Xbox 360 vs. PlayStation 3: Round 27

By Richard Leadbetter Published 20 July, 2010

Singularity, Transformers, Tiger, Harry and After Burner.

Page 1 of 5

Welcome back to the Digital Foundry/Eurogamer cross-format Thunderdome. Two games enter, one game leaves. Usually.

Yes, once again it's time to put the latest multi-platform console titles under the microscope with full Digital Foundry commentary, performance analysis, high quality comparison videos, screenshots and a whole bunch of bonus facts 'n' figures: the full monty, the whole nine yards, the full shooting match, nothing added, nothing taken away.

Just the five games this time, but we manage to tick off all the major releases of recent times, while including coverage of an all-time arcade classic updated for the HD generation.

We're in the midst of a long, hot summer and it's fair to say that the torrent of "AAA product" has been reduced to a trickle, but we'll be back soon with further analysis: Kane and Lynch 2 in particular is looking pretty tasty...

Singularity

Xbox 360 PlayStation 3
Disc Size 6.3GB 6.46GB
Install 6.3GB (optional) 1447MB (installs as needed)
Surround Support Dolby Digital Dolby Digital, 5.1LPCM, 7.1LPCM, Dolby Digital

After dusting off the aged idTech 4 engine for Wolfenstein, Raven Software has returned to the more familiar ground of Unreal Engine 3 for its latest first person shooter, Singularity. This is a very cool, really neat game. Sure, in many ways it's somewhat derivative - but the combination of some nice ideas with a range of fun weaponry makes it a game highly worthy of consideration.

The utilisation of UE3 means that there's no real comparison technologically speaking with the company's previous work on Wolfenstein. As you might expect, the technical profile of the game is far closer to other well-produced Unreal Engine titles such as Batman: Arkham Asylum. What that boils down to is a game that looks great on both platforms, with very little variance, as you'll see in this comparison video - remember to use that full-screen button.

Singularity PS3/360 comparison video.

It's pretty much as close as close can be. There's a bunch of UE3 "gotchas" you can look for in these cross-format comparisons but the only one that's relevant to Singularity is the use of anti-aliasing.

Unreal Engine 3 on Xbox 360 typically features 2x multi-sampling anti-aliasing which is absent on PlayStation 3. The difference isn't as impactful in other games, because the filtering is seemingly done fairly early on in the rendering cycle: all elements added afterwards have no AA at all, meaning that the overall effect on the final image is somewhat selective. In all other ways, the game looks like a match on both platforms.

So, how's the performance level then? Let's roll out the analysis tools on a selection of captures and see what we can see. Usual form here: green line indicates 360 frame-rate, the blue is for PS3. Tear lines on the top of the graph tie in with the 360 version while the bottom of the graph is for the Sony platform.

Singularity PS3/360 performance analysis.

Once again, typical Unreal Engine 3: a small, but noticeable advantage for the Xbox 360 in comparison to the PS3. Both games target 30FPS and will drop v-sync when the scene is challenging, resulting in varying levels of screen-tear according to load. Tests indicate that similar to most UE3 titles, 360 commands a small but significant advantage.

In terms of how this affects the overall gameplay experience and the purchasing decision, the reality is that aside from a bit more tearing on PS3 and the odd extra "jaggy", the two versions of the game are very, very close indeed, and equally recommended.

Page 1 of 5

Comments (103) Latest comment 2 months ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • GamerG #1 2 years ago

    360 wins again!

    PS3 owners if you get down to Gamestation you can trade your PS3 in for a 360s for only £24.99 and have the superior gaming system!

    What are you waiting for?

  • DjFlex52 #2 2 years ago

    So what this article is really saying is that most multi-console games aren't looking any better graphically or peforming any smoother in the last couple of years.

  • IonOnion #3 2 years ago

    In regards to Singularity anti-aliasing, accdg. to lensoftruth "Both version seem to have no noticeable differences with anti-aliasing. Both version most likely used minimal anti-aliasing, if any, but honestly both version looked about the same. Another similarity was with the blood and gore effects, both versions looked on-par to one another with particle effects, body dismemberment and such. Especially when you got a head-shot and, well you know, the Unreal Engine 3 introduced the whole Head Shot thing there’s really no need to explain."
    [link url=http://www.lensof truth.com/?p=20992
    ]http://www.lensof truth.com/?p=20992
    [/link]

    So which is it?

  • anamenos #4 2 years ago

    360 wins again ....

  • TopKatt #5 2 years ago

    I think these articles should make more of the sound offered by both consoles, I know my PS3 sounds amazing when pumping out through my surround sound system.
    Edited by 2 at 20/07/10 @ 12:27

  • Jim_Lahey #6 2 years ago

    Or GamerG you could buy both systems.

  • NimbusTLD #7 2 years ago

    Hmm the Lens of Truth Singularity roll-overs clearly mark a difference between the 360 and PS3 versions. What happened Richard??
    Edited by 1 at 20/07/10 @ 11:46

  • TopKatt #8 2 years ago

    To be honest, anyone claiming that the slight differences on display here represents some kind of victory is taking the concept of a graphics whore to new heights.

    "Yeah!!! The version on my console looks ever so slightly better if analyzed in a lab!! Wooohoooo!!!! In your face Sony losers!"

    Grow up guys.

  • GamesConnoisseur #9 2 years ago

    The ONLY real winners are...


    drum rolls


    Multi platform owners with access to best versions and the exclusives games

    Nuff said

  • welshben23 #10 2 years ago

    EuroMSGamer strike again! :) I own both consoles so don't start calling me a fanboy or a member of the Sony Defense force.

  • Jim_Lahey #11 2 years ago

    The differences are so negligible nowadays they dont really impact that much on enjoyment of the games. The thing that really fucks me off is tearing, I will always go for the version that tears less(unless the difference is again negligible like Batman/Singularity)

  • DrR0b3rts #12 2 years ago

    These articles are all much-of-a-muchness and I can't see much difference between them. Read any one of them and your experience will be the same.

  • neems #13 2 years ago

    These comparisons are a little bit pointless aren't they? Given the nature of the hardware involved, and the way that multi-format games are made, the 360 version is nearly always either better looking, or better performing. Only platform exclusive games can really leverage the PS3's architecture; presumably it is easier / more cost effective to code for the 360 and then squeeze the game onto PS3 than code for the Cell and sub processors (or whatever they are called) and then have to completely redesign the game to work on 360.

    I think Sony failed to realise how platform agnostic the games industry was going to become when they were in the design stage. Radically different architecture with less powerful GPU / RAM equals a console that is effectively less powerful in multi-format situations. Basically they shot themselves in the foot.

  • swissorc #14 2 years ago

    GamerG and TopKatt you both sound like your taking this too serious to me

  • gorf #15 2 years ago

    Good god these articles really do flog a dead horse. Just imagine the editors office in Eurogamer. When the hacks have run out of newsworthy material youve always gor the fallback position of trotting out this old rubbish to fill the fallow periods. They must have a whole cupboard of these articles lined up for years to come ....360 vs PS3 round 1001, the cyst. Honestly, Ive seen a few articles of these and the differiences in perfomances between the two formats are miniscule at the very most, IT REALLY IS NOT NEWSWORTHY REPORTABLE STUFF...PLEASE...STOP!

  • dpb135 #16 2 years ago

    Well when they all drop in price I'll be getting 360 versions of those games from the looks of it

  • Arwin #17 2 years ago

    How cool it would be if Epic could be bothered to add MLAA/GWAA to the Unreal Engine 3. Maybe Sony should fund this. Maybe Digital Foundry can bother someone from Sony with this question. ;)

  • Geordiemp #18 2 years ago

    Yawn,

    An old Unreal engine by todays AAA engine standards runs slightly better on 360.

    In fact, up until now, all multiplatform games except maybe assassins creed are in the console B list in terms of graphical performance and animations.

  • GamerG #19 2 years ago

    @swissorc i'm taking it too seriously?

    This articles are only posted because PS3 fanboys take them too seriously!

    it's all an excuse to have a laugh at them init!

  • cianchristopher #20 2 years ago

    Jeez, I can't believe that After Burner on the 360 has 4xAA and the PS3 couldn't even handle that!

    That said, I own it on the PS3, and I don't really care one way or another. But still, it's a little surprising (the game is 20 years old, forchrissakes)!!

  • lordofthedunce #21 2 years ago

    Can we have a SNES v Megadrive retrospective face-off, please?

  • Geordiemp #22 2 years ago

    ^^^ Lord

    Funny and gets to the point, lots of old technology engines and games compared to best in class.

    Maybe when Crytek get their engine out to thrid parties face offs will be interesting and relevant again.

  • karooo #23 2 years ago

    "360 wins again!

    PS3 owners if you get down to Gamestation you can trade your PS3 in for a 360s for only £24.99 and have the superior gaming system!

    What are you waiting for? "

    What am i waiting for? Gran Turismo 5.

  • karooo #24 2 years ago

    meh
    Edited by 2 at 20/07/10 @ 17:44

  • mkreku #25 2 years ago

    Well, I am glad the Xbox 360 has a slight advantage in most games.. otherwise Richard would be forced to publish two more apologetic articles per game as he did with FF13.

  • berryl227 #26 2 years ago

    These articles have been useful for me in helping deciding which multiplat titles to buy for my ps3. Basically the differences between most games are negligible but where they are or I feel I can see a difference I just haven't bought them. Went for BFBC 2 as very little difference but didn't buy red dead as there seemed to be a number of very evident differences , lower resolution, paired back graphical performance.

    As i knew I would find those differences annoying, I Instead bought Sony exclusives instead such as heavy rain, GOW3 and most recently demons souls. And thoroughly enjoying it I am so for me these face-offs are quite useful.

  • SHPanda #27 2 years ago

    So what we've proven is the differences for the most part are negligible and we no longer need these face offs.

    Maybe from now on EG could just post a new story when it turns out one version (or both for that matter) performs poorly so that we know to avoid buying it.

  • Paulie_P #28 2 years ago

    android123 meet my ignore list, you two will get along great!

  • Geordiemp #29 2 years ago

    @ Karoo,

    Does not matter what disk size they use, if they put more data the old engine would not be able to handle it.

    Until sony give away their first party engines to multiplat devs. then a 'simpler' engine thats PC based will always run better on 360.

    But 360 fanboys, try playing uncharted 2 on a 42 inch plasma and just weep. My 360 only mate played it and said, god, gears is shit.

    Thats why its best to have both consoles.
    Edited by 1 at 20/07/10 @ 12:39

  • Darren #30 2 years ago

    I do enjoy reading these articles to see how the PS3 and 360 are faring games wise but even I have to admit that they're getting very predictable now.

    I tend to buy most multiformat games on the PC these days anyway because the issues mentioned by DF are generally easily overcome on that platform (e.g. tearing, sub-720p resolutions, lack of AA, 30 fps, etc.) but there are some games which I've regretted buying on the PC and wished I'd bought on the 360, e.g. Blur, which virtually no-one is playing online making the game very dull to play since the single player is rubbish (I'd have had to subscribe to Gold again though). It even runs better on the 360 than on my PC as it doesn't stutter and hitch (damn you, ATI)!!!

  • neems #31 2 years ago

    @Karoo -

    "Why only 6.4gb on the BD? why not take 20gb and use uncompressed textures, this is unfair to the ps3, holding back anyone?"

    Why bother? They won't get any extra sales out of it, it will only cost time and money. As a side note, do Sony demand that developers / publishers use BD, regardless of the size of the game? I have the retail release of WipeOut HD / Fury, and it comes on a BD when a DVD would clearly do the job just as well.

    Ultimately there are only two situations where format differences matter -

    1. If you own both consoles. If this is you, the chances are you will buy the 360 version (unless it is FF13). Everybody else will obviously just buy the game for the machine they have.

    2. Flamebait for internet forums. Presumably as long as I and my peers continue to either state the obvious or hurl random insults around in the comments thread, Eurogamer will continue to print the articles.

  • m0thr4 #32 2 years ago

    Jeez, I can't believe that After Burner on the 360 has 4xAA and the PS3 couldn't even handle that!
    PS3 games generally only implement AA when necessary, as it impacts performance. Xbox 360 games nearly always implement AA as you get it effectively free with its GPU.

    That said, I own it on the PS3, and I don't really care one way or another. But still, it's a little surprising (the game is 20 years old, forchrissakes)!!

    Lol... I think you're confusing After Burner Climax (2006) with After Burner (1987)
    Edited by 1 at 20/07/10 @ 12:50

  • StooMonster #33 2 years ago

    Geordiemp: Until sony give away their first party engines to multiplat devs. then a 'simpler' engine thats PC based will always run better on 360.

    There's so much wrong with this statement I don't even know where to begin to correct it.

  • makeamazing #34 2 years ago

    I tend to buy all non exclusives on my PS3... probably because i dont own an xbox anymore... so i thought that would be sensible thing to do.

    Graphical differences are slight, but still apparent to the trained eye

    To me this quote from one of the games is the thing, I dont have two tv's next to each other and dont have both consoles and wouldnt play both games at the same time. :)

    I dont think anyone doubts that as a machine that is easier for 3rd party companies to program that the Xbox is better in that respect... but generally Sony exclusives are of a higher quality and a higher genre range... so its apples for pears... but all of this is subjective, and one persons opinions isnt fact. So on one hand i am sure some fanboys will get all in a spin, but for me, when i am watching District 9 on Blu-Ray i will feel much better for it ;). Joking aside, these types of arguments are basically pointless.

  • Darren #35 2 years ago

    I'd prefer it in future if the Face Offs were limited to games where noticeable differences exist between them as was the case with Red Dead Redemption and Final Fantasy XIII for example.

    Games that only have minor differences that are not noticeable during play (as Richard Leadbetter claims) are hardly worth him writing about never mind the rest of us reading; he might as well just list them with a heading of "Negligible Differences"! The one-off comparisons that DF do for the major releases tend to be more useful as they tend to come out before or on the games' release whereas these Face Offs don't plus many of the games are not must-have titles anyway. The quality of the games in this Face Off is admittedly better than most though.

  • Dave52 #36 2 years ago

    Graphical differences are slight. PS3 wins in the sound department...

  • m0thr4 #37 2 years ago

    @GeordieImp
    But 360 fanboys, try playing uncharted 2 on a 42 inch plasma and just weep. My 360 only mate played it and said, god, gears is shit.

    Aha, I was waiting for someone to play the "Uncharted 2" card! What is so special about the graphics of this game that makes people trot it out as an example of PS3 superiority over the Xbox360? I'm asking this having played through the whole game twice and thinking that I've seen far more impressive-looking games on the PlayStation 3, let alone the Xbox 360.

  • neems #38 2 years ago

    1 million + points for District 9 on Blu-Ray. Focking Prons.

    As a long term pc gamer, I thought the visuals in Uncharted 2 were phenomenal. The whole game completely blew me away, much more impressive than I had expected.
    Edited by 1 at 20/07/10 @ 12:59

  • Nephirion #39 2 years ago

    Why do I have to read an article that compares a game running on two different platforms that's designed to look the same across all formats, just to find out there is no noticeable difference? Is not that the point of multiplatform that they are identical ????

  • Raiftel #40 2 years ago

    The thing with Uncharted 2 is that in terms of graphical fidelity to its setting it's an incredible looking game, lush jungles look lush, cities look like cities. I never really got into the graphics of the game because I never found anything to like with the asthetic. Same with Gears of War, whilst the raw power was amazing I always felt the art direction was kind of flat. It's why I think games like Mass Effect 2 and TF2 and last gens Okami/Wind Waker look fantastic, there's a genuine art style to those games, whilst games like Gears and Uncharted simply look 'great'/.
    Edited by 1 at 20/07/10 @ 13:08

  • makeamazing #41 2 years ago

    Infamous 2 looks pretty impressive actually.. you have to remember building a game world (open world) tech takes alot of time, effort and resources. So hey if it takes them two or three games to make it the best looking open world game, so be it.

    Personally i loved GOD3, UC2 and Infamous.. we have different tastes i guess, i am just a gamer who wants to play games.

  • Geordiemp #42 2 years ago

    @stoo

    Another way, whenn did you last here any game Journalist say wow, unreal engine game X has great performance and graphics compared to the best console examples ?

    Its old, and yes its PC architechture based, it does not offer the multithreading that sony firt party engines thrive on and hence why they look and perfom so much better.

    Dont get me wrong, I love borderlands, but its hardly a looker.

    We read aboiut Rage and Crysis using more of the tricks to take multiplat performance to the next level, but there is nothing yet.

    Do you think Transformers would glitch if it used an engine from naughty dog, or even insomniac ?

    How much better would the 360 games be if on a better engine ? How long will we have to wait ?
    Edited by 1 at 20/07/10 @ 13:20

  • Badassbab #43 2 years ago

    According to LOT, Singularity on PS3 has better lighting while 360 sports higher res specular effects while SSAO is only in the PS3 version of Transformers.

    Who can one trust....

  • Badassbab #44 2 years ago

    I got Afterburner for 400MSP

  • j-bo #45 2 years ago

    I still can't justify buying a Xbox 360, as the pc versions of any cross platform games laugh off any compeition from the consoles, and the PS3 still has hands-down better exclusives. About the only thing I'd buy a xbox for is Limbo, and that seems a tad like overkill:/

  • phAge #46 2 years ago

    "In regards to Singularity anti-aliasing, accdg. to lensoftruth "Both version seem to have no noticeable differences with anti-aliasing. Both version most likely used minimal anti-aliasing, if any, but honestly both version looked about the same. Another similarity was with the blood and gore effects, both versions looked on-par to one another with particle effects, body dismemberment and such. Especially when you got a head-shot and, well you know, the Unreal Engine 3 introduced the whole Head Shot thing there’s really no need to explain."
    http://www.lensof truth.com/?p=20992

    So which is it?"

    Then again, LensOfTruth *are* a bunch of, well, fucking mongs.

  • Doctor_What #47 2 years ago

    @ Mickey:
    "it seems like they have stopped "pushing" the 360 as far as it could go with multi plats, so sonys system can keep up."

    As someone who would know, I'd just like to say that that's nonsense. There are massive restrictions on what we can achieve on both systems and compromises are always found. Lighting processes might be easier on one, texture detail easier on another, disk access quicker on one but better bandwidth on the other. All systems have compromises made for the others (including the PC).

    Personally I prefer the PS3 pad and the free online play, so if online is a big component then I'll go for the PS3 version every time.

    I've played a few multiplat games on both systems where the differences are supposedly huge and you know what? The experience of playing it is exactly the blooming same. Even in the rare occasions where you might notice a graphical difference you simply don't care when you're involved with the game experience.

  • Doctor_What #48 2 years ago

    Have a go on God Of War 3 then, I think that's bloody awesome. Flower's great too. Wipeout's a blast as well, and I'm looking forward to getting around to Heavy Rain on the PS Move along with a bit of Time Crisis.

    Yep, the PS3 hasn't blown the 360 out of the water technically, but it's mostly the PS3 haters who seem to bang on about it rather than the PS3 supporters. And frankly, as I said before, there's good and bads things about both systems and it depends what you're looking for. Basing good/bad purely on graphics is getting to the point of silliness now when there are so many other qualities about the systems that mark them apart more. My PS3 is the media centre of my house as well as delivering great games - so to me Sony did deliver on their promises in my view (and my 360 is currently bricked).

  • PYF #49 2 years ago

    Why are people being negged for saying the 360 wins? It clearly does in this article, so deal with it.

    This is a contest, after all. The clue is in the 'vs' bit in the article's headline...

  • Goodfella #50 2 years ago

    @ mickey

    The PS3 without a doubt has by far the better exclusives, past present and future. Now go troll elsewhere.

  • Geordiemp #51 2 years ago

    NNo triple A good titles here anyway.

    How average games run on average engines is interesting, lets all hope ina year the multiplats start using better engines.

    Dont get fanboys, argue like heck but would I do without Mass effect 2 or Uncharted 2 for some multiplat dross, I think not.

    If people buy that many games, get both consoles and stick with quality, there is enough exlcusive quality on both to have to stoop to buying singularity and the like....

    Lets face it, the games have not been optimised to run on Ps3, and propoably just take the easy way for 360 as well, its called lack of polish and effort to maximise profit.
    Edited by 1 at 20/07/10 @ 14:45

  • Retro_ #52 2 years ago

    I'll be honest with you, These games look really nice on 'MY' console, I say 'My' console and not 360 or PS3 because I own the one I want to own and so don't really care about comparisons, However, I read these features because I want to know if the developers did a decent job on either console.

    btw, Android123 really needs to grow a set of balls, get a girlfriend and grow up, I have no doubt he's a pathetic little weed who lives with his mommy and daddy.


  • TopKatt #53 2 years ago

    You make some good points there Geordiemp, but Singularity is a great game imho.

  • Goodfella #54 2 years ago

    @ Geordiemp

    Yep, pretty much most of the games I buy are exclusives (I have a PS3 and 360) and the occasional multiplatform game like RDR but for the most part, like you say I just don't get the impression the games are optimised and prefer the polish of exclusives. (apart from Haze and Lair)

    Thing is though, games like Mass Effect 2 and Left 4 Dead 2 I get on the PC as they are the far superior versions.
    Edited by 1 at 20/07/10 @ 14:52

  • xenoss #55 2 years ago

    Tests like these are irrelevant.

    We all know by now that in multiplatform games, 360 wins everytime. This is beating a dead horse too many times over. I don't think any PS3 owners (or even fanboys) doubt this. It is the truth. Multiplatform games are developed with 360 in mind. It is the lowest common denominator. Of course those games work better on 360. If games were developed with PS3 in mind, 360 won't be able to run it at all.

    In other words, 360's popularity in the west is holding back advancements in games. Sony made the mistake to assume that gamers think rationally; they thought PS3 would be more popular if it is superior in technology, has free multiplayer, and more reliable hardware. HAHA No. Sony learns the hard way that rationality means very little to gamers.

    It doesnt help that they screwed the developers over by making games harder to develop. That's the critical mistake when it comes down to it.

  • karooo #56 2 years ago

    "i think the closeness of the face off these days says much about devs not wanting bad publicity of the press , than them getting a true handle on the ps3. it seems like they have stopped "pushing" the 360 as far as it could go with multi plats, so sonys system can keep up. in the beggining no one bothered but now they have a 33 million install base to think about, the gaps of old wouldnt do. "

    wow thats rubbish.

    if PS3 was the lead platform 20gb Games etc, all games would be 2 to 3 discs in size for the 360. thats why 360 is the lead platform 6gb games and the ps3 has to suffer and not only that advancements in gaming are held back by the 360.

  • karooo #57 2 years ago

    "I'd much rather play gears, halo and alan wake than uncharted and the poxy resistance games.
    Too many people overrate the ps3 exclusives(usually sony fanboys).

    Unless you enjoy kids games like lbp, i see little on the ps3(exclusive wise)that should get people excited.

    And during all of this, some of the best games this generation(red dead redemption, bayonetta etc)are all better on 360. "

    Thats your opinion, i find halo, alan wake etc overrated see what i did there? its also hilarious how you avoid other exclusives and go pick on lbp typical 360 fanboy.

  • UncleLou #58 2 years ago

    I'll never understand 360 fanboys that gloat about minimal differences, and ignore the elephant in the room that is the PC. Funny. :)

  • UncleLou #59 2 years ago

    I'd much rather play gears, halo and alan wake than uncharted and the poxy resistance games.
    Too many people overrate the ps3 exclusives(usually sony fanboys).

    Unless you enjoy kids games like lbp, i see little on the ps3(exclusive wise)that should get people excited.

    And I'd much rather play Demon's Souls than any of those. Funny old opinions, eh.

  • jag10 #60 2 years ago

    so it's come to minor multiplatform differences for xbots. how pathetic. remember final fantasy 13. 'the difference is so minor it doesn't matter' 'you can hardly tell the difference'.

  • laudy #61 2 years ago


    mickey2010 sounds remarkably like donnie(something or other)

    welcome back

  • M_of_the_sys #62 2 years ago

    @laudy

    Took your time to catch on.

  • bladdard #63 2 years ago

    First of all face-offs are great because they help judge which version to buy, most reviews don't give in depth technical information.

    Secondly there's little doubt most exclusives are better on the 360 but it's quite idiotic to deny the quality of the exclusives on the PS3. To be so blinkered and stupid will cause you to miss out on some great games and claiming you own a PS3 when you quite clearly don't is mental .... why would anyone do that?

    Edited by 1 at 20/07/10 @ 16:17

  • laudy #64 2 years ago

    @M_of_the_sys

    to be fair, it's the first time I've actually read a post of mickey/donnie's from start to finish...

  • IkariW #65 2 years ago

    Blah blah blah, This is getting very old.

    Life has always been about choices...

    Zx80 vs riding a pedal go-kart
    Zx81 vs pocket calculator
    Atari 2600 vs intellivision
    Oric vs Dragon 32
    Spectrum vs c64
    c64 vs Amstrad
    Nes vs mastersystem
    Atari St vs Amiga
    Megadrive vs Snes
    Game boy vs Game gear
    PC Engine vs Megadrive vs Snes
    3DO vs Neo Geo
    Saturn vs playstation
    Playstation vs N64
    Dreamcast vs PS2
    DS vs PSP
    Xbox vs ps2 vs gamecube
    Xbox 360 vs Ps3 vs Wii
    PC vs Mac
    Ken vs Ryu
    Ghostbusters vs Gremlins
    Smokey vs the bandit
    Top Gear vs Fifth Gear
    Tyson vs Lewis
    Maverick vs Ice Man
    Lewis vs Button
    Smoking vs death
    Brain cells vs best format discussions

    ...Life always has been, and always will be, that won't change. And more often than not, people will never admit to making the wrong choice anyway. (What ever 'Wrong' is deemed to be)

    So make a choice, stick with it, or don't, its up to you!
    Buy one! Buy both! every console system ever made!

    But, there is one thing thats important to remember...

    NO ONE REALLY CARES!

    ;)
    Ikari
    Edited by 3 at 21/07/10 @ 09:06

  • UncleLou #66 2 years ago

    'd rather play all of them and not have to pick sides.

    I didn't pick sides, seeing how he also listed Uncharted etc., I picked a game. :)

  • Geordiemp #67 2 years ago

    ^^ if your a theird party dev, and 95 % of your programmers can use Unreal engine 3, and you have assets and graphics and tools ready, then its cheaper to use that.

    There are many better engines, but its a big cost to switch to something new, it would be a learning curve for allot of staff.

    First party have a bigger budget, can spend more time perfecting an engine and apply more polish (normally).

    Another view is an easy engine to code for allows you to give more, Borderlands was a long game by todays standards, if it hada fancy engine, would the game have been as large ?

  • UncleLou #68 2 years ago

    The bigger the fantard, the worse the spelling.

  • RKOwned #69 2 years ago

    lol, oh wow, all the fanboys that show up to these articles is LOL tastic. They like to think that the differences are massive, when they are not. Yeah, with UE 3 games, 360 sports a very small graphical advantage msot times, but thats because its mostly a PC engine, but really who cares. I think these comparisons show more then anything that Devs are getting closer and closer to platform parity. Remember back in teh day where it was unequivicaly yous hould get the 360 version? Wel, teh guy writing these articles seems to have a ahrder time really recommending one over the other with each passing round. It went from "buy it on 360" to "yeah, 360 has a small edge, but both are recommended" Maybe in a year from now theyll be the same. Anyway, i dont care, ill get which ever version is better for the specific game. And if that means getting them on 360, so be it. Ill still have my PS3 for the multipalts that are better on it and its killer exclusvies. you fantards can argue about which syestem is better and i hope it makes you sleep well at night. Yes, im talking to you Android 123 adn GamerG, you little scamps.

  • MaoZedong #70 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:40:08 17-12-2011

  • Goodfella #71 2 years ago

    @ mickey2010

    That's quite a grammar and paragraph-free rant there, it was hard to read but I think I got the gist.

    You really need to get a PS3, seriously, having a 360 and a PS3 is great, you get the best of everything.

  • bladdard #72 2 years ago

    @Goodfella

    He's already convinced himself there aren't any good games on the PS3 so I doubt he'd open his mind and grow as person. If he did he'd be able to contribute with an objective appraisal instead of all that MS till I die bullshit.

    Edit. Fixed spelling, bloody iPhone.
    Edited by 2 at 20/07/10 @ 21:20

  • Badassbab #73 2 years ago

    Goodfella post 86

    Couldn't agree more. I bought 360 first and face it in the first few years it was the better console. Then the Slim came out with a more attractive price point so got that and SOME of the PS3 exclusives are very very good also technically better than anything on the 360 and then eventually even got myself a Wii. Mario Galaxy is just sublime.

    I think it's a bit embarrassing for Sony the PS3 get's beat in most multi plat games as it is meant to be the more powerful console coming out a year later etc. I know usually the PC or 360 is the lead platform but even where the PS3 is the lead platform the 360 version is very similar or even better apart from FFXIII. SNES ports of games were technically nearly always better then MD versions and same with N64 over PSOne as one was the newer hardware and the developers took full advantage. So for PS3 to cope worse with 360 ports goes to show it's not so black and white these days and MS must be given credit for thinking ahead in it's GPU and memory design.

    IMO the PS3's GPU with it's limited bandwidth was the wrong choice as was the dated split memory set up but with Blu Ray and HDD as standard something had to give. Still though it true to say the best looking PS3 games are linear in design I say so what? They look fantastic and the experiance as a solo player is second to none. Uncharted and GOW really show us what the PS3 can do and there's nothing on the 360 to rival them on a technical sense and I don't think there ever will be but this gen we've seen console multiplayer really take off with game chat and downloadable content and this is where the 360 excels. Halo 3 and Gears is still being played while GOW3 is probably gathering dust in most peoples homes. Look at Crackdown 2, it's selling well and it was rushed out in eight months but it features 4 player online co-op blowing things to smitherines and a lot of gamers are having fun playing it even though it looks dated and really should've been better.

    As the Wii has shown it's not just about graphics people but social gaming whether in the same room together or online with game chat and on the 360 that includes cross game chat.

  • funkateer #74 2 years ago

    Even though the outcome becomes a bit predictable, it's still nice to read how the differences become less and less important to the point that it doesn't really matter that much anymore.
    Although lens of truth revealed some things DF missed, the analysis reports from DF seems to be a bit more scientific in the (for me at least) more important areas.
    So keep them coming!

  • aphexstwin #75 2 years ago

    as an avid golfist, tiger the slut-banger + move has me excited as it means that i can keep swinging without destroying the house or getting pissed on as i did at sedgefield earlier today. im not arsed about the visuals of this, nor any other game tbh, just want a nice gameplay experience. which is something ive missed a lot this gen, all of the highly touted games, gta4, mgs4, forza 3, gt5p, were all trying too hard to wow us and failed in being any 'fun' to play, whereas an oldie like bf2mc still has me hooked, warhawk has me bamboozled and lbp/u2 have me excited to play them - a genuine sense of 'what can be done'. well, thats my 10bob anyway

  • gjgjg #76 2 years ago

    i love the comment threads for these articles, they are predictable to the point of being carbon copies (save title names) but always give me a larf. seems to be more sensitive / defensive sorny fanboys voting than normal this time however. get over it guys, cross platforms are better on xbx but you have the exclusives ok?

    i think eg should do a monthly fanboy direct feature, so i can count the pimples on their hd (and slightly lower hd) heads.

  • Gromit #77 2 years ago

    Is this really necessary, other than to fuel the fanboy wars ?

  • SaberEdge #78 2 years ago

    You know what I'm sick of? I'm sick of all the whiners that come into these articles moaning about how pointless these comparisons are.

    If you find it so pointless don't click on the article, it's as simple as that. I own both consoles and I like to know which version looks or performs better.

    Digital Foundry's comparisons are without compare. I can't believe some people can't see how amateurish Lens of Truth is. Those guys are just a couple of regular gamers with no real technical background. They don't understand what they are looking at the way Digital Foundry does and they often make mistakes. If Digital Foundry went away or stopped doing their comparisons I would have no reliable source to go to in order to find out what the differences are between multi-platform games.

    What's really sad is that most of the people complaining are doing it for very obvious and pathetic reasons. When you read these people's comments you soon realize that they are PS3 fanboys. It's clear why these fanboys don't like these comparisons, but do they have to ruin a useful resource for the rest of us?

  • Dave52 #79 2 years ago

    Xbox fan boy... ^

  • Geordiemp #80 2 years ago

    @ Saber edge.

    No, most of us, like me, already have both consoles. 360 works better for UE III and some old engines, I buy all UE III games for 360. I like system link games, as there is no lag when playing coop.

    However, It just sad when users seem to equate this running certain software as superior, when I play U2, MGS4, Wipeout HD, heck even Ratchet, I see more polished superior AAA titles technically. Even

    That does not mean I have 360 great games, ME 2 which I hold dear, and Crackdown for the fun, and Halo for the coop but probably overdone for now. But they do not compete on looks, animations, effects, infact anything you would look for in engine performance.

    Maybe things will change again when Crytek / Rage IV and newer engines come out, but strangely MS seem to be just working on Kinect, Kinect and Kinect.

    Dont get me wrong, I would love MS to buy Crytek and compete with Sony on technical engines and AAA first party games form both companies. Competition is good and I would lap them all up, being a gamer first.
    Edited by 2 at 21/07/10 @ 10:16

  • Dizzy #81 2 years ago

    "Multiplatform games are developed with 360 in mind. It is the lowest common denominator. Of course those games work better on 360"

    Somehow I think you didn't study computer science. Maybe in the world of burger flipping this is somehow reality, but not in our world.

  • Geordiemp #82 2 years ago

    @Mickey Welcome back donnie.

    So you ahve a PSN account called hate, I cant be bothered to check your list of games and efforts and trophies.

    Anyone can open a PSN account on-line.

    Maybe we will all chip together and buy you a PS3, or just use the ignore button, what a decision ?

    PS. The return key is useful after blocks of text, its called a paragraph. It makes reading easier, spelling is not so important on a board...
    Edited by 1 at 21/07/10 @ 10:36

  • bluetoothion #83 2 years ago

    UE3 will be for quite a while an affordable and trustworthy solution for many developers especially smaller ones that don't have the mammoth-type like support o mama SONY or mama MS to put their talents into a disk and show it to us asking for our money.

    while i am a ps3 owner and tend to support it ....modest fanboy....sort of

    i can't seriously expect developers to opt for new expensive englnes exclusively for PS3 weird architexture ...against their overall profit plans and against economy status globally which allows little or no room for risks to small developers
    however you can tell which is a lazy port and which is not....and this face offs seem to help a bit...

    and guess what lazy ones don't get a penny out of me.

  • madjim #84 2 years ago

    Being the owner of all 3 consoles this generation, I think I deserve not to be seen as a fanboy on this. I buy games from time to time (more during winter because of my job) for all 3 consoles. Just today I got Siren Blood Curse and Mass Effect 2. So, equality between the 2 consoles. But I can't stop thinking that the PS3 is simply a most powerful console and that comes easily to anyone that have played through Uncharted 2, God Of War 3 or Metal Gear Solid 4. The graphics to these exclusives are simply phenomenal! Does that change the fact that 360 is an amazing console and has better quality in multiplatform? No, but that is a problem of the programmers not of the consoles.

  • photoboy #85 2 years ago

    I'm surprised that Transformers has a fixed res of 1024x600 (or 1040x600), I was certain it was dropping the resolution dynamically when it decided there was too much going on. I've only got the 360 version, but the graphics can go from being quite well filtered to suddenly looking very jagged and unfiltered/non-anti-aliased. It seemed to me like they are either dropping the res or turning off the AA when the screen gets busy.

    Has anyone else noticed this?

  • Badassbab #86 2 years ago

    Don't quite get why some PS3 oweners are banging on about the graphics of MGS4 apart from perhaps the character models, it's dated already. Plus it has an unsteady framerate.

  • ronuds #87 2 years ago

    Wait... yesterday when FFXIII was rumoured to be coming to the 360 in Japan, everyone was crowing on about how it's the inferior version and "why bother" and all of that kind of nonsense.

    Today, the differences are of no consequence.

    Go figure!

  • des #88 2 years ago

    360 wins again,what a surprise.

  • M_of_the_sys #89 2 years ago

    "everyone was crowing on about how it's the inferior version and "why bother" and all of that kind of nonsense."

    Erm... I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. A few people at most said it was the inferior version and everyone else said it was a crap game.

    Defensive much?

  • MizzouGaming #90 2 years ago

    I've said it many, many times before but I will say it again- The PS3's overall power is very deceiving, and misleading when you consider its insane lack of versatility. If you have 10 years development schedule, and buckets and buckets and buckets of cash then you can produce a damn good-looking videogame. Anything less and you are pretty much guaranteed a port lagging far behind its 360 counterpart.

  • SaberEdge #91 2 years ago

    Why do people act like there are so many PS3 exclusives that are supposedly better than anything on the 360? The only game I would say currently beats anything on the 360 is Uncharted 2 (I love that game), and I honestly think that has more to do with Naughty Dog's talent and effort. Killzone 2 might be there too, but there are certain things about the way it achieves its look that don't like.

    Gears of War 3, in any case, looks as good as either of them. http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=d68KiRM4qUA

  • Loghorn #92 2 years ago

    @IonOnion, @Badassbab, & @NimbusTLD: Who would you rather believe, Digital Foundry, who have been doing multiplat comparisons for years, or some unknown, unexperienced site like LOT (Lens Of Truth), the ones who aren't that experienced in multiplat comparisons?

  • TaniumZX #93 2 years ago

    Being a PS3 and 360 owner I usually look forward to, and enjoy reading these face-offs, but the quality of games being compared seems to be going steadily downhill as of late. Maybe its just the so called 'summer slump'...

    Anyway, I'd prefer a' mini face-off' whenever any multiplat is reviewed in future so we dont have to wait for these articles.

  • xenoss #94 2 years ago

    @trebell

    Wii doesn't count as a common denominator because it doesn't offer the same games.

    Picking sides is fun, kind of like sports. And the point with 360 vs PS3 is that there is so much overlap between the 2 consoles; they offer the same type of experience, and often the same games. It is a common mentality based on financial restrictions that players get only 1 of the 2. And of course, picking sides is fun.

    I am a PC gamer at heart so I understand what you're saying. I think consoles indeed held back game development in more ways than 1. But in terms of 360 vs PS3, I'll justify my comments from my previous post by saying that PS3 is superior in specs, and yet those specs are underutlilized because 360 needs to run them too.

    The reason you 360 and PS3 seem so closely matched that you don't notice the difference, is because of the very fact that 360 is the lowest common denominator. The PS3's 8 cores aren't all used, but for cross platform games, often only 3 are used. Why? it is because that is the range of 360's specs.

    From a developer's point of view, you want to sell on both platforms, and you sure cannot make a game with PS3 in mind if they want to do that. A game made FOR PS3 cannot run on 360 (even FF13 had to make compromises). A game made FOR 360 can be run on both. Add to that the fact that it is notoriously more difficult to make games for PS3, the choice is 2 times more obvious.

    The lower specs on 360 IS the lowest common denominator. And if it wasn't for 360's popularity, developers would be developing for the much higher specs of PS3. Of course, this is only limited to the consoles. The best scenario would be PC games being dominant, resulting in the best games.

    As for paying for multiplayer, you have a very weak argument. PS3's free environment isn't unreliable. There is no justifying paying for that "service". You get much better reliability and performance on the PC, and you don't pay on that. PS3's free multiplayer works on console pretty much just as well. And yet it is free.

    I guess if you are paying for it, you want to feel like you're not being duped and that there are good reasons, great even, why you're doing it. It helps you feel better about the situation, and all 360 fans jump on you the moment you attempt to question that belief (kind of like religion). But it doesn't mean there is any rationality behind it.

  • Murton #95 2 years ago

    It's nice to see these articles concentrate on software rather than banging on about the hardware all the time like they used to.

    Now we just need to get mentions on where AA isn't actually required. The LEGO games for example have almost no aliasing on the PS3 despite the fact that not one of them has any AA at all, but that isn't mentioned in the face offs effectively giving a point to the 360 where no points are up for grabs.


    The sad truth is that multiplatform games are always going to be slightly better on the 360, not because of the machine itself but simply because that's where the developers have concentrated their effort. By large the industry ports to the PS3 in order to make up numbers and the fans on that console get the shitty end of the stick as a result. Thankfully there's a really strong lineup of first party studios to show how things could be and encourage those in the third party to raise their game, hence the near perfect parity that we're witnessing in this year's releases.

  • Retro_ #96 2 years ago

    One area where the PS3 really does kick the 360 in the teeth and yet most people just don't get to experience it due to them not owning the systems is in the Audio. Just witness DTS 7.1. HD through a real Audio system and be prepared to pick up your jaw from the floor.

    @xenoss. Only 6 of the CELL's cores can be used for Games, One is permanently disconnected ( bet Sony regrets that decision! ) and one is used by the OS at all times. Don't forget, while you are playing PS3 games, the system can be happily recording TV programs via PlayTV etc. I guess as a MultiMedia system, the PS3 really does trump the 360.
    Edited by 1 at 26/07/10 @ 14:05

  • Loghorn #97 2 years ago

    @xenoss: The PS3's CPU is not 8 physical cores, there's 1 and the rest are logical cores (not physical).
    The more cores DOES NOT MEAN ITS BETTER (look at i7 vs 1090t benchmarks). The Saturn's CPU is running at a very low clock speed, probably has a terrible architecture. The Xbox CPU is just as good, it even has the same clock speed as the Saturn does; that's from what I heard, anyway.

    @Murton: The only reason WHY 1st party games on the PS3 look slightly better (yes, I said slightly; Sony fanboys always thinks that their exclusives look monstrously better) is because Sony pushes their developers to get the best out of their console when Microsoft won't do it within their system when it comes to 1st party exclusives. Plus Crytek is one of the few computers/3rd party developers that is focusing on pushing out greater graphics within the 360 on games like the upcoming Crysis 2. 3rd party developers are in it for the money, & most of them aren't going to waste it all trying to make PS3 versions of games better than 360 versions of games when it takes them more time & money to do that, especially when most 360 versions of games sell a lot better. Plus besides, most PC games such as Crysis 1 (including multiplats on PC) happens to look much more better than any PS3 exclusive out there.
    Edited by 1 at 29/07/10 @ 20:24

  • Badassbab #98 2 years ago

    xenoss post 113

    What a load of tosh your unfounded arguments are. Is that why SNES ports of MD games trumped it? Is that why N64 ports of PSOne games technically superior? Same goes for Xbox ports over PS2. So why is it any different for 360 and PS3. Look at where the PS3 has been the lead platform (Mirrors Edge, Burnout Paradise, Battlefield 2 etc). How much better did it look over the 360? Barely anything and if the PS3 is so technically superior than it would have no sweat handling 360 ports. A game made for PS3 can run on 360 even if it means making sacrifices (FFXIII). Most developers agree there really isn't much of a technical gulf between the two. C'mon it's 4 years already. Any PS3 games that look better than anything on 360 are all linear with lots of cimematics. I personally don't think the 360 will equal the best 1st party PS3 games this gen on a graphical basis as Naughty Dogs engine and tools will remain supreme but you need to get off your high Sony fanboy horse, stop kidding yourself and quit with the weak lowest common denominator argument.

  • edhe #99 2 years ago

    @ #108

    "As these articles point out most cross-platform games these days are virtually identicle (with the odd glaring exception) and the few exclusives the PS3 enjoys tend to look a lot better than anything on the 360. "

    I guess you didn't see the start of the generation then? NB 'a lot' is entirely subjective.

    I still don't understand why people have the preconceived notion that the ps3 is somehow more powerful when it's been proven time and again that they're both on par with eachother & that the 360 architecture's better for gaming.

    I'd like to see someone dedicate an engine to the 360's bare essentials, but it'll never happen i guess. Directx & all that.

  • RKOwned #100 2 years ago

    I can only give you guys my take on how I use my two syestems (PS3 and 360)

    My PS3 excels at Exclusives. I think it has some of the best and best looking exclusvies this gen. this is a big plus to the syestem.

    My 360 Excels at multiplatform quality for most multiplatform games. this is a big point for it as well. It also has some great exclusives.

    I rely on things like this to make my purchasing decisions, and even then I may ignore them if I played a demo for both versions and I didnt notice a difference.

    Does 360 getting the better version most of the time make the 360 unanimously better and PS3 worse? Absolutely not.

  • RKOwned #101 1 year ago

    For some reason, I notice the PS3 version of games on my HDTV look less colorful or they are drab compared to the 360 version, but when I look at these comaprison shots, they look nearly the same. Do I not have the right setting set on my PS3? Im not able to do Full RGB because ill get crushed blacks and my HDTv dosent support it.

  • RKOwned #102 1 year ago

    You know whats funny, if you guys go to the first couple of rounds that this thing did back in the day, you would all realize how far we have come to platform parity since the early days.

  • forsocnet #103 2 months ago

    click