New Console - which one (specific gametypes)

Hi,

New Year is usually played in with some mates, loads of drink and some good console games.

This year I think the PS(One) is getting a bit dated and would like to get a new console.

I have three pc's but they are in different room and would rather have a more social (everyone in the same room) type New Years.

I am looking for a console that will allow me to play (good) multi player games (on one console via split screen) and some good roleplay type games.

The current games I have enjoyed in the past on the PS one are;
Grand Turismo,
Silent Hill,
Resident Evil
Crash Bandicoot,
Final Fantasy.
Tekken2.

What is the best console to get for these types of games and what games can you suggest for the recomended console to forfill the 'drunken party' that will be New Years Eve and the adventure aspect for the rest of the single player time.

Future games are also fine as long as they will be available (in the UK) before New Year.

Cheers
Si

 

not this again do a search as this has been asked 1000s of times.

 

Actually this one is rather specific for once ^_^

Genres listed by RimBlock from the list given are - Turn based RPGs, racers, platformers, fighting, and survival horror...

IMO The PS2 caters for those genres more than any other console at this moment in time. It also still has tremendous backing and will do so until 2004/5 when the PS3 is released. To get the most out of turn based RPGs you would need to modify your PS2... Many top games sadly are still not released over here but the situation is improving. Heres a small list of games that I'll list for now just to see if you are interested. There are others of course but I don't know what games really interest you -i.e Shox is an arcade rally game by EA with a twist. IMO its worthy of a rental but not a purchase.

Also, many games can be linked up for multi-player games if you have two PS2's and two TVs... Or more.

Turn Based RPGs
FFX
FFX-2 (out March 2003 in Japan or so)
Suikoden III*
XenoSaga*
Wild Arms III*

Racing
GT3
Colin Mcrae 3.0
GTA: Vice City... Not a pure racer but its decent ^_^
Burnout II (Just for arcade thrills and a quick racer before work)

Platformer
Jak and Daxter
Crash.. Since you like the series ^_^
Ratchet and Clank

Fighters
Tekken 4
Virtua Fighter 4
Capcom Vs SNK 2
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Guilty Gear X

Survival Horror
Silent Hill 2

Hmm... Quite a short list for this one >_< I can't remember if The Thing is coming to the PS2 or not.

Another console worth thinking about is the Gamecube since it has exclusive rights to Resident Evil so far - Resident Evil: Remake, RE Zero and RE 4. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicals is also on its way along with Soul Calibur II (multiformat), Burnout II, Mario Sunshine, Eternal Darkness, Metroid Prime etc etc.

Just pop down to your mates if they have a PS2 or Gamecube to have a go and then decide on which platform to go for ^_^

 

For multiplay you really cannot go far wrong with the Gamecube.

Four player games :-

Beachspikers - Awesome multiplayer volleyball game, lots of bikinis and gameplay (not so good single player).

Super Monkey Ball - The four player on this is fantastic! So much fun, guaranteed to kill your thumbs.

Timesplitters 2 - Multi-platform shooter, as good as you will get on a console.

Super Smash Melee - Fighting game, not really played it much myself, supposed to be very good though.

These games are serious party games, for adventure for the future you cannot beat Eternal Darkness, Resi Evil, Metroid Prime (THE adventure game of the year), Super Mario Sunshine.

For party games and platform/adventure you cannot beat the GC, which is why I bought one. If you are looking for more stats based RPGs then PS2 is more your cup of tea for the time being, Nintendo seem to be a little slow on getting the hardcore RPGs out.

Mind you if you have PCs then the real beard RPGs should be accounted for, thats what I generally use mine for.

 

My turn?

Before I tout the X-Box alternative, I assume you're aware that a PS2 will play all your old PS1 games. To counter-balance that, the PS2 only has 2 gameports, so if it's multi-player you're after, you'll have to shell out for a multi-tap... and at least one memory card. Both X-Box and GameCube have 4 ports out of the box. (but only one has a hard drive )

Halo - As good as the single-player game is, this has a really fun multi-player.

Timesplitters 2 - Multi-platform shooter, as good as you will get on a console. (hehehe)

Dead or Alive 3 - Despite what fighting purists say, I still think it's the best fighting game on the market... certainly the best looking one.

I could go on, but most non-exclusives (ie, games that come out for multiple systems) look and play as good, if not better on the X-Box. There are a couple of exceptions, but the system is just more powerful than the PS2 and (to a lesser extent) the GameCube. The power of the Cube lies in its exclusive games.

Also, X-Box Live is starting up in the UK soon, and promises tons of broadband online gaming. (with no additional hardware to buy) Also, many of the existing games are "unofficially" online right now. (by fooling your machine into thinking the Internet is just a big LAN)

And if you've got a decent sound system, the X-Box has 5 channel sound built-in to many games. It really adds another dimension to first-person shooters.

Don't listen to Sinzer, he's a plant from Nintendo. It's true, I've seen him driving around in his little purple car.

 

here are your choices
NINTENDO

MARIO
ZELDA
RESIDENT EVIL
DIE HARD VENDETTA
STAR WARS
ETERNAL DARKNESS
COLIN MCRAE(COMIN SOON)
HITMAN 2 (NEXT YEAR)
SOUL CALIBUR
WRESTLE MANIA X8
MANY MORE.......

SONY
MGS2
SILENT HILL
GTA3:AND VICE CITY
COLIN MCRAE
HITMAN 2
DEVIL MAY CRY
JAK AND DEXTER
VIRTUA FIGHTER
TEKKEN
SMACK DOWN 4
MANY MORE........
XBOX

A MIXTURE OF PS2 AND GAMECUBE GAMES EXCEPT FOR A FEW THAT ARE OBVIOUS

HALO
WWE RAW
DOA3
HITMAN 2
SHENMUE 2
SILENT HILL2
SEGA RACING(FORGOT THE NAME BUT GRAND TURISMO WANNA BE)
HALO 2
JET SET RADIO
TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL

MANY MORE

I SUGGEST YOU GO FOR EITHER THE CUBE OR THE BOX EVEN THOUGH THE PS2 ID BY FAR THE LEADIND CONSOLE AT THE MO JUST KEEP IN MIND TS BEEN OUT LONGER SO THATS THE MAIN REASON FOR SOME GOOD EXCLUSIVE GAMES ASWELL AS IT HAS LARGER LIBRARY
GIVE THE CUBE AND BOX A CHANCE I HAVE PS2 AND CUBE WAITING TO GET XBOX SOON BUT I PREFER THE CUBE ANY DAY OVER THE PS2 JUST BAD TO SEE DEVEOPLERS GIVE PS2 BETTER GAMES THAT OTHER PLTFORMS DONT BLAME THEM AS IT HAS A LARGER USER BASE BUT STILL.........

 

Supurb, just the sort of info I was looking for.

I think that I will be striking the PS2 off the list as most of the games I like for it I have for the computer (excluding Gran Turismo and the Tekken type games).

Any games that come out for a console and the PC I will buy for the PC as it provides far superior control and emersion. Having said that I believe the console is much better for fighting / platform and (debatably) driving games.

The only problem with the Gamecube is the number of games available that I like. There are maybe a couple I would buy if I got one now. The X Box has 5->10 I would like to get if I bought it.

Silent Hill2, GT2002 and DOA3 seem like instant buys. On the GameCube it looks like Resident Evil. Other games I can get for both or the PC (Just bought the Thing today for the PC. Damn going into Game....) so it doesn't matter which I get for them.

Oh and yes I was away that this question has been asked many times before but for my it is very specific as to why I want the console and what it will be used to play as opposed to the 'which one is best' type question

Thanks for the replies
Si

 

It'sa me Sinzerio

Whoops busted

 

Sorry but I don't rate DoA3 at all. I don't care if its on the Xbox, in the arcades or on any other console - I just don't rate it. To me its just draws in the gamer due to its superb 3D graphics engine and the fact that its a pick up and play title. Where it fails though IMO is that it doesn't have the depth nor uniqueness of other 2D and 3D titles. Soul Calibur is probably the only true pick up and play title that also has masses of depth. Virtua Fighter 4 is almost a beginners no-no as it is very specialised, yet very rewarding. Tekken 4 is stuck in the middle.

Sure enough if you want to watch something bounce and just want a quick game then DoA3 is the one to get. If anyone calls it the best game ever then I'll dispute it ^_^

BTW, Azrikam has said that its the best fighting game that he has played and I don't have a problem with that. Its people that call it the best thing since sliced bread I have beef with ^_^

I personally still wouldn't discount the PS2 just yet though because if you do like RPGs then the share will go to the PS2 first, then the Gamecube then the Xbox IMO and I base this on the amount of well known Japanese developers working on projects now. The PS2 will also have a better choice of 2D and 3D fighting games but all consoles will get Soul Calibur II. Nuff said.

Also don't forget that Silent Hill 2 came out on the PS2 first and you are bound to find a 2nd hand title for £15 or so, rather than paying extra for the Xbox version that has a few extras.

I currently own SegaGT as well since it was part of my package and its a solid racer, without doubt (as I've said on the other threads) but is it a GT3 beater? Nope. IMO GT3 is top for console racing games and it is in a league of its own. Project Gotham Racing isn't a rival because its trying to do something different to the racing genre with its kudo's, much like how Burnout II is just a pure arcade title.

For the Gamecube side of things.. Don't forget Eternal Darkness and Metroid Prime but enough has been said about these games. At the end of the day its your choice but for the current costs of consoles now, it wouldn't hurt having the best of all worlds...

 

GTAVC nuff said get a PS2!

and dont give me that PC sh*t, it came out 6 months later after most of us had finished it and you need a nuclear power PC to play it and even then it crashed for 1000s of people.

 

LOL

Constructive arguments from Ironduke! Did you read the thread? It did mention that Rimblock was looking for specific game genres like Adventure and Multiplay, GTA:VC does not really fall into either category very well.

 

At the risk of veering this thread off-topic, I have to defend DOA3.

Visuals aside, I think it's a very solid fighter. It is one of those games you can just pick up and play, which adds to the multiplayer appeal, especially when you're showing off the X-Box to game newbies.

But, underneath, there's still a very good fighting engine. The counter-throws (my favorite feature of Tekken) are now a viable method of defense. There are easy to do combos, as well as some very complicated throw combos.

Unlike other fighting games I've played, I can actually play the big powerhouse guys (Bass in particularly) defensively by combining counters and throws. The simplistic in nature rock-paper-scissors fighting style keeps the game very competitive, even amongst expert players.

On the fun side, the tag team matches add some brilliant double-team moves to the mix. Slamming someone through an ice column, or hurling them into an electified fence may be just eye-candy, but it always gets a reaction from even the most jaded gamer.

I don't pretend to be a fighting game expert, but I still think DOA3 doesn't normally get the credit it deserves.

(note, I wrote this whole thing without writing "T&A". Ooops)

 

For my 2 pence worth on fighting games, I enjoyed both the Tekken games and Soul Edge on the PSOne. The only problem I have with Tekken (for this instant party use) is that with exposure and practice someone cam become very good (as they should) but playing against someone like this and having no experience of the game just is not too much fun (unless you are of the 'hit all the buttons and see what happens' mode of play). Soul Edge was a great 'just jump in and play' type game.

To this end, DOA3 seems like a good choice (Maybe Tekken or VF4 at a later time for single play).
Driving games.... I loved GT (many happy night shifts playing that one) but when I got GT2, time had just moved on so much that it looked quite bad compaired to the PS2 / PC etc. GT3 if folloing the lines from the other games is much more a 'get a car, race, upgrade' type game where as I am looking for more of a jump into one of a selection of great cards and race the mates. Yes I know you have an 'instant race option' but in the other games, the cars are limited. Driving around cities would be a bonus but none of that 'cant drive on the pavement' rubbish. I hate that...

Adventures... Silent hill2, that is the type of thing, Res Evil etc, I liked the FF games but am not interested in platform type games (yes I know I mentioned Crash but that is more a Wife game and on second thoughts we cant have her taking over the console now can we..).

The Gamecube looks nice but the type of games I would like for New Year just don't seem to be available, the PS2 again is good with lots of great games but is now running on older tech and I wonder how much further it can be pushed compaired to the other machines. The Xbox seems to be coming out on top from the list but it is the biggest, I already have a PC and the games seem to be mainly ports from other consoles rather than re-writes to take advantage of the hardware on offer (with notable exceptions)...

Choosing a console. Who would have thought it would be so tricky......

Oh I would have got all three but what with £4,000 on hifi this month I don't think the wife would be too happy

Cheers
Si

 

Soz for going off topic guys but my original response was a general one and not directly aimed at Azrikam or anyone. They are just my views since everyone looks for different qualities within a genre.

Just to add a bit of spice anyway I'll defend my decision about DoA3 -

I did state that I rated the game as a pick up and play title...

Basically echoing the points recently made by Azrikam and paiger. I have no issues with pick up and play titles... Hell I still enjoy the Game and Watch series ^_^ (probably shouldn't had admitted that...).

The issues of counters is a nice addition but it can lead to turtleing and IMO they are overpowered. You would only need to counter a few times and you've won the round. Even on the hardest setting its the same story once you know the fighting mechanics of the fighters.

As for Rock-paper-scissors gaming... I believe VF had it first then Tekken refined it into a deadly art in Tekken 2... Especially with the overly powerful Kazuya (thankfully he was toned down in Tekken 3). Rock-paper-scissors is a core part of Tekken for almost every character in Tekken ever since the second title was released and it is a challange to read the movements well. VF4 however takes it up to another level way beyond what Tekken and DoA3 could ever achieve and because it doesn't have any real "introduction" characters like Eddy in Tekken, you really do need to spend time with it.

As for simple and complex throws and combos thats been the staple of fighting games since Street Fighter and King of Fighters. Throws do have importance but are often easy to escape from so again from Tekken 2, VF and King of Fighters, Juggles are probably the or certainly one of the main forms of attack. If you know how to juggle well, then you are almost there in becoming a superb fighter. Juggling isn't a standard of course (in Tekken the longer the juggle the less energy is taken off forcing you do refine your juggles for the situation and damage. In SFA3 juggles are produced by a points scheme depending on the counter/alpha counter, move, special move and supers etc).

DoA3 also has juggles aplenty and is probably more important in this game than any other due to the ease of counters.

DoA3 is indeed a great title along with Soul Calibur to entice new gamers into the fighting genre but for me the competition against my mates is more fierce.

I have a few mates that are more skilled than I am on SFA3, Capcom Vs SNK2, VF4 and Tekken 4 so for me its a challange often lacking in present games. Its not so much how hard it is to play against them, but its the way you react to such pressure that keeps me in the game. I have no joy beating someone who I know has less ability in a genre. That is only reserved when defeating a better balanced and skilled person in battle.

Practise, practise, practise. At the end of the day I would like to improve as a gamer rather than to rest on my current skill levels and the playing field for such skills could not be any larger or higher than online. Thats not to say that I rate myself in everything! But I do like a challange and often enough I fail due to lack of practise (you have to love work.. But then it pays for the games ^_^). If I do lose I'll just keep on chipping away because the last thing I would want to do is to quit.

Admittedly not everyone can play against equally skilled or better opponents all the time and one would be lucky to have a mate that is. I guess thats why I'm looking forward to the online challange since there won't be a shortage of opponents if I win or lose. Also I hope Tekki has LAN play... That'll be an experience ^_^

Everyone looks for different qualities in different genres and we're no different. I just simply don't rate the game higher than others but I know of its strengths just like Soul Calibur.

As for the "T&A" thing, I guess I should have reserved that for DoA Xtreme volleyball ^_^

BTW RimBlock, the PS2 is hardly going to go away tomorrow. It'll be around until 2004/5 as I've said but if graphics does mean everything then wait for the GeForceFX (Feb 2003) card for your PC. The technology may be dated but it has videogames to play on, much like the old Gameboy or even GBA. At the end of the day all of the three consoles have a long lifespan until 2004/5 and the decision should ideally be based on videogames alone.

Of course everyone has their own criteria so to avoid from copying and pasting from other threads, I'll leave the choice you you mate.

BTW I've also spent loads on my AV system... It doesn't half hurt the wallet >_<

 

But from the games you have listed as enjoying before PS2 is probably a good bet, but also the (IMO) Worst out of the three.

Just to add Vice City aint all that and definatley not a reason to get a PS2 its ok, thought overall Grand theft auto 3 was a better game, dont get me wrong its quite good but nothing at all special