PS3 vs. Xbox 360 ports: The cold, hard truth (page 4 of 4)

Click to read GamePro's review

Click to read GamePro's review

DEVIL MAY CRY 4

Control: Even though it lacks the vibration of an Xbox 360 controller, there's no question the Sixaxis is better for playing Devil May Cry 4. Much of this is due to the series' history as a PlayStation 2 exclusive, so it naturally works well with the layout of the controller. The face buttons are simply easier to use for combos and the shoulder buttons, particularly R1, are superior for targeting over the right bumper on Xbox 360. In terms of responsiveness, both versions fare just fine but there's no doubt that the Sixaxis enables better control of the action.

Graphics: You'll be hard-pressed to find any significant advantage to the presentation in either the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 versions of Devil May Cry 4. Even after putting on our Coke-bottle glasses we couldn't find any substantive differences in the two games. This is definitely a surprise, mainly because the game was originally a PlayStation 3 exclusive and we expected it to out-class its Xbox 360 sibling. Instead, they're identical.

To Capcom, With Love: Make me a sammich.

To Capcom, With Love: Make me a sammich.

Load times: What's impressive about Devil May Cry 4 is that there are few moments when you're waiting for the game to load in either version. Capcom has done a great job of minimizing loading times within the game. Whenever you move from one area or room to the next, a black screen will flash for a second or two. On PlayStation 3 that time is cut in half, but only due to a lengthy install process when you first boot up the game. As has been reported, Devil May Cry 4 spools 5 GB of data onto your hard drive in an obscene 20+ minute install. The fact that it's mandatory makes it utterly ridiculous. Capcom went so far as to urge gamers to "grab a sandwich" to pass the time during the install. How about they make me a sandwich to make up for the wait? Absolutely no contest here: the Xbox 360 crosses the finish line before PlayStation 3 can even load it up.

Online integration: Since Devil May Cry 4 doesn't pack in multiplayer of any kind, it's all about leaderboards for tracking your end mission rankings. Both versions support them so there's no definitive advantage for one console or the other.

EDGE: PlayStation 3

Would a rose on any other console look as sweet?

Would a rose on any other console look as sweet?

Were it not for the lengthy install required on PlayStation 3, it'd be an easy choice. Devil May Cry 4 controls better on PlayStation 3, but is less of a hassle on Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 controller just can't match the feel of a Sixaxis when hacking up demons. When it comes down to it, controls trump loading times--especially in a fast-paced action game like Devil May Cry 4. PlayStation 3 eeks out a victory, but only by the slimmest of margins.

CONCLUSION

While we can't definitively name one console as having better multi-platform releases across the board, there's a clear winner among these four games: PlayStation 3 beats the Xbox 360 handily. Call of Duty 4 plays nearly the same on both systems, differing only in superior online integration on PlayStation 3. With Devil May Cry 4, the game is all-around better on PlayStation 3 (despite the horrendous installation process). Burnout Paradise emerges as decidedly better on Sony's system thanks to EA Criterion's decision to make it the leading version of the game. The exact opposite is true for Assassin's Creed where Xbox 360 beats out its PlayStation 3 counterpart visually.

Judging by what we've seen with these recent games, you may be better off picking up PlayStation 3 versions of high-profile multi-platform games for the time being. The notion that PlayStation 3 ports are inherently inferior to Xbox 360 simply doesn't hold water these days. Some games do perform worse on Sony's console--Blacksite: Area 51 has been plagued with performance issues, for instance, and The Orange Box suffers from groan-inducing load times and chugging framerates.

These issues are slowly being addressed, though, as many publishers are starting to churn out multi-platform releases with an eye for the PlayStation 3. LucasArts recently announced an initiative to make the PS3 their leading platform for development, joining a growing wave of developers seeking to improve multi-platform games heading to Sony's console. With any luck, this movement will result in better performance for all gamers, Xbox 360 and PS3 alike. For now though, just enjoy fragging terrorists, crashing cars, and slicing demons in half on your PlayStation 3.

OVERALL EDGE: PlayStation 3

Comments [18]

post a comment

SIRKGM14vg

Just a little tidbit from a developer stand point. After speaking with a source from a know publisher, one of the dev's for a popular game explained the real difference between the consoles, and what it means to them. The PS3 is simply just too slow for testing. In comparison, you're able to load all your code onto the Xbox 360 and run straight from there. The PS3 needs to render off your PC's code stream. That doesn't have anything thing with consumer performance in the end. But it really just shows a poor SDK on Sony's end. Is that a fair argument to say Xbox 360 is better? No. Microsoft has done a "slam dunk" job of getting their consoles to developers, bringing a universal platform for development, and being able to directly identify the community. Take for instance a FPS. Microsoft can produce gaming statistics for that genre, because of the Xbox Live aspect of the console. Data recordings from users play time, preference and library on the 360 directly correlates to the numbers big developers and publishers like to see. But when it comes down to ports, on Xbox 360 and PS3 they are really the same. Wii and prior generation consoles make get a different feel or overall different engine, because major developers outsource those projects. So really does Grand Theft Auto play better on PS3 or Xbox 360. You're really debating nothing. PC-A vs. PC-B; Mercedes Vs. BMW; Coke Vs. Pepsi; all products which perform, or have the same goal but different approaches. Same species though. If I were to pick one console that I would want to stick with forever... I'd sadly go with the Xbox 360. If I could make my decision at a later time, I think PS3 has a better future. Which I know... contradicts my decision. -Moose

burnoutbob

Ok, so you bought a 360, or a PS3 (I own both, and a Wii, but we'll get to that later!). And yes, you're proud of your choice. But lets not get like Mac owners and bitch about rival systems. For a start you're clever enought to play comuter games, so you win v's a Mac owner straight off. The PS3 online system is better, the 360 has a better community, the ps3 has better loading times, no, the 360 does. Who gives a crap?! At the end of the day, whatever choice you made at the counter. Whatever console you bought, be it 360 or PS3, either way, you bought a state of the art console, with graphics far in advance of any other console ever released. Gameplay is fantastic, online play is flawless and smooth, graphics are breathtaking and the fact it's also a multimedia player, able to play all kinds of media formats makes it a damn good purchase. And above all, what you really should be proud of, what should really bring all PS3 and 360 owners together is this one simple fact. You DIDN'T BUY A Wii! You should be so proud!!

burnoutbob

Ok, so you bought a 360, or a PS3 (I own both, and a Wii, but we'll get to that later!). And yes, you're proud of your choice. But lets not get like Mac owners and bitch about rival systems. For a start you're clever enought to play comuter games, so you win v's a Mac owner straight off. The PS3 online system is better, the 360 has a better community, the ps3 has better loading times, no, the 360 does. Who gives a crap?! At the end of the day, whatever choice you made at the counter. Whatever console you bought, be it 360 or PS3, either way, you bought a state of the art console, with graphics far in advance of any other console ever released. Gameplay is fantastic, online play is flawless and smooth, graphics are breathtaking and the fact it's also a multimedia player, able to play all kinds of media formats makes it a damn good purchase. And above all, what you really should be proud of, what should really bring all PS3 and 360 owners together is this one simple fact. You DIDN'T BUY A Wii! You should be so proud!!

K9Wolf

In my opinion, the Xbox 360 is no where near as good as the Playstaion 3. I have be researching the two for 2 months trying to figure out which to buy. For the money, Playstation seems to be the better deal. I loved my PS2, and told myself I would have to try the next Xbox (because the first one wasn't that great). It seems to me that the PS3 offers way more for your buck. A blue ray player, media, free online network (Xbox charges), some pretty good games, and a controller that senses your movement. The Xbox has problems, the dreaded "Ring of Death" for example, and it offers HD DVD, but you have to buy the drive seperately, and now, HD DVD movies are hard to find because Blue Ray beat them out. I subscribe to Netflix, and they don't offer movies on HD DVD. The Xbox 360 may be cheaper, but if you ask me, it's because it doesn't offer as much as the PS3. No media card ports, a funny feeling controller, and the dreaded ring of death are reasons enough for me to avoid the Xbox. Plus, the PS3 is upgradeable, and they still make games for the PS2, which means that when the PS4 comes out, they will probably still make games for the PS3. Either way, it's a personal preference. But for me, it's the playstation that delivers more bang for your buck. After all, you get what you pay for!

fudstand12

I agree with K9Wolf and burnoutbob, but still, my first "true love" with a console was with Sony's Playstation, not to mention that the root of consoles was because of Sony's perseverance and Nintendo's gayness(google it out--how Sony proudly built the first respectful console). In the end, my buck would still go for Sony's PS3: BlueRay, upgradeable, outstanding memory...you said it. And it's a console which really earned my respect--think of it, though PS3 is already out there being all popular, Sony doesn't seize to recognize its older consoles, our PS2 specifically. But most of all, our thanks would be for all those game devs who never grow old of making outstanding games.

jololopez

I own both...and when you st your ps3 to its optimal settings-FULL RANGE HDMI...and SUPERWHITE CONTRAST...then youll see the real difference..I have multiplatformers on both systems...cuz my son uses the 360...I let him have it when I seen the vast graphical prowess of the ps3....I keep my ps3 safe and sound...its my baby...a blind person can see the difference if they look at it without being such a fanboy....My friggin grandma seen me switching between ps3 and 360 displays with the same game....like devil may cry...assasins creed...a couple racing games...etc...and she asked me why did one look so much crisper...clearer...and more colorful than the other...star wars...man the list goes on and on....I told her...grandma...your not crazy...its just ps3 is a real machine....xbox is great...but ps3 is the shiznit...game over untill MS outdoes the obvious...

One last thing-Gears of war used to be the trophy graphical powerhouse of 360...part two comes out...and the graphics looked wishy-washy...compared to what the ps3 has been doing...well...resistance baby....if gow stunned you...resistance will blow your crap stained underwear right off your butcheecks! Halo....man...that doesnt even worth mention here....that was as crappy as the 2nd one...the first was innovative...but they didnt do much more from there...graphics...crayola...ps3 graphics...silk...stay away from the red light Luke...the dark side isnt all its cracked up to be....

yourmomsdaddy

I own both consoles... have a 46 in samsung LN-T4655F and have recently updated both to HDMI with digital optical cables running from both to the receiver. I have both consoles set to there most optimal settings as far as HD... max white, 1080p etc... yada yada. Yes I have compared games for myself and here's what I came up with: The 360 has sharper 3d mapping with crisper edgy details with more of a depth. The ps3 has more of a blurred 3d blending which seems to focus more on realism rather than the deep dimensions that the 360 seems to produce. I noticed better sharper colors on each at different times than the other. Overall both systems are graphically superior to the other in one way or the other. I would just have to say it's about user preference as far as what is visually stimulating. I did however notice that on the ps3, when testing out Assassins Creed on each, the horizon on the ps3 diminished on the larger environments before that of the 360 which would lead me to believe that the 360 video card is superior in what it can handle... and yes I did get the red ring of death on my first 360... i called support... 3 days later they sent a box with a free shipping card... I sent it in and voila I had a new 360 a week later. Yes that was a pain in the arse but I don't think that problem even persists anymore unless you just have an older 1st gen 360. I myself when comparing games between the two think that the 360 is superior. But like I said I think they are both excellent consoles and it just boils down to user preference. I have played gears 1 and 2 through and am currently working on resistance 1. So far I would have to say gears is far more superior by far. I have yet to play a FPS that matches the detail and 3d layering that was put into that game.

yourmomsdaddy

Not to say resistance isn't good... it's awesome... cool storyline (which gears in my opinion lacks somewhat), clear rich graphics and fast paced gameplay, but it just doesn't measure up to the tactical gameplay and rich crisp environments in gears. I would have to agree with some of the previous comments on Halo. That is the most over rated franchise in the history of gaming. There... I said it. Sue me. All you fanboys who cried at the end of Halo 3... good fackin riddance. I'm sick to death of hearing about that stupid game. Not to say it wasn't good or worth playing but what the hell was so special? It's like the holy grail among gamers and I just don't see it. Online play you say? COD4 is way better online. Too many load screens in Halo online. COD4 in my opinion, being a fan of FPS, is the best online game ever. Now on to the online features of each... Yes you have to pay for xbox live... 50 bucks for a year. If you can't cough up 50 bucks for a year of online gameplay then you really shouldn't be spending 400-600 dollars on a game console in the first place. I still prefer xbox live anyday. While it's not rocket science to figure out either of the twos dashboard and online play I prefer the 360 over the ps3. The 360 is more user friendly and when playing COD4 online ps3 seemed to have a greater load time which is an important factor with online gaming.

yourmomsdaddy

This is where gears messed up in my opinion. Online play is shite for gears. Deathmatches are played in rounds where you get killed once and have to wait till all the other players are dead before you can respawn for another round. Not to mention the load time... bah. As far as I'm concerned the 360 is better and would be the better investment in almost every category except of course the blu-ray player. Whoopity doo dah. I bought this thing for gaming... period. My recommendation is go buy a 360 and get a blu-ray player seperately when you can afford to... and the number one thing that erked me on the ps3 is nothing was cross compatible... not even god of war... What the fack is this? While not all xbox are compatible with the 360 you can still play most of the popular titles (Lucas Arts, Halo<<<< like i care, COD etc.).. I still have both god of war titles for the ps2 and got rid of my ps2 a while ago. So when god of war 3 comes out I'm unna have to buy another ps2 so I can get caught up? Sony needs to fix this. Anyways... I own both consoles and have played both religiously.... My opinion>>>> 360 takes the cake!!

Post a Comment