Are PC games really worth it?

Im making this post expressing my opinion on the state of PC gaming, what I say does not apply to MMO crack heads or MMO fans.

Console games this generation have really taken a great leap, to the point where many PC games are released on consoles (especially Xbox 360). PC gaming has probably decreased over the last couple of years and if they are on a steady rise, the console gaming market far surpasses it. My new view on PC gaming has lead me to purchase only strategy games and some FPS games that I like.

Many people say FPS games are horrible on consoles because of the controls and the lack of good graphics compared to some amazing PC rigs. But really think about this now? Is it really worth it buying a PC game just for your little mouse support and better graphics on PC if the game is something like Turning Point Fall of Liberty? or Jericho? The FPS list can go on and on of unreleased titles and current ones. Im not saying these are bad games or will be bad games but from first impression with these games you obviously know they will not have multi player components that go up against games like COD4,BF2,CS:S,Team Fortress 2,Unreal 3 and Operation Flashpoint Dragon rising. I believe games like these franchises that have been on the PC for years are truly PC games worth buying without turning to some console to buy it. FPS games with a weaker multi player component or a slower feel (Rainbow6:vegas) is just not worth it on PC and is better for consoles, if you have 360 it's even better since you get achievement points. If you enjoy achievements like me then PC games with a weaker multi player component compared to the games I just listed are worth buying on a console not a PC. Multi player in Jericho and Turning point will just not be worth playing on PC when you got games like COD4. This is why you should buy them on your 360 (if you have one) for the added achievements. These games will only have simple death match/team death match and probably some game type exclusive to the game. There not worth playing and the experience even on your PC will just be a waste when you have games like COD4,BF2 etc.....Id rather play games like these on 360 for the single player experience and the "good" multi player experience. But not "Amazing" like some FPS PC games.

As for strategy games on PC I have noticed the majority end up being average-bad titles or complete knock offs of some other game so it's just not worth it. But there are those few that stand out and are worth having a PC for. Games like Empires:Total War,C&C3,Company of Heroes (if your not sick of WW2) and World in Conflict along with Supreme Commander. These are also the type of games worth purchasing on PC (Sup Comm and WIC is not for me) just like many Strategy games may not appeal to all people.

Next year the only PC games I will be buying (if no other amazing games are announced) is Empires:Total War,Operation Flashpoint ragon Rising,Frontlines:Fuels of War and Starcraft 2. Games like these belong on PC and really show the strength of PC gaming compared to Consoles because of there Indepth strategy and Amazing multi player. In the year to come when you see a game like Turok,Project Offset,Legendary:The Box,BIA:Hells Highway (does PC need more ww2? comon now it doesn't) etc...know one thing games like these won't be worth buying PC. You won't be getting any achievements, the multi player will obviously be weaker compared to the games I listed above so in the end is it really worth it? For those better graphics? not much mod content and no achievement points? Not to mention "average-good" multi player. Id say it's better to get games like these on a console. Honestly why would PC gamers want to waste there hard-drive space on games like Turok or Turning point? Don't misunderstand me Im not saying these games are bad but multiplayer wise it is really not worth it. Your just going to end up un-installing the game and you know it.

[Rainbow]

While I personally wouldn't build myself a gaming PC for the fact that those become obsolete much faster than PCs intended for work (word processing, spreadsheets, web surfing, emails...), if there's a good game out there and my PC can run it, sure, then it's worth it. But I wouldn't keep upgrading a PC every few months or so just to be able to run the latest games, now that wouldn't be worth it.

After all, the PC games that I've enjoyed the most, and still enjoy to this day, are almost 10 year old now.

[Spindel]

Normal d-pad will never beat a KB+Mouse combo for FPS games in accuracy and responsiveness.

I know some people will trash me for that statement...
But there is a reason online does not mix consolers with PC/Mac/Linux people for multiplatform FPS games. A good console gamer would never be able to beat a good PC gamer unless the consoler has a handicap of some sort like auto aim and the PC dude does not.

[InsightGoalie]

Originally Posted by Spindel

Normal d-pad will never beat a KB+Mouse combo for FPS games in accuracy and responsiveness.

I know some people will trash me for that statement...
But there is a reason online does not mix consolers with PC/Mac/Linux people for multiplatform FPS games. A good console gamer would never be able to beat a good PC gamer unless the consoler has a handicap of some sort like auto aim and the PC dude does not.

I'm pretty sure they've studied this type of stuff and found no real gains with k/m over dual analog. I can't remember where it was but, I think I've seen something like that. Besides you're forgetting about games like shadowrun. They are trying to mix PC and Console internet gaming. I don't think it has a whole lot to do with k/m vs. gamepad but, more along the lines of different networks. I wouldn't know though as I haven't studied these things.

Personally, I think keeping up with the latest and greatest PC's have to offer isn't worth the $$$. But having a decent computer that can run the newer games is. A dual core with a good amount of ram and a decent GPU isn't too expensive. The only games I play on PC now are RTS's, even then I don't really play them to often. RTS used to be my favorite genre. Now I'm big into FPS's, which I prefer to play in the comfort of my living room. Even if k/m is better I'll take the slight sacrifice for a far more comfortable experience. Plus you don't have all the bugginess involved with PC gaming.

[boffo]

I just much prefer the luxury of picking up a game and knowing that I'll be able to play it without any problems caused by an older machine.

[Power666]

The real advantage of a console are its relatively static hardware configuration and ease of set up. Every console is basically the same with the exception of hard drive storage. This allows for a level playing field. Consoles don't have to worry about various libraries or patches to get everything to just work (though exceptions are unfortunately creeping up in the console world).

Top of the line PC hardware will always have an edge over consoles. As time goes on, PC technology will continue to grow, dwarfing the capabilities of consoles. You gotta also be continually spending money to be at the top. Getting a high end video card and keeping it for a few years will allow you to enjoy new titles for sometime but you'll be kept from the best visuals and performance as time goes on.

Originally Posted by Spindel

Normal d-pad will never beat a KB+Mouse combo for FPS games in accuracy and responsiveness.

Dual analog does beat normal d-pad. All consoles today support that setup in some fashion. Epic has said that such a setup is on par with keyboard/mouse.

Additionally, keyboard/mouse can be done on all consoles via USB.

Playing some PC games with the Wii remote is interesting.

Originally Posted by Spindel

I know some people will trash me for that statement...
But there is a reason online does not mix consolers with PC/Mac/Linux people for multiplatform FPS games. A good console gamer would never be able to beat a good PC gamer unless the consoler has a handicap of some sort like auto aim and the PC dude does not.

Quake 3 mixed Dreamcast and PC/Mac/Linux players back in the day. Half-Life and Unreal Tournament were also supposed to have DC to PC play at some point. With Sega killing off their own hardware, developers cut such features or in the case of Half-Life, cancelled the game out right.

The real obstacle for PC to console multiplayer isn't really based on technology but rather the unwillingness of console manufactures to allow it.

[Pyro ninja]

i think that being able to do everything on one piece of hardware is better and more effective than many. i can play games in amazing quality and do all my day to day things. another advantage for me (this may not be the case for everyone) is being able to mod games to anything i want. iv been playing oblivion for ages and iv modded it loads and i find it so much more fun than on a console like 360. i think that in the end, the cost of my gaming pc will cost less than a normal everyday pc and a console such as 360.

[downphoenix]

One thing you forgot to mention for PC is good RPGs.

The Witcher is a surprisingly good game that just came out exclusively on PC, and you have games like WoW and Neverwinter Nights 2 that you just can't get on consoles.

So yes, its worth it... if you can afford the rig.

Originally Posted by Pyro ninja

i think that being able to do everything on one piece of hardware is better and more effective than many. i can play games in amazing quality and do all my day to day things. another advantage for me (this may not be the case for everyone) is being able to mod games to anything i want. iv been playing oblivion for ages and iv modded it loads and i find it so much more fun than on a console like 360. i think that in the end, the cost of my gaming pc will cost less than a normal everyday pc and a console such as 360.

You must have a Low-end gaming PC then. The cheapest PC you can purchase if you decide to build one will still cost you about 500$. Im talking about everything including

case,motherboard,ram,soundcard,processor,graphics card,power supply and Operating system. State your specs I doubt it's less than 360, remember a 360 is . Even if someone had a PC that is about 500$ they would probably have a better graphics card then a console, but it won't be a considerable difference. (Nvidia 8600) any lower than that and the Graphics card on a console is just as good. The 360 in the USA now is only 350$ and thats for the bundled version that comes with everything you need to get started online, the other bundles are lower. Even if you do have a low-end PC gaming system I doubt the processor is even better than the 360's custom processor. It has 3 symmetrical cores running at 3.2 GHz each. Is your processor better than that?

Originally Posted by downphoenix

One thing you forgot to mention for PC is good RPGs.

The Witcher is a surprisingly good game that just came out exclusively on PC, and you have games like WoW and Neverwinter Nights 2 that you just can't get on consoles.

So yes, its worth it... if you can afford the rig.

Then I guess PC's are worth it for you anyway since you seem to like MMO's and online RPG games. I personally think WoW is a waste of time, ive always enjoyed games based on skill. Not some form of non-existent success in a virtual reality. The only MMO's I will ever play is MMOFPS games which will primarily be based on skill. Thats why im interested in games like Huxley but Im not so sure it will be a successful MMO.

Consoles can also be good for RPG's if your like me and you enjoy getting achievement points and are willing to forget the mod content that may be available on PC.