PS3 or XBOX 360

[sinsfire]

Ok to begin, I am not starting this thread to be a flame war, and I checked there hasn't been a thread like this recently.

This is for my own question since I do not yet own one of these two systems and I am trying to decide on which to get.

I generally play RPG's but I have enjoyed the past PS2 series for the action adventure stuff like ratchet and clank, god of war, and jak. I don't much care for FPS games although the occasional one can be fun. I am a big fan of final fantasy but i hear that 13 won't be held to ps3 only so that point is now moot.

So with all the titles that are being released on both systems which is the better option for a casual gamer?

sin

[joshuapohl]

Personally, I would have to say the Xbox 360. It just seems to be getting a lot more better exclusives that are not prevalent on the PS3.
But, the PS3 is doing a better job this year and will probably improve it's exclusives lineup even more for next year.
At the moment, I think the 360 is the best option.

[Shmi]

I kind of like them both, and in fact I own both.

I think it depends what you view as casual. If paying a monthly dollar amount is too regular and expensive for a casual gamer, I'd go the PS3 route, since the online play is always free. The 360, on the other hand, charges you for Live play, but it has a wider selection of games.

Honestly, I wish I got more use out of my PS3. I keep waiting for good games to come out, and it looks like 2008 might be the year it happens, with Gran Turismo, Grand Theft Auto 4, and some other good titles coming out. Still, I find myself playing my 360 a bit more often, just because it has a wider variety of games.

[joshuapohl]

GTA4 is coming out for the 360 as well with exclusive content. :p

Don't underestimate the PS3 though. It could make a big comeback this year and next.

[Shmi]

GTA4 is coming out for the 360 as well with exclusive content. :p

You're right. I don't know what made me think it was exclusive.

Ok, big exclusive: God of War 3 next year. The only reason I bought a PS3 is for God of War. Also the only reason I own a PSP.

[BAMikeyD]

I also own both, but I've had the 360 longer, which is why my 360's Library of games is way bigger right now.  Lately I find my self buying for the console that has a game on the shelf when the other is sold out (to date it's been: Dynasty Warriors, and Rainbow 6 Vegas2 for PS3).  The odd thing about the PS3 is that lately some of their games haven't just been the typical console put in and play style.  You actually have to install data onto the PS3 from the Blu-Ray Disk (so it doesn't have to pull from the disk as often?) and this supposedly reduces load times.  The 2 games I own that have done this to me are Devil May Cry 4, and Rainbow Six Vegas 2, and if it HELPED with the load times I'd hate to see it with out...
So far, I enjoy the clarity of the Blu-Ray player, but as far as most of my gaming goes, I'm still kinda set on my 360.  Who knows what the year will bring, and maybe the free online play will be the kicker for most gamers.  X-Box has come under some pretty heavy fire lately for being the only console to still charge for online gaming... maybe their will be a change in the future for X-Box Live accounts?

[joshuapohl]

Maybe... Microsoft can be extremely deaf to it's consumers sometimes...

Personally, I don't like the installation thing on the PS3. I would not like it on any console because it seems to forget the purpose of just popping in a disk and being able to play. I've heard that installation times can be as long as 30 minutes! That would kill me after I bought a new game.

[BAMikeyD]

The longest "install" was DMC4.  R6V2 took about 20 but that was because I also had to update my firmware to use it too.  That's the other thing.  PS3's Firmware updates like all the time.

[WiseHacker]

I personally recommend the 360.  It's a solid platform, has some good games (if you can find them amoung the ten million billion ports of PC games nobody cares about).  The only thing you have to worry about is keeping it well ventilated. If you don't you get the RRoD more easily.

Hironobu Sakaguchi, the father of Final Fantasy, has made two good games on it: Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey.

[BAMikeyD]

Hironobu Sakaguchi, the father of Final Fantasy, has made two good games on it: Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey.

Both of which... no so great.  Lost Odyssey was ok, but I hated Blue Dragon.

[sinsfire]

thanks guys this is really helping a lot actually, and most of these factors are things i have thought about too. its really good to get some input from people. i had not heard about the load times, that would be a factor, also the free vs. pay online play is something else. i do enjoy some online gaming but find that i have less time for mmo's these days.

please keep the opinions coming i really appreciate it.

sin

[Shmi]

That's the other thing.  PS3's Firmware updates like all the time.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Because it updates, it will allow you to play Blu-ray movies to their full extent with BD v2.0, in addition to adding new features every now and then. The last one for example, allows playback of divx-encoded video and some other stuff too.

Another thing to think about is Blu-ray. Since it has won out and all PS3s play them  by default, you're not only getting a game system, but a blu-ray player too. So if you intend on buying HD movies anytime soon, that may well play a factor.

[joshuapohl]

Definitely. It is one of the cheapest or the cheapest ways to get a Blue-ray player. Man, I want a Blue-ray player right now!

[rbrtchng]

GTA4 is coming out for the 360 as well with exclusive content. :p

Don't underestimate the PS3 though. It could make a big comeback this year and next.

PS3 also has exclusive content as confirmed by PSW magazine.

Final Fantasy 13 WILL be PS3 exclusive.
PS3 will have more RPGs than 360. I think PS3 will have more adventure games too, but most of the time, they're multiplatform. PS3's PSN is a joke right now, but hopefully with Home out, it will be better. PSN games are much better than Live games. 360 has better games right now, but mostly shooters.

[joshuapohl]

GTA4 is coming out for the 360 as well with exclusive content. :p

Don't underestimate the PS3 though. It could make a big comeback this year and next.

PS3 also has exclusive content as confirmed by PSW magazine.

Final Fantasy 13 WILL be PS3 exclusive.
PS3 will have more RPGs than 360. I think PS3 will have more adventure games too, but most of the time, they're multiplatform. PS3's PSN is a joke right now, but hopefully with Home out, it will be better. PSN games are much better than Live games. 360 has better games right now, but mostly shooters.

Sorry, I was referring to the downloadable content that will be coming to the 360 at the end of this year for GTA4.

Whoa. How can you say that PSN games are better than Live games? Last time I check the 360 arcade has way more titles and how can you say that the PSN games are better if you haven't played all the arcade games?