Posted 02-13-08
Written by: Phillip Radke
Written by: Phillip Radke
Devil May Cry 4 has finally hit the two big consoles. While the PC has a version on the way, the question lies with what current next-gen system offers the best Devil May Cry experience. Is there really a clear cut difference which console has the chops, have the game developers finally finished crying about the difficulty curve of developing for the PS3 and made the game, or do we have another Madden on our hands?
Visuals:
Close up, both of these games look damn near identical. If you take any shots of the game from each version and put them next to each other, it is impossible to tell the difference unless you’ve got a magnifying glass and an insane attention to detail. The only difference on some scenes is where there is randomly generated fire running on separate engines. There is a slight difficulty in gaining shots from the PS3 because of the different motion effects that it uses which causes a slight blur on the stills, so any details lost on in-game stills can be chalked up to that. So in standalone visuals, the two systems are dead even here, and no amount of booth reviews will be able to call a clear winner.
Performance:
Once again, the two systems are coming extremely close to each other in this category. There is a negligible difference when comparing the two systems together, but Sony’s console edges out the box by a nose. There are times on the 360 version when a slight stutter in visuals will occur, but it is very rare. Both systems do run on the coveted 60fps though, making for a clean integration into any high definition setup, even if the game tops out at 720p.
Sound:
Yeah, yeah, you can make a custom soundtrack with your 360 and make this category kick as much ass as you want. The truth is, you’re not going to want to. The music in both of these versions is just awesome, meaning you’re not going to need that little functionality for this title. In that regard, this one is a tie. Both systems just deliver an awesome pulse-pounding soundtrack for your enjoyment.
Controls:
Complain all you want, the PS3 controller just feels right for this game. The 360 controller does its job extremely well here, but after three iterations of the DMC franchise on the PS2 console, it feels rather strange to be controlling these demon hunters with the 360 pad. There are no special motion sensitive controls for the game using the sixaxis despite the camera feature, thank goodness. If you’re a fan of this series then I’m sure you’ll agree that making a controller change this late in the series just feels a little odd.
Loading Times:
Yes, the PS3 version makes you sit through a 20 minute install time to play the game and access its slightly shorter load times. The 360 does have a longer load time per screen, but only by a couple seconds, just long enough for the game to conjure up a gameplay shot to show you before starting a new level. The nod goes to the PS3 only because you will eventually earn back those precious twenty minutes second by second as you log in all the hours that this game will drag you into.
So the PS3 has pulled through on this one. Not surprising considering the development started on the PS3 and was then ported over to the 360, although that isn’t a foolproof solution quite yet. If you’ve only got the 360 to work with then you are going to have the same awesome game experience that the black box supporters are having. That is unless you’ve got your eyes pressed against the screen looking for some fault in the design, but where’s the fun in that? Besides, you’ll ruin your eyes for all future games and you surely don’t want that, things are just getting good.
Posted 02/13/08 By: mbutrovich
I'm going to have to disagree with Philip here on a few points. First off, it seems painfully obvious to me that textures are sharper on the Xbox 360. Textures appear to be the same resolution, but the 360 seems to have some extra anisotropic filtering going on. It's not that noticeable in motion, but it is in still shots. I can't call it a decisive win for the 360, but if I had to give the visual nod to either, it would to the Xbox 360.
For controls, I'm having no problem with the 360 pad, but I never really got attached to the earlier DMC games. I could go with either controller and be perfectly fine, so to me it's a tie.
In regards to the load times, I'm sorry but an install is unacceptable. The load times aren't that long in the first place, and the fact that the PS3 shaves a second or two off of them by making you sit through a 25 minute install first is a bit insulting. I'd have to go with the 360 in regards to load times, for the convenience of not wasting time and storage space on a mandatory hard drive install.
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Despite what "mbutrovich" seems to think, based on endless comparisons online, visually, they're totally identical.
Audio however, goes to the PS3 without a doubt. Even if you can't use the feature, the PS3 supports lossless PCM, while the 360 is limited to plain old Dolby Digital.
As for the install, deal with it, it shortens load times, and is a one time deal, go do something else for 20 minutes, you're not THAT excited to play the game...
Audio however, goes to the PS3 without a doubt. Even if you can't use the feature, the PS3 supports lossless PCM, while the 360 is limited to plain old Dolby Digital.
As for the install, deal with it, it shortens load times, and is a one time deal, go do something else for 20 minutes, you're not THAT excited to play the game...
Posted Feb 14, 2008
( +1 | -0 )A nice unbiased review that doesn't favor anyone, while look at the staff commentary I can't say the say for mbutrovich, whom for the lack of a better word is being a fanboy, leave it home rovich, leave it at home.
Posted Feb 14, 2008
( +0 | -0 )Just a couple of observations:
1-To make a valid and fair comparison of the game try to capture the images in the native resolution of the game, that is 1280X720.
2-all do de 360 and the PS3 version are 720p native, the 360 supports 1080p using the upscaler, the PS3 version is only 720p.
3-The PS3 version does not support antialiasing, this is more than notable if you compare images in their native resolution in the same place. To resolve the lack of antialiasing the PS3 version uses a blur that covers the screen, this blur makes the game appear less detailed than the 360 version.
4-Since there is really no difference in the button layout, the option of witch controller to use is a Matter of taste, you should not base comment on personal taste when you are doing a comparison.
5-You base your opinion on personal taste when you judge the music of the game, if the 360 version is the only one that supports custom soundtracks it should be considered and advantage.
6-To prove what im saying about the antialiasing just look at this picture comparison in native resolution. http://img441.imageshack.us/my.php?image=headtoheaddevilmaycry42aj5.jpg. Is more than noticeable, just look at the iron bars. If you disagree try to take the same image.
1-To make a valid and fair comparison of the game try to capture the images in the native resolution of the game, that is 1280X720.
2-all do de 360 and the PS3 version are 720p native, the 360 supports 1080p using the upscaler, the PS3 version is only 720p.
3-The PS3 version does not support antialiasing, this is more than notable if you compare images in their native resolution in the same place. To resolve the lack of antialiasing the PS3 version uses a blur that covers the screen, this blur makes the game appear less detailed than the 360 version.
4-Since there is really no difference in the button layout, the option of witch controller to use is a Matter of taste, you should not base comment on personal taste when you are doing a comparison.
5-You base your opinion on personal taste when you judge the music of the game, if the 360 version is the only one that supports custom soundtracks it should be considered and advantage.
6-To prove what im saying about the antialiasing just look at this picture comparison in native resolution. http://img441.imageshack.us/my.php?image=headtoheaddevilmaycry42aj5.jpg. Is more than noticeable, just look at the iron bars. If you disagree try to take the same image.
Posted Feb 14, 2008
( +0 | -0 )@mbuttrovich: Your 360-bias is showing with your commentary. Are you aware that motion blurring is a motion effect and makes stills look blurry? The 360 has some here and there, but not 100% of the time like the PS3. You xbots come out with all the excuses and justifications when the PS3 version gets a leg up on the 360 version. It's quite funny to see, but mostly pathetic.
Give credit where credit is due, instead of just throwing out your biased "Staff Commentary" worded to keep your 360 members from frothing at the mouth. God forbid anybody gives props to the PS3 in any way.
Give credit where credit is due, instead of just throwing out your biased "Staff Commentary" worded to keep your 360 members from frothing at the mouth. God forbid anybody gives props to the PS3 in any way.
Posted Feb 15, 2008
( +0 | -1 )
