imperialreign on 4/3/2007 at 02:50

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Personally, I really hate the whole console/PC cross-breeding that's been going on over the last few years. It's sad how the console has become the mainstream form for gaming, considering that graphically and audibly they're still inferior to the PC. But, perhaps everyone saw it coming, too, during the late 90's as the price of PC components were climbing, and the requirements for PC games was steadily rising, the price of the console and the console game was declining to more reasonable levels, and it was just easier to buy a console that one would never have to upgrade (just replace with a newer system). So, we have the gaming front as it is today, PC's and components have become more reasonable, as are the systems themself, but PC games have become either designed around multiplayer capability (i.e. Quake3, Doom3, Counterstrike, UnReal, WoW, etc.), or have become a PC/Console hybrid where the majority of the development is around consolabilty (i.e. TDS), because it's way too easy to design for a set system, instead of various similar systems.

I just think, though, that it's sad how "watered-down" console games are, in-so-far as playability, graphics, audio, and people are happy with it; although the console games are competing more and more for graphic superiority instead of true gameplay.

But, I remember, too, when PC games were being adapted for the console, and how much was lost it the translation. When Wolfenstein3D was crossed to the SNES, the length of the game was cut down, and graphics were reduced to something so bland . . . As also happened with Doom when it was crossed to the SNES, game length, 'blood & gore', graphics, etc. And remember when Duke Nukem 3D was crossed to the N64?

Even games that start on the console and are then crossed to the PC, the console version ends up looking inferior to it's counterpart; i.e. Final Fantasy 7.

It hurts those of us that are PC game enthusiast, but our voice isn't what's heard, it's the final dollar of sales, and sorry to say it, but our dollar doesn't compete with that of the console.



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Back to the topic, though ;)

The zombies in TDS were kind of weak, I thought. Maybe they'd have been a little better if they didn't sound so ridiculous, and the zombies laid out even made noise (in TDP and TMA, IIRC, the laid out zombies were quiet until they stood up). The Haunts were kinda weak, too; they might've been more effective if they were semi-transparent, like they were in TDP (IIRC).

Now, The Cradle was great, I lost track of how many times I saved going through that, and the first time I ran into a puppet (literally, opened a door and <SHIT!!!> one was right there - I ran first, ha!).

But, in TDP, Return to the Cathedral (and the mission following where you're in the cathedrals catacombs, etc.). Although, yeah, TDP and TMA don't have that same 'feel' that they used to, but I'm still more wary of walking into a room than in TDS.

Yandros on 5/3/2007 at 20:46

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:tsktsk:

Abysmal on 5/3/2007 at 21:59

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I think some folk ought to take a good hard look at T3's predecessor (without rose-tinted glasses) before aiming their criticisms solely at this game. T2 may serve as a more elaborate thieving space, but that doesn't excuse the jumbled mess of sloppy ideas that it is. I personally rank it the lowest of the three.

imperialreign on 5/3/2007 at 22:53

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I'm sorry, I meant more along the lines of as compared to what PC games are capable of; but I completely understand and agree with your point. The PC market over the last 3-4 years has become bland, dry, and for the most part just repetitive. Also, comparing the number of PC games released over the last 4-5 years, as compared to the 4-5 years before that, it's a major drop. Game companies seem to be focusing more on the console, as that's where the money is. The PC market just doesn't have the devoted resources, because no one knows for sure how a title will do once released to a PC.



I agree here, too; there were some fun missions in T2, but the storyline was a stretch; there were some missions where it didn't feel like you had a real purpose for being where you were (i.e. Soulforge), as compared to TDP or TDS. IMO, I enjoyed how it focused more on the stealth, but the missions were strung together by fishline.

TDS did have it's highlights, no doubt; between the graphics, atmosphere and the missions themselves were fun; I just think the game became too easy by a few certain factors, namely thin AI, and the ability to be a walking arsenal of equipment.

Gestalt on 5/3/2007 at 23:52

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