Legend of Zelda or God of War or anything which is where I get hung up on the PC arguement.

FEAR? No. Never even heard of it. I've played one real game in the last three of four years, and that's Half Life 2 - which I'm not even finished yet. But it's possible I might have a little more time in the next while, so I'd consider another game or two. Honestly, I don't just pick up any game, though. I only go for a game that's won a game of the year and that really catches my interest. General the war theme works, or something similar to that. I tried some of the Warcraft-type games (I liked Starcraft a lot, actually) but never really got into them. Baldur's Gate is one that I really enjoyed, and I'm considering getting the follow up games (which should be dirt cheap by now) though I'd have to figure out what they are. lol

I've done a few of the Sims here and there. Boring. Flight Simulater? Waste of time. Sports games? Useless unless you play against someone else, but I've no interest in online game really. (Having said THAT, I was a TFC whore for a long time and got to be one of the best snipers out there)

[Fanpuck33]

You've gotta be aggressive and vicious in the first 3 months of a console launch if you really want one.

One month down, two to go I guess. After I got over that initial, overpowering urge to get one after I heard you review of it, I haven't felt the need to go to extremes to get one. I'd rather play a couple more seasons of NCAA and wait for more games to come out for Wii before getting one. Now if they're still tough to get when Smash Bros. comes out, then I might have to change my gameplan about getting one.

I'd like to have one for my New Year's Eve thing, but no biggy if I don't have one yet. I figure that the next set of games will be better suited for the Wii, as I'm sure launch titles are still kinda buggy. I've heard, for example, that Red Steel has some glitches and at times feels like active button mashing. Same with Call of Duty. I am excited to try a lot of types of games on the Wii. A FPS where you actually aim would be awesome, and quite possibly allow me to like a console FPS better than the PC version for the first time. I've always found aiming slow using analog sticks. And I really can't wait for a Star Wars game Wii + lightsaber sounds freaking awesome.

I like a certain type of game that doesn't seem to be available on the Wii. The Half Life type games. I do see that CoD3 is there, though. Point in their favour.

That's to be expected, though. They're not going to come out with a bunch of FPS shooter games for launch. They came out with a variety of styles to suit as many gamers as possible. Before long I'm sure they'll have numerous FPS games.

I've always seen two reasons for conoles:

1. There are many good games that come out only on console. Obviously, there are no Mario games for PC. Even EA doesn't release all their games on computer. NCAA Football is my all time favorite game, and you need a console to play. Plus, high end games are rough on a laptop. Running a good game will heat it up and the fan will need to run full blast. I played games for countless hours on my old laptop, albeit a crappy brand, and the hard drive fried after two and a half years and I lost everything.

2. When you have friends over, you're not gonna crowd around a computer to play video games. You're gonna sit on a couch and bean bag chairs around a nice 27 inch TV and go at it. Used to be that you needed a computer to play online, but that became possible last generation with XBox and PS2.

[jetsniper]

I'm surprised you haven't heard of FEAR then because it was a huge Game of the Year canidate last year and now it's out for the 360 and PS3. Definitely pick it up, I have a feeling you'd like it.

Although I can understand the not playing games for a while because Half Life 2 only took me a week and a half to beat (albeit, I played it extensively. I think I had it beat in 13-15 hours)

Agreed on your last paragraph with the exception of sports games (to a point). I'll religiously pre-order NHL and Madden (although this is the first year I was dissapointed with Madden. I'm still addicted to Madden 2005 so I may just pass on it next year). I never buy NBA games (well, can't say never. I've gotten NBA 2K2 and NBA Live 2005, neither of which I was overly impressed with). I'll get MLB every couple years or so but now that Sega has the rights to MLB, I'll pass. I really liked the MVP series and now I can't play it anymore so I'm just sticking with MVP 2004 and 2005 that I own for the Cube. NCAA is another game I'll get every second year. The BCS rankings, amount of bowl games and amount of teams available just make it an overly addicting game experience for me.

But yeah, I've gotten The Sims once for the Cube and hated it. Downloaded The Sims 2 for PC and that was boring as well. I loathe Flight Simulators, my friend in elementary used to love Flight Simulators and I got stuck watching him play. If theres anything more boring then watching someone play a Flight Simulator, it's watching someone play a Flight Simulator.

Oh yeah, another reccomendation if you like RTS's. Age Of Empires.

I've heard, for example, that Red Steel has some glitches and at times feels like active button mashing.

Peoples biggest problem with Red Steel is that the controls are hard to adjust to but I've yet to have this problem. Sometimes my camera gets stuck and I end up spinning in circles but it doesn't last for more then a second and it's never in a huge firefight or anything

Used to be that you needed a computer to play online, but that became possible last generation with XBox and PS2.

And it's only gotten better with the 360. I can't wait to get online with Halo 3, put a full pre-order down on it for the Legendary Edition last week. B)

[Pierre the Great]

Okay so here it is what should I get:

360 (is the cheaper one any good?)

Wii (still number 1 on my list)

PS3 (not paying that much!)

I'm tempted to go to the dark side and get the cheaper 360 but whats the difference between the cheap one and the expensive one? Is the 360 any good?

[Colin]

I've always seen two reasons for conoles:

1. There are many good games that come out only on console. Obviously, there are no Mario games for PC. Even EA doesn't release all their games on computer. NCAA Football is my all time favorite game, and you need a console to play. Plus, high end games are rough on a laptop. Running a good game will heat it up and the fan will need to run full blast. I played games for countless hours on my old laptop, albeit a crappy brand, and the hard drive fried after two and a half years and I lost everything.

2. When you have friends over, you're not gonna crowd around a computer to play video games. You're gonna sit on a couch and bean bag chairs around a nice 27 inch TV and go at it. Used to be that you needed a computer to play online, but that became possible last generation with XBox and PS2.

Mario is reason number one I find the Nintendo campy. Oy vey. I would never play a game on my laptop - even if it is capable. I have a great work computer that can easily play all the best games.

When I have friends over, we're going to chat over a bottle of wine or some beer. Talk about books read etc. If I have to play a game, it's on my old X-Box (waste of money), though my Sega is still the best system I have.

I'm surprised you haven't heard of FEAR then because it was a huge Game of the Year canidate last year and now it's out for the 360 and PS3. Definitely pick it up, I have a feeling you'd like it.

Hard to know about games when I barely have the time to think about 'em.

Although I can understand the not playing games for a while because Half Life 2 only took me a week and a half to beat (albeit, I played it extensively. I think I had it beat in 13-15 hours)

Agreed on your last paragraph with the exception of sports games (to a point). I'll religiously pre-order NHL and Madden (although this is the first year I was dissapointed with Madden. I'm still addicted to Madden 2005 so I may just pass on it next year). I never buy NBA games (well, can't say never. I've gotten NBA 2K2 and NBA Live 2005, neither of which I was overly impressed with). I'll get MLB every couple years or so but now that Sega has the rights to MLB, I'll pass. I really liked the MVP series and now I can't play it anymore so I'm just sticking with MVP 2004 and 2005 that I own for the Cube. NCAA is another game I'll get every second year. The BCS rankings, amount of bowl games and amount of teams available just make it an overly addicting game experience for me.

But yeah, I've gotten The Sims once for the Cube and hated it. Downloaded The Sims 2 for PC and that was boring as well. I loathe Flight Simulators, my friend in elementary used to love Flight Simulators and I got stuck watching him play. If theres anything more boring then watching someone play a Flight Simulator, it's watching someone play a Flight Simulator.

Oh yeah, another reccomendation if you like RTS's. Age Of Empires.

Peoples biggest problem with Red Steel is that the controls are hard to adjust to but I've yet to have this problem. Sometimes my camera gets stuck and I end up spinning in circles but it doesn't last for more then a second and it's never in a huge firefight or anything

And it's only gotten better with the 360. I can't wait to get online with Halo 3, put a full pre-order down on it for the Legendary Edition last week. B)

I've heard Ago of Empires was good. Not the biggest fan of the genre, though. Played one, you've played 'em all, I feel.

[jetsniper]

Okay so here it is what should I get:

360 (is the cheaper one any good?)

Wii (still number 1 on my list)

PS3 (not paying that much!)

I'm tempted to go to the dark side and get the cheaper 360 but whats the difference between the cheap one and the expensive one? Is the 360 any good?

The 360 is very good, Microsoft has pretty much resolved all the disc reading issues. The only drawback right now is that it sounds like a Harrier jet is taking off in my bedroom. There isn't any system differences between the core (cheaper) and the premium. When you buy the premium, you're getting the hard drive, a wireless controller, an ethernet cable, component AV cables and a Chrome finish.

Then with the core, you're getting a Wired controller and the console basically. I wanted to get the premium but Futureshop didn't have any so I just bought the Core and a Hard Drive (only reason I wanted the premium) seperately. I wanted a Wireless controller as well but getting a Wired one isn't a big deal, I put a Wireless controller on my christmas list anyhow.

Anyway, it's fine to get the cheaper version, you're only missing out on a Hard Drive (which, to me, is crucial to get) and a Wireless controller so it's not really that much. I figure if you get the Core 360, a Hard Drive and Gears of War, Elder Scrolls IV and NHL 07, you're doing pretty good.

The Wii is still better of course ...but I love my 360 just the same.

[Pierre the Great]

oh so whats so special about the hard drive? And does the core come with wireless controllers as well?

I'm going to wait on the Wii until I finish my class which should be sometime in January.

[jetsniper]

oh so whats so special about the hard drive? And does the core come with wireless controllers as well?

I'm going to wait on the Wii until I finish my class which should be sometime in January.

No, only the premium comes with a wireless controller, the core comes with a wired controller. It's not really a big deal which one you have just with all the consoles I've in my room, the less wires there are the better.

The Hard Drive is where you save your games too. You can also buy individual memory cards that plug into the back of your controller but the Hard Drive is a much, much better way to go IMO. At 20 gigs, you can save a lot of information. Plus with a Hard Drive, you can rip CDs onto it so that you can listen to your CDs while playing games (or if you've got an MP3 player, plug it into the USB drive and listen to that). Then if you get the Microsoft Media Center cord thingy, you can transfer videos off of your PC and onto the 360. Pointless feature IMO but cool nonetheless.

When I have friends over, we're going to chat over a bottle of wine or some beer. Talk about books read etc. If I have to play a game, it's on my old X-Box (waste of money), though my Sega is still the best system I have.

Colin, I hope you realize just how old that one line made you sound.

[Pierre the Great]

hmmm

so you wireless controllers don't work for the 'core' one.

wonder if ipods work with the 360. Since Microsoft hates Apple....

[jetsniper]

hmmm

so you wireless controllers don't work for the 'core' one.

wonder if ipods work with the 360. Since Microsoft hates Apple....

No, the Wireless Controller will work with it, it just doesn't come in the box with it. If it didn't why would I have a Wireless Controller on my christmas list?

Don't worry, iPods work. I listen to mine all the time when I play NHL or Gears of War.

[Pierre the Great]

oh cool

I'm just looking at the prices and all and the core 360 looks like a good bargain for my money right now.

[jetsniper]

Yeah, if you get a Core and a Hard Drive, you're all set. It's not cheap but it's also not overly expensive. Kind of the medium between the Wii and PS3.

And if I haven't said it enough, make your first game Gears of War.

[Pierre the Great]

I will. But I'd need a family friendly game or my parents wouldn't be too happy since this is for my sister.

Hard drive? now I'm confused. You can buy the hard drive separately?

[jetsniper]

I will. But I'd need a family friendly game or my parents wouldn't be too happy since this is for my sister.

Hard drive? now I'm confused. You can buy the hard drive separately?

Yep, you can buy it separate, its what I did.

A good family game...hmm...how old is your sister?

[Pierre the Great]

A year older then BTH.

[jetsniper]

So...16, if I recall BTH's age correctly. Apologies to BTH if I'm way off.

Elder Scrolls would be good but that might be a bit too complicated. Viva Pinata is a really good game but it's also based off a show for 5-10 year olds. Maybe Lego Star Wars II or Marvel: Ultimate Alliance?

[Pierre the Great]

hmm well I dunno. Funny thing is that I end up playing her games. She usually likes Harry Potter, Sponge Bob, disney games. etc.

funny thing is the Wii is more for the family while the 360 would be for me mainly.

[jetsniper]

hmm well I dunno. Funny thing is that I end up playing her games. She usually likes Harry Potter, Sponge Bob, disney games. etc.

funny thing is the Wii is more for the family while the 360 would be for me mainly.

Ooooohhh...go with Viva Pinata then. It's in her genre and even if she doesn't play it much, you still end up with a great game.

[Pierre the Great]

oh cool yeah she'd probably like that.

[Colin]

You call the 360 the midpoint? I guess the PS3 (bug free) would be the upper end of the scale then? The Wii the more affordable, less graphically intensive, though physically stimulating lower tier?

FYI, I'm brand loyal. Always been a Sony fan. Is there a real reason NOT to get one, assuming the bugs are all worked out?

[jetsniper]

You call the 360 the midpoint? I guess the PS3 (bug free) would be the upper end of the scale then? The Wii the more affordable, less graphically intensive, though physically stimulating lower tier?

FYI, I'm brand loyal. Always been a Sony fan. Is there a real reason NOT to get one, assuming the bugs are all worked out?

I wasn't talking in general, just pricewise.

And the fact third party developers are starting to turn their back on the PS3 is a bad sign. Right now, this looks to be Sony's Nintendo 64. Fans are getting fed up with Sony as well.

Case in point: Maddox's (however, crude) article.

[Trizzak]

Played the Wii on Tuesday in one of the classrooms in Seneca.

I was destroyed in Wii Sports (I only won in boxing) and then played a game that involved doing surgery and played out like a soap opera. The funnest part about that was having 5 people read the voices for the characters out loud while I, Dr. Styles, performed the surgery. Considering these were launch titles, I'm impressed.

All in all, and interesting gaming experience. I'll definitely pick one up when I'm not a poor student.