Game Talk

In this section I will include articles written about one of my favorite hobbies: playing computer games. Mainly PC games...but don't be surprised if I toss in a console game once in a while. You might call this a soapbox -- but then again almost everything is at this site since I'm so opinionated. Read and enjoy, and drop me a line if you agree/disagree with whatever has been said.

Console Ports
July 8, 1999

A growing trend in the computer game industry is the production of "console ports", or console games that are modified for the PC. A few recent examples are Final Fantasy 7, Rogue Squadron, Resident Evil 2 and Episode I: Racer. Now I don't have a problem with this stuff, but doesn't it show a lack of effort and origiality by the companies that bring you these games? Personally, I think it also shows that the PC game industry still relies on the console game market to make the big sales.

In the past year or so, we've seen many games that are PC specific that, in my opinion, are far better than the offerings of consoles. For example: Quake II, Half-Life, Grim Fandango, Rainbow Six, Jedi Knight, Heretic II, StarCraft, Baldur's Gate - I could go on, but I won't; you probably get the point. I think the PC games industry should stand on its own for once. I mean, why bring in console games when the PC game companies are perfectly capable of creating their own, top-notch games?

The guiltiest culprit in my opinion, is Eidos Interactive. Now don't get me wrong, I think some of their games have pretty cool and original concepts: Tomb Raider (the FIRST time), Commandos, and Thief. But they had to get their grubby hands on SquareSoft's masterpiece, Final Fantasy 7. The problem with this is, they didn't do anything to it. It was a straight Playstation to PC port. I'm sure it's a great game (I own it, but never developed the urge to spend 80+ hours on it) but I cannot get past the controls. Why not integrate the mouse and keyboard, like all other PC games? Why the crappy MIDI soundtrack? Why the horrible cutscenes? And for the love of God, why SAVE POINTS? They could have at least modified the game to be a true PC gaming experience, not just some moneymaking scheme.

I should also admit that LucasArts is guilty of this crime. Rogue Squadron 3D? Straight off the N64. The game is great, but once again we're stuck with a MIDI-based soundtrack and EXTREMELY simple gameplay. Also, the number of levels is not consistent with other PC action game titles. I understand that N64 is limited because of the cartridge, but couldn't they at least include some more ships, or at least more levels for the PC version? Maybe I'm biased against consoles, but this just doesn't seem right to me.

The biggest cause for this uprising of console ports is obvious: money. Look at the Episode I games. The adventure based one was released for the PlayStation, Racer was released for N64. Those two markets covered, they moved onto the PC front with BOTH titles for release. The same with Resident Evil 2. A very scary game, sure, but as a PC game? No way. We again must suffer under the bane of save points. The companies KNOW that the uneducated gamer will go for the latest thing in console land, ignoring the great offerings to be had in the PC gaming realm.

I have to turn 180 degrees for a moment, though, and say that it is okay for console games to be transferred to PC...as long as they do it right, and add to the existing product. Not once have I seen this done, but it would be nice to see and I would give many accolades for the PC game publishers that grab these console titles and have the guts to do so.

I would also like to point out that the reverse is almost never true; that is, a translation from PC to console is never executed well and doesn't do the original game justice. My favorite examples are DOOM and Wolfenstein 3D for the SNES. Anyone who has seen the screenshots know they were hideous. Imagine playing a FPS with an 8 button control pad. It's hard to believe they even pulled it off. Also the magnificent Diablo, translated to the PlayStation. I didn't get to play it, but from seeing the screenshots it looked alright, but not as glorious as the original. Command and Conquer, as well, was translated. Why? Who would want to be limited by a control pad? It's ridiculous. I would never wish this fate upon any console gamer. Just like I wouldn't want any console ports on my PC that are not tweaked or modified for ideal gameplay. Well...except maybe for Episode I: Racer.

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