Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: WHY is Halo PC so much worse than Xbox?
  • Subject: WHY is Halo PC so much worse than Xbox?
Subject: WHY is Halo PC so much worse than Xbox?
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I've been reading through a lot of posts, and I'm noticing a trend.
There are a lot of people who say Halo is worse on PC than on xbox, for many reasons. I think it will be interesting to actually collect these opinions in one place for discussion.

I'll start with my opinion:

People who think Halo xbox is better think so because their PC is not good enough to run Halo. That's the equivalent of judging Xbox Halo while drunk with the TV turned off.
If you play Halo PC with a semi-decent PC, like (ahem) One Which Meets The Requirements, it looks better than on a TV screen because PC monitors give a significantly better image quality. Also, if you've got lag while playing multiplayer, that is the fault of either your Internet Service Provider for poor service, or You for being too cheap to get decent broadband. A 56K modem simply isn't enough these days, and it's not fair to judge a game's performance on a factor which it does not control. Many people who take the time to get used to the layout of a keyboard find the Huge selection of buttons much less constricting than the few buttons on a console controller. Adjusting the sensitivity on your mouse also means that you have far greater control over looking and aiming compared to a joystick on a gamepad. For example, if I want to turn around on xbox Halo, I hold the stick left and wait a few seconds. by which time the guy behind me has shot me in the head or meleed me. On PC, I just flick my mouse left about 20cm and instantly I'm facing him. Takes about a quarter of a second to do that. Multiplayer is more accessable on PC, since most people with a PC have internet (like every single person on this forum) for many reasons. Yet most people with ana xbox won't pay the monthly and anual fees for broadband just for a couple of games. The result is that there are more PC gamers online than xbox gamers (and, come to think of it, PS2 gamers) put together. Servers can also be faster and easier to connect to because Servers basically are PC's.

So in summary:
Best graphics? PC, easily. If not, your PC isn't good enough, and it's your problem, not Halo's.
Content? Single player identical, Multiplayer, Halo PC has twice as many maps, two new vehicles, and two new weapons, also better access to other players.
Gameplay? Depends if you can be bothered to master mouse and keyboard. It's more responsive, offers more ways to customise, and is less constricting. Although I admit a console pad might be simpler for some, especially younger players.
Audio? Erm, as far as I know there's not much difference but that's hardly the deciding factor.
Other? Halo PC, like All PC games, can be upgraded, patched and tweaked to perfection, and beyond. Xbox Halo cannot, it'll always be the same as when you bought it. Halo Custom Edition offers PC gamers infinite potential for new content and new gameplay experiences. And it's free. And it's not available on Xbox. And it never will be, because the xbox system is too weak to support game editing software. That's fact not opinion, I know the system specs of the xbox.

I'll end by... well, ending. I would put my system specs up but I'd probably get xbox gamers saying that you need to spend thousands of dollars to make Halo PC any good. Halo PC does not require a $5,000 Alienware PC to run. It just needs what Bungie says it needs, with the possible inclusion of a DirectX 9 compatable graphics card. You left that bit out guys.

  • 09.26.2004 4:54 PM PDT
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fight the console whores brother, me and my freind argue this over many time. DEATH TO THE CONSOLE well maybe not

[Edited on 9/26/2004 5:02:07 PM]

  • 09.26.2004 5:01 PM PDT
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umm, i dunno if you are blind, but you can turn up the sensitivity on xbox so that you can turn around just as fast, if not faster

  • 09.26.2004 5:02 PM PDT
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My point is that you can only push the stick so far, even with the sensitivity turned up. You can move the mouse as far as your desk or your arm will reach. It means you can make movements based on around 30 cm squared of space, instead of the carrot-top sized area the joystick is set in. It's more free and precise to use a mouse.

By the way I forgot to mention I do have Halo on xbox and PC, and I will be buying Halo 2 on xbox when it comes out, then on PC a few months after that. I have the trilogy of Halo novels to read until that time though. Or I could admire my Halo action figures. Or my Hal-themed modded PC case...

Man, Halo rox.

[Edited on 9/26/2004 5:14:27 PM]

  • 09.26.2004 5:12 PM PDT
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Obsession is good. Anyways, I really prefer joystick and I have both games. AND the novels, and action figures, all characters, weapons and vehicles in legos, a halo2 evox skin, halo2 xbox skin and jewel, and halo2 controller s skin and jewel. like I said, obsession is good. rejoice.

  • 09.26.2004 5:40 PM PDT
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Lol you are obsessed. I would be too if I could find half that stuff you talked about. I noticed you don't have any knightmare armour though. Call yourself a devotee, honestly :P

  • 09.26.2004 5:58 PM PDT
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I really hate Halo PC. I know hate is a strong word but...bad graphics if you dont have one of the best graphics cards. Laggy. To find a non laggy server on broadband is to be a god. So im a god very rarely. Dont buy it cause if you have already i pity you.

  • 09.26.2004 6:06 PM PDT
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Yo james where do i get the skin and jewel for halo 2 at?

  • 09.26.2004 6:08 PM PDT
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My friend cracked the original jewel and so im pissed and i need a new one and i might as well buy a skin while im at it.

  • 09.26.2004 6:09 PM PDT
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Wrong, it butchers my graphics card but my computer can handle it.
People who think Halo xbox is better think so because their PC is not good enough to run Halo. That's the equivalent of judging Xbox Halo while drunk with the TV turned off.

  • 09.26.2004 6:14 PM PDT
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Halo PC rox.

Stop dbl posting!

  • 09.26.2004 6:41 PM PDT
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I'd say Halo PC owns Xbox vers. I mainly think this because I have the video card (128 MB). I have a OKAY proceeser (curse you Intel Celeron) I plan on getting a AMD 64 whatever its called. 1 more thing is that the enemies look A LOT better on PC that XBox. But this is my opinion so I'm not telling you which vers to buy but if you've got the recmened system requirements fo PC, get that one

  • 09.26.2004 6:55 PM PDT
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Halo PC is considered worse was because it was ported terribly wrong. Gearbox did not tweaked the Halo Xbox engine on the PC good enough for it to run with any video card you can throw at. The fact that you need a Geforce 6800 in order to play the game at 1600x1200 is just utter stupid. The second part was the lack of tech support from Microsoft and Gearbox, Microsoft seemed to just release the game, left it there as if this was an Xbox game where it needs no patch or tech support. Another thing that killed the game was the Coop which would have open new doors for the game. Anyways, Halo PC is good, but not the best and it will probably dwindle in the wake of Doom 3 and Half Life 2.

  • 09.26.2004 11:06 PM PDT
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hmm, I don't think it will dwindle in the wake of DOOM 3, due to the fact that D3 multiplayer sucks balls.
We will have to wait on Hl2 to see what effect that has.

[Edited on 9/27/2004 5:45:29 AM]

  • 09.27.2004 5:45 AM PDT
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GT: A HiFi

Scottish and stereotyped

Frankie, you will be usurped!

Audio - Hidden track (Siege of Madrigal) in Xbox ;) Don't get me wrong, I love them both but I have a high end spec PC and still have to run the minimum to get a smooth performance. Also jackal shields, no variation in the colour.

Comfort - Xbox because you can lie back on your bed/sofa and play while on PC you've got to be hunched up...and don't even talk about wireless... ;)

  • 09.27.2004 9:06 AM PDT
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Well to start I have a ge force mx 440 128mb, which says it all :-(
I knew my pc would not offer the same graphics as the X box as my graphics card sucks and that it's the slowest component in my PC. I am hoping for a new one at Christmas, I am only 15.

I am a total Halo Fan ask any f my mates and they will tell you that. I do own Halo on X box which is why I don't care much about the graphics on my PC.

I will try to balance my argument. Halo PC is much better than X box it offers more optioning, it can be patched regally, it has CE and FREE online features. You can talk to your friends on PC via Team speak etc and you can join clans and battle it out with other players.

However
The thing about X box and PC is you buy Halo for the X box and you know it's going to work. However people buy it for the PC and they can come up against all sorts of Problems. Yes I know this is not halo's fault but remember I get persecuted for my graphics card which I find appalling. Obviously if someone who is only getting half of the eye candy can be so dedicated to a game then really inset that a True Fan.

In conclusion
PC offers Better Online Game Play
X box offers Better compatibility.

  • 09.27.2004 12:54 PM PDT
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I tend to read forum posts but I don't use them much. Anyway here's my take on it.

The first time I played Halo was on PC. I didn't own any consoles. I liked the game so much I thought I have to try out the original version of this game.
I've skimmed this thread and haven't noticed anyone who seems to understand game design and how a good developer will play up to the strengths of the target hardware.
When I played the XBox version I could feel that this was the way the game's meant to be played. Now like I said before I bought a XBox I didn't own any consoles. I was a hardened PC FPS nut. When I first played the PC version I noticed the large crosshairs. It's one of the things that helped me make up my mind when buying a XBox just for one game. This is something I've seen time and time again. If you want to play a "pure" version of a game you have to go for the original hardware version.
A lot has been said about Bungie's excellent codeing skills in bringing a FPS to a console. I have to agree but obviously the fact that weapons like the plasma pistol bolts and needler needles home in help a lot. But still it's the one and only game I've ever played that can be called a true "console FPS". I've tried demos of other FPS games on XBox and they all feel like ports of PC games, probably because they are, and are simply far better on PC.
My PC is good enough for Halo. I get good frame-rates. But after playing the XBox version the only time I boot up the PC for Halo is to try out an eagerly anticipated Halo CE map, or to connect to XBox Connect for a few rounds.
Like I said this is my take on the which version is better. If you prefer it on PC then go for it. I'm simply trying to point out how developers think and that even though Halo started out as a Mac/PC game, when Bungie were making it for XBox I doubt they were worried about how it might port to PC, unlike say BioWare with KotOR where the XBox version feels like console RPG whilst the PC version can stand up as a PC RPG.

  • 09.28.2004 2:58 AM PDT
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Xbox also has the weapons shoot more precise, because it is harder to use the console for accuracy.

  • 10.01.2004 8:42 AM PDT
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Here are the advantages and disadvantages of both pc and x box when it comes to halo

PC:

Advantages:
More Maps.
More Weapons.
More Vehicles.
More Players to a game.
No screen peeking.
Ability to talk to certain players only.
Full view screen on multiplayer.

Disadvantages:
Lags every now and then.
Waiting for other players to show up.
Only one player to a computer.
Having to type everything you want to say leaving you vulnerable for a considerable amount of time.

X-Box:

Advantages:
Instant games
Up to four players to an x-box
Can hook up to the internet to provide all the advantages of a pc.

Disadvantages:
Only four players to a game unless you go on the internet or connect more than one x-box together for a game.
Less maps unless hooked up to the internet.
Less weapons unless hooked up to the internet.
Less vehicles unless hooked up to the internet.
People are able to screen peek on multiplayer unless hooked up to the internet.
Smaller view screen on multiplayer unless hooked up to the internet.

It seems that x-box for halo can only surpass x-box for pc when it is hooked up to the internet, of course you would be playing halo on both x-box and pc technically. Unfortunately not all of us can blow $750+ dollars just to play a game, nor would I want to waste such a large ammount of money.

  • 10.01.2004 10:55 AM PDT
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My beef with the PC is this: The physics are kinda screwy, the game is over glitchy, and several timing factors are off. It doens't feel as natural as the Xbox, but I enjoy either one. I do enjoy Xbox more though.

  • 10.01.2004 9:15 PM PDT
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halo pc cos ya get banshees!!! not to mention blood gulch with 7 ppl

[Edited on 10/2/2004 1:26:55 AM]

  • 10.02.2004 1:26 AM PDT
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[color=red]Amen[/color], brudda, about that "Halo PC kicks as$" thing.

  • 10.02.2004 4:49 AM PDT
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most pc fans you included only have eyes for anything to do with a pc, they wont here a word against it, and most of them think that pc is the only thing that matters. Most people that play console have a pc as well and play many pc and console games, they are not single sighted, and always give a fair oppinion. holo pc isnt a bad 'computer' game, but it suffers from the problems that all pc's have with games, i.e no one besides single sighted pc fans wants to continuously spend hundreds possibly thousands of dollars upgrading there computer each year, there will always be lag to some extent when playing campaign, and the textures and ai just arent as good as on xbox.

as for wich is better, keyboard and mouse or controller, i like the controller betterbecause the buttons are in one area so you get instant access to them when you need them and they are all in reach of your fingers. with the mouse you say it turs faster, sorry but your wrong, the controller will trun quicklier and smoother in you have it to its highest sensitivity, and i find it that sometimes when i'm using the mouse i have to scroll it twice to be looking in the desired direction. as for updates there only because they forgot something in the game, or have to fix some rather obvious bugs which in an xbox game would have been found and terminated before its release. xbox live is a much better service than online with a computer, even if you have to pay. and finnaly halo pc aint a bad game but it isnt as good as the xbox version wich should be obvious to all, for startes it wasnt even made by bungie. and one last thing to you my friend its pretty obvous that you have not played the xbox version so before you start making ridiculous judgements on what you've heard go play both. and you should give you eyes something els to look at. and i'll say that i'm only single sighted when it comes to xbox vs ps2, which xbox dominates.

oh and Red_Breast you sure know you stuff and are not simgle sighted like most of the people replying in the post.

[Edited on 10/2/2004 4:47:11 PM]

  • 10.02.2004 4:42 PM PDT
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What are you on man? The graphics are better on PC. You've completely missed the point because you're judging Halo PC on a bad PC. You have to see it at it's full potential to make a fair judgement. It whoops xbox halo's graphical ass, and the A.I.? ffs IT'S THE SAME AI. Why on earth would they downgrade the ai for a more powerful system? And try turning your mouse sensitivity up. Exactly how is xbox live better? How does it offer more than Gamespy, which has been delivering excellent online services for years and years? And wtf, Halo PC was made by bungie. Watch the credits at the beginning. It was improved by Gearbox, who also have been making very good games for PC for many years, like Half-life Opposing Force. By the way, to qoute you: "have not played the xbox version before, it's obvious". It's also obvious to anyone with EYES that I wrote on my last comment that I had xbox halo first for months before I played the PC version, so STFU and read what people say before accusing them. I've played xbox Halo for a couple of years now. I've played PC Halo on a good PC. It's Better On PC - and that's from someone who is NOT single-sighted. You're the one who's single sighted because your PC can't run Halo the way it's meant to be played.

Oh and one last thing, you don't need to constantly upgrade your PC to run Halo. You don't have to spend thousands on parts to run Halo. You don't need the best money can buy either. Something like a ATi 9600XT or nVidia 5600XT will run it Perfectly and they cost like £100 each. An AMD 2200+ will be good enough as a CPU, that's less than £80. 512MB of RAM will do fine and that's like £50. That's not much to spend for a gamer, esp. if it's a one-off purchase.

And you know what? In a few years you'll have to spend hundreds on an xbox2. PC gamers won't, because our PC's already match and beat xbox2's spec.

In the mean time we'll enjoy flamethrowers and fuel rod guns and banshees and rocket warthogs in some of the many extra multiplayer maps which only the PC version can offer. And that's before we explore HaloCE. New Mombasa Classic is an awesome map.

[Edited on 10/2/2004 5:30:38 PM]

  • 10.02.2004 5:18 PM PDT
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Halo PC is vehicular based and damn retarded. I won't say much more because you have your ignorant ideals about Halo PC engraved in the back of your thick skull.

  • 10.02.2004 11:40 PM PDT