VampireG’s Blog

So as I mentioned before I managed to end up with two versions of Assassins Creed, one for the 360 and one for the PS3.

I thought this would be a great opportunity to compare the games side by side and share my thoughts.

Price

Well both versions cost me £39.99 from Gameplay so I this is a pretty easy one to be honest.

Tie: XBox 360 and PS3

Gameplay

In essence the games played exactly the same from what I have seen which is basically playing both games up to the first Assassination. The games played the same I could no see difference in content and gameplay at all.

Tie: Xbox 360 and PS3

Controls

Ok I think controls are something of a personal preference. The Xbox controller will suite some people and the PS3 controller will suite others. There is no Sixaxis support in Assassins Creed so be honest for me anyways out of the box I prefer the XBox 360 controller which also supports rumble. However to be fair this is really a tie.

Tie: Xbox 360 and PS3

Graphics

This is the big one then really, this is the one that most people really care about. I am not going to waffle on about how great the game looks etc, as to be honest the game does look amazing on both consoles, instead I will just get straight the point on what is actually not good about the graphics and why.

The PS3 loses out again to the 360, which I was really disappointed with to be honest. For a game that started life on the PS3, for a console with more beef than a Burger King Burger the graphics on the PS3 should be better than the 360, but they are not! Why? I noticed that on the PS3 there was a lot of frame-rate drop when the screen got busy, and lets face it most of the time you are in a busy city so the frame-rate dropped a lot. I also noticed that the textures on the PS3 did not seem as crisp as the 360 although this was only noticed under real scrutiny and would detract from playing the game. However the PS3 did suffer from a lot more pop-up than the 360. Both consoles suffer from a bit of Pop-up however the PS3 more so. I really noticed things such as textures popping-in, shadows appearing from nowhere.

Both games are great to look at, just the PS3 version lacks some polish on textures, suffers from more pop-up and poor frame-rate drop.

Winner: Xbox 360

Sound

Both games use 5.1 surround sound and to be honest they both sounded exactly the same through my Sony Surround System.

Tie: Xbox 360 and PS3

Overall

Well overall the games are pretty much the same on whatever console you choose to buy it on. The Xbox 360 really only has it’s nose slightly ahead here but alas wins this comparison for me. What with the overall better graphic performance and with the achievement system to me it would be my choice.

Overall Winner: Xbox 360

Ok a bit of a cock up took place when I ordered my Assassins Creed. I originally ordered the Xbox 360 version, and then on hearing a rumor that the PS3 version was going to be better I cancelled the Xbox 360 version and ordered the PS3 version. Well I was a little slow in my order cancellation and low and behold yesterday Assassin Creed for the XBox 360 arrived on my lap.

The interesting point is today Assassins Creed for the PS3 has also landed on my lap, so I think what I will do over the weekend is play them both and give you a honest review of both versions.

However here are my initial thoughts on the Xbox 360 version of the game:

What I like so far:

• Graphics are absolutely gorgeous
• Control system is very fluid and easy to use
• The city crowds actually seem alive
• The sheer size and scale the game portrays is amazing
• I actually like the “twist” as people are calling it

What I don’t like so far:

• The fighting mechanics are a little clunky
• The “Blend in” mode makes the game too easy as you may as well be invisible

Ok so the list of don’t likes currently is not too long, but I have only really played the game for about 3 hours. The really stand out thing for me is the graphics engine, it is amazing the level of detail you get with the distance the game draws. As for the objects that are right up close to you the textures are very detailed indeed.

The character moves very fluidly and I think is a triumph as it could easily have been complicated and impossible to get your assassin to leap from roof to roof.

So far I have arrived in Damascus and I am collecting information for my first contract so to speak. Currently this is new and pretty fun, although I can imagine having to do this over and over again is going to get a little boring but we will have to see.

Overall at present I am impressed with the game. I know you may feel these thoughts are a little thin, but I don’t want to give too much of the game away as it is so new. Lets just say I will share some more thoughts soon and also share my thoughts on how the XBox 360 and PS3 versions sit side by side.

Yup that’s right finally at the end of this week we can get our hands on Assassins Creed. A game I was not too excited about but the excitement has grown after seeing the game-play footage available on the net.

The graphics look great on both PS3 and Xbox360, there has been some rumours that the PS3 version is going to be better than the 360 version? I guess we will wait and see, I have opted to purchase my copy on the PS3.

If you have any comments on whether the graphics are better on the PS3 post them here as I would be interested to hear your opinions to why etc.

Well they say if you complain enough then things will change. Well obviously a lot of European gamers where very unhappy with the US only release of the demo for Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

Well someone listened somewhere…. you still need to log onto the US store, but the 1.2GB file I downloaded the other night I downloaded again after a tip off from a mate, and low and behold it now works on a PAL machine!!! Hooray for complaining hey!

So if you have a US account, and lets face it any respective Euro gamer will have, then get yourself the Uncharted Demo as to be honest folks I think we may have a PS3 game that actually is really quite good!

I got home from work last night in a pretty good mood and remembered seeing that a demo for Uncharted: Drakes Fortune was going to be available on the PlayStation Network for download. I fired up my PS3 and downloaded the 2.0 firmware patch which is 2.o, everything is looking good and my mood is still positive.

I go into the PS3 Store and could not find the Uncharted Demo anywhere, not to worry I thought I will log out and log back in with my US Account, as I have downloaded many a thing from the US PlayStation Store all with success.

PS3 Network at this point is running very slowly…..

Ok finally got into the US Store and finally managed to get the demo downloaded to my PS3. After I install the downloaded demo, I go to run it…. “Please insert the game disk” is the message I get and nothing else.

What does this mean, well here is the real rant…

It means that European PS3 owners are shafted as we don’t get a great new demo to play, I mean lets face it when a demo is released we get excited and there is nothing else for the PS3 worthy of looking at.

It also means that the PS3 Network is a bag of shite and can’t handle the release of a fricking demo! Because the PS3 network was down for a number of hours, and when it was up it took over 10 mins to load a page.

Uncharted is coming out in Europe also so why don’t we get this demo?

Actually if you compare the US and European PlayStation Stores their is probably 5 times more content and games on the US site. 

How do Sony think they are ever going to compare with Xbox Live? All you PS3 fan-boys will be shouting right now ”Well the PS3 network is free, blah blah blah”, I would rather pay my money to be honest for an online network that does not grind to a halt when a fricking demo comes out, and before again all you PS3 fan-boys say well loads of people are downloading it!!

Do you not think that the Xbox 360 with double the install base of the PS3 has demos that everyone will want to download? So more 360 owners online that PS3 owners, Xbox Live can handle the load, where as the first good demo to download on the PS3 network brings it down.

For a company the size of Sony it is shoddy and amateurish.

Lets not forget also that I am pissed that I can’t play this demo. I want to point out that I have not purchased a game for my PS3 since Launch in the UK????? Says a lot for the quality of games out for the PS3, I have a choice you see and I buy my games for the 360 as 10 times out of 10 they are better of the 360 anyways.

So back to Uncharted, well for the first time since the Launch I have seen something I am very interested in, a game on the PS3 that looks like it was meant to be on the PS3.

Also what is it with downloading a PS3 demo, and then having to fricking install it??? Xbox 360, download demo, play it! Sony you need to learn and it pains me to say learn from Microsoft on how to do online properly.

Now the demo did not work, and I am left with a “Why do a bother” feeling.

COD4 (Xbox 360), Assassins Creed (Xbox 360) and Mass Effect (Xbox 360) these are the games for me now this month. Sod the PS3, and screw Sony for once again shafting us European PS3 owners.

A bit of a rant sorry, but it really pissed me off that something this big (the PS3) has such a lame online network and lame support for the people who stupidly bought one!

NOTE:

Sony have annouced that a European version of the demo will be available on November 22nd 2007. SO only 2 weeks away!! Tut. Shocking.

Ok so there has been rumours that there is a 40% failure rate on the new 40GB PS3. So it looks after-all that Sony are no better than Microsoft with faulty consoles! Sony did respond to this and their press release is below:

“We are very proud of the quality and reliability of PLAYSTATION 3 and are disappointed that such extremely sloppy journalism has resulted in this totally inaccurate story,” said David Reeves, President, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “Since launching the 40GB PS3, we have experienced a fantastic jump in sales and the failure rates have remained at the very low level that we not only strive for, but have been achieving since the launch of PS3.”

Hmm what does the PS3 do when it fails? If you have screens or you are in the know let me know, I wonder if it has it’s own version of the “Red Rings of Death”.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced today the availability of the latest version of the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) system software. Version 2.00 features the ability to turn a PS3 system on and off remotely, using a PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system via the Remote Play1 function, allowing for a truly mobile partnership between the two systems.

Building on the success and potential of the Remote Play functionality, Version 2.00 will cement the partnership between PS3 and PSP and create a truly global experience. With the ability to turn your PS3 on and off from Wi-fi connection, there is now the opportunity to listen to the music, look at the photos and watch the videos saved on the PS3 Hard Disk Drive, anywhere in the world.

To further enhance the PS3 offering, Version 2.00 allows for the creation of personalised playlists in both the music and photo sections. This simple to use function gives users an opportunity to create unlimited music playlists for all occasions, as well as sharing favourite photos in glorious high definition.

Continuing with the idea of a personalised PS3, Version 2.00 allows for customisation of the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) menu screen. Change the colour and brightness with the greatest of ease or have something completely different by setting a custom theme. With the potential for new backgrounds to become available on PLAYSTATION®Network in the future, Version 2.00 truly opens up a whole raft of options.

A host of other enhancements includes the addition of an Information Board on XMB to keep people up to date on the latest PlayStation® news, the inclusion of a new PLAYSTATION Network category and logo for easier navigation and Trend Micro Web Security, a free2, state of the art internet security system, designed to give parents peace of mind.

Metal Gear Solid 4 has been delayed. Yes that is right another game which to be honest most people who own a PS3 are looking forward to has now been delayed to possibly Q2 of 2008.

Disappointing for us and disappointing for Sony who are struggling at the moment to try and persuade people to buy a PS3, this is not the first title to be delayed until next year.

I hope Sony have a bumper 2008 or we could actually see a real turn in market dominance.

OK well here is my take on the big debate on whether the 360 is better than the PS3 or vice versa!?!

Before I go into the nitty gritty I want to point out a couple of things first:

• I have a PlayStation 3
• I have an Xbox 360
• I am not a PlayStation Fan-boy
• I am not an Xbox 360 Fan-boy

Why did I mention the above? Well I really wanted to make the point that I am going to give this a fair go and try and understand the differences, the strengths and the weaknesses of both consoles before I make an opinion. It was also worth stating that I own both of the consoles as people who normally slate the 360 don’t actually have one and the people that slate the PS3 also don’t actually have one.

It is also worth saying I am not a fan-boy of either and I am coming at this from pretty neutral ground.

So where to begin!…

The looks

XBox 360 -Ok so this is a pretty ugly looking beast I would have to admit, yes the Elite is black and to be honest black is better but I don’t have a black one, I have the Premium Console which was purchased on day 1. I think standing vertically improves the looks by a small degree but overall I would have to conclude that it really does not make me feel I own a piece of amazing technology. The Green circle of lights is a nice touch although the 3 red ones are not (more on that later) however it looks like a nice shiny green ring of lights sitting on the front of a very big ugly lorry. Have you all seen those boy-racer blue lights that the lorry drivers have on their dash, well it reminds me of those really.

PS3 - So the PS3 is going to win round one hands down really, it is black and it is sleek. It looks like something that just broke the atmosphere and landed on my TV stand, I can almost imagine the back opening up and lots of tiny little spaceships to come flying out and shoot the shit out of the Xbox 360. It looks as if it was designed to be a sexy gadget that you would not mind taking front of stage in your living room. I love the cobalt blue light something I liked on the PS2, I like the front loading CD and I love the shiny black finish. (The wife incidentally hates the shiny black finish as she has to keep dusting it).

So round one would be a PS3 victory and probably by a long way. Yes the Xbox 360 hides the presence of dust and the PS3 is a dust magnet, it is just the PS3 is overall a damn nice looking gadget. You would not mind taking the PS3 out to dinner and showing it off to your mates, with the Xbox 360 however… well it has face made for radio! However in the next blog we will find out whether looks actually matter a hoot, when I will take on the first of what I know will be the crunch test “GRAPHICS!”