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[IronicallyTwisted]

Ya, the 360 version of HL2 got upgrades while the PC version is still the same as it was in 2004. However, if you have an amazing PC (read: 8800 or similar), the rest of Orange Box will look better on PC.

Ep1 is about the same, the rest will look better on the PC.

 

[Zzoram]

BTW I get 10-12 loading times in Portal elevator on my 3-year old laptop so take it as you will. Didn't take away anything from my Portal enjoyment.

I'm not sure if that means your old laptop wasn't that bad, or if it means the Portal PS3 load times are terrible.

 

[Barnolde]

The 360 version of HL2 looks better than the PC version. It has motion blur and HDR lighting.

HL2 and Ep1 got updated with HDR and blur at the cost of 30fps locked. Steam will get a future update that will update those two games for PC users. Ep2, TF2 and Portal are the same on PC and 360, except for control scheme and framerate differences.

I'm not sure if that means your old laptop wasn't that bad, or if it means the Portal PS3 load times are terrible.

The PS3 load times are terrible. Count to 17, then do it again and again. They didn't use the SPEs and from the sounds of it, not the HDD either (though they did add the whole quicksave/load feature, which wasn't in the 360 one).

 

[Mikey10]

I know both the PC and 360 versions have HDR in Ep1, but doesn't the 360 version have it even better?

 

[Zzoram]

HL2 and Ep1 got updated with HDR and blur at the cost of 30fps locked. Steam will get a future update that will update those two games for PC users. Ep2, TF2 and Portal are the same on PC and 360, except for control scheme and framerate differences.

TF2 on PC, you can crank up the graphics so high you can read/clearly see what is on the pages falling out of the Intelligence brief case.

 

[No Means Nomad]

Green apples are too acid

You're thinking of the red ones.

TF2 on PC, you can crank up the graphics so high you can read/clearly see what is on the pages falling out of the Intelligence brief case.

Personally signed by Shawn Elliott no less.

 

[Zzoram]

I know both the PC and 360 versions have HDR in Ep1, but doesn't the 360 version have it even better?

Ep1 on 360 got enhanced HDR. The PC version was using Valve's first attempt at HDR.

 

[The Innocent X]

Perhaps, but from what Gabe was saying, it sounds like Valve didn't even want to make a PS3 version and EA did the port because they wanted it.

Gabe was being an ass, but I guess he didn't want to train people up on PS3 when most of his guys already know how to program for a traditional PC architecture.

No need to be so rude about it though, talk about burning bridges.

 

[IronicallyTwisted]

HL2 and Ep1 got updated with HDR and blur at the cost of 30fps locked. Steam will get a future update that will update those two games for PC users. Ep2, TF2 and Portal are the same on PC and 360, except for control scheme and framerate differences.

Didn't know about the patch. I'm quite sure Ep2 looks better on the PC maxed out. Its hard to tell with TF2 and Portal because of the clean texture style, but i'd imagine even forced AA would make a difference.

 

[Barnolde]

TF2 on PC, you can crank up the graphics so high you can read/clearly see what is on the pages falling out of the Intelligence brief case.

360 version's not as good as the PC one and IGN rates it the same, probably because it's the first (and only) time HL2's been adequately delivered to consoles, where it was a small hit and then quickly forgotten

I run it in 1280x768 at 60fps+ and I could run it at 1680x1050 with drops, but I'd rather sacrifice graphics for a steady framerate.

Didn't know about the patch. I'm quite sure Ep2 looks better on the PC maxed out. Its hard to tell with TF2 and Portal because of the clean texture style, but i'd imagine even forced AA would make a difference.

It's a Source update that'll eventually come to PC. Source/HL2's been updated many times before.

Ep2, TF2 and Portal are the new version of Source on all 3 systems, it just looks better on PC, because it can go higher than 720p with AA+AF. I mean, it's Valve, was there any question that the PC version would be superior? It's just that the 360 version is acceptable and the PS3 version just squeezes by, but only as a last resort.

 

[painful fart]

I would buy it so EA continues supporting PS3, also theres a chance, if the game sells well, to patch it.

In spain the PS3 version is the only one that has an awesome spanish dub. The 360 version isn't even subbed in spanish. So in spain PS3 version is the superior one.

Now that is fucking interesting!!!!

 

[Zzoram]

Gabe was being an ass, but I guess he didn't want to train people up on PS3 when most of his guys already know how to program for a traditional PC architecture.

No need to be so rude about it though, talk about burning bridges.

Ya, he wasn't very nice about it, but that is probably because he wanted PS3 to have parallel processor architecture like 360 and where PC is going. He had a point when he said training to program for PS3 is only applicable to PS3, whereas the more general programming paradigm used by pretty much every other processor they'll have to work with is the same.

 

[The Innocent X]

Now that is fucking interesting!!!!

Not surprising, given the relative disparity of console sales in Spain.

 

[Zzoram]

Now that is fucking interesting!!!!

I guess EA's PS3 team took all that extra time to redub the game, because it's pretty clear they didn't spend it all on the PS3 port :lol

 

[Pristine_Condition]

The 360 version of this game game received 9.5 and it's considered by many the game of the year.

this is yet one more case of PS3 just getting a lazy port, isn't it?

It's a case of the ultimate lazy port, as it was just farmed out. As much as I LOVE the Half Life games, (HL2 is still my favorite FPS of all time, and Ep 2 is great,) if I had a friend who only had a PS3 to play the Orange Box on, I'd have to advise against buying it. That's just sad.

It's also a case of the 360 version being dramatically over-rated IMO, as Team Fortress (which was one of the most highly anticipated pieces of the box,) has such terrible lag that it is damn near unplayable online compared to the PC version. It just pisses you off when you try to play it.

Sure there are a lot of other games there in the box, but TF's online was a key component for for many 360 consumers like me, and it turns out that it sucks online. Seriously, any reviewer that gave the 360 version of Orange Box a super-high score with that key title in the box so miserably flawed, was either paid off, or an idiot. They did their readers no favors by overrating the game in the face of such a crucial flaw. No f---ing way it's GOTY. It's gimped, therefore, it isn't even in the 360's Top 3, IMO.

 

[Barnolde]

I guess EA's PS3 team took all that extra time to redub the game, because it's pretty clear they didn't spend it all on the PS3 port :lol

I think it more or less can be attributed to:

I doubt DVD9 had the space for something that wasn't necessary for the specific region. I'm amazed at the number of languages Uncharted/HS have.

 

[test_account]

It kinda suprises me that they release the game is this state. I'm sure they knew about the problems. 17 seconds load in Portal sucks, but it isnt that long actually. If you want long loading time after you die and respawn try the Painkiller games for PC.

I just timed the loading time in Painkiller Overdose and its about 50 seconds. Even if i set basicly everything on the lowest setting, the loading time is still about 50 second. I remember the first Painkiller game also had long loading times. I wonder why its like this, CoD4 for example have basicly no loading time after you die and start again, and this game is much more advanced (gfx and tech) than Painkiller. I first thought that it reloaded/rendered the whole level after you die, but then it should have been faster on lower setting. Have anyone else experience with the loading times in Painkiller?

The Painkiller games are still great despite the rather long loading time tho, i wasnt really bothered by it. But if you die every 5 minutes and you have to wait like 50 seconds everytime to start it would get annoying. Anyway, i recommend the Painkiller games anyway

 

[Zzoram]

It's a case of the ultimate lazy port, as it was just farmed out. As much as I LOVE the Half Life games, (HL2 is still my favorite FPS of all time, and Ep 2 is great,) if I had a friend who only had a PS3 to play the Orange Box on, I'd have to advise against buying it. That's just sad.

It's also a case of the 360 version being dramatically over-rated IMO, as Team Fortress (which was one of the most highly anticipated pieces of the box,) has such terrible lag that it is damn near unplayable online compared to the PC version. It just pisses you off when you try to play it.

Sure there are a lot of other games there in the box, but TF's online was a key component for for many 360 consumers like me, and it turns out that it sucks online. Seriously, any reviewer that gave the 360 version of Orange Box a super-high score with that key title in the box so miserably flawed, was either paid off, or an idiot. They did their readers no favors by overrating the game in the face of such a crucial flaw. No f---ing way it's GOTY. It's gimped, therefore, it isn't even in the 360's Top 3, IMO.

I would argue that even without TF2, that HL2+Ep1+Ep2+Portal are better than Bioshock.

 

[The Innocent X]

The Painkiller games are still great despite the rather long loading time tho, i wasnt really bothered by it. But if you die every 5 minutes and you have to wait like 50 seconds everytime to start it would get annoying. Anyway, i recommend the Painkiller games anyway

Console games are moving towards zero load times in a lot of cases, so those games with long load times really stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[Zzoram]

I think it more or less can be attributed to:

I doubt DVD9 had the space for something that wasn't necessary for the specific region. I'm amazed at the number of languages Uncharted/HS have.

Instead of cramming a dozen languages onto the disc, they should've made HS 2 hours longer and printed different discs for each region. Even if that 2 hours was unlockable cutscenes, it would've made the difference in blunting the "short" complaint.

 

[IronicallyTwisted]

Console games are moving towards zero load times in a lot of cases, so those games with long load times really stick out like a sore thumb.

I was pretty shell shocked by HL2's random load sequences. Halo 3 really spoiled me.

 

[mr_bishiuk]

It's a case of the ultimate lazy port, as it was just farmed out. As much as I LOVE the Half Life games, (HL2 is still my favorite FPS of all time, and Ep 2 is great,) if I had a friend who only had a PS3 to play the Orange Box on, I'd have to advise against buying it. That's just sad.

It's also a case of the 360 version being dramatically over-rated IMO, as Team Fortress (which was one of the most highly anticipated pieces of the box,) has such terrible lag that it is damn near unplayable online compared to the PC version. It just pisses you off when you try to play it.

Sure there are a lot of other games there in the box, but TF's online was a key component for for many 360 consumers like me, and it turns out that it sucks online. Seriously, any reviewer that gave the 360 version of Orange Box a super-high score with that key title in the box so miserably flawed, was either paid off, or an idiot. They did their readers no favors by overrating the game in the face of such a crucial flaw. No f---ing way it's GOTY. It's gimped, therefore, it isn't even in the 360's Top 3, IMO.

I played TF2 on 360 last week and had no problems with lag. When was the last time you played it?

I suspect the online community for TF2 on PS3 will be so small that it will be difficult to warrent calling it a game.

 

[Zzoram]

I was pretty shell shocked by HL2's random load sequences. Halo 3 really spoiled me.

Source may have been getting upgrades, but at the core it's a 2004 engine.

 

[The Innocent X]

I think it more or less can be attributed to:

I doubt DVD9 had the space for something that wasn't necessary for the specific region. I'm amazed at the number of languages Uncharted/HS have.

No, Just no. Blu-ray has nothing to do with this. Each game could have come on a separate dvd.

 

[Borys]

I was pretty shell shocked by HL2's random load sequences. Halo 3 really spoiled me.

HL2 is an old game.

 

[painful fart]

Instead of cramming a dozen languages onto the disc, they should've made HS 2 hours longer and printed different discs for each region. Even if that 2 hours was unlockable cutscenes, it would've made the difference in blunting the "short" complaint.

You are on a roll, Mister!

 

[test_account]

Console games are moving towards zero load times in a lot of cases, so those games with long load times really stick out like a sore thumb.

There is a Xbox version of Painkiller too. I wonder if it has the same loading as the PC version. Some PC games have very little loading time so i wonder why some are much worse than others. Maybe worse coding :\

I agree that long loading time sux, but if its 15-20 seconds, i'm not really bothered with it. Unless i have to load every 5 mintue or so hehe, then it can get annyoing.

 

[DrXym]

I bet Mr Newell will still start spouting shit about the PS3 if the lacklustre score means lacklustre sales.

 

[Aaron]

HL2 is an old game.

You mean Source is an old engine. Portal should have seamless load times also.

 

[DrXym]

No, Just no. Blu-ray has nothing to do with this. Each game could have come on a separate dvd.

Yes it could have, significantly adding expense to the roll out since each disc would have to go through its own QA, certification and production roll-out.

Blu Ray means more locales can fit on a disc. It also means that countries that might not have gotten a localized version before can now get it because the expense of doing it is lower.

 

[Borys]

You mean Source is an old engine. Portal should have seamless load times also.

Portal should have no elevator and loading times at all. I'd love to be able to place blue portal in the starting room and the orange one near the end and then travel again through the whole are.

Too bad each challenge was between two elevators. In the devs commentary mode they explain they had to put elevators between levels because people were constantly portalling to the end.

...what?

 

[Zzoram]

Well obviously Blu-ray gives you more options as you have more space to work with. It's still impressive that Valve managed to cram that much awesome into Orange Box on a single dvd though. I doubt this concentration of awesome will be seen on a single DVD again this generation.

 

[IronicallyTwisted]

Source may have been getting upgrades, but at the core it's a 2004 engine.

Yes, yes. I'm not taking a shot at the game, the series is easily on of my favourites.

If they are planning on using Source for HL3 (or their next endevour) they need to get the loading streamlined, however. Its not something you'd expect from such a top developer.

Well obviously Blu-ray gives you more options as you have more space to work with. It's still impressive that Valve managed to cram that much awesome into Orange Box on a single dvd though. I doubt this concentration of awesome will be seen on a single DVD again this generation.

With over a gig to spare, I believe.

 

[The Innocent X]

Yes it could have, significantly adding expense to the roll out since each disc would have to go through its own QA, certification and production roll-out.

Blu Ray means more locales can fit on a disc. It also means that countries that might not have gotten a localized version before can now get it because the expense of doing it is lower.

Rubbish, there is no extra certification, and the extra production costs are more than matched by the production costs for a Blu-ray. Some games benefit from blu-ray, but this is definitely not one of them.

 

[Chrange]

Yes it could have, significantly adding expense to the roll out since each disc would have to go through its own QA, certification and production roll-out.

Blu Ray means more locales can fit on a disc. It also means that countries that might not have gotten a localized version before can now get it because the expense of doing it is lower.

I can't figure out how the expense would be lower at all. You're still pressing X number of discs for that region, whether they include other region's languages or not.

The base costs for localization - the translation, etc... - don't change at all.

Having every region on one disc seems like just a means of filling up otherwise wasted Blu Ray space so that being forced to use the format for games seems more necessary.

I also find it extremely unlikely that any publisher would ever delay a game's release in major markets so they could include the localization for a small country on the disc. When a game is done and ready to press, they'll be cranking out copies to sell - not waiting for some last-minute translation work.

 

[painful fart]

Rubbish, there is no extra certification, and the extra production costs are more than matched by the production costs for a Blu-ray. Some games benefit from blu-ray, but this is definitely not one of them.

So why does only the PS3 version have Spanish? Market driven? Sony requirement? Any idea?

 

[mr_bishiuk]

Perhaps if the 360 had not bombed so hard in Spain they may have been bothered enougth to add the spanish voice.

 

[The Innocent X]

So why does only the PS3 version have Spanish? Market driven? Sony requirement? Any idea?

Playstation has 92% of the market in spain.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

The last thing PS3 needs right now is software being boycotted by potential buyers.

Not if they buy the good quality games that are on the system. I ordered resistance after finding the price wont drop and instead will wait on half life2 to drop in price. Gaf clan better welcome me with open arms, or throw a shoe at me for waiting so long .

 

[PepsimanVsJoe]

Not if they buy the good quality games that are on the system.

Looking at the charts it seems like PS3 owners aren't even doing that.

 

[Defuser]

PS3 owners that don't have a 360 or play PC games: BUY THIS

Why should I buy the game when valve already planned it to die?

 

[Barnolde]

I can't figure out how the expense would be lower at all. You're still pressing X number of discs for that region, whether they include other region's languages or not.

The base costs for localization - the translation, etc... - don't change at all.

Having every region on one disc seems like just a means of filling up otherwise wasted Blu Ray space so that being forced to use the format for games seems more necessary.

I also find it extremely unlikely that any publisher would ever delay a game's release in major markets so they could include the localization for a small country on the disc. When a game is done and ready to press, they'll be cranking out copies to sell - not waiting for some last-minute translation work.

Maybe it's just because all games have the same data? I'm not too sure.

Even La Boite Orange is English only.

Looking at the charts it seems like PS3 owners aren't even doing that.

I'm betting Uncharted will unfortunately live up to its name

Why should I buy the game when valve already planned it to die?

It's still a great collection of games that should be played by as many people as possibly. PS3 version is just a last resort.

 

[painful fart]

Perhaps if the 360 had not bombed so hard in Spain they may have been bothered enougth to add the spanish voice.

But if they were going to add it anyway it wouldn´t add any cost and it would have been a nice gesture to 360 owners in Spain.

And Hey, people do also speak Spanish elsewhere you know.

 

[IronicallyTwisted]

Looking at the charts it seems like PS3 owners aren't even doing that.

If I was working at Naughty Dog or Insomniac i'd be pretty pissed, because I'd be making awesome games for no-one to play.

 

[The Innocent X]

But if they were going to add it anyway it wouldn´t add any cost and it would have been a nice gesture to 360 owners in Spain.

And Hey, people do also speak Spanish elsewhere you know.

My guess is that the localisation was handled by EAs porting company, and Valve didn`t want to wait for them.

 

[BSTF]

I'm glad to see IGN maintain their integrity by marking down games with poor frame rates and long load times like they did with the Xbox port of Half Life 2.

 

[Borys]

I'm glad to see IGN maintain their integrity by marking down games with poor frame rates and long load times like they did with the Xbox port of Half Life 2.

:lol

Or any Xbox/ Xbox 360 game for that matter.

 

[orio7]

"so think carefully before investing the money" = a 8.4 game? :/

 

[Ploid 3.0]

Looking at the charts it seems like PS3 owners aren't even doing that.

I'll admit, I bought a few crappy ps3 games (madden 07, ncaa 08, somewhat fight night r3 *bad online, and the fighter selection is less than ps2). I've learned though.

 

[PuppetSlave]

"so think carefully before investing the money" = a 8.4 game? :/

Well the game(s) itself is sunshine in a can so that pushes up the score quite a bit.