My brother is weighing between building a gaming PC (well, having me build one for him) or just picking up a PS4 or XB1 off the shelf.
My argument is that I can match the performance with the same budget of a console, and greatly exceed it by throwing some more cash at it, and unless he's got some exclusive games in mind that won't come to PC, there's no point getting a console. In the case of multi-platform ports, the PC version generally can look the best and have the most flexibility with controls and mods and such. That is, if the devs don't completely fuss it up like Arkham Knight. Even with exclusives, if you're patient they can come out later, like the recently released Final Fantasy IX PC port, and that one has higher resolution than the original. There's also emulation, but even emulators for last generation are still a long way away.
But I'm also biased because I really like speccing out and assembling computers.
So the question is, are there any games available for both PC and console where the console version is undoubtedly superior?
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[–] SkepticalMartian 2 points 6 points 8 points (+8|-2) ago (edited ago)
Usually they're only better on the console if the port was shitty. If he's looking for a budget solution for performance gaming I'd suggest looking for an older i7 Intel 920 motherboard and CPU on ebay. You can usually find them for $100 - $200 and they perform as good or in some cases better than a more modern i5.
All that said, there are a few games I prefer to just play on a console.
[–] ChillyHellion 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago (edited ago)
I don't think this is going to win any console vs PC arguments, but the first thing that jumps to mind is Diablo 3. The console version launched without the real money auction house, and a lot of the improvements that later went into the PC version were thought up in the console version. Diablo 3 also has great support for both controller and split-screen multiplayer, with support for simultaneous online/local multiplayer.
Honestly I don't think exclusives or superior games are going to win the argument either way. PC wins out on hardware and any exclusives will be at the caprice of each developer and how thoroughly they support their platform. The biggest reasons to choose console over PC is if you have specific requirements like physical media support, your friends are all on one platform, or you really just want something that has absolute minimal hardware setup/customization.
There are games that are inherently better with a controller (fighting games, for example) but even that just depends on developer support on PC.
[–] Northvvait [S] 1 point 1 point 2 points (+2|-1) ago
I think you hit on the right track, it's all networked so it depends on where his friends are. If no one is anywhere, then he can take his pick but PC is definitely the muscle in the crowd.
[–] ChillyHellion ago
That's the perfect way to put it :)
[–] sheepsexplode 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Minecraft is all that I can think of. All the recipes to build stuff is setup in nice menus.
On PC you have to place the mats in the correct position in a 3x3 square.
[–] thrus 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
yes but on PC the number of mods available and different pre made packs makes for so much replay value.
[–] sheepsexplode 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
This is true. Mods add a lot of value.
[–] [deleted] 1 point 2 points 3 points (+3|-1) ago
[–] Northvvait [S] 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
With unlimited funds the answer would be easy: get all of them! There still seem to be exclusives but it feels like the numbers are shrinking with Nintendo being the old holdout.
[–] Bloodloon73 ago
Console exclusives like Halo 5 and such.
[–] thrus ago
Here is my main take. Does he have company for split screen gaming if so console for sure.
As to specific games Elder Scrolls and Fallout series they are good games on console but with mods on PC they go to that next level and become amazing and unique for many many replays.
[–] zemaR34 ago
Either it's a shitty port (I'm looking at you Dark Souls and Split Second), or they are the same. In the argument of keyboard+mouse vs controller, just throw a 360 controller into the problem, and done. Source: I used to be a console fanboy who used the controller argument
Though to be fair, the ease of use of the consoles is pretty enticing for someone with no patience to fiddle around with buggy games. Just don't expect it to look better
[–] Majatek 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
Any FPS, any sim-based game and any RTS/MMO - all purely based upon the fact that consoles don't natively support keyboards and mice.
Also, if you buy an Xbox One or PS4 now, he'll waste his money because more intensive games will be made for the upcoming second generation of those consoles (like how the PS3 had multiple variants) which will run worse and look worse on the older variant of the console. It's much cheaper to buy a bunch of PC parts and upgrade the GPU every 5 to 10 or so years.
I like consoles, but stick to Nintendo if you don't want to be bitten in the rear thanks to the lust for money that Sony and Microsoft has.
[–] thrus 1 point -1 points 0 points (+0|-1) ago
I use the console as a metric for RTS games, if it exists on the console I won't touch it.