The Orange Box comparison video (PS3/360)

[warcrow]

This videos shows some of the differences between the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions. All videos were taken from retail copies of the games.

To see the real difference, I recommend downloading the WMV-HD version.

GVs link:
http://gamevideos.com/video/id/16649

Direct WMV-HD:
http://download.gamevideos.com...e2Comparo_1280x720.wmv

 

[austin316]

i can't watch right now. which version is better?

 

[austin316]

i can't watch right now. which version is better?

 

[imported_michealo]

PS3 got a sloppy port, as was stated earlier before the delay.

 

[Queasy]

The PS3 version doesn't look bad until the vehicle portion of the game. It looks like a typical PS3/360 comparison where the PS3 version is brighter, etc etc. But then you hit the vehicle portion and it becomes a stuttering mess.

That would drive me up the wall. Sloppy port indeed.

 

[warcrow]

Let me just state out-right, that I played the 360 version of TOB in it's entirety and was impressed with it through and through. Very polished and what one should expect from Valve.

From the video, this is what I could tell:

- It appears that the 360 version has motion blur while the PS3 version does not. Can someone confirm this?

- The load times on the 360 version appear to be a little faster according to the video, which is someting I find surprising considering the uniform HDD installation on the PS3 platform. I wonder if there is an installation process on the ps3?

- The texture detail on the 360 version is slightly crisper and that's pretty easy to see.

- Towards the end of the video (it's the water boat sequence), the PS3 version is chugging along (side-by-side comparison) while the 360 version is buttery smooth. At first, I couldnt beleive what I was seeing and then realized that the PS3 version was "autosaving" (you can see it flashing in the upper left-hand corner) while this is happening. Once the autosave is finished, it appears to be smooth out. So, it's a little unfair of a comparison at that point because the 360 version is not saving. I sorta wished they would have included a water boat sequence where both were not saving.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Wow the framerate really tanked for the PS3 on that one part. I don't get why they couldn't do a horizontal screen the whole time...that vertical thing really made it hard to even tell a difference. The horizontal one made the 360 look better IMO.

 

[Dacalo]

That comparison is so flawed. Check upper left hand corner of PS3 screen, it says "auto saving" while Xbox isn't. Overall, Xbox version is superior, but that video is just exaggerating.

The fact is, Xbox version was coded by Valve themselves, while PS3 was done mostly by EA, that should tell you something. Look at CoD4, that's competent coding and programming.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'll probably get the PC version anyway, but of the two the 360 does have the edge visually. To me it looks as if the 360 had a better graphics card wth eye candy settings turned up one notch.

It's another win for the 360, though not a major loss for the 360. The PS3 version still looks very good, and aside from the stuttering during autosave I'd say someone with just a PS3 will be able to enjoy the game.

It is another example of why the 360 at $400 (counting Live) is still a better value than the 40 GB PS3 for pure gamers who don't need wifi and don't care about blu-ray.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: warcrow

- The load times on the 360 version appear to be a little faster according to the video, which is someting I find surprising considering the uniform HDD installation on the PS3 platform. I wonder if there is an installation process on the ps3?

Yeah, there was a review that stated that the load times in HL2 were slightly longer and the load times for Portal were as much as 10 times longer

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Dacalo
That comparison is so flawed. Check upper left hand corner of PS3 screen, it says "auto saving" while Xbox isn't. Overall, Xbox version is superior, but that video is just exaggerating.

The fact is, Xbox version was coded by Valve themselves, while PS3 was done mostly by EA, that should tell you something. Look at CoD4, that's competent coding and programming.

Yeah, I didn't see any differences that I would care about other than the stuttering during auto-save. I wonder if the 360 was saving at the same time and just didn't indicate it? That wouldn't make sense, but it also wouldn't make sense that the PS3 version saves at different points.

 

[gorcorps]

Even if they did pick a bad spot for the comparison (saving) the PS3 is sure taking a long ass time to do so. The 360 version has a little 'checkpoint' message pop in the corner and you go about your merry way with maybe a frame hitch right afterwards... but nothing that would affect gameplay.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

unfair comparison.

so yes, let me get this straight... my PC runs TOB just fine and smooth... yet, I can't run UT3 acceptably...

Yet, my PS3 can run UT3 smooth as silk w/ some of the best texturing i've seen in a console game (all console game textures SUCKS..just look @ CoD4..horrible texturing compared to PC version. If people want to port, they should learn a lesson or two from Epic Games. Console ports usually have crappy textures and other toned-down features), yet the PC version is superior.

The CoD4 port to the PS3 from PC, admittedly, is pretty bad it thought. It was smooth as hell, but the textures sucked ultra balls.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
unfair comparison.

so yes, let me get this straight... my PC runs TOB just fine and smooth... yet, I can't run UT3 acceptably...

Yet, my PS3 can run UT3 smooth as silk w/ some of the best texturing i've seen in a console game (all console game textures SUCKS..just look @ CoD4..horrible texturing compared to PC version. If people want to port, they should learn a lesson or two from Epic Games. Console ports usually have crappy textures and other toned-down features), yet the PC version is superior.

The CoD4 port to the PS3 from PC, admittedly, is pretty bad it thought. It was smooth as hell, but the textures sucked ultra balls.

what does this thread have to do w/PC though?

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
unfair comparison.

so yes, let me get this straight... my PC runs TOB just fine and smooth... yet, I can't run UT3 acceptably...

Yet, my PS3 can run UT3 smooth as silk w/ some of the best texturing i've seen in a console game (all console game textures SUCKS..just look @ CoD4..horrible texturing compared to PC version. If people want to port, they should learn a lesson or two from Epic Games. Console ports usually have crappy textures and other toned-down features), yet the PC version is superior.

The CoD4 port to the PS3 from PC, admittedly, is pretty bad it thought. It was smooth as hell, but the textures sucked ultra balls.

what does this thread have to do w/PC though?

TOB is a PC game that's been ported to consoles.

 

[warcrow]

I dont think it's fair to call TOB a port. Although, certainly, HL2 proper and E1 are obvious ports--Valve has come out and said that they developed TOB, both the PC and 360 versions, in parallel. This includes TF2, Portal and E2.

 

[beat mania]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
unfair comparison.

so yes, let me get this straight... my PC runs TOB just fine and smooth... yet, I can't run UT3 acceptably...

Yet, my PS3 can run UT3 smooth as silk w/ some of the best texturing i've seen in a console game (all console game textures SUCKS..just look @ CoD4..horrible texturing compared to PC version. If people want to port, they should learn a lesson or two from Epic Games. Console ports usually have crappy textures and other toned-down features), yet the PC version is superior.

The CoD4 port to the PS3 from PC, admittedly, is pretty bad it thought. It was smooth as hell, but the textures sucked ultra balls.

what does this thread have to do w/PC though?

TOB is a PC game that's been ported to consoles.

Or is it an Xbox game that's been ported to a PC?

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: beat mania

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
unfair comparison.

so yes, let me get this straight... my PC runs TOB just fine and smooth... yet, I can't run UT3 acceptably...

Yet, my PS3 can run UT3 smooth as silk w/ some of the best texturing i've seen in a console game (all console game textures SUCKS..just look @ CoD4..horrible texturing compared to PC version. If people want to port, they should learn a lesson or two from Epic Games. Console ports usually have crappy textures and other toned-down features), yet the PC version is superior.

The CoD4 port to the PS3 from PC, admittedly, is pretty bad it thought. It was smooth as hell, but the textures sucked ultra balls.

what does this thread have to do w/PC though?

TOB is a PC game that's been ported to consoles.

Or is it an Xbox game that's been ported to a PC?

Heh--I have to assume you're joking here.

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: beat mania

Or is it an Xbox game that's been ported to a PC?

You're being sarcastic. And even if you weren't - just say you were. Seriously.

Anyway, developing for the 360 is quite similar to developing for the PC. This is primarily why Valve actually handled the 360 and PC versions of the Orange Box, while EA was left for the PS3 version.

Since the vast majority of games are developed on PCs in the first place (regardless of whether they are intended for consoles or PCs) - this makes "porting" games to the 360 easier, more cost-effective, and ups the overall quality.

Most recent case-in-point: Devil May Cry 4.

On the flip side, a PS3 title - developed optimally for the cell processor - is not only more difficult to initially develop, it also makes "porting" it to other platforms difficult.

PS2 was like this as well - but since it grew this massive install base, it gained the support of 3rd parties and they dealt with it. Now that they're trailing, developers are essentially giving them the finger (look at EA Sports - or EA as a whole, really).

I still don't understand why people would currently buy a PS3, aside from the desire to own a Blu-ray player which is in itself in the middle of a hi-def "format war". It has promise, and it can crank out some seriously awesome games, but none of that is currently there and the online is lacking - so why fork over the cash now?

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: ducci
I still don't understand why people would currently buy a PS3, aside from the desire to own a Blu-ray player which is in itself in the middle of a hi-def "format war". It has promise, and it can crank out some seriously awesome games, but none of that is currently there and the online is lacking - so why fork over the cash now?

Cuz I'd like to play Resistance, Heavenly Sword, Ratchet and Clank, and Uncharted. In the future, I'd like to play Little Big Planet, Grand Turismo and ummm well I'm sure there is more lol.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: ducci
I still don't understand why people would currently buy a PS3, aside from the desire to own a Blu-ray player which is in itself in the middle of a hi-def "format war". It has promise, and it can crank out some seriously awesome games, but none of that is currently there and the online is lacking - so why fork over the cash now?

Cuz I'd like to play Resistance, Heavenly Sword, Ratchet and Clank, and Uncharted. In the future, I'd like to play Little Big Planet, Grand Turismo and ummm well I'm sure there is more lol.

also burnout paradise is being developed for PS3 and ported to the Xbox360.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: ducci
I still don't understand why people would currently buy a PS3, aside from the desire to own a Blu-ray player which is in itself in the middle of a hi-def "format war". It has promise, and it can crank out some seriously awesome games, but none of that is currently there and the online is lacking - so why fork over the cash now?

Cuz I'd like to play Resistance, Heavenly Sword, Ratchet and Clank, and Uncharted. In the future, I'd like to play Little Big Planet, Grand Turismo and ummm well I'm sure there is more lol.

also burnout paradise is being developed for PS3 and ported to the Xbox360.

I cannot believe you both missed MGS4.

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: ducci
I still don't understand why people would currently buy a PS3, aside from the desire to own a Blu-ray player which is in itself in the middle of a hi-def "format war". It has promise, and it can crank out some seriously awesome games, but none of that is currently there and the online is lacking - so why fork over the cash now?

Cuz I'd like to play Resistance, Heavenly Sword, Ratchet and Clank, and Uncharted. In the future, I'd like to play Little Big Planet, Grand Turismo and ummm well I'm sure there is more lol.

I agree - I'd like to play them too. But none of them are "must-play now" games - and the ones that are aren't out yet (MGS, GT4, Little Big Planet).

If it's a multi-platform title (which almost all 3rd party titles are or are going towards) the online aspect of Xbox Live is, at least in my opinion, more of an advantage than whatever extra pixels the PS3 can (eventually) put out. That, and achievements are for whatever reason addicting.

PS3 will get better, but it's not now, so why buy it or games for it now? It's still dealing with growing pains. Let it mature, get in when the price goes down a bit more (ideally to ~$300), and enjoy.

Edit: And on a personal note - none of those "must have games" are must have for me. I'm most interested in Little Big Planet, but I wouldn't buy a console for a downloadable game.

I don't even think I have a single game I'd buy a console for - I got a 360 because my friends are on it and I can see when they're on and play with them.

Actually, I lied. If the PS3 got exclusive rights to Dead Rising 2 for whatever crazy reason, I would buy a PS3.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I use the blu-ray and wifi and don't play online much, so the PS3 at $400 would be a good value for me if I didn't already have a 60 GB model. The fact that blu-ray hasn't won yet doesn't matter to me since I rent from Netflix.

Since I already have the PS3, I'm (just like 360 owners) not finding much reason to add a second console. Mass Effect is supposed to be good, but flawed enough that I'm not sure it's $460 good.

But as I said earlier, the 360 at $350 + $50 for Live wins for pure gaming, even though it doesn't include wifi ($99 for MS' wifi or $50 for a router/AP) or HD-DVD ($129).

 

[oznerol]

So basically you bought a Blu-ray player that can play the occasional game? That's fine, and that's really the only reason I'd currently recommend the console to someone. And you're right, once you pick one, it's tough to drop the cash for a 2nd.