Saints Row The Third PC Performance

[futurefields]

So I got this game on 360 and also picked it up on the steam deal for PC, why not. Anyways, the game just feels kind of weird to me on PC. Even though the framerate is way smoother, and I am using the same Xbox 360 controller, the overall experience feels better on 360 in a way that I cannot describe.

Its mostly the way the driving on the PC version feels. It runs smooth yet there are these weird hitches that I can feel but dont show up on radeonpro's fps counter. And it happens regardless of settings, even if I drop it to low. On foot I dont notice it nearly as much, but the driving just feels weird. Even though it's locked at 60 fps it doesnt feel as smooth as like Left 4 Dead 2 @ 60 fps. Its literally only this game that I notice it.

Anybody else notice this at all?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Driving in SR3 isn't as smooth with mouse + KB as in Borderlands 1-2, but I haven't played the 360 version of SR3 for comparison.

 

[Majcric]

Unfortunately, i don't have the game on 360 to make the comparsion. (stopped buying 360 games about 3 years ago)

 

[justoh]

Why would you play the pc version with a controller, when the main advantage apart from better specs is mouse+kb? Just doing it wrong...

 

[chalmers]

Why would you play the pc version with a controller, when the main advantage apart from better specs is mouse+kb? Just doing it wrong...

Incorrect. There are plenty of PC games where the controller is the preferable choice. 3rd person sandbox games would be one of them.

 

[justoh]

Incorrect. There are plenty of PC games where the controller is the preferable choice. 3rd person sandbox games would be one of them.

Only fighting games and platformers. You still have to aim and move around in saints row 3, which is horrible with a controller.

 

[chalmers]

Only fighting games and platformers. You still have to aim and move around in saints row 3, which is horrible with a controller.

Not for me.

 

[jacktesterson]

Why would you play the pc version with a controller, when the main advantage apart from better specs is mouse+kb? Just doing it wrong...

Don't agree with this. I much prefer Sandbox style games with a 360 controller.


I am playing Saints Row 3 right now - Doesn't seem like the most optimized Port on earth, but Its smooth for me.

Driving definitly requires more GPU power than walking around though. (Motion Blur maybe?)

 

[justoh]

Not for me.

I mean it's objectively worse, but fine, maybe it's not the preferred option. I think you'd find joypads are always the preferred option, even in fps, but that doesn't make it better.

 

[KeithTalent]

Played many hours of this yesterday and didn't notice any hitching. Of course I am playing with kb/mouse and I have not played the 360 version to compare, but I have everything cranked and it's been smooth as butter all the way through so far.

KT

 

[futurefields]

Why would you play the pc version with a controller, when the main advantage apart from better specs is mouse+kb? Just doing it wrong...

IMO the game was probably designed around using gamepads, I havent even tried the kb/mouse controller to be honest.

I started using a 360 controller for most console ports after having a terrible time trying to use the kb/mouse on Arkham Asylum. I reallly enjoy playing the console ports more with the console controller. Makes me feel like im playing on a souped up Xbox.

 

[KeithTalent]

I can't imagine playing this game with a controller. To each their own though.

KT

 

[futurefields]

Mmmk. Buh-bye now.

 

[futurefields]

Well, look what we have here, an entire thread dedicated to what I am talking about.

http://saintsrow.com/community/go/t...of_the_game_pauses_and_stutters_while_driving

edit n/m, this is for Saints Row 2 apparently.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

@OP I have had my own issues when driving - but audio not fps. Heres the thread I started: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2333868

Basically, car audio is completely messed up, and I have found no solution for it. It only happens on one of my PC's, the other is fine - which is weird. Try playing around with video settings - Ive heard people get better results from playing the DX9 version, and turning off AA and stuff like that (I think their problem had to do with cut scenes though). Also if you havent already - verify game files in steam.

Driving for me seems pretty smooth, but my roommate has the 360 version, so if i get a chance Ill try it out on 360 to see if I notice a difference.

I know some games have shitty controller support, and always end up feeling better on a console than a PC when using a gamepad, and im not sure why (I dont think saints is one of them though). Call of duty is awful on PC with a gamepad vs on a 360. I think its because they remove auto aim, or maybe it has something to do with that the game is meant to be played at 30 fps, so at 60+ fps, their hacked up aiming system breaks when you try to play it on a decent PC. I think this is the case with a lot of games, and pretty much any game that supports a controller, but also has a competitive multiplayer. Aim assist is built in to many 360 games, but you cant include it in the PC version because its almost like a form of cheating (no scope BS), and your not gonna have an option to use it in single player, and then not allow it in MP. They just pretend it doesnt exist. Having said that - games have gotten much better about supporting controllers, and doing it the right way. In the past either they had nothing, or very bad support.

@justoh - There is no "wrong" way to play a game, and for me personally, if a game supported both 90% of the time im gonna play with the gamepad. So sick of idiots complaining about this. Yes clearly when your playing a game online competitively kb+m is usually better than gamepad, but I rarely play games online competitively - and could care less if i could be playing "better" by using a gamepad. Especially a game like SR3 - there is no right way to play. I have a friend who has barely done any missions, but just drives around and buys and customizes cars and outfits and just messes around the whole time. Is he playing "wrong"? This sort of mentality cant die off soon enough.

 

[justoh]

@justoh - There is no "wrong" way to play a game, and for me personally, if a game supported both 90% of the time im gonna play with the gamepad. So sick of idiots complaining about this. Yes clearly when your playing a game online competitively kb+m is usually better than gamepad, but I rarely play games online competitively - and could care less if i could be playing "better" by using a gamepad. Especially a game like SR3 - there is no right way to play. I have a friend who has barely done any missions, but just drives around and buys and customizes cars and outfits and just messes around the whole time. Is he playing "wrong"? This sort of mentality cant die off soon enough.

Who's complaining? I wasn't being literal when i said he's doing it "wrong." Do whatever you like. Play without the screen on for all i care. I understand some people might enjoy being handicapped. SR3 would certainly be more of a challenge with a controller, which is something reasonable to go for, i guess. Or one could simply like using a wireless controller from their bed or something. I clarified what i had meant in my latter post - it's objectively better, if your intent is to aim and move around optimally. That's all. Only reason i said anything was because he's already played it on xbox, so I thought it was ironic that he was still opting for the gimped control mechanism when the main advantage would be proper, precise controls.

sr3 with a kb+mouse is awesome. certainly never experienced any driving issues. lols

 

[futurefields]

lols

personality revealed. buh-bye now.

 

[futurefields]

@OP I have had my own issues when driving - but audio not fps. Heres the thread I started: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2333868

Basically, car audio is completely messed up, and I have found no solution for it.

What is the issue you were having? I did notice it seems the engine sounds arent working right on PC version too. When I hit the throttle I dont hear a nice "vroom" from any of the cars. Ill have to pull up the 360 version again and test some more.

 

[justoh]

IMO the game was probably designed around using gamepads, I havent even tried the kb/mouse controller to be honest.

I started using a 360 controller for most console ports after having a terrible time trying to use the kb/mouse on Arkham Asylum. I reallly enjoy playing the console ports more with the console controller. Makes me feel like im playing on a souped up Xbox.

Yeah that's 100% correct. Prototype 2, for example, is only playable with a joypad. Max Payne 3 was also a little frustrating to play with a mouse.

Fortunately this is one of the rare exceptions. SR3 has very good mouse control.

edit: It feels like with prototype 2 and most console ports that they make the mouse approximate joypad movements, instead of creating new code to properly support the mouse. Maybe on the pc version of sr3 they're doing this in reverse (emulating mouse movement with a joypad), or something similarly stupid. Maybe try kb/mouse?

 

[blackened23]

Only fighting games and platformers. You still have to aim and move around in saints row 3, which is horrible with a controller.

Oh. One of THOSE guys.

Please. I like mouse and KB, but the 360 pad is GREAT for SR3 - the main distinction with mouse/KB in years past was the ability to turn faster on a dime via the mouse. During the era where quake was king (I played QW - Q2 - Q3 a ton) it was unfathomable to play a FPS with a controller precisely because of that, but things have changed. That is no longer an advantage since you can essentially DO THAT with a 360 pad now. You can essentially turn on a dime and aim precisely with the 360 pad now - and you can control the sensitivity of your turns so that they're as fast or as slow as you like. In the past, you had limited turn speed so pads (with the PS2 for example) were sluggish with FPS games. That is no longer the case. You can basically pick whichever one is more comfortable and be fine, there is no advantage or disadvantage to either. It isn't 1999 anymore.

The 360 pad is just fine for FPS games.

 

[futurefields]

The 360 pad is just fine for FPS games.

It depends for me. I played Far Cry 3 with the 360 pad. But when I play COD4 or anything competitive, I use the mouse.



How about this - gamepad AND mouse

The other day I was playing Left 4 Dead 2 and holding the gamepad with my left hand using it for movement, and aiming with the mouse with my right hand.

It was surprisingly intuitive!

 

[sweenish]

Yeah that's 100% correct. Prototype 2, for example, is only playable with a joypad. Max Payne 3 was also a little frustrating to play with a mouse.

Fortunately this is one of the rare exceptions. SR3 has very good mouse control.

edit: It feels like with prototype 2 and most console ports that they make the mouse approximate joypad movements, instead of creating new code to properly support the mouse. Maybe on the pc version of sr3 they're doing this in reverse (emulating mouse movement with a joypad), or something similarly stupid. Maybe try kb/mouse?

Max Payne 3 worked fine with a mouse and keyboard. You kind of broke your entire argument, there. Not that it hadn't been destroyed previously, but now you're wrecking it yourself by being hypocritical.

Gaming on PC is about freedom and longevity, not graphics or control schemes. This whole neo-kb/m argument is absolutely pathetic. Back in the day, when PC's were the undeniable source for all the best games, nigh everyone had a gamepad of some kind. Whether it was a sidewinder, flight stick, steering wheel, et al. Now that consoles are very popular, the PC ignoratti have come along and stupidly try to use stupid things like graphical prowess and kb/m as the only reasons PC gaming is superior.

A person can game on a PC as they please. People like you criticizing others for having some PC gaming fun on their terms is absolutely a waste of everyone's time. Please stop.

 

[justoh]

Max Payne 3 worked fine with a mouse and keyboard. You kind of broke your entire argument, there. Not that it hadn't been destroyed previously, but now you're wrecking it yourself by being hypocritical.

Gaming on PC is about freedom and longevity, not graphics or control schemes. This whole neo-kb/m argument is absolutely pathetic. Back in the day, when PC's were the undeniable source for all the best games, nigh everyone had a gamepad of some kind. Whether it was a sidewinder, flight stick, steering wheel, et al. Now that consoles are very popular, the PC ignoratti have come along and stupidly try to use stupid things like graphical prowess and kb/m as the only reasons PC gaming is superior.

A person can game on a PC as they please. People like you criticizing others for having some PC gaming fun on their terms is absolutely a waste of everyone's time. Please stop.

Max Payne was fine. Prototype 2 wasn't. I said max payne 3 was a little frustrating, that's all. I also acknowledged the fatuous claim that people can do whatever they want, which is beside the point anyway.

Maybe you just suck with the mouse+kb? What else could be fueling this rage. I'm also new to this forum and didn't realize this was such a sensitive subject. sheeesh.

 

[sweenish]

Max Payne was fine. Prototype 2 wasn't. I said max payne 3 was a little frustrating, that's all. I also acknowledged the fatuous claim that people can do whatever they want, which is beside the point anyway.

Maybe you just suck with the mouse+kb? What else could be fueling this rage. I'm also new to this forum and didn't realize this was such a sensitive subject. sheeesh.

That's a nice ad hominem. And it does nothing to change the fact that you admitted to kb/m not being ideal for a shooter, which last I checked, is not a fighting game or platformer.

Sounds like you've run out of "logical" reasons why you would go after someone for playing a game differently than you. And how is the idea of gaming the way you want fatuous? OP didn't say they were gaming competitively, nor did they even really bring up the kb/m vs. controller debate. They were just wanting to know if anyone else had observed some minor differences in the feel of the game across platforms.

You were the one who came in (like an idiot) and started your tangent attack. /s or no, it was stupid and unwarranted.

Being "new" doesn't excuse stupidity.

 

[Dankk]

I mean it's objectively worse, but fine, maybe it's not the preferred option. I think you'd find joypads are always the preferred option, even in fps, but that doesn't make it better.

There are games where, in fact, using a gamepad is objectively better. See: racing games, fighting games, sports games, some 3rd-person action/stealth games, etc, etc. Anything that benefits from analog movement, which a keyboard cannot provide.