Episode Two Graphics on Xbox 360 vs. PC

[donnierunn]

Hello everyone.

I'm new here, as this is my first post.
I was just wanting to get some opinions on the graphics of The Orange Box on PC compared to the Xbox 360 on an HDTV.

Which one would look better?


I read in a Gamespot review of The Orange Box that Half Life 2 on Xbox 360 had worse textures then its PC counterpart but the 360 version had High Dynamic Range Rendering.

 

[99.vikram]

^True.

Half-Life 2 looks prettier on X360 than on PC. The trade-off is that Episode Two looks FAR better on a mid-range PC than X360.

 

[donnierunn]

Wow so Episode Two on a mid-range PC looks better than on the Xbox 360??
Thats crazy.

Kinda going off topic, but I'm a noob at technology and I was wondering what would be a good computer to get for games?

 

[Rashak]

Wow so Episode Two on a mid-range PC looks better than on the Xbox 360??
Thats crazy.

Kinda going off topic, but I'm a noob at technology and I was wondering what would be a good computer to get for games?

better than real life...

 

[saratos]

I don't understand why Valve chose not to give the PC Orange Box the updated HL2 as well.

 

[Operational]

It's on Valve's "yes we will do that" list.

Edit: Although I theorised before that Valve will wait until after Ep3 to update HL2, et al so they get more results for their efforts.

 

[Omnomnick]

Ok, I have both so I shall post my views.

Yes, Half Life 2 appears prettier because of its updated engine to 07, while PC gamers wait for Valve to release Console content such as achievements and the 07 update.

However, all 4 of other games in the orange box appear bland in comparison. Episode 1 has a very similar engine to Episode 2 although it lacks the lovely flying blood and dynamic shadows, it still is great to look at, and somehow, PC graphics appears better. Episode 2 is the same story, PC gamers have exactly the same engine as 360 owners, however all console versions of the game lack adjustable graphics and are stuck with around the PC's 'Medium Settings' which make the game appear worse than it could. Team Fortress 2 is by far the worst game in the console version of the orange box. As I said, shadows and detail are weak, meaning (if you've listened to commentary) you do not get that nice bright shine on the character's clothing, it simply appears dim, bland and boring. While on the subject of Team Fortress, gameplay is somewhat destroyed, the massive online communities and 32 player all out fights over amazing custom maps is lost for a slow, 16 player, lobby ridden battle. With minimal players and with very minor action occuring in comparision to the PC version. Portal is very much the same, as it uses 07 source and has very little visuals in the game itself, it is hard to tell which is more powerful.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my long talk about graphics. Overall, the PC version is best.

 

[ApoJapo]

^True.

Half-Life 2 looks prettier on X360 than on PC. The trade-off is that Episode Two looks FAR better on a mid-range PC than X360.

I also have both versions. My x360 is connected with a toshiba ZF355D wich is one of the best lcd's atm. I think I can call my pc mid-range but for me it def. looks a bit better on my x360 with lcd (ep2) Although its difficult to compare a 40inch screen with a 19 inch. Hl2 looks better on my pc cause I can put some settings to the max. TF2 is a bit dissapointent on the x360. If you want the best graphics the pc will always be the winner and the difference will get bigger in the future off course (new pc's with better gfx-cards).

 

[Omnomnick]

Agreed!!

 

[Blackthorn]

I know texture quality and resolutions are higher on PC , but what about the actual engine? Is there any difference in detail transition and object pop ups such as trees? Seeing as the XBox owners don't have the option of editing the engine with cfgs and such.

 

[donnierunn]

Thanks everybody for the information.
I think I'm gonna start saving up for a higher end PC that can run all of the High Life games at max settings.

Where should I look? What would be a good computer??

 

[Operational]

If you are willing to do the research putting together a PC yourself can be rewarding, eg. the money saved, the experiance and you'll end up with a PC customized for what you need.

You'll need to post some more details, like where you live, approximate budget, what components of your current PC your willing to reuse, if gaming is your only priority for it, maybe post some deals your looking at, etc.
Might also want to start a new thread in the appropriate forum.

 

[99.vikram]

Thanks everybody for the information.
I think I'm gonna start saving up for a higher end PC that can run all of the High Life games at max settings.

Don't start spending money before you have a list of PC games you really look forward to playing.

 

[donnierunn]

Don't start spending money before you have a list of PC games you really look forward to playing.

How about Crysis? lol

 

[Ren.182]

You'll need a very beefy PC if you want to play Crysis on High! You'll also be able to play any game on high too if you can play Crysis on high

 

[donnierunn]

You'll need a very beefy PC if you want to play Crysis on High! You'll also be able to play any game on high too if you can play Crysis on high

lol
yeah i guess thats very true

 

[blake18]

Well, have any of you guys seen some of the graphics mods for HL2? I have seen mods that make HL2 look even better then episode 2.

 

[kupocake]

Well, have any of you guys seen some of the graphics mods for HL2? I have seen mods that make HL2 look even better then episode 2.

Those high definition mods usually bastardise the whole experience. Sure, isn't it fabulous how I can see every pore on that man's face... but why is he wearing makeup like he's in a department store catalogue? It's a warzone ffs.

Higher Resolution doesn't equal adequate direction.

 

[donnierunn]

Those high definition mods usually bastardise the whole experience. Sure, isn't it fabulous how I can see every pore on that man's face... but why is he wearing makeup like he's in a department store catalogue? It's a warzone ffs.

Higher Resolution doesn't equal adequate direction.

any place i can see vids of these mods?

 

[Rapstah]

The PS3 version would look best on a HDTV because it has antialiasing. Now to actually read the thread...

 

[Omnomnick]

Xbox360 Source Graphics passes PS3 and PC surpasses both.

 

[L3N!N]

I really don't care about HL2 switching to the new engine. CSS would be the most desirable for that. All I care about is that Valve should work on pumping out some Ep. 3 media. :frog:


Donnie, how much money do you want to spend for a new PC? Err..How much are you able to spend?

 

[donnierunn]

I really don't care about HL2 switching to the new engine. CSS would be the most desirable for that. All I care about is that Valve should work on pumping out some Ep. 3 media. :frog:


Donnie, how much money do you want to spend for a new PC? Err..How much are you able to spend?

im willing to spend about 1000 right now

 

[Blackthorn]

Then you're gonna be ok if you spend wisely.

 

[donnierunn]

Then you're gonna be ok if you spend wisely.

but i need help in doing so lol

i dont know where to start

 

[Blackthorn]

Well make a thread elsewhere asking for help and plenty of people will be glad to aid you.

 

[Gregoric]

can you patch HL2 to make it looks as pretty as the 360 version then?

 

[PimpinPenguin]

Nope, we gotta wait and hope Valve gives us the HDR maps for HL2.

 

[Gregoric]

Nope, we gotta wait and hope Valve gives us the HDR maps for HL2.

that sucks, surely it wouldn't be to much hassle just to give us the motion blur and some fancier lighting

 

[PimpinPenguin]

Well the fancier lighting is in those HDR maps. Eventually Valve will bring HL2 onto the newer Source Engine then we will have the rest of the new features as well like motion blur and dynamic shadows.

 

[yingyangboy]

hl2ep2 is awsome on console you sir are a moron

 

[Xendance]

hl2ep2 is awsome on console you sir are a moron

No one said anything about it not being awesome.

You failed. Big time and you call whoever a moron.

(anyone who wants to see why, quote his second post)

 

[freeman1993]

It looks better on the Xbox 360 because depending on how good your computer is video card ways depends on how it looks

 

[pomegranate]

Are you shitting me? That sentence doesn't even work.

 

[Whatthecell]

Valve seems to support its PC fans a lot more than the console fans.
And yes, the graphics for Episode 2 on the PC are better if you have a decent computer. Also, TF2 on the Xbox is terrible. It is way better on the PC (way larger community, more official maps, custom maps).
Overall, the PC version is better.

 

[Dynasty]

A PC version of ANY game will always look better.

But there's an air of caution in that. Yes, specs of PCs are always shifting and the developers have to accomodate for the variations of their target audience's hardware, whereas the consoles dont, but the PC will ALWAYS have a niche area where the hardware is much better than the console's.

As a result, even if its a minority in comparison to those of us who have PC specs that cant produce what the PS3s and 360s can, the fact that there ARE PCs out there that are better than the consoles, means the PCs will always have the edge.

Its just a case of finances and/or lazyness of the consumer's ability to upgrade their PC(s), not whether or not the tech exists or not.