xbox360 vs ps3

[tectec]

I've had a ps2 for years but I think its about time to move up to a ps3 or an xbox360 but I have no idea which one to choose. The game I played the most on the ps2 was Tribes: Aerial Assault and I LOVED that game. It was pretty much all I played aside from some Tony Hawk and Hitman games. I'm slightly leaning toward the ps3 because I dig the controller and the blu-ray compatibility but I know the xbox360 has its benefits too.

So which console should I get if I'm going to mostly play games like Tribes and maybe GTA4? And what games aside from Halo kinda have that Tribes feel to em?

[njshadow]

There have been many threads lately regarding this. Only because I've typed pretty much every feature and game in past threads I will simply say....go with the PS3. Yeah, it's got GTA IV and in the next two months you've got Haze and Metal Gear Solid 4. Plus the Fall line-up is lookin' pretty good as well with the addition of Little Big Planet and HOME.

[satori]

the search feature doesn't seem to pull up the threads, but we're drowning in them. Are you seriously not sure? there's a sea of info on the internet even if you can't find the info here:
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;624061891;fp;4;fpid;772452
that's a good article on the battle.

[tectec]

the search feature doesn't seem to pull up the threads, but we're drowning in them. Are you seriously not sure? there's a sea of info on the internet even if you can't find the info here:
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;624061891;fp;4;fpid;772452
that's a good article on the battle.

Yeah, I tried searching on here but the results are overwhelming. Most google searches are just bringing up comparisons of the graphics, loading times, etc. I'm in no way a hardcore gamer so I'm just looking for something to play a few games every now and then. I guess its pretty safe to say that as time passes the ps3 will make up ground lost to the xbox360 when it first launched.

[wideawakewesley]

There have been many threads lately regarding this. Only because I've typed pretty much every feature and game in past threads I will simply say....go with the PS3. Yeah, it's got GTA IV and in the next two months you've got Haze and Metal Gear Solid 4. Plus the Fall line-up is lookin' pretty good as well with the addition of Little Big Planet and HOME.

Haze is nothing to write home about, speaking from the experience of playing it. I'd suggest the 360 based on the types of games you're talking about.

[andyaldrich]

I do not think you can lose either way. Most big releases are going to be cross-platform nowadays and if you really want to buy a console based on its exclusives then think about what exclusives you want to play and buy your console based on that.

If you're not obsessed by exclusives then pick one that you feel you will be comfortable with. Don't buy based vapourware (i.e. 'home' on PS3) buy based on what is already out there. The Xbox 360 has a good back-catalogue but the PS3 is doing very nicely too.

[dolson]

If you buy an 80GB PS3, chances are good you can retire your PS2 and continue playing your PS2 games.

[damnedeyez]

As someone who had a PS2 for years but on got anything xbox recently...I'd say go with the PS3. The 360 still feels foreign while the PS3 feels more familiar.

[balthezor]

I'm not much of a gamer either. But I did purchase a Xbox 360. For me I like the games that were currently available when I bought it early late last summer, (Gears of War, Bioshock, Oblivion). I bought it also for the upcoming games Halo 3(hated it, and acutally haven't beaten the single player even though its only like 8 hours lol) and Mass Effect. My biggest surprise was def Call of Duty 4. I did not even plan on getting it, or even had any interest on it. I was in the multiplayer beta and actually disliked it. So after a month that it was out, I saw a bunch of people saying how great it was and the reviews mostly praised it and finally gave in since it was $39 on Amazon. What a great game, best game I played last year.

My advice would be to get the system with the games you want. Both systems are pretty much equal and the same price. Most of the games are available for both consoles anyways. I didn't go with the PS3 because I didn't really like the games it had then, and I didn't like their upcoming exclusive games list for 2008 like Metal Gear. I am a Final Fantasy fan, so maybe when that game finally comes out, I might have to go get one.

[zoomtechtv]

PS3 online gaming is free, but 360 you have to pay $50.00 dollars a years. I would say 360 has better online.

I have both system and I love both of them. If I had to pick only one system, I would go with 360 as a hardcore gamer.

If your not a super hardcore gamer. It's better to get a Ps3 you get a very nice Blu-Ray player and the PS3 is wireless.

I download all the REv3 shows onto my PS3 and watch them on the PS3. The PS3 has a web browser.

[masherscf]

I own both systems and will offer a quick unbiased comparison for you.



Disk Media Player.

XBOX 360 - Plays Audio CDs, and DVD media out of the box. Progressively upscales media but does not play High-Def media disks and probably won't.

PS3 - Plays Audio CDs, upscales DVDs (better that XBOX 360 IMO), plays Blue-Ray HD disks and connectsto home theater via optical cables.

Winner: PS3 is a better disc player, no mistake.


Set-top Media Center.

XBOX 360 - With the latest dashboard update, the XBOX 360 plays , most Quicktime formats, MPEG4, WMP and DivX formats. It does not play MPEG2 and the media sharing is not entirely dependable. However, the XBOX 360 plays media from portable thumb-drives.

PS3 - With the latest software updates, the PS3 plays most Quicktime formats, MPEG4, MPEG2, WMP and DivX formats. But, I have noticed more problems with the PS3 than the XBOX 360 in this regard. It uses WMP11 for sharing just like the XBOX 360 and ironically seems better at it. However, I have noticed a choppiness when streaming 720P HD video that the XBOX 360 streams smoothly. However, The PS3 has the ability to copy the video locally for playback. The PS3 also plays video from local thumbdrives, but you don't need to do it.

Winner: This could have been a clear victory for the XBOX 360, but, in my experience, Microsoft really screwed the pooch with the media sharing. I'd never advise anyone without tech savvy to buy a XBOX 360 for this purpose. At best I say it's a tie. If the slightly better format compatibility is worth the abusive phone calls to XBOX 360 support in India, I say go with the XBOX 360. If not, the PS3 is only a slight compromise.



Online:

XBOX 360: XBOX live does not cost $50 a year unless you plan to play games online. All the other XBL services are free, The XBL live store has a butt-load of content available. This includes HD-movie rental of blockbuster titles. The 80 points=$1 conversion is a little bit of a pain. But, XBOX 360 Achievement points rock the house.

PS3: Full PS3 online service is free. I haven't browsed the PS3 store as much as the XBL. But, what I have seen is not as impressive. There are limited downloadable games, movie trailers and such. However, the scuttlebutt is that SONY will be bringing PS3 online up to par with XBL very soon.

Winner: XBOX 360 by a nose. Fifty dollars a year is a lot of money, but the XBOX live's service is superior...at the moment. Sony is making strides and this verdict is likely to change.


Games:

XBOX 360: The XBOX 360 has a vast library of compelling titles, both exclusive and otherwise. Plus, the exclusives are great games like "Gears of War", "HALO 3" and "Mass Effect." Also, there is a library of backwards compatible XBOX games available for play on every XBOX 360.

PS3: The PS3 has a not-so-vast library of compelling titles, both exclusive and otherwise. Plus, the exclusives are great games like "Ratchet and Clank Future." Also, there is a library of PS3 games available to play on the more expensive PS3 model. However, used PS2s are running pretty cheap these days.

Winner: XBOX 360 by a length. The superior gaming library of the XBOX 360 really shines. But, honestly, most of the best games are available for both. If this is important, I would look to see if any exclusive games strike your fancy and go that way. Great games are being released for both consoles all the time. ... so this verdict will change. IMO, the PS3 has yet to release that killer-app.


Technical Prowess:

Winner: PS3. The hardware, Blue-Ray and Blue-Tooth alone make PS3 superior. However, the distinct lack of the RROD is a huge plus. Hopefully, XBOX 360 has probably solved this issue with the latest designs. Nevertheless, early XBOX 360 adopters red-ring every day. It's clear to me that the PS3 is the machine for the future.


So there you go. The not-so-clear-winner is XBOX 360 with four votes to six with one abstaining. However, the votes could be counted differently depending on what is most important to you.

I can tell you that I use the XBOX 360 more for gaming and the PS3 more for everything else.

[satori]

for the record, Mass effect is not exclusive to the 360.

[gi_josh]

I've had a ps2 for years but I think its about time to move up to a ps3 or an xbox360 but I have no idea which one to choose. The game I played the most on the ps2 was Tribes: Aerial Assault and I LOVED that game. It was pretty much all I played aside from some Tony Hawk and Hitman games. I'm slightly leaning toward the ps3 because I dig the controller and the blu-ray compatibility but I know the xbox360 has its benefits too.

So which console should I get if I'm going to mostly play games like Tribes and maybe GTA4? And what games aside from Halo kinda have that Tribes feel to em?

I bet you'd enjoy Unreal Tournament 3 on PS3 if you like Tribes.

[bobafettjm]

It seems to me if I was you I would look at a list of games that are exclusive to both systems. Also just how much does that blu-ray drive mean to you?

If the games don't matter than it boils down to the Blu-Ray and if you really want that.

My personal opinion would be 360. I own both systems and much prefer my 360. Of course I will probably FINALLY play my PS3 a lot once the new Socom comes out (bringing back Socom I and II style FTW).

[zoomtechtv]

for the record, Mass effect is not exclusive to the 360.

Well for console it is exclusive to XBOX 360, but it is coming out for XP and Vista.

[masherscf]

for the record, Mass effect is not exclusive to the 360.

That's okay, it's not that great a game.

[masherscf]

It seems to me if I was you I would look at a list of games that are exclusive to both systems. Also just how much does that blu-ray drive mean to you?

If the games don't matter than it boils down to the Blu-Ray and if you really want that.

My personal opinion would be 360. I own both systems and much prefer my 360. Of course I will probably FINALLY play my PS3 a lot once the new Socom comes out (bringing back Socom I and II style FTW).

I think the Blue-Ray is one of the best reasons for buying the PS3. For anyone even remotely interested in games, the media capabilities alone sell the thing. I wish my XBOX 360 gaming experience was replicated on the PS3. I'm sure it will be in time. It's not like they're NO games for the PS3.

[bredrenisedp]

That's okay, it's not that great a game.

This quote is wrong on so many levels! Sure it has some faults (namely pop in textures and the driving bits) but the depth of story, character interactions, the gravitas of the game and especially the ending - wow, just wow!

[masherscf]

This quote is wrong on so many levels! Sure it has some faults (namely pop in textures and the driving bits) but the depth of story, character interactions, the gravitas of the game and especially the ending - wow, just wow!

I sense a thread derailment. Please remember that these are my opinions, your mileage may very. Before playing mass effect, I finished an approximately 200-hour tenure with "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion." Replaying the game at least six-times with different character classes. This is an RPG done right.

"Mass Effect" a good game, I've enjoyed playing. However, despite the cut-scenes and the plot-twists. But most of the RPG elements, including the depth of the story, character interactions and gravitas of the game feel really mundane to me. It takes no farther that a trip the the nearest Final Fantasy or KOTOR games to as much depth or story, deep character interactions and gravitas. All the things you list are not rare for a well sculpted RPG. These elements were well done, but certain not ground breaking.

I had genuine fun playing the game and I enjoyed it enough to complete it three times. My real problems with the game were design flaws.

The game is too short. A mere fifteen hours of gameplay per flight for an RPG is unacceptable.

The gameplay did not vary substantially from class to class, replay felt more like a rerun. There is the challenge of replaying for unlockables and achievements, but these felt more-or-less external to the task to actually solving problems in-game as the different classes. There were not enough opportunities for different character classes to approach levels differently. There was very little digression from the standard running and gunning of the soldier class with the other classes.

Most of the puzzles were not based on character skill but dreary button-pushing mini-games. The "Towers Of Hanoi" game was particularly annoying because it seems to obligatory in games from this design team.

Most character dilemmas had one solutions. Most character interactions seemed entirely linear and scripted. The character was given choices, but most of the choices lead to that same results.

Side-quests that become unachievable becuase an NPC died or sections of levels become unaccessible remain open in the journal.

The Renegade/Paragon dilemma is completely artificial, offering no nuanced difference in the gameplay. There are no consequences for being evil and no benefit from being good...or visa-versa. In "KOTOR", your character actually became more powerful as you gained a reputations for being good or evil. In "Eldar Scrolls IV," your reputation effects every apect of interaction with an NPCs.Indeed, the games punishes you for being good by denying you experience and items.

The lack of attention to the side-quests is completely insulting.

Again, just my opinions.

[tectec]

So I went out and picked up a PS3 this morning and I've spent the last 5 hours or so playing all kinds of stuff on it. Along with the console I got The Orange Box, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, and GTA4 (played them all a little bit....very very impressed....this is such a huge difference from my ps2 :) ).

Why did I choose ps3 over xbox360? The biggest reason ended up being the ps3 having the Blu-Ray player. Also, being a very casual gamer (my ps2 was used once in the past 3 months) I won't mind if I miss out on a few huge exclusives as long as ps3 comes out with a few good games I think I'll dig.

A couple friends have experienced the RROD on their 360 while those with ps3s have only had a couple software issues that were fixed with patches fairly quickly.

Anyways, thanks for all the suggestions, comments, notes on your experiences, etc. If Blu-Ray didn't win the format war I think my decision would have been even more difficult.

[neverendingwhitelights]

If you're not already eying Warhawk, you might want to start. That's pretty close to Tribes, you just don't have jetpacks...

[masherscf]

Why did I choose ps3 over xbox360? The biggest reason ended up being the ps3 having the Blu-Ray player. Also, being a very casual gamer (my ps2 was used once in the past 3 months) I won't mind if I miss out on a few huge exclusives as long as ps3 comes out with a few good games I think I'll dig. .

It sounds like you have chosen wisely.

[dolson]

So I went out and picked up a PS3 this morning and I've spent the last 5 hours or so playing all kinds of stuff on it. Along with the console I got The Orange Box, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, and GTA4 (played them all a little bit....very very impressed....this is such a huge difference from my ps2 :) ).

Why did I choose ps3 over xbox360? The biggest reason ended up being the ps3 having the Blu-Ray player. Also, being a very casual gamer (my ps2 was used once in the past 3 months) I won't mind if I miss out on a few huge exclusives as long as ps3 comes out with a few good games I think I'll dig.

A couple friends have experienced the RROD on their 360 while those with ps3s have only had a couple software issues that were fixed with patches fairly quickly.

Anyways, thanks for all the suggestions, comments, notes on your experiences, etc. If Blu-Ray didn't win the format war I think my decision would have been even more difficult.

I stuck with the Wii until Blu-ray won. ;)

[jaylaf]

If you're not already eying Warhawk, you might want to start. That's pretty close to Tribes, you just don't have jetpacks...


Yes! With the exception of GTA IV (of late), Warhawk seems to be the game in which you're most likely to find fellow Radlings. I mean, there is COD4...

As for Tribes, I found that game for about $7 pre-played, and had a blast with it! Warhawk definitely has the same core gaming experience.

If you decide to grab it, look for the Warhawk thread and join the RAD clan, or come back here and send me a message.

IN FACT, post your PSN ID on the thread for those, and your friends list will grow exponentially!

Even better, send me an invite (Jaylaf) and I'll send a mass letter to all the Radlings on my list who have GTA IV, and we'll get you started quick!

[tectec]

Yes! With the exception of GTA IV (of late), Warhawk seems to be the game in which you're most likely to find fellow Radlings. I mean, there is COD4...

As for Tribes, I found that game for about $7 pre-played, and had a blast with it! Warhawk definitely has the same core gaming experience.

If you decide to grab it, look for the Warhawk thread and join the RAD clan, or come back here and send me a message.

IN FACT, post your PSN ID on the thread for those, and your friends list will grow exponentially!

Even better, send me an invite (Jaylaf) and I'll send a mass letter to all the Radlings on my list who have GTA IV, and we'll get you started quick!


I was actually thinking about getting Warhawk next. I'll post in the thread on here when I do. Looks like a lot of fun.

I'll sure miss having the jetpacks though :(