Face-Off: Portal 2

By Richard Leadbetter Published 23 April, 2011

Through the looking glass.

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Xbox 360 PlayStation 3
Disc Size 4.7GB 5.7GB
Install 4.7GB (optional) -
Surround Support Dolby Digital Dolby Digital, 5.1LPCM, 7.1LPCM

A wave of incredulity and knowing laughter rippled across the audience of last year's Sony E3 press conference as Valve's Gabe Newell appeared on-stage to announce that Portal 2 was coming to PlayStation 3.

"I've been pretty outspoken in my comments about next-gen consoles," Newell chuckled with a faux sheepishness, "so I'd like to thank Sony for their gracious hospitality and not repeatedly punching me in the face."

The Valve man's expressed opinions on Sony's hardware are a matter of record, with Newell previously describing the system variously as "a total disaster" and "a waste of everybody's time".

In fairness though, it's worth pointing out that the Valve bossman initially wasn't so keen on the Xbox 360 either, lamenting the "train wreck" of Xbox Live and describing the lack of hard drive as something that makes his life "a lot worse" - factors that didn't hold back his company from developing The Orange Box and the Left 4 Dead games, creating multi-million sellers in the process.

During his presentation, Newell went on to make a number of pledges to PS3 owners. Steam would be fully integrated into the PlayStation 3 version, and it wouldn't be appearing within the more enclosed environment of the Xbox 360 ecosystem. Not only that, but he went on to state that PS3 Portal 2 would be the "best console version on any console" - the kind of claim we often hear that is rarely backed up by the quality of the final product.

Well, there's little doubt that in the case of Portal 2, Valve has lived up to its promises. The Xbox 360 version of Portal 2 is a simply sensational game, definitely worthy of the 10/10 Eurogamer review score but the PS3 version offers refinements and value-added extras that make it an even more irresistible buy.

These bonuses stack up not just in terms of features and functionality, but also with regards the visuals too, as our head-to-head movie and this triple-format comparison gallery hopefully demonstrate.

Portal 2: Xbox 360 vs. PS3. Use the full-screen button for full resolution or hit the link for a larger window. The game is seen here running at 50 per cent speed.

Valve's Source tech doesn't have the look or feel of a state-of-the-art engine, and Portal 2's visuals are defined more by artistic style than by the technology that runs them. Both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game run at native 720p, with the implementation of anti-aliasing being just about the only major point of differentiation between the two SKUs. And it is pretty major.

Presumably for the purposes of higher performance, the developer hasn't utilised hardware-based AA on either game. Valve appears to have employed morphological anti-aliasing (MLAA) on the PS3, while the Xbox 360 version runs with an edge detect and blur filter which looks very similar indeed to the effect used in the Left 4 Dead games.

Quite how the blur filter works isn't exactly clear but in our shots we see anything from a 1x1 pixel blur to 2x1 through to 3x2 at worst. The angle of the edge also appears to have an impact in determining the extent of the blur; a near vertical edge will be blurred more horizontally while a more horizontal edge will blur more vertically.

Regardless of how it operates, the overall impression is pretty rough, to the point where we'd prefer 0xAA with no blur at all, as in many cases the effect of the "jaggies" actually seems to be amplified by the effect. While the PS3's MLAA isn't a completely artifact-free experience, there's no doubt whatsoever that the style of the artwork works well with the post-process, producing a game that looks significantly more refined than the Xbox 360 version, especially in motion. As you'll see in the comparison gallery or the PC head-to-head later on in the feature, the PS3 release compares favourably with the computer version running with its most computationally expensive anti-aliasing in play.

Most of the other differences we see in our video appear to be down to dynamically flickering light sources, or small, inconsequential bugs. Elements such as general lighting, shadowing, texture quality and filtering appear to be mostly identical between the two console versions, so the overall impression is that the games are very, very close indeed - just with a lack of visual refinement on 360, which varies from scene to scene. That said, a high-quality motion blur seems to be running on certain scenes on both PS3 and PC, and this appears to have been omitted on the Xbox 360 version.

motionblur-360
motionblur-ps3

Anti-aliasing aside, the graphical feature set is very, very close between both console versions, though curiously, there are times where motion blur is enabled on PS3 (and PC) but not the Xbox 360.

Portal 2 isn't the first Source game to appear on PlayStation 3 of course. In fact, from a certain point of view, it's actually the sixth, factoring in the five games that make up The Orange Box. The difference is that this is the first time we've seen Valve itself get to grips with Sony's hardware directly, with the back catalogue collection having been ported across by a UK team internal to Electronic Arts.

Issues with that particular conversion are infamous and legion, ranging from poor frame-rates to (ironically) a very poor-looking blur filter smearing image detail, dubbed at the time as "the Vaseline effect". The question is just how much of an improvement do we see with the Source engine on PS3 with the benefit of the developer itself at the helm?

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Comments (165) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • thes #1 1 year ago

    There seems to be nothing Valve cannot do... I pre-ordered the 360 version (based on experience with the Orange Box), but now kind of wished I hadn't. Still an awesome game on any platform.

  • DDevil #2 1 year ago

    Now if only the bank holiday hadn't delayed the delivery of my copy from Amazon :-(

  • Ryboy #3 1 year ago

    Why you would want to play this on a console is beyond me. Fucking fail.

    Edit: Most amazing negs ever. Push left trigger to whine more.
    Edited by Ryboy at 24/04/11 @ 19:19

  • ChuckNorris #4 1 year ago

    Richard sounds depressed.

  • CaptainQuint #5 1 year ago

    "There seems to be nothing Valve cannot do"

    How about their inability to optimise an ageing engine on a machine which is capable of running more advanced, properly optimised tech as seen in other games?

    Valve have a proven record of being substandard when it comes to console optimisation and it appears they're not in any hurry to break the tradition yet. So yeah; I'll stick with the pc version, in this instance. Great, great game btw.

    Valve aren't the gods the fanboys love to make them out to be - they can always do better. No amount of arse licking will convince me of otherwise.

    Let the negging commence...
    Edited by CaptainQuint at 23/04/11 @ 09:48

  • Machiavellian #6 1 year ago

    Richard sounds depressed.

    Yeah, it should be funny how most of you will try to turn this as some Richard fanboy article in favor of the 360. Nothing gives me more of a chuckle then people searching for something to cry about.

  • randompanda #7 1 year ago

    With source running so nicely on consoles I think we deserve a port of the outstanding Alien Swarm!

  • jag10 #8 1 year ago

    teh xbox is the bestest.

  • CaptainQuint #9 1 year ago

    "Nothing gives me more of a chuckle then people searching for something to cry about"

    Really? You find it more funny than Monty Python? Or Airplane? A freakin' hilarious standup comic?

    Damn, that must be tough.

  • coolbritannia #10 1 year ago

    I think it's pretty obvious Gabe deliberately borked the 360 version, he's a Sony payroll man these days after all.

  • Haunted_Tree #11 1 year ago

    Bought the PS3 version just for the free PC copy ... I'm not sure that makes much sense thinking about it.

  • Jimster71 #12 1 year ago

    All we need now is a working Playstation Network so I can link to Steam...

  • subedii #13 1 year ago

    I think it's pretty obvious Gabe deliberately borked the 360 version, he's a Sony payroll man these days after all.

    Funny, before E3 2010 angry internet fanboys had clearly proven he was on the MS payroll.

    I guess it's inconceivable that Valve, much like most other companies, simply try to make the best ports that they can regardless of platform? I mean people can whine about how "Sony bribed Valve!!" But the reality is, they didn't need to. They already gave Valve everything they wanted: Steamworks on the PS3.

    Because let's be honest here, NOBODY saw that one coming. Except maybe MS, but for obvious reasons, MS refused to allow for Steamworks on the 360.

    If there's a bias towards any platform, it's towards the PC. But that's always been the case with Valve, also for some fairly obvious reasons that are usually pretty unique to Valve as well. The interesting thing is that Sony actually allowed some of those key reasons to be extended to the PS3 on this occasion.
    Edited by subedii at 23/04/11 @ 10:03

  • Snaggletooth #14 1 year ago

    bought PS3 version for home, and loaded the steam version to my laptop....I can carry my game on while bored in hotels woooo.......... that really is a proper bonus! I love Valve for that.

  • Peew971 #15 1 year ago

    I do have a PS3 and a Steam account but this is a co-op game and my friends play it on 360... Does this count for nothing nowadays? Of course I'm getting it on 360, there's no questioning that.

  • ChuckNorris #16 1 year ago

    @Machiavellian

    I'm no fanboy. Simply got the feeling that he didn't enjoy writing this article. And after reading it again, I'm pretty sure he didn't.

  • mashk #17 1 year ago

    I think you've got the 360 and ps3 versions mixed up.

  • subedii #18 1 year ago

    I do have a PS3 and a Steam account but this is a co-op game and my friends play it on 360... Does this count for nothing nowadays? Of course I'm getting it on 360, there's no questioning that.

    Who said where your friends are doesn't count for anything? But likewise, not everyone is you and have their friends only based on the 360. If that's the only place where you can play with friends, go with the option that works for you. Other people will do the same, but this doesn't somehow equal the 360 by default.

    But in general the cross-platform nature of the game is definitely something worth noting as a positive for the platforms involved. It drastically expands the playerbase and cuts down some ridiculous borders in a good way. Something that quite a few more games could stand to do, even if they only did it for co-op.

  • theonlyix #19 1 year ago

    Wow, i wonder how much cash sony had to trow on Gabe for making the 360 version lesser, and wow, was it that hard that they have to give away an extra game with every ps3 version???

    The 360 is like you states about the ram and lesser os footprint the far more capable console, not the most technoglogically advanced one. I have to agree with Gabe, the not as rich as the Gabe thats very rich because of sony bribery, and say that the PS3 really is a waste of everybodys time and money! (including mine as ive bought one, buying into the hype)..


    edit . Oh, great article by the way, these face offs are really nice even on the(very) few occasions a 360 game is (slightly) inferior to the ps3 version.

    Portal 2 is probably the greatest game ive never played. will pick it up for 20 bucks at a later date to show gabe and co that its not okay with selling out =)
    Edited by theonlyix at 23/04/11 @ 10:25

  • preacherman69 #20 1 year ago

    ^^ fecking hell really

  • lucky_jim #21 1 year ago

    PS3 version it is then. It's about time my PS3 was treated to a multiplatform title!

  • LBoom #22 1 year ago

    Seems it's possible to get split-screen co-op on PC, too (though it involves some developer console tinkering):

    http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847904
    Edited by LBoom at 23/04/11 @ 10:33

  • subedii #23 1 year ago

    theonlyix: The ability to play the PC version of Portal 2 was dependent on being able to tie the two copies together in one account through Steamworks.

    Something I'm certain Valve would have been more than happy to do for the 360 version, if like Sony, MS had been foresighted enough to allow Steamworks on the 360.

    They didn't want Steamworks on the 360, so the cross-platform play and tied in copy wasn't really an option there.

    I can't really blame MS for that either. They have GFWL on the PC (as bad as it may be and as much as devs seem to be abandoning it these days) and they want to push that. So actively going with Steamworks would be undercutting that initiative, as half-hearted as it may be.

    At the same time, MS only has itself to blame for the fact that they refused to push cross-platform gaming on what are effectively their own two native platforms. And that as a result, someone else has emerged to push that concept.

  • bladdard #24 1 year ago

    I think leadbetter is underplaying just how rough the 360 version looks, it's probably the most blurry jaggy game I've seen on the 360. I bought the ps3 version so I could play on pc or console but what with psn being shit I haven't been able to try it on my pc yet. :(

    Lol @mashk. It's funny 'cos it's the wrong way round.
    Edited by bladdard at 23/04/11 @ 10:54

  • OrangesJoel #25 1 year ago

    Just a little question regarding 3D Vision:

    "... with depth perception being valuable for precision placement of portals."

    Can this really be true?

    I mean, you fire Portals straight at your crosshairs - there's no mental triangulation involved. And what's more, in 3D I would presume that - as is usually the case - the HUD would be drawn on the nearest Z layer, so lining up a distant wall with your crosshairs would possibly be considerably harder (you can only focus on the wall or the HUD, never both).

    Still, lovely game, and it's nice to see the PS3 version getting some proper attention after the Orange Box clusterfuck.

  • barchetta #26 1 year ago

    With a PC, MacBook Pro, 360 and PS3 then it would make sense for me to go PS3 (and Mac since I can use it on the road). I doubt I'll do a great deal of multiplayer though a fullscreen at home experience between the two sounds nice so my preferred gaming solution (360) is probably going to miss out. My only reservation is that I find the PS3 controllers a little uncomfortable - any recommendations for 360-like controllers anyone?

  • youhavenomail #27 1 year ago

    Bill Gates, Master Chief, Marcus Phoenix, Alan Wake, Banjo, Richard Leadbetter. Your boy took one hell of a beating.

  • E2K #28 1 year ago

    I feel bad for the xbots.
    Valve was a real supporter of the 360 hardware.

    To optimize, or even worse: to use MLAA is like spitting in the face of thousands of xbox fanbaws who come to sites like this and argue how the 'xenon' is almost like DX10, whereas the RSX has more in common with DX8.
    If even Valve is going to make use of the PS3 hardware, then this doesn't bode well for other multiplat developers..

    If you are a 360 fanbaw that is.

    I also feel sorry for Richard Leadbetter, because he spent a few nights crying while writing this article. I read he even threw away his Gabe Newell 360 lunchbox :-(

  • Toothball #29 1 year ago

    I got my copy via Steam earlier this week. Recently got a new laptop so very much enjoyed being able to turn all the settings up. Also had the chance to play it in 3D, which was a nice addition although the 3D effects didn't seem to look quite right on glass.

    I also picked up the PS3 version for my brother and was a little surprised to see it only listed as 720p. I didn't perceive much of a difference while he was playing it, but those comparison videos do reveal a lot more than I'd noticed. Pity that the PSN outage has taken out the cross-platform functionality, although Steam itself still had no problem connecting.

    @subedii (#18)

    Most of my friends predominantly came on Xbox, but I still went for the PC version. When I first mentioned it to them they suggested I'd have no one to play with. I'm not sure they'd twigged that I'd have more people to play with than them. While I probably spend most of my gaming time on the Xbox too, it just seems that there will be more on offer in future on PC and PS3, not least of which is the cross-platform play. Admittedly though, the main reason I went for it on PC was that I could play it a few days earlier. Totally worth it.

  • coolbritannia #30 1 year ago

    What I really want to know is did this deliberate borking of the 360 version and the incentives thrown at the PS3 version actually result in more sales on PS3 than 360?

  • BuckEntropy #31 1 year ago

    Interesting turn of events, and as a result I'll probly end up getting PS3 version for all the mentioned reasons. Maybe good timing anyway since my second 'box seems to be dying, and it may be a while before I decide to afford a new slim+Kinect. lol

    As the game / engine really isn't pushing either console very hard, it seems clear enough a lot more effort went into this PS3 update as opposed to the 360 version which is the same old code. Some politics are clearly in play, but I can't really blame Valve for playing it like this. They kind of needed to make extra nice nice after OB.

  • jag10 #32 1 year ago

    teh xbox is teh bestest.

  • technicianTed #33 1 year ago

    Definitely a ps3 win on this game(pc is not a console).

    I don't think they've borked the 360 version, it seems like they've lavished their time on the ps3 version which they want to do well with all its steam involvement and all.

    The 360 version seems to have got a port using the older l4d engine which looked a bit outdated even back then.
    The blurry screenshots look similar to how those older games looked anyway.
    I haven't played the 360 version.

    It's a shame for 360 only owners on the visual front anyway, but it's still a great game if they can look past the vaseline smearing effect.

    Just ordered the ps3 version.

  • RodHull #34 1 year ago

    Opted for the 360 version based purely on friends list and controller preference but part of me wishes I'd gone down the PS3 route. Can't imagine using the Steam cloud stuff but the fact it's omitted from the 360 version does make me feel short changed (not that I could use them at the mo based on PSN being in bits).

    As for the discrepancy in the visuals can't say I noticed any graphical issues yet but I'm sure I'll be more aware of them now (thanks Richard). Valve's inability to eradicate them considering their familiarity with the 360 architecture and the age of the Source engine does strike me as being somewhat arrogant towards 360 owners.

  • Progguitarist #35 1 year ago

    Will probably pick up the PS3 version today.

  • StooMonster #36 1 year ago

    It was very cool when Steam came out on Mac which was quickly followed by all the Valve Source engine titles.

    So I reckon that now Valve have Source engine properly running on PS3 using their code they should do an Orange Box Redux, and rerelease updated versions of the classic Orange Box games that run with better performance than the original PS3 orange box also with Steamworks support. Chuck in "free" PC/Mac versions, and I reckon EA and them would sell a shedload.

  • orangpelupa #37 1 year ago

    uh... the pc version have Split screen and can do horizontal/vertical

    its already posten on steam forum

  • Bigglesworth #38 1 year ago

    @RodHull
    Just get yourself a Cross Battle Adapter and some new friends. Problem solved!

  • Lunastra78 #39 1 year ago

    Remember the news that some guys from Naughty Dog went to work for Valve? I believe they might have had a big impact on how the PS3 version turned out.

  • squeakyg #40 1 year ago

    I honestly didn't think the Xbox 360 version was running at 720p. The difference between a 720p and a sub-720p game looks quite obvious on my monitor, and I definitely recognised Portal 2 as being sub-720p. But you say it actually is 720p? I don't understand how it looks so low-res then. :(

    The game is great of course. The lighting and shadowing are very impressive, although they can't completely distract from the 2004 look of the game engine.

  • Lord_Gremlin #41 1 year ago

    "slow clap"
    Ok, Gabe Newell, you win. Best console version on PS3, great optimization on PC... A must buy.

  • Daeltaja #42 1 year ago

    Sometimes I wish I stayed away from these articles! On Chapter 6 on Xbox and while the graphics aren't mindblowing, the art style and aesthetics are. I can't say I've noticed any jaggies whatsoever, but now I'll probably end up looking out for them. Some textures are horribly low-res though and the load times can be a pain (if not a little immersion-breaking)

    Probably a stupid question, but can the PC download code supplied with the PS3 version be passed on to someone else? Or will only work if the PSN account is linked with Steam?
    Edited by Daeltaja at 23/04/11 @ 12:28

  • CloisterBlack #43 1 year ago

    Yeah, but he didn't say anything about the definitive version of the game, which, as we all know, is the version for the Vectrex.
    Did Sony and Microsoft bought your silence Richard?!

  • tvcasualty #44 1 year ago

    I wonder how much work it would be for Valve to patch its progress on the Source engine into the Orange Box on PS3.

    I opted for 360 so I could use my surround sound, but I really would like to have it on Steam too. I hope Microsoft learns something from this and will be more open-minded should Valve or another developer approach them about a similar cross-platform system in the future - though something tells me they won't be.

  • kirankara #45 1 year ago

    @Daeltaja

    Dont quote me on this as someone else told it me, but they said only one can be played online at any point regardless . So not sure what to make of that in regards to whether both copies are tied to ur account

  • uzivatel #46 1 year ago

    Were things slightly different, this would be another face-off with one console getting slightly better version and the other getting slightly worse version.
    As it is, it feels like the guys at Valve nerfed the Xbox 360 version, because Microsoft did not allow them to use Steam on Xbox 360. Then again it should not be very surprising - all Valve games on Xbox 360 did feel like quick bucks...

  • kirankara #47 1 year ago

    @barchetta u can use 360 pad directly with ps3 if u use a XCM Cross Battle adapter( wired only)

    Alternatively 360 style pads I seen ppm mentioned are


    Gioteck HF-1 (360 Style PS3 Controller)

    [link url=http://www.nyko.com/products/product-detail/?name=Raven+(Alternative)
    ]http://www.nyko.com/products/product-det...[/link]

    [link url=http://www.argos.co.uk%2Fstatic%2FProduct%2FpartNumber%2F9251427%2FTrail%2Fsearchtext%253EPLAYSTATION%2B3%2BCONTROLLER.htm&jspStoreDir=argos&_%24ja=tsid%3A11674%7Cprd%3A3640326&referrer=COJUN&cmpid=COJUN
    ]http://www.argos.co.uk%2Fstatic%2FProduc...[/link]

    Hope that helps

  • kirankara #48 1 year ago

    @uzivital

    Really??? If a ps3 fanboy said that , ppl would laugh him out of town, saying that he was talking crap and bitter blah blah. Who knows the reasoning why this is way it is, maybe there were technical reasonings, as they've employed no aa at all on 360 and frame rate and tearing still slightly less .
    Just get over it , it's one game

  • FuzzyDuck #49 1 year ago

    Stormed through this on Thursday/Friday, it needs to be played by everyone regardless of format.

    Absolutely sublime.

  • uzivatel #50 1 year ago

    @kirankara: Maybe you are right and they are unable to do any better on the 360. It just seems like thats not the case here...
    I dont remember any similar case on the PS3.

  • Sunyavadin #51 1 year ago

    If they can remove the mandatory use of Steam on PS3 can we get that option for our PC games too, please?

  • Pasco #52 1 year ago

    "I guess it's inconceivable that Valve, much like most other companies, simply try to make the best ports that they can regardless of platform?"

    Pretty much. Companies decide how much money to put in the development of each version depending of how much they will get in return. More often than not, the 360 version sells better, so the company won't invest as much or more money in the PS3 version if they can avoid it. In this case, even if the PS3 version sells less than the 360 version, each PS3 copy sold means a potential new Steam customer which in the long run is MUCH more profitable for Valve. Newell doesn't have to be on the Sony payroll to have a motivation to invest more in the PS3 version. So, yeah!

  • chessboxer #53 1 year ago

    @uzivatel

    "Maybe you are right and they are unable to do any better on the 360. It just seems like thats not the case here...
    I dont remember any similar case on the PS3."

    Apparently Valve's attempt here with Portal 2 on the 360 is visually consistant with all of their previous titles on the 360 (The Orange Box, L4D 1 & 2). I don't see where have Valve done better on the 360 in the past?

    As for the same/similar situation on the PS3, look at the differences between World At War and Black Ops. Both titles running the same game engine, but Black Ops is (visually) inferior in every way when compared to W@W. Interestingly, MW2 uses a more advanced game engine than Black Ops.

  • uzivatel #54 1 year ago

    @chessboxer: I believe the blur was nowhere near as inconsistent in previous games as it is in Portal 2.
    MW2 and BO are different devs, no? and I dont remember Sony blocking some Activision DRM on PS3...

  • handsonhips101 #55 1 year ago

    @coolbritannia;

    Deliberate sabotage of the 360 version. ROFL. Why would a respectable company like valve set out to do that? You really do talk some shit sometimes. The ps3 version is better. Deal with it and move on.

  • chessboxer #56 1 year ago

    @uzivatel

    Yes the devs are different, but I was comparing W@W with Black Ops, both by Treyarch, both using the same engine.

    I mentioned MW2 as many people are under the assumption that Black Ops was using a modified version of the MW (IW4.0) engine when it uses an older tech engine.

    Sony tend to be fairly open with devs and what they can do on the PS3, like how they embraced Epic's desire to include mod support and m/kb with UT3 (which is great for gamers), whereas MS said no and wouldn't budge.

  • Tallon4 #57 1 year ago

    Would it be possible to buy the PS3 version and sell the PC key?
    That would be very nice, because I'm almost broke :(

  • bladdard #58 1 year ago

    @tallon4
    No the pc/mac steam version can only be downloaded one you link your psn and steam accounts and you need to boot portal on the PS3 to do this.

    @Daeltaja
    No you have to link your psn and steam account.

  • coolbritannia #59 1 year ago

    Handsonhips, yet again you choose to comment on my post, with little more than a 'you talk shit'.

    If you really think Valve are unique amongst devs in getting more out of the PS3 than they could the 360, fine, you're entitled to your opinion. Given that there are literally hundreds of face offs showing that the 360 is consistently the better machine, and the curious coincidence of this being the flagship game as Valve get Steam onto the PS3, I call shenanigans.

    Either way I'll be picking Portal 2 up, but when it drops drastically in price.

  • Badassbab #60 1 year ago

    Lens of Truth showd up some interesting lighting and SSAO differences in the screenshot H2H which this comparison did not. It might be because of dynamic lighting etc, not sure.

  • TheNinkyNonk #61 1 year ago

    Would it be too much to ask Valve to patch the Orange Box on PS3 now they've mastered Source on PS3?

  • SvennoJ #62 1 year ago

    I bought the ps3 version and was lucky enough to unlock the pc version before psn went down. It plays great on both.
    My only minor gripe is the low res textures on the pc version. Walking up to the painting at the very first scene I would have expected to see a sharper image in 2011, or be able to read the text on the post of the elevator. Graphics cards have 6x more memory then when hl2 came out, yet texture resolution has not really improved since then.
    Also what happened to the water, it's like walking on a piece of glass, no interaction at all.

  • drumbaby #63 1 year ago

    I'm surprised Richard hasn't tried to point out latency issues with the PS3 controls, like he did with Vanquish.

    ;)

  • Architect_z #64 1 year ago

    PS3/PC wins.

    Xbox owners got owned!

    No more comments needed. THE END!
    Edited by Architect_z at 23/04/11 @ 14:50

  • subedii #65 1 year ago

    @Pasco:

    If that were truly the case that Valve is gimping things to emphasise Steamworks, then Valve wouldn't be gimping the 360 version in favour of the PS3 version, it'd be gimping BOTH versions in favour of the PC version. Steamwork on the PS3 doesn't make them extra money, the copies STILL retail for the same value. The objective would have to be to get people to switch to the PC version, at which point you would need to be gimping the PS3 version as well.

    Far more importantly if that were the objective in mind, there is absolutely NO WAY that Valve would have given the PS3 version exclusive free access to the PC version. This is a clear advantage that the PS3 version has, which is not in place when buying on the PC via Steam. At that point, applying your rules, Valve are literally cutting their own profit margins by giving advantage to and promoting the wrong version of the game.

    The logic only makes sense if Valve viewed console markets as eating into each other and into the PC market for their games. This is something that not only they've repeatedly said is an incorrect viewpoint to take themselves (and they've applied that logic just as much to piracy), but is clearly showcased in the actions they've taken with these versions here.

    If Valve wanted to make more perceived money at a perceived sacrifice to the console versions, Steamworks would never be on the PS3 in the first place. It's not the PS3 that Valve makes its largest profit margins from, it's the PC. This is particularly important with reference to Portal 2, because it's a game that's already getting the phrase "game of the year" being thrown around quite a lot. It's certainly an easy candidate for platform exclusivity if it came to that, wouldn't that in itself drive more people to the PC Steam store if the console versions were clearly terrible or even non-existent?

    This isn't an issue of Valve gimping one version in favour of another, largely because Valve already recognises (and have clearly implemented along those lines) that catering to these separate markets doesn't CUT INTO its profit margins. At which point the emphasis isn't to make one version better, it's to make each version the best it can be.

    If it were the case of Valve deliberately sabotaging one version in favour of another, the discrepancies between the platform version would have to be far FAR greater to force a shift from one platform to the other. As it stands, the differences are pretty much negligible to any home user, and not really noticeable except under extreme in-depth analysis such as in this article. Certainly nothing capable of making anyone make a choice to switch away from their console of preference. The only ACTUAL difference between the two versions is Steamworks, and THAT is something that we can all agree, Valve would equally put on the 360 version if they could.
    Edited by subedii at 23/04/11 @ 14:58

  • PixelPirate #66 1 year ago

    I was loving it up until i ran in to this game breaking bug.

    I literally cant continue without deleting all my save data and game data and starting again. And even then i cant guarantee it wont happen again. :'(

    Oh well back to Yakuza 4, till they patch it i guess :(

  • Judas_Priest #67 1 year ago

    To be frank, I didn't expect a face-off on this game. Usually dedicated face-offs tend to be reserved for multiplatform games that have a focus on their graphics engine, e.g. Crysis 2.

  • Tallon4 #68 1 year ago

    @bladdard: Ah that's too bad :(

    Thanks for your reply :)

  • TheNinkyNonk #69 1 year ago

    Never have given much of a shit about graphical differences and about which platform is 'better' (either can be stellar if coded properly for) but the bitter comments in this thread speak volumes about those that do care about such matters.

  • DrStrangelove #70 1 year ago

    This game really runs extraordinarily well on PC. With my somewhat dated 9800GT (about 60 bucks now), it runs at min. 30fps with 1920x1200 and all settings on max. In first-person games, I prefer to have always at least 60 fps, and it does that with 1440x900 and 4xMSAA, still looking sharp. Sure, there's not that much detail in the game, but the Source engine manages to still look good while delivering massive framerate performance. It should perform well enough even on crap PCs or inexpensive notebooks.

  • d0x #71 1 year ago

    Its not often that i buy a multiplatform game on ps3 and despite the fact that i really dont like the dualshock controller Im going to have to skip the 360 version of Portal 2 and go with PS3. The visual and performance differences while slight are enough to sway me. I almost always try to buy the best version of any given game.

    Normally in a case like this i'd still buy it on 360 due to the coop and my complete hatred of PSN but oddly not alot of my friends are buying Portal 2 so that factor has been removed. One of my best gaming friends bought that ps3 version simply so he'd get the pc version as well so that doesnt hurt either. Time to go to Gamestop.

  • DrStrangelove #72 1 year ago

    @Eric_Cantona

    "I know it's childish but I just find it hilarious how 360 owners got fucked over on this masterpiece of a game lol. :D"

    Even better is how both consoles are obliterated by PC in any cross-platform game :)

  • _Zero_ #73 1 year ago

    DF:"Portal 2 looks a MUCH better on PS3, how can we twist it so the 360 looks about even?", "Let's also analyse a game made in 2007, which had little to nothing to do with Valve!", "Brilliant!".

  • Goodfella #74 1 year ago

    Love the 360 fanboys crying foul play, made my day that has.

  • Architect_z #75 1 year ago

    @Goodfella

    Have you noticed that PS3 owners never cry about anything. Yet 360 owners are always trying to prove their console is better.
    I can't wait to see how many negs I get for this.

  • Lusterpurge #76 1 year ago

    I just want to congratulate Ryboy for breaking the -100 threshold. That is something you don't see often.

  • oi #77 1 year ago

    "I guess it's inconceivable that Valve, much like most other companies, simply try to make the best ports that they can regardless of platform?"

    The 360 version of Left 4 Dead 2 is absolutely shameful. It really looks appalling and there's no doubt in my mind it's a quick 'n' dirty port.

  • Andeus #78 1 year ago

    There is split screen on the PC. It's just not available through an option in the main menu:

    http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/sh...

  • barchetta #79 1 year ago

    @kirankara

    Thanks for the info - looks like a new pad and a copy of the PS3 version then.

  • CernaML #80 1 year ago

    The irony of a Valve game being better on the PS3.

    Gotta love all the bawwing 360 fanboys here.

    Big props to Valve for taking on this challenge and surpassing many of our expectations. The game is absolutely brilliant.

    OT: I would like a Mortal Kombat face off as well. Although the UE3 always seems to favor the 360, it is looking damn good on the PS3. A 60FPS UE3 game on the PS3 for Christ's sake. Amazing job Netherrealm Studios.

  • weebl #81 1 year ago

    This is payback for all of the times when we've had ropey ports, Bayonetta springs to mind.

  • funkateer #82 1 year ago

    "What I really want to know is did this deliberate borking of the 360...."

    Sigh... If you're correct then Valve also borked the Left 4 Dead games on the 360, right? Running on the same borked engine and all using the same old blur filter.

  • davisorle #83 1 year ago

    Post deleted at 15:13:14 09-05-2012

  • coolbritannia #84 1 year ago

    'Have you noticed that PS3 owners never cry about anything'

    Seriously, one of the dumbest comments ever. Good to see Goodfella crowing though, I'm sure the AA or whatever it is is causing the xbots to cry into their cornflakes.

    Enjoy your online co-op on launch day....oh wait.

  • Lince #85 1 year ago

    That 2007 footage is totally out of place here, I don't understand the reasoning behind it being included here? maybe Mr. Leadbetter needed to comfort himself with the poor hack port job that game was on PS3 making the 360 look like the better hardware or something? I really don't understand.

    Also. is Mr. Leadbetter a developer himself? he is always suggesting the way this or that should have been coded when the 360 version of some game is not optimal, not to mention how deep he goes when the PS3 is the superior version. When the opposite happens he never tells how things should have been done on the PS3 hardware to improve the situation, what's this Mr. Leadbetter doing? he's not serious enough to be featured in a place like Eurogamer to be honest.
    Edited by Lince at 23/04/11 @ 19:50

  • Killerbee #86 1 year ago

    "Enjoy your online co-op on launch day....oh wait. "

    Actually, I did. Split screen works wonderfully on PS3 and I can play the solo game on my PC.

    Best of all worlds.

  • Syrette #87 1 year ago

    Some of you lot make me utterly, utterly embarrassed to be a member of this gaming community.

    All of you throwing around the word fanboy at each other, please just shut the fuck up and try and find something more worthwhile to do with your life.

  • Goodfella #88 1 year ago

    @coolbritannia

    I pre-ordered the PC version on Steam, played it Tuesday morning, finished it Wednesday. Actually, just played and completed the co-op portion with our old forum buddy c0Zm1c, brilliant it was.

    Better luck next time.

  • subedii #89 1 year ago

    @Astro-Creature:

    Raging against platform fanboys whilst simultaneously talking about how the PC platform should die.

    Classy.

  • HurbleBurble #90 1 year ago

    Have to agree with Foreverafternothing.

    Some of you should simply be fucking ashamed of how you present yourselves on here: Name calling and conspiracy theory nut jobs. How about you all shut the fuck up and go and actually play the damn game and enjoy it for the superlative piece of work it is rather than sitting on a forum trying to prove your dick is bigger than everybody else because you own a 360/PS3 or PC?

    Jesus fucking Christ...

  • Goodfella #91 1 year ago

    @HurbleBurble

    Internet rule number 1: Don't try to sound like you're better than others in a forum.

    PS - I've already finished the game.

  • Widge #92 1 year ago

    Portal 2 is now available on 4 platforms. Fucking woo for many people there.

    I'd like to see a L4D3, if only to have Valve pump it out on too PS3 with PS3/PC crossplay.

  • darkmorgado #93 1 year ago

    How the fuck did this clusterfuck of a comments thread reach this many comments without IRONOMAN paying a visit?

    The utter hypocrisy and completely immature comments of some of the idiots here is simply mind-boggling. You want to know why people don't take gaming seriously and gamers have a bad reputation? Look in the fucking mirror.
    Edited by darkmorgado at 23/04/11 @ 21:21

  • theonlyix #94 1 year ago

    Well atleast on 360, people can play coop portal 2 now over live... =)


    http://kotaku.com/#!5795055/does-sony-ow...
    Edited by theonlyix at 23/04/11 @ 21:39

  • Zappa #95 1 year ago

    ^^^yea, after paying $60 ..LOL

    360 games look like trash to MLAA games,Gears3 beta is another jagfest.

  • handsonhips101 #96 1 year ago

    @coolbritannia;

    'Have you noticed that PS3 owners never cry about anything' Seriously, one of the dumbest comments ever. Good to see Goodfella crowing though, I'm sure the AA or whatever it is is causing the xbots to cry into their cornflakes. Enjoy your online co-op on launch day....oh wait.

    Lolz. "Causing the xbots to cry into their cornflakes" you can't deny you are an xbox fanboy dude. Just look at your moaning comments about valve doing down the xbox version. That or your constant obsession of tolling anything playstation is just a wind up.

    I do reply to your comments telling you that you are talking twadle because usually you are either baiting or saying outrageous things such as your comments on this thread. I can't believe you think there is a conspiracy going on between valve and Sony. It's dumb. Lots of games look better on the 360 some don't, it is plausible.

    Pub time.

  • darkmorgado #97 1 year ago

    Zappa, live isn't expensive. It equates to less than 10p a day.

    And at least LIVE is stable.

    Not to mention free this weekend. Which is rather amusing timing.
    Edited by darkmorgado at 23/04/11 @ 21:55

  • BuckEntropy #98 1 year ago

    Not to mention free this weekend. Which is rather amusing timing.

    Now THAT sounds like a good conspiracy!

    But anyway... just out of curiosity, to the people here (ironically from the group who're usually first to cry "lazy devs";) who're trying to take this a some PS3 hardware advantage: could you all maybe indicate any visual / performance element that you think shows like, the cutting edge?

  • darkmorgado #99 1 year ago

    One game a year? Wow.

    And there is a difference:

    One service is notoriously unstable and prone to outages. The other isn't.

  • Goodfella #100 1 year ago

    Notoriously unstable?

    My hyperbole spider senses are tingling.

  • darkmorgado #101 1 year ago

    I think you'll find that's your herpes.

  • UncleLou #102 1 year ago

    Ryboy is living proof that PC fanboys should be burried with their platform.

    And what do we do with the other two, infinitely more vocal and embarrassing groups of retards and their platforms of choice?

  • Zappa #103 1 year ago

    darkmorgado''Zappa, live isn't expensive. It equates to less than 10p a day.''

    um,thats a free game every year for PS3 users compared.

    Live was out a whole week once so you talk BS.

  • darkmorgado #104 1 year ago

    Wow. One game. A year. BIG MONEY!

    And yes, Live was out for a week once.

    Four years ago.

  • Zappa #105 1 year ago

    Since 2006,free PSN has saved me around $300. not expensive?

  • darkmorgado #106 1 year ago

    £150 over 5 years? Not expensive at all.

  • darkmorgado #107 1 year ago

    If you genuinely think that around 8p a day is expensive then you're an idiot.

  • Zappa #108 1 year ago

    only idiot is paying for online when everyone else has it for free.
    lol, even windows Live is free!
    Edited by Zappa at 23/04/11 @ 23:48

  • coolbritannia #109 1 year ago

    How can anyone argue against the £22 a year I pay for Live when PSN has been taken offline as it has been bust wide open by hackers?

    I've been saying for years that the PSN was a concern, they had the user details hacked a few years ago, and now had to take the whole service offline at no notice. Fanboy baiting aside, that must surely be a concern to anyone who uses only PSN for their online gaming?

  • darkmorgado #110 1 year ago

    I have a PS3. I choose to use Live for multiplayer (well, not Portal because I preordered Portal 2 on steam months ago) because it's faster and more reliable, and it's a much more intuitive interface. I don't have to worry about the service always going at a snail's pace, or if it will be up and running, or if I will have to install yet another f*cking firmware update when I just want to have a quick 15 minute online game before I go off to do something else.

    Regardless, Portal 2 is an amazing game no matter what the platform. And all the constant stupid idiocy that goes on in DF face-offs is just completely unnecessary. I left "my console is better than yours" arguments back in the playground at primary school. All the consoles are brilliant, they both have strengths and weaknesses. Just because your chosen game is/isn't better on your system of choice because you can't afford both consoles, doesn't make it clever, mature or amusing to start throwing around daft accusations of Eurogamer bias, daft conspiracy theories and generally acting like a toddler having a temper tantrum just because you can't have all the toys you want.

  • Zappa #111 1 year ago

    'How can anyone argue against the £22 a year I pay for Live when PSN has been taken offline as it has been bust wide open by hackers? '

    1st I have had any problems since 2006 launch ..sooo

    most 360 users has gone through four dead 360s in that amount of time LMAO

  • CernaML #112 1 year ago

    Yet you are on quite the mission to defend your precious Xbox Live service, dark. $60 a year isn't much at all, sure. That's why you feel the need to justify it so much. Lol

    Tell me, do you act like this in face offs that favor the 360? Or only on those rare occasions where Ps3 owners can finally gloat while 360 fanboys cry about the dumbest things and coming up with ridiculous conspiracy theories? Wow all this sounds VERY familier.

  • darkmorgado #113 1 year ago

    @CernaML

    I criticise the fanboys on both sides, no matter what the game or what format it's better on, thank you very much. And whats with all the $60 rubbish? This isn't America.

    Oh, and Zappa:
    1st I have had any problems since 2006 launch ..sooo

    So your machine was magically immune to the leap year bug? And I guess you have no problems connecting to PSN this weekend, huh? And I guess when it was down the other week as well, your machine was unaffected too.

    And stop with RLOD rubbish please. It's not 2007 anymore.

    And fyi, I've never had an Xbox brick on me.
    Edited by darkmorgado at 24/04/11 @ 00:14

  • Zappa #114 1 year ago

    It was immune as I had a new slim.
    Back to topic at hand.

    360 looks like trash and has far less features.It can no longer compete in graphics when its image quality is soo bad while PS3 is doing the best PC can.

  • man.the.king #115 1 year ago

    When Valve implied they would deliver a superlative experience on the PS3, I was kind of skeptical.

    Boy was I have wrong.

    Valve have delivered.
    Edited by man.the.king at 24/04/11 @ 01:06

  • swills #116 1 year ago

    As a 360 owner I think its fine that the PS3 beats it in this face-off.

    There is no cause for 360 owners to be so upset. You shouldn't begrudge the PS3 owners *one* game that is slightly superior on their system.

  • chessboxer #117 1 year ago

    @darkmorgado

    Here's something to ponder...

    If you add up all the hours that both XBL and the PSN have been offline due to unscheduled maintenance/problems since the PSN started on November 11th 2006, XBL has been offline for over a week longer.

    If you were to included downtime for scheduled maintenance, it'd still be the same.

  • frazzl #118 1 year ago

    I bought the 360 version of Portal 2 despite knowing that the PS3 version looks better. Why?

    1) I like my achievement points.
    2) I prefer the 360 controller.
    3) My gaming friends are largely on the 360.

    These 3 points outweigh the extra-jaggies I have to put up with playing Portal 2 on my 360 instead of on my PS3. And you know what? I am having a blast playing it. Get the version that best suits you. As long as there is no game-breaking slow down, why should it matter which version has a better implementation of AA?

  • frazzl #119 1 year ago

    @Zappa

    So if the 360 "looks like trash" because it has the weaker version of Portal 2, what does the PS3 look like, given how many times it has lost faceoffs like these? Fanboys like you should just fuck off :).

  • womble #120 1 year ago

    Thanks for the face-off Richard.

  • RKOwned #121 1 year ago

    Ok, this is what ive concluded from all these Comparisons:

    The Xbox 360 on average is probaly going to get the slight nod, however PS3 seems to get enough random wins that its a good idea to look at comparisons for pretty much everything. Only problem is these comparison features take time and by the time they come out its probaly a good 4 days to a week since the game came out. However, I think weve learned over the years that if a comparison isnt out and you are deciding between the two console versions, safe bet is probaly go 360 version.

  • Machiavellian #122 1 year ago

    "Nothing gives me more of a chuckle then people searching for something to cry about"

    Really? You find it more funny than Monty Python? Or Airplane? A freakin' hilarious standup comic?

    Damn, that must be tough.

    I guess you did not see the chuckle part of the statement. Maybe you should look up what chuckle means before making such a pointless reposit.

    @ChuckNorris
    Thats the thing about text. Usually what you see is what you believe more than what was said or intended. While you came away with a feeling that Richard was sad, I came away with the feeling that the PS3 version of Portal 2 is better than the 360. Thats it. I did not feel Richard emotions because I have read to many articles of him prazing the PS3 and developers who have tap into it's strengths.

  • Machiavellian #123 1 year ago

    DF:"Portal 2 looks a MUCH better on PS3, how can we twist it so the 360 looks about even?", "Let's also analyse a game made in 2007, which had little to nothing to do with Valve!", "Brilliant!".

    This is the classic post where someone takes a statement and twist it for their own purpose. How you came to the conclusion that mentioning the problems of the Orangebox version compared to portal 2 was in some way making the 360 look good is beyound me. Did it occur to you that Richard was showing that under Valve, they have righted the wrongs from the Orangebox by developing it themselves. That Valve spent the resources to not only make the game work but make it much better utlize the strenghts of the PS3.

    O well, if you look for bias you will always find a way to manufacture it.

  • GamesConnoisseur #124 1 year ago

    Fanboys!!!!

    Sigh!

    I got X360 simply as wants to play with my mates and my son got his own X360 too, he wants a go.

    But all things if they were equal, ie my own selfish considerations just for me, would have gone for PC first as the bestest but indeed just almost as chuffed with PS3.

    Congrats to PS3 owners for having something to really be proud of and Steamworks inclusion being something that MS obbessed with their silly rules will not allows, if this extends to X720, then I would consider saying bye to my XBL years.

    Now only if PSN get sorted...

  • TheNinkyNonk #125 1 year ago

    Ladies, please, enough with this bitching!

    Look, the 360 gets the nod the vast majority of the time on cross platform games due to its user-friendly architecture but the PS3 occasionally pips it to the post on some top-tier titles where the developers really made the effort to utilise its strengths (such as Oblivion and Portal 2) and on its own home-turf exclusives (such as Uncharted and Killzone). Oh and Live is a slightly smoother experience than PSN but it costs.

    Seriously, this is like watching a load of arrogant, petulent white-collar pricks argue about their BMWs and Audis, iPhones and Androids, Macs and VAIOs etc. etc. being better than each other when the truth is that THEY'RE BOTH GREAT and it's simply a question of personal preference, not superiority.

    Get. The Fuck. Over. It.
    Edited by TheNinkyNonk at 24/04/11 @ 08:23

  • Syrette #126 1 year ago

    @CernaML

    "Tell me, do you act like this in face offs that favor the 360? Or only on those rare occasions where Ps3 owners can finally gloat while 360 fanboys cry about the dumbest things and coming up with ridiculous conspiracy theories? Wow all this sounds VERY familier."

    Anyone gloating or crying over a multiformat game having minimal differences on a particular platform should probably start looking for another hobby. What on earth do you get out of gloating about something like this? I just can't understand that. Being that attached to a console/PC is beyond my comprehension.

    Also, there's nothing wrong with defending a console if someone is twisting the truth a little to attack it, but there's a lot wrong with taking criticism of it so personally.

    Most important question I have to ask, however, is this - why am I again reading this drivel?

    DF articles I enjoy reading, yet I sometimes make the mistake of venturing into the comments. Huge mistake. Some of you give gamers a bad name.
    Edited by Syrette at 24/04/11 @ 08:57

  • coolbritannia #127 1 year ago

    "360 looks like trash and has far less features.It can no longer compete in graphics when its image quality is soo bad while PS3 is doing the best PC can" . The best PC can? You're using this one console game ported to PC to support that are you?

    it's weird, I expected the headlines this weekend to say "ZOMG PORTAL 2 SLIGHTLY BESTEST ON TEH PS3", but all I saw was "Sony take down PSN due to cyber attack".

    Perspective. Get some.

  • WeirdbeardUK #128 1 year ago

    Been playing through co-op mainly, absolutely fantastic. It's a brilliant game regardless of platform. Stop trolling the forums complaining about what version is better and just go and play it.

  • kirankara #129 1 year ago

    man cant believe u guys still arguing, u got nothing better to do guys ???

  • MattyD #130 1 year ago

    It is possible to play split-screen on the PC but it takes a bit of messing with the developer console etc. There's a sticky thread on the Staem forums with instructions on how to do it.

  • DoctorFouad #131 1 year ago

    As I already expected, MLAA is a saver for ps3 hardware, especially with multiplatform games.

    2x AA was killing the RSX especially with the limited RAM bandwidth associated with it...but now with no AA calculations the RSX can be used to its max...no more crap ps3 versions...no more quincunx, nor slowdowns...

    thank you very much : the creators of MLAA on CELL, thank you you are geniuses !

  • CernaML #132 1 year ago

    lol foreverafternothing

    360 fanboys have been doing it for years. It's quite amusing to see them cry when the PS3 wins once in a while or even when it's declared a fucking TIE. I don't really care about the differences to be honest. I buy most of my multiplats on the PS3 regardless of how it looks or performs... unless it's REALLY bad like Bayonetta or Black Ops (but that game sucked on both platforms anyway lol). Like I said, I only find it amusing how the most obnoxious fanboy group on the internet suddenly become the biggest crybabies in these face offs.

    Comment sections are the most entertaining parts of gaming articles. Don't like it? Well, take your own advice and keep out.

  • coolbritannia #133 1 year ago

    crybabies? how old are you?

  • handsonhips101 #134 1 year ago

    @coolbritannia


    "crybabies? how old are you?"

    Pot. Kettle. Black.

  • darkmorgado #135 1 year ago

    the "failbox"?

    Fucking hell, grow up you sad fucker.

  • SaberEdge #136 1 year ago

    I'll definitely be getting the PS3 version since it comes with a download code for the PC version. The latter version is the one I care about the most, but I figure it will be nice to have the PS3 version as well. Besides, the PS3 version is clearly better than the 360 version, while the PC version is the absolute best.
    PC >>> PS3 > 360 It will be nice to get the two best-looking versions for the price of only one game.

    Btw I have to just laugh at all the conspiracy nuts who think Leadbetter is somehow biased against the PS3. I prefer the PS3 over the 360, but I have never seen anything that makes me think Leadbetter is biased in favor of the 360. He positively gushes about PS3 exclusives like Killzone 3, God of War 3, LittleBigPlanet 2, and Uncharted 2. Morevover, on multiplat comparisons he seems to just tell it like it is. Fanboys are just reading into things with their own bias.
    Edited by SaberEdge at 25/04/11 @ 02:00

  • coolbritannia #137 1 year ago

    @handsonhips, I didn't neg you, I never neg anyone. I air my opinion, and that is all, but you do seem a bit obsessed with me dude, it's always you, everytime.

  • Murton #138 1 year ago

    Curious. The (insert game name here) Face-Off clearly states that the differences in the two SKUs are hardware related, it's because of reduced memory or the slightly weaker GPU, or the Cell architecture, but here it's because Valve made improvements to the software in one version but not the other. I find that interesting, when the 360 "wins" Richard tells us that it's because it's a "better console" but when the PS3 "wins" it's because the developer put significant effort behind improving that version. It's these curious moments that lead to the calls of bias, I'm not sure if there is an inherent bias at play at DF, I suspect they take a fairly balanced view of things, but the way the conclusions are written are suggestive and I can see why a great many people do believe that Leadbetter at the very least favours the white console over the black one.

    Side note:
    As a former QA tester myself I take umbrage at this too - "but this is most likely a simple string table bug that really should have been picked up by QA, but wasn't" Do you honestly believe that the technical comparison that you've completed in a few short days looked at Portal 2 in more detail than the entire QA department managed throughout the entire development of the game? I suspect the answer is no, so don't blame the QA guys, blame the developers who read their reports but didn't act on them.

  • orangpelupa #139 1 year ago

    this Portal 2 face off has changed in the comments become
    - ps3 vs xbox online service
    - other ps3 game vs other xbox game
    - hyperbole to badmouthing xbox / ps3

    and so on....luckyly there still some commenter that have good mind...

  • Machiavellian #140 1 year ago

    @Murton

    The only bias I see is how you intrepret written text. When you read something with bias you will see only bias.

    Curious. The (insert game name here) Face-Off clearly states that the differences in the two SKUs are hardware related, it's because of reduced memory or the slightly weaker GPU, or the Cell architecture, but here it's because Valve made improvements to the software in one version but not the other.

    Everything is within context which seems to escape people that bring in their own bias when reading articles. Portal isn't pushing anything on both consoles and it definitely doesn't look like it is. So why would hardware be the limiting factor on a game that really isn't pushing either console. Lets be honest, when is the last Xbox 360 game to use a blur filter, I would be hard pressed to remember any within the last 2 years if not more. The fact is that Valve spent a lot of time making the Source Engine work great with the PS3 and the results are clear. Anything bias from that point on is what you wanted to read within the text.

  • technotica #141 1 year ago

    Ok this may come a bit late but I always wonder reading these articles, why is everyone using 'SKU' (Stock-keeping-unit?) for the consoles?

    Is this supposed to sound cool or something? A hardcore slang taken from retailers? :p
    Edited by technotica at 25/04/11 @ 10:15

  • kirankara #142 1 year ago

    @Astro-Creature

    "u got nothing better to do guys"

    PSN users don't.

    *Trollface*

    As an owner of both ps3 and 360 until recently (360 got sold, simply cause i couldnt justify owning both and afford it tbh, as i am a compulsive games buyier, whether theyre new or on sale, and i got a stack of games i just havent finished playing yet or even opened lol), i have to say, that ur statement is very immature and frankly..... bloody hilarious lol

    seriously, ive never really even noticed/taken advantage of supposed superiority of live over psn, but im not denying there are some either, theyve just either not been important enough for me to use like cross game chat etc, or i just havent noticed any difference in playing online. anywy, it does all i need it to.

    @Murton, "Curious. The (insert game name here) Face-Off clearly states that the differences in the two SKUs are hardware related, it's because of reduced memory or the slightly weaker GPU, or the Cell architecture, but here it's because Valve made improvements to the software in one version but not the other. I find that interesting, when the 360 "wins" Richard tells us that it's because it's a "better console" but when the PS3 "wins" it's because the developer put significant effort behind improving that version. It's these curious moments that lead to the calls of bias, I'm not sure if there is an inherent bias at play at DF, I suspect they take a fairly balanced view of things, but the way the conclusions are written are suggestive and I can see why a great many people do believe that Leadbetter at the very least favours the white console over the black one.
    "

    this i can agree with, i wouldnt suggest hes out and out biased by any means, but some things he states, leave a bit of a bad taste in the mouth, or just dont sit easily with what id call an objective analysis.

    I think overall he does a great job though

  • BritishBlue1 #143 1 year ago

    Butthurt Xbots covering for their shitty version on the RRO(D)FL console and PSTools covering for the shitty PSN going down for days and days and days while secretly nerd-raging about no FUCKING CO-OP!!

    Epic thread BTW

  • darkphoenix #144 1 year ago

    I own both PS3 and X360, but I use the Sony console for their exclusives only and as a bluray movie player.
    Cross-platform always on X360, why?

    - better X360 pad
    - better X360 online
    - can copy game to HDD
    - achievements

    So, I always get slightly annoyed and confused when a multi-plattform ends up getting better on PS3.
    I hate feeling forced to buy the better version for the less enjoyable gaming plattform, pretty unfair.

    I think X360 deserves more respect from Valve, since it's been their playground this entire generation.
    I can cope without the cross-plattform net play and features, we all know MS's policy on that...
    But what I cannot accept is the technical disparity between console versions, and the lack of polish on the X360 one.

    So, in the end, I don't even know when or if I'll be buying this game, having loved the original on X360.

    Anyway, it's a truly great deal for the PS3!!
    Shame X360 version didn't get a fair treatment this time around.

  • des #145 1 year ago

    360 version looks bad,like someone smeared vaseline all over it.Good job Valve!Now release Half-Life 3!
    Edited by des at 25/04/11 @ 17:48

  • Clover4ever #146 1 year ago

    Wow the 360 version looks so nasty and blurry I though it was running at 576p or something.

    Glad to see Valve finally showing some love to PS3 users. Everyone should be able to enjoy their games.

  • man.the.king #147 1 year ago

    @Captain_IronFist

    "PS3 owners of the world we must unite against the vicious Xbots, for this is our time, this is our destiny, it is our duty. We must see this through to the bitter end, because ultimately together we stand, united we fall. "

    I elect to pass on this "golden" opportunity, Captain Aragorn.

    /incredulous

  • Savatage #148 1 year ago

    Thanks for the article. Amazing game. Bought it on day one, just completed my second playthrough. An instant classic that needs to be played, regardless of platform.

    Game of the year? For me, almost definitely. Best thing Valve have ever done? Well, perhaps not. But only because they're, y'know, Valve.

  • kirankara #149 1 year ago

    @darkphoenix

    Poor lil lamb, it's just a tragedy that u have to suffer the horror or playing an inferior version of a game, or play it with a controller u don't have preference for. I really feel for u , in fact, I say forget about charities for famines and earthquakes, we should collect for u , so that Valve can be paid to make a superior version just for u to play on ur xbox.

    It's not like portal 2 is a bayonetta ps3 style royal fuck up, just buy the game on ur 360 ffs, and I suggest if u dislike ur ps3 pad and psn that much , just get rid of ur ps3.

    Edited by kirankara at 25/04/11 @ 23:37

  • prettyboytim #150 1 year ago

    It is possible to play co-op splitscreen on PC. I played through the co=op levels with my son; each of us had a monitor each.

  • RockyMotion #151 1 year ago

    Moral of the story: fanboys endlessly bash the other console when their gets the better version of a game, but when they are the ones getting the shitty end of the stick, the differences suddenly don't matter all that much. And that goes for fanboys from both consoles alike.

    Have fun examining your TV with a magnifying glass to check on the quality of the pixels, folks. As for me, I'll just enjoy this awesome game. While playing cross-platform co-op with my friend from the PC (couldn't resist :p)

  • Murton #152 1 year ago

    "But what I cannot accept is the technical disparity between console versions, and the lack of polish on the X360 one. "

    "Technical disparity" has been the norm for many developers throughout this generation with the PS3 receiving a lazy copy/paste port with zero optimisation, was this acceptable? You say in your opening line that you own both consoles anyway so what's the problem?

    "So, in the end, I don't even know when or if I'll be buying this game, having loved the original on X360. "

    You're not going to buy either version of the game at all because Valve haven't made further optimisations on the 360 version of the engine for whatever reason. That makes sense...

    "Anyway, it's a truly great deal for the PS3!!
    Shame X360 version didn't get a fair treatment this time around."

    The only "unfair" treatment on the 360 is the lack of additional features, which is all down to MS policy. The engine is the same as L4D2, if it was okay then why not now?

    The end of your post paints your mindset perfectly, a bitter fanboy who would rather skip a great game completely than accept that developers are finally shifting their priorities away from pandering to XBL FPS MP demographic and creating new and unique gaming experiences for everybody. But hey, it's your money, if you feel that Valve haven't created a great product then it's your right not to buy it, but don't pretend that they only produced a half game on one console because that's utterly disingenuous and more than a little disrespectful to Valve and the work that went into producing Portal 2.

  • Marshall2008 #153 1 year ago

    Luck you get the PC/MAC version so you can play online as PSN is still shafted.

  • womble #154 1 year ago

    @Murton

    ""Technical disparity" has been the norm for many developers throughout this generation with the PS3 receiving a lazy copy/paste port with zero optimisation, was this acceptable?'

    But this isn't true.

    It's not that the PS3 version of games have received a "Lazy copy/paste" at all. Modern game development does not work that way in the vast majority of cases.

    The reality is that the vast majority of developers work with EXISTING engines, tools and workflows. In most cases, they either license those engines, or buy specific functionality (e.g. middleware such as Havok or Scaleform). Or, where they've developed the engine in-house, the engine is typically designed on a PC.

    The PROBLEM is of Sony's creation. They created a console which by their OWN ADMISSION is "hard" to develop for. In REAL TERMS, this means that the console is EXPENSIVE and time-consuming to develop for, particularly if you are using an existing engine or workflow as most developers do.

    Things are getting better for some developers as cross-platform engines and middleware performance is improved on the PS3, but if you want someone to blame for the PS3's predicament, don't blame some fictitious "lazy developers". If you MUST have someone to blame, then do it right: blame Sony.





  • clerigo #155 1 year ago

    @kirankara
    "I find that interesting, when the 360 "wins" Richard tells us that it's because it's a "better console" but when the PS3 "wins" it's because the developer put significant effort behind improving that version."

    I agree completely
    Were observations and conclusions as these that led to the discrediting that Digital Foundry has today!

  • womble #156 1 year ago

    @clerigo

    DF has a fine reputation, despite your attempts to throw mud.

    I'll take Richard's objective views -- backed with evidence and effort -- over fanboy drivel and accusations any day.

    (And yeah, feel free to neg this down, fanboy fuckwits. You know who you are.)

    Edited by womble at 27/04/11 @ 05:10

  • Sgt_Petter #157 1 year ago

    "The only thing missing from the PC game that is found in the console releases is the split-screen co-op mode."

    That's wrong, there has already been found a way to play the game split-screen on the PC, where one plays with mouse and keyboard, while the other uses a controller, like the 360 controller. It requires adjustment of one file and some typing in console, the instructions are found in the Steam forums.

  • FutureDave #158 1 year ago

    I'm playing this on a 2009 15" MacBookPro unibody. Runs very well indeed in native 1440x900.

  • Lucodeath #159 1 year ago

    Loving the online at the mo, Oh wait a minute I got the ps3 version.

  • CHAZBIGPOTATO #160 1 year ago

    "Its really quite pathetic seeing all these X360 fanboys (Richard Leadbetter & all the EG staff aswell) getting all upset over the fact that the PS3 has won this face-off, & TBH it wont be the last time either this year as the PS3 finally moves ahead & destroys the Failbox . You see for it was always Sonys plan to be the tortois this gen while M$ were the hare first out & ultimatley running out of steam near the end whilst Sony the tortoise still going strong and passing M$ the hare to take the lead with its slow but steady approach.

    PS3 owners of the world we must unite against the vicious Xbots, for this is our time, this is our destiny, it is our duty. We must see this through to the bitter end, because ultimately together we stand, united we fall. "

    ROFL! Superb trolling..

  • RelaxedMikki #161 1 year ago

    Digital Foundry results indicate that 'Gamers are horrible people'.

    And we weren't even testing for that...!

  • Gecks #162 1 year ago

    @Murton
    regardless of what the PS3 version looks like, i was immediately struck by the jaggies and poor textures in the 360 version, apropos of nothing. portal 2 on the 360 is not a technical showcase and is indeed somewhat behind the curve in comparison to other games on the 360. i don't think that's a totally left-field viewpoint!

    and i don't think anyone was arguing that LFD2 was a particularly good-looking game, either, but being a faster-paced, darker action game, you probably wouldn't notice as much.

    caveat: portal 2 is still an amazing game, clearly.

  • riseer #163 1 year ago

    Jag10,If you didn't notice the Ps3 version is the better console game..Sorry scrub

  • riseer #164 1 year ago

    Peew971,So because you play on 360 with your friends that should make the 360 version better? Yeaaaa OKAAAAY!

  • Loghorn #165 1 year ago

    @Captain_Ironfist:

    "Its really quite pathetic seeing all these X360 fanboys (Richard Leadbetter & all the EG staff as well) getting all upset over the fact that the PS3 has won this face-off, & TBH it wont be the last time either this year as the PS3 finally moves ahead & destroys the Failbox. You see for it was always Sonys plan to be the tortois this gen while M$ were the hare first out & ultimatley running out of steam near the end whilst Sony the tortoise still going strong and passing M$ the hare to take the lead with its slow but steady approach.

    PS3 owners of the world we must unite against the vicious Xbots, for this is our time, this is our destiny, it is our duty. We must see this through to the bitter end, because ultimately together we stand, united we fall."

    Not that I care about this game at all, but if you really believe of what I have highlighted in bold & think that it's a good thing for developers, then...LOL!

    Plus sales just came in, & guess what? The 360 version still managed to outsell the PS3 version (at least where I'm from, which is the USA), despite the PS3 version being more superior & having more features than the 360 version. How do you like them apples? LOL!