31-12-2002 20:54									#1
	PS2 vs. Xbox: Now GTA3 for MS? Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

Well I'm trying to decide which to purchase and I just discovered what seems to be a feature of the PS2 that the lack of which for the Xbox completely drops it off my radar. I had no idea that GTA3 and Vice City were apparently PS2 exclusives. Is this true, or are there plans to port the PC version to the Xbox (supposedly easily done)?

Also, I would love to hear of more games for both sides to buy. Many thanks!

	31-12-2002 21:19									#2
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GTA3 and GTA Vice City are PS2 exclusives. I think so is The Getaway.

Tough luck XBox buyers

	31-12-2002 21:24									#3
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PS2 games to buy (all exclusives): Pro Evolution Soccer 2, Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto Vice City, The Getaway, Final Fantasy X, Gran Turismo 3, Tekken 4, Virtua Fighter 4, Suikoden III, etc

Last edited by Saint Marcus on 31-12-2002 at 21:37

	31-12-2002 22:18									#4
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quote: Originally posted by Saint Marcus GTA3 and GTA Vice City are PS2 exclusives. I think so is The Getaway. Tough luck XBox buyers

GTA3 is already on the PC and Vice City will be coming sometime in '03.


Eroberer, what other kinds of games do you like? If sports games, for example, go with the Xbox. The better hardware and harddrive make it much better than the PS2. Xbox is slowly getting console exclusives of its own. Knights of the Old Republic will be released for Xbox first, then PC about four of five months later. It can't be released for PS2 because of the nature of the game.

Etc...

	31-12-2002 22:38									#5
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Kyle, GTA3 and VC for PC are great, but I don't have the money for a new rig to play them. GTA3 is actually the sole reason I wanted a console, and then I find that the vastly technically superior Xbox doesn't have it. I've pulled for the Xbox ever since it came out, since it's obviously superior to PS2 in every technical fashion, but the lack of this one game (and others) makes it impossible for me to justify a purchase. That's just me, though.

That's actually why I posted this, since someone here may be privy to knowledge of GTA3's future. I'd be willing to wait a few months even for it to come out on the Xbox, just because I know damn well that it'd play much better. But oh well. Looks like I'll be getting a PS2 if I go this route.

	31-12-2002 22:39									#6
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quote: GTA3 is already on the PC and Vice City will be coming sometime in '03.

we´re talking about consoles here...

quote: If sports games, for example, go with the Xbox.

except if you prefer soccer games. ditto for fighting games and rpgs. and of course games like GTA/Getaway.

	31-12-2002 22:41									#7
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quote: That's actually why I posted this, since someone here may be privy to knowledge of GTA3's future. I'd be willing to wait a few months even for it to come out on the Xbox, just because I know damn well that it'd play much better.

sorry. neither GTA3 nor GTA:VC will be released on the XBox.

	31-12-2002 22:50									#8
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GTA III for PC is crap! sloppy sloppy port!

	31-12-2002 23:05									#9
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St. Marcus, that made my choice a whole lot easier. =)

MRT, you're right. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I've played better looking games that go faster than this before. This makes me think GTA3 was purposely designed to be sluggish to make people buy better hardware. People are definitely upgrading for this game and others, so I figure why on earth would they release a patch that would make it go faster? Anyway, I don't care, I'm getting a console.

	31-12-2002 23:31									#10
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i had a larger problem with the game crashing all the time after 10 minutes. I upgraded my RAM to 512 mb from 256 mb...and that didnt help. I tweaked and tweaked and tweaked but nothing helped. so i went back to EB and traded it in for rogue spear, RS:urban ops, RS:blackthorn

	01-01-2003 01:43									#11
	Re: PS2 vs. Xbox: Now GTA3 for MS? Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

quote: Originally posted by Eroberer Well I'm trying to decide which to purchase and I just discovered what seems to be a feature of the PS2 that the lack of which for the Xbox completely drops it off my radar. I had no idea that GTA3 and Vice City were apparently PS2 exclusives. Is this true, or are there plans to port the PC version to the Xbox (supposedly easily done)? Also, I would love to hear of more games for both sides to buy. Many thanks!

GTA3 was nearly completed for the Xbox (as had been rumored for months), but in early May 2002 Sony handed Rockstar a fat wad of cash for the GTA series to be a console exclusive up through 2005.

	01-01-2003 02:08									#12
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quote: Originally posted by Saint Marcus PS2 games to buy (all exclusives): Pro Evolution Soccer 2, Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto Vice City, The Getaway, Final Fantasy X, Gran Turismo 3, Tekken 4, Virtua Fighter 4, Suikoden III, etc

How many times do I have to tell you this?

PES2 doesn't exist in North America. There is no NTSC version. It is not for sale here.

GTA3/GTA3:Vice City are completely overrated in my not-so-humble opinion.

The Getaway is pretty bad from the reviews I've read. Like, for example...

quote: And that is what The Getaway should be: Far above the norm. Unfortunately, poorly integrated controls, handling and an overcooked plot see this isn't the case. Perhaps the game isn't helped with the fact that even after its completion, there is very little reason to revisit due to a lack of replay value. Because of the strict linear missions, you can't really change or adapt your tactics as to how you play them, and in terms of reward at the end, all you're given is a 'Free Roam' mode which offers hardly anything apart from a few secret cars to drive around. It's a pity the media have built this game up. But this probably won't bother Team Soho, for at the time of writing, The Getaway is currently riding high in the charts. In the end, Sony's marketing has won through. Despite being an average game at heart, The Getaway is most likely going to be a hit. Shame it isn't as special. NTSC-uk rating 5/10

FFX is also a crap game, as are most console RPGs for that matter.

GT3 is decent, but Xbox is by far a better console if you're a racing fan.

And Tekken 4 may be a PS2 exclusive, but Tekken "4.1" sure as hell isn't (in the same way that MGS2 is a PS2 exclusive, but MGS2:Substance is on Xbox).

--------

If you're into online gaming at all on a console, Xbox is leaps and bounds ahead of any other console.

If you're into racing games, FPS games, sports games, and want to play the best version of all of those multiplatform games (most games are), Xbox is leaps and bounds ahead of any other console.

If you're into console RPGs and (specifically) the GTA series - seek help, then buy a PS2.

If you're into Nintendo games, get a Gamecube.

That's just how it is.

	01-01-2003 03:17									#13
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FFX is also a crap game, as are most console RPGs for that matter.

*sound of safety being drawn off* Care to revise that statement, Ashie? Or are you up for the full 10 rounds of a debate that I guarentee that you will lose?

If you want to say "I'm not a huge fan of console RPGs, so FFX and the other PS2 RPGs are meaningless to me and I won't even try and rate them," go ahead (which you've said before, and I don't mind). If you want to say that FFX is a crap game indepedently of the fact that you don't like RPGs in general, then bring it.

As a side note, one mark of the inferior gaming magazine is when they assign people who hate an entire genre to cover a game within it- and they then write a scathing review that decries elements that are in all games of that type. I've seen reviews where people complain solid action games are all shooting, no story (that's the point, idiots, the question is whether the shooting is fun or not for those who enjoy it), reviews of adventure games decrying the stupid puzzles getting in the way of the action, and reviews of RPGs where they're too boring and just clicking on a menu a lot. I don't like Racing games (with a few tiny exceptions like the original Super Mario Kart), so I can't deign to tell the quality difference between GT3 or Need for Speed or whatever other series are out there now.

	01-01-2003 03:37									#14
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I still maintain FFX is a crap game.

Why?

Because it's hardly a game. I'd classify it more like an interactive movie than anything else. It's the same "game" we've been playing for years upon years, the same formulatic game and the same stupid contrived plots that people ooh and aww over (and I have NO idea why!).

Games Domain sums it up pretty well:

quote: Final Fantasy, as a series, appears to get more controversial with each chapter. Not in the sense of storyline, subject matter or anything like that. No, the reason these role-playing games are looked upon with some sceptical and weary eyes now is that for a fairly long time, the basic principles have been the same each sequel: Guide insecure/incomplete character A to point Z (have random battles and fight generic introductory boss on the way), meet fun/self-assured companion X who has something to hide, then add numerous exploration landscapes, boss battles and other party members to gain necessary summons/materia/Esper type magic, while relevant subplot N propels your characters to self-enlightenment and eventually an 'end of the world' scenario (preferably with floating islands, huge demi-god being and corrupt lackeys). Cue battle celebration, and a 20+ minute ending sequence. Hurrah!

FFX is a CG-fest. There's very little GAMEPLAY to it.

On top of being completely unoriginal and boring and giving me a "been here, done this" feeling throughout the entire game, there's not much to play!

	01-01-2003 03:41									#15
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quote: Originally posted by Asher I still maintain FFX is a crap game.

I believe that it was the general comment about console RPG's that drew Snow's ire, Asher.

	01-01-2003 05:46									#16
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*steers thread slightly back on course*

Well, my friends chipped in and got me a PS2 for Christmas and here's what I think.

Eroberer-If you want online capability RIGHT NOW, pick up an XBox. They have more online games worth playing than PS2. Unfortunately, AFAIK, you have to pay for XBox Live! on an annual basis. PS2-only for some games you have to pay. PS2 has free online gaming but you have to pick up a Network Adaptor.

XBox-Graphically speaking, it wins 9/10. There's hardly any loading time and you don't need a memory card to save games (info coming from my cousin). However, my experience is that XBox doesn't have a wide selection of games to choose from. Additionally, rumors abound say that Microsoft is losing big time $$$ with the XBox and its future is questionable.

PS2-Graphically INFERIOR to XBox for the most part. What makes this system worth getting is the WIDE variety of games to get. Its online gaming is free for some games, and others you need to pay. GTA: Vice City is a good game but it'll take you FOREVER to beat.....I'm still trying to figure out how to buy the Strip Club...

Anyway, Asher knows beaucoup about XBox so you should ask him 'bout it. I got a PS2 and I'm pretty much satisfied...for now.

(I just wanna play Halo and Splinter Cell....dammit! )

Does anyone know if Splinter Cell is gonna port over to PS2?

	01-01-2003 11:19									#17
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An interactive movie, eh? If you're complaining about the linearity of the game, that's a drawback that most console RPGs pay to actually have characters who make decisions themselves and that you care about. Compare this to BG1, say, which gives you a lot of "freedom" but your characters are pretty much limited to their initial quest (if that) and their battle taunts. A semi-linear plot means a plot that can be planned, and therefore good. This is a reason to dislike console RPGs in general, not FFX.

"Same old game?" FFX is notably different in some spots from previous FFs. The battle system works quite differently, as I'm sure you noticed, with the switching characters in and out, the fact that all the special commands you can learn are actually useful, the lack of an active time system, and being able to completely see the order of battle. It's at least a big a difference as, say, WC2 to WC3, or the original MGS to Splinter Cell. Sure, similar game style, but there are some definite changes.

Can't say I found the CG amount excessive myself. Most of the game is still rendered with the engine or the battle engine. There's what, maybe 20 minutes of movie within a 30 hour game (that can easily be 50-80 hours if you want to go psycho on it)?

DinoDoc: Nope, I don't mind somebody who dislikes RPGs. As I said, there are entire genres I dislike too, but I try and avoid "rating" specific games in them for other people.

	01-01-2003 12:47									#18
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quote: If you're into console RPGs and (specifically) the GTA series - seek help, then buy a PS2.

I don't know about the "seek help" part, but you are right in saying that the PS2 is definitely the console of choice for console RPG buffs.

	01-01-2003 13:05									#19
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Compared to games like Fallout, Neverwinter Nights, and Morrowind, that offer either incredible individual control over the main character, an impressive toolset, or both, console RPGs are hardly RPGs in any real sense, nor are they in the same league as the best in the computer world are. They're more like interactive adventure games, where the player can't role play (determine how the character acts), but instead is an observer that takes over for certain peiods of time. The two are essentially different genres, and Asher was simply expressing a disgust that he has, and that I share, for the heavily scripted and premade adventures that you find in Final Fantasy.

	01-01-2003 14:07									#20
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I'm in full agreement with Snowfire, console RPGs are far superior to that PC-style rubbish IMO as well. As a fair warning, Ashie has a strange habit of thinking his various opinons on games are always the final word for everyone for some odd reason. Queer fellow that Asher.

To use Asher-style logic on the PS2 vs Xbox question
In Xbox's corner, you have a good ammount of FPS games and racing games, unfortunately those types of games are mindless drivel and entirely unenjoyable for any reasonable gamer to play. Also, the XBOX has the worst controller for any system, ever (so you would never want to play any game on it that could also be found on PS2) and a number of the good "exclusives" for XBOX will come out on PC as well. So if you own a PC and PS2, owning an XBOX is almost entirely superfluous.
The PS2 is otherwise superior, it has far more good games in almost all genres, which is what matters, and there is shouldn't be any real question on what console you should get. The graphics aren't quite as good, but in most cases you won't notice any significant differences for games available on both systems, unless you're some weird technophile. So really, it's not even close, honestly, I promise.
The only reason you should get the XBOX is if you like racing or FPS games, and if you do, well, you're just beyond all help.

In short
buy a PS2 if you like to have lots of good games, since PS2 has many times the number of good games XBOX has. In other words, if you like playing videogames whatsoever, the PS2 is the system for you. There's really no competetion at all.
Buy an Xbox only if you like oogling over fancy graphics cards, or if you play games from the worthless genres of FPS or racing or if you don't have a PC. It may also be worth purchasing if money is no object and you already have a Gamecube and PS2. But if you do buy one in such a case, be forewarned, expect it to do a lot of collecting dust, next to your PS2 and GC.
That's just the way it is.

Last edited by monkspider on 01-01-2003 at 14:33