Orange Box PS3 port might not be that bad, but reports still say worse than 360 version
To say that EA’s port of Valve’s Orange Box on PS3 suffered a bit from 1Up’s damning preview is a serious understatement. The verbal tirade branded the experience as “downright unplayable” and cited framerate as “a consistent issue” turning Gordon’s antics into a “slideshow”. Given EA’s dreadful reputation for the quality of its multiplatform PS3 ports, it wasn’t exactly surprising that disappointed PS3 gamers were out in force lambasting the publisher and cancelling orders for Valve’s box of goodies.
Now, either EA has really taken 1Up’s complaints to heart or the site was lumbered some very early preview code to toy with because fresh impressions are filtering through the interwebs painting a very different picture of the Orange Box’s performance. Kotaku, IGN and GameSpy are three big names that have come out in support of the mega-bundle, stating that in final code, frame rate issues were noticeable but negligible and certainly not bad enough to make much of an impact on the gameplay.
If this proves to be the case in the final retail copy, and there’s little reason to suspect it won’t, then EA should get something short of a clap on the back, but a least a nod of acknowledgement that it has finally pulled its finger out and overcome its PS3 demons. However, one sentiment still remains – that the Xbox 360 version is superior – and that isn’t going to please PS3’s hardcore.
Even so, it’s not that much of a cause for alarm. Honestly, what were we expecting? We’re now well aware that the best way for developers to grow accustomed to the PS3’s unique architecture, is to use it as a lead platform. For obvious reasons, this hasn’t been possible with the Orange box and EA, the game and PS3 owners are suffering as a result.
Related posts
Double blow for The Orange Box PS3
The Orange Box video review
Came straight to this page? Visit www.pspsps.tv for all the latest news.
Comments
"However, one sentiment still remains – that the Xbox 360 version is superior – and that isn’t going to please PS3’s hardcore. "
I think you need to reread. Both the 360 and PS3 versions run at 30FPS. Both versions have framerate dips in HL2-Ep2, the PS3 version has slightly better graphics and lighting effects.
Added to the fact the 360 has been out and additional year, and consequently, developers are more familar with it. Things are quite rosey in PS3Land..
It's blantently obvious to all, where Shiny Media's loyalties lie (wether it's paid by Microsoft or not, is anyones guess)..
Posted by: Mak | November 29, 2007 4:01 PM
Mak: You're absolutely right- things are great in PS3land... all the more reason to not to be satisfied with low quality ports. CoD4 proved it could be done properly, even Assassin's Creed - I believe - was pretty much equal quality on both consoles.
In fairness to EA's efforts though, it looks like they've done any amazing 11th hour job of producing an acceptable version. The point I'm driving at is that there are more passionate elements of the gaming community who won't be satisfied until it has been picked over with a fine toothcomb to highlight all the differences between the versions.
Maybe we expect too much from a game that was originally designed for the PC anyway.
And I believe we try to give grief, where grief is due, to both consoles.
Posted by: Al W | November 29, 2007 4:34 PM
Post a comment
Required fields marked by *