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vsp · 02-16-2003, 12:37 AM

If you're interested in online gaming, the PC is still the best choice. The potential gaming audience is much larger (there are lots of PS2s, but few games that support its online capabilities yet; Xbox Live requires broadband, which is another limiting factor), and Quake-style FPS'es are just meant for a computer's keyboard-mouse control scheme. There really isn't much of anything resembling a MUD on consoles yet, with the possible exception of Phantasy Star Online and the new PS2 port of Evercrack.

When it comes to PS2 vs. Xbox specifically, there are tons of games that are on both systems, though sometimes delayed on one or the other. Splinter Cell, for instance, is out on Xbox and coming to PS2 _and_ PC, and the previews I've read of the PS2 version have been enthusiastic. Unless you're a major graphics junkie (the kind of person who habitually burns cash on the latest and greatest video cards), you're not going to notice much of a difference between PS2 games and Xbox games, with certain exceptions.

As always, it's about buying the system with the types of games that _you want to play_. Sports games are good on both. RPGs are PS2 all the way -- Final Fantasy, Suikoden, Wild Arms, Kingdom Hearts, .hack, Breath of Fire, Legaia, Evercrack and Dark Cloud hold up pretty well against Morrowind and Shenmue II. Fighting games lean PS2 -- Tekken, Virtua Fighter, Guilty Gear and DOA 2 vs. DOA 3. There are decent racers on both. Stealth games (Metal Gear Solid, Splinter Cell, Hitman 2, etc.) are on both. Grand Theft Auto is a PS2 system-seller (and you REALLY need to try GTA3 or GTA:Vice if you haven't yet); Halo still moves Xboxes.

I've had my PS2 for a bit over a year now, and if I was buying it today, I'd make the same choice. But that's me -- games I really want to play (GTA, RPGs aplenty, Virtua Fighter, spooky shooters like Silent Hill and Fatal Frame for the wife, lots of oddities like Monster Rancher and Frequency) are on it, while most of those aren't on the Xbox yet. Tenchu 3 is coming. Soul Calibur 2 is coming. Star Ocean 3 is coming. GTA: Vice is already here. C is for cookie; dat good enough for me. On the Xbox, the only games that I find myself wishing for are Panzer Dragoon Orta, and maybe Deathrow to fill the sports hole.

But that's just me.

02-16-2003, 12:37 AM	#10
vsp Syndrome of a Down Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: West Chester Posts: 1,367	If you're interested in online gaming, the PC is still the best choice. The potential gaming audience is much larger (there are lots of PS2s, but few games that support its online capabilities yet; Xbox Live requires broadband, which is another limiting factor), and Quake-style FPS'es are just meant for a computer's keyboard-mouse control scheme. There really isn't much of anything resembling a MUD on consoles yet, with the possible exception of Phantasy Star Online and the new PS2 port of Evercrack. When it comes to PS2 vs. Xbox specifically, there are tons of games that are on both systems, though sometimes delayed on one or the other. Splinter Cell, for instance, is out on Xbox and coming to PS2 _and_ PC, and the previews I've read of the PS2 version have been enthusiastic. Unless you're a major graphics junkie (the kind of person who habitually burns cash on the latest and greatest video cards), you're not going to notice much of a difference between PS2 games and Xbox games, with certain exceptions. As always, it's about buying the system with the types of games that _you want to play_. Sports games are good on both. RPGs are PS2 all the way -- Final Fantasy, Suikoden, Wild Arms, Kingdom Hearts, .hack, Breath of Fire, Legaia, Evercrack and Dark Cloud hold up pretty well against Morrowind and Shenmue II. Fighting games lean PS2 -- Tekken, Virtua Fighter, Guilty Gear and DOA 2 vs. DOA 3. There are decent racers on both. Stealth games (Metal Gear Solid, Splinter Cell, Hitman 2, etc.) are on both. Grand Theft Auto is a PS2 system-seller (and you REALLY need to try GTA3 or GTA:Vice if you haven't yet); Halo still moves Xboxes. I've had my PS2 for a bit over a year now, and if I was buying it today, I'd make the same choice. But that's me -- games I really want to play (GTA, RPGs aplenty, Virtua Fighter, spooky shooters like Silent Hill and Fatal Frame for the wife, lots of oddities like Monster Rancher and Frequency) are on it, while most of those aren't on the Xbox yet. Tenchu 3 is coming. Soul Calibur 2 is coming. Star Ocean 3 is coming. GTA: Vice is already here. C is for cookie; dat good enough for me. On the Xbox, the only games that I find myself wishing for are Panzer Dragoon Orta, and maybe Deathrow to fill the sports hole. But that's just me.