PC gaming: Pros and cons

[Erik_Twice]

Let's talk about this here instead of polluting Sega topics. Yes I know Sega is dead but it is not honorable to do it

In my opinion:

Personal Computers, as system:

PROS:

- Cheaper games both new and used.
- Most powerful system (Eg. Bigger resolution)
- Moddability of games.
- Cheaper than consoles if you know what you need. Also cheaper as you normally always have a computer around.

CONS:

- Requires some knoweldge on hardware so as to get a good computer for cheap.
- Requires some knoweldge when buying games.
- Requires some knoweldge when setting up games and internet gaming.
- No Plug-and-play


Pros and cons of PC games:

PROS:

- Abundance of strategy games
- Abundance of simulators
- Only platform for economic simulation games.
- Good western RPGs and hack'n slash games
- Better first-person shooters
- Overall more balanced and better library. However it lacks some killer-aps sometimes.
-

CONS:

- Lack of Japanese RPGs
- Lack of SRPGs
- Lack of fighters
- Lack of non-arcade or modern shoot'em ups. Older titles avalible through MAME.
- Lack of platformers
- No party games at all
- No experimental controllers/games (Wiimote, Eyetoy, etc.)
- No rhytmn games at all. Lots of simulators avalible though.

So, what do you think?

[Funk, E]

There are definitely rhythm games and party games for the PC. Haven't you ever played You Don't Know Jack or Stepmania?

[Flak Beard]

I don't understand, you mention PC has an overall more balanced and better library...

But, then go on to say it lacks heavily in five other genres of games. I say which ever platform has the most variety is certainly the most balanced.

I'm also going to have to disagree with FPS games being inherently better on PC, especially with the titles available on 360. They've come a long way on consoles, and I know many people are more comfortable playing that way nowadays.

[MrPopo]

I'm also going to have to disagree with FPS games being inherently better on PC, especially with the titles available on 360. They've come a long way on consoles, and I know many people are more comfortable playing that way nowadays.

Sorry, but it is an undisputable fact that a keyboard and mouse gives you far more control than dual analog can ever hope to attain. The Wiimote+chuck is the only current console control scheme that can match up to keyboard and mouse. But you are right that many people feel more comfortable playing dual analog. I can't understand it, and it always makes me sad when I see threads in the PC gamefaqs forum for an FPS asking about getting the 360 controller to work with the game. It's like playing a flight sim without a joystick. Sure, you can do it, but you're not going to have the same level of control.

[blackmagepwns]

One more Con

-Outdated games not being able to run on your newer, more powerful PC.

[elvis]

- Most powerful system (Eg. Bigger resolution)

- Cheaper than consoles if you know what you need. Also cheaper as you normally always have a computer around.

These two statements contradict themselves.

If you want to play the latest and greatest at 1080p, you're paying top dollar. More importantly, you're paying again and again each and every 12-18 months to ensure you're up to date with hardware.

Compare and contrast to a console, where hardware layout (at least for the CPU/GPU grunt) is a one-off investment for that generation (which generally is a 3-5+ year stint). Yes, you buy peripherals and whatnot, but not the big-dollar items like new CPUs, motherboards and graphics cards.

Other than that, the argument is moot anyway. PCs have the lions share of FPS and RTS games (and the better control method for these). Consoles have everything else. No die-hard RTS fan is going to be playing their games on a console (not until Sony and Microsoft wake up, and allow a keyboard/mouse combo on certain games on their consoles).

And for the same reason, I don't game on PC. I don't enjoy FPS nor RTS games, so consoles are enough for me. I know other games who are the polar opposite (die-hard RTS/FPS gamers with no interest in the sorts of games that pop up on consoles).

As with everything, the games make the system, and not the other way around. Debating the pros and cons of platforms is pretty silly if your choices are going to be determined by the titles available for that system anyway. (Which is the same reason I loathe "which console is best?" style questions).

[Flak Beard]

Sorry, but it is an undisputable fact that a keyboard and mouse gives you far more control than dual analog can ever hope to attain. The Wiimote+chuck is the only current console control scheme that can match up to keyboard and mouse. But you are right that many people feel more comfortable playing dual analog. I can't understand it, and it always makes me sad when I see threads in the PC gamefaqs forum for an FPS asking about getting the 360 controller to work with the game. It's like playing a flight sim without a joystick. Sure, you can do it, but you're not going to have the same level of control.

I won't deny that the mouse is a better aiming device, but I personally find the overall control of FPS games to be better on consoles. I think one can agree that movement with an analog stick is better than using WASD.

Plus all your buttons for crouching, zooming, chucking grenades, flashlight and weapon selection can be way more accessible if mapped to the controller well by the developer or via in game setup. Perhaps this is why many gamers are using 360 controllers on PC FPS games. Sure a guy with a mouse can aim and click on heads faster, but how intuitive and natural is WASD really?

That's pretty much how I see it. PC players get better aiming, and console users aren't hindered by keyboard movement. It's six of one, half a dozen of the other if you think about it.

[nickfil]

- Most powerful system (Eg. Bigger resolution)
- Cheaper than consoles if you know what you need. Also cheaper as you normally always have a computer around.

These two statements contradict themselves.

yeah. No way are you going to run 1080p under 200 bucks. Hell, you would probably struggle to build a decent machine to run any modern game at all for 200.

I'm also going to have to disagree with FPS games being inherently better on PC, especially with the titles available on 360. They've come a long way on consoles, and I know many people are more comfortable playing that way nowadays.

Sorry, but it is an undisputable fact that a keyboard and mouse gives you far more control than dual analog can ever hope to attain.

I'd say it is a preference for people rather than fact. Just my opinion, but I change around based on the game played.

As with everything, the games make the system, and not the other way around. Debating the pros and cons of platforms is pretty silly if your choices are going to be determined by the titles available for that system anyway. (Which is the same reason I loathe "which console is best?" style questions).

true. Every system has pros and cons. Every system is going to have games that try to take advantage of those pros. Being a fanboy about one only limits you. I really have no idea why people argue so passionately about it.

[MrPopo]

Sorry, but it is an undisputable fact that a keyboard and mouse gives you far more control than dual analog can ever hope to attain. The Wiimote+chuck is the only current console control scheme that can match up to keyboard and mouse. But you are right that many people feel more comfortable playing dual analog. I can't understand it, and it always makes me sad when I see threads in the PC gamefaqs forum for an FPS asking about getting the 360 controller to work with the game. It's like playing a flight sim without a joystick. Sure, you can do it, but you're not going to have the same level of control.

I won't deny that the mouse is a better aiming device, but I personally find the overall control of FPS games to be better on consoles. I think one can agree that movement with an analog stick is better than using WASD.

Plus all your buttons for crouching, zooming, chucking grenades, flashlight and weapon selection can be way more accessible if mapped to the controller well by the developer or via in game setup. Perhaps this is why many gamers are using 360 controllers on PC FPS games. Sure a guy with a mouse can aim and click on heads faster, but how intuitive and natural is WASD really?

That's pretty much how I see it. PC players get better aiming, and console users aren't hindered by keyboard movement. It's six of one, half a dozen of the other if you think about it.

I personally don't use WASD myself. Right click is move forward, S and G are strafe, D and F are move backwards, and then everything else is arrayed around my left hand. But I can see your point that a controller can give you better movement than WASD. However, I feel that in FPS's especially the ability to aim quickly and precisely at any point is worth more than the gain you get from a controller's foward/back/strafe mechanism.

And while you may be right in terms of the accessibility, in every example I've seen of people questioning the 360 controller on PC it's always that the person prefers dual analog for aiming. Which just completely blows my mind. It's like someone who perfers the Dreamcast controller over the Twin Sticks for Virtual On.

I personally feel that no single platform is best for all gaming. PC is best for FPS's (which also includes first person RPGs like Morrowind and Ultima Underworld), RTS's, complex turn based (like Civ), and high end simulations (due to availability of high quality joysticks/wheels). The console is great for your JRPGs, platformers, arcade titles, and fighting games. We don't need to make everything cross platform.

[Ack]

I see some of you guys have never heard of the amazing things one can do with a mouse scroll button. Here's just one idea: set it to your grenade command.

Plus, the massive amount of keyboard buttons will allow me to do things like move forward while crouch jumping, firing my weapon and cooking a concussion grenade so I can fly up and release frag grenades in midair while quick switching to my medpack to give the sniper AIDS.

I played too much TFC.