The Orange Box: video side by side [Update]
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Dec 12th 2007 at 11:00AM }
We recommend downloading the HD version to really appreciate the differences. While it's true the PS3 version is more sluggish, especially around water -- is it unplayable? That's for you to decide. If the PS3 is the only system you have, hopefully this won't deter you from experiencing one of the best games of the year.
Update: Portal has been added, after the break. Chances are, you won't notice a difference between the two versions in this video.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ecin @ Dec 12th 2007 11:12AM
This is horrible. I'm going to tell my customers not to buy this game.
Larz @ Dec 12th 2007 3:24PM
How about telling them to buy it on PC instead?
To me, it's kinda unplayable on any console. Once you've played it the way it was meant to be played (on PC), you'll never go back.
Jason @ Dec 12th 2007 3:26PM
I think you need to notice that the user who took this video, has managed to sucker you in..
Like 1Up, this is pure fanboy nonsense totry and derail another PS3 release.
Notice the quicksave during the glitching. (quicksave is manually instantiated by pressing the Start button). Someone is intentionally trying to mislead you...
I Wonder how much Microsoft paid 1Up and these idiots to do this???
Jettic @ Dec 12th 2007 5:03PM
I guess no-one realized but if you look closely you can see that the PS3 version is doing a quick save at the boat ski sequence, the 360 is not, watch closely in the top left of the ps3 version you'll see it, also you can see that right after the quick save is done the PS3's frame rate jumps right back up to the 360's version..
Trev (Completely Normal Human Defense Force) @ Dec 12th 2007 5:16PM
Wow, that's even worse. I didn't realize quicksave was user initiated.
Video = Shit now. I'll take it as running like it does AFTER the quicksave is done, which means it runs fine.
Neil @ Dec 12th 2007 11:22AM
The PS3 version definitely had some slow down on the jet ski, kinda sad that EA just can't seem to do much right these days. Also I have to say this is starting to look REALLY dated now...
Dehshizknight @ Dec 12th 2007 4:56PM
Lol, I agree. I remember when people were saying this game had the best graphics ever. It ain't true now... Lol.
Kadathwack @ Dec 12th 2007 11:37AM
Is it unplayable? Far from it. I've played the game on PCs that didn't run it that well.
But it does come off pretty sloppy, considering how well it runs on the 360.
Trev @ Dec 12th 2007 11:45AM
Yeah, definitely sloppy. I was waiting to see how it came out and hoping for a video like this because I prefer the couch and controller to the office chair and mouse. I'll probably get this one for PC if at all (I mean, I lived without it for this long)
The only thing that strikes me as odd is how inconsistent the framerate is. It sucks for the first part of the jet ski section, but just before the machine gun fire, it improves. I wonder if it was just a fluke or if it will always slow down there.
B1gC72 @ Dec 12th 2007 12:19PM
EA will be the death of the PS3. they are terrible developers period but yet they keep getting bigger.
Scott S @ Dec 12th 2007 11:45AM
Yeah, it did slow down on the jet ski, but if you look in the top left corner it looks like it is saving stuff and that is the cause of the slow down. Once it is done saving, it is fine again. Looks like they could have been a little more careful in there save locations and such.
Trev @ Dec 12th 2007 11:48AM
As you can tell by my comment just above yours, I missed that. It's good to know there's a cause other than blowful programming, but that's also a damn long quicksave.
James @ Dec 12th 2007 12:07PM
You're right! That actually makes a huge difference. I wonder how much later they could have scheduled the quicksave though. Isn't quicksave usually a user issue?
recon @ Dec 12th 2007 12:12PM
Since they did a half-ass port, i'll do a half-ass purchase!
Jevanzz @ Dec 12th 2007 11:49AM
That looks horrific! It was one of the games I most looked for to this holiday season, think I'll stick with Uncharted and GHIII now though.
Dadidito @ Dec 12th 2007 11:52AM
Im surprised its that obvious the difference.Thought it was just a slight drop... but it looks like its running on a lower end pc compared to the 360 version which is so smooth.
Nate @ Dec 12th 2007 11:56AM
I actually saw almost no difference whatsoever, except while the PS3 version was "quicksaving" and the 360 version was not. It's completely inconclusive. If anything, it shows them both running the same.
Organic_Shadow @ Dec 12th 2007 12:34PM
Exactly the same impression I got. Ran the same, some textures looked a little less detailed on larger surfaces on PS3 version, and AUTO QUICKSAVING is what's causing the lag guys.
Nothing making it 'unplayable'. This weak sauce PS3 hate is laughable.
The only question is whether or not auto quicksave is something you can disable in the options. If not, then that could be annoying, but still not making it unplayable. My amd64 3200+ 1gb ram and 7600gs even give me hiccups when playing on all settings medium and quicksave enabled. Cry a freaking river.....
Dylan @ Dec 12th 2007 11:57AM
From what I've read it seems that the PS3 was autosaving, and that is the cause of the slow down. In any case, I'll be picking it up, since the PS3 is the only system I have to play it on.
Zim @ Dec 12th 2007 12:05PM
I think both look identicle, except for the bike scene where I think someone hit the quicksave button in an attempt to slow the ps3 version down and so biased the outcome.
Richie @ Dec 12th 2007 12:48PM
the 360 version also has its ugly slow downs in some parts, for example in episode one when your on the lift and look through the glass bottom it slowdowns VERY much and on some other regoins it has some fps problems. i playd it through on xbox. if its realy just the quick save feature that 'causes the slow down then actually EA did a good job, i guess hard to believe :P it's just everyone want to see slowdowns on the ps3 to make it bad, dose anyone talk or complain about the slowdowns on the 360?? no . teamfortress 2 it still lags horrible online on the 360 even after the patch so you have to calculate where your bullets gonna fly (never playd it before) must be the same lag like on the ps3 now.
White-Sharingan @ Dec 12th 2007 12:11PM
Like some daid, the Ps3 version was autosaving so that was the cause of the slowdown, plus if you notice when the autosave ended the framrate raised again.
although its obvious that the 360s framerate is still superior, its EA ; )
Jason @ Dec 12th 2007 1:10PM
This comparison is a bunch of crap!
The only time it shows the PS3 version slowing down is on the jet ski part and if you notice the box in the upper left corner indicating that it is quick saving. When it is done quick saving the frame rate stabilizes. On the matching 360 segment it is not quick saving. Even on the PC or 360 the frame rate will drop when quick saving.
Popfrogs @ Dec 12th 2007 12:14PM
All I can say is I'm glad I played this game when it was new and fresh 2 years ago on my PC. No reason to buy it now, the EA boycott continues.
comtar @ Dec 12th 2007 12:41PM
If this is true that the game is saving, thus causing the slow down, then whoever makes these videos needs to get fired.
Biggest example is Assassin's Creed, in order to make the PS3 version looked bleached out, he has his HDMI White enchancer turned on (there is a setting in the PS3 to whiten up HDMI signals). So because of this Assassins Creed on 360 looks more colorful and grim.
I found out about that setting cause my mom has an HDTV and I actually played Assassin's Creed and it was a bit overly white till I turned it off, then it looked more like it should.
Just seems a little to coincidental that something is happening on the PS3 side of these comparison videos that make the PS3 version appear inferior. If the game is saving on the PS3, but not on the 360... then someone needs to find out about this.
Tony @ Dec 12th 2007 12:16PM
That's a shocking conversion. Some of those frame rate drops are absolutely unforgiveable for a game from the likes of Valve.
Frank @ Dec 12th 2007 12:23PM
EA did the port, not Valve. Valve did the 360 and PC versions.
Richie @ Dec 12th 2007 1:09PM
i playd it on 360 and it also has it's badass framerate for example, episode one when your on the lift and look through the glass bottom it slows down very much and in some other regions too but dose anyone complain about these slow downs on the 360?? no, i think its just that everyone wants to see any difference to make the ps3 bad. teamfortress 2 still lags horrible online after the patch(never playd it before) you have to calculate where your bullets could fly..... as far i can see the only bad thing is just the textures i guess little different. if the slow down just came from the saving then ea made actually a good work i know hard to believe :P.
Brodiesan @ Dec 12th 2007 1:09PM
I honestly couldn't see a discernable difference until it got to the "bike-on-water" scene. And that can't be used as a legitmate comparison as it's obvious that the PS3 version was going through a save at the time. So ... it probably isn't as good on the PS3 as the Xbox360 but I don't think it's unplayable. And, who knows, framerate issues have been fixed by patches in the past. As my PC is a toaster and I have no desire to buy a 360 (for numerous reasons that would only appear as fan-boyish to recount here) I might actually pick this up.
In a few months ... when I finish all the other games - and the possibility of a patch is more a reailty.
Brodiesan.
Saffie @ Dec 12th 2007 12:33PM
Hmm... am I the only one that thinks the PS3 version looks nicer than the XBOX 360?
Jtenma @ Dec 12th 2007 12:48PM
Yes...NOW GO BACK TO YOUR CAVE YOU DAMNED TROLL..
JKIDDING Really though, you think that!
Pete @ Dec 12th 2007 1:04PM
The Xbox video has less contrast, which is probably just due to differences in the video capturing equipment for the 2 consoles.
T-REX @ Dec 12th 2007 2:47PM
I think colors on ps3 look a bit nicer... but it's too hard to tell. Who cares anyway? Both versions seem the same from this except for that quicksaving crap.
Larz @ Dec 12th 2007 8:31PM
It looks nicer in the sense that the machine running it won't crash and burn at any given moment.
I could barely tell a difference, but I noticed the jaggies looked a little bit smoother on PS3. Framerate looked a tad better on the 360.
Andrew tells me "it is not smooth."
Richie @ Dec 12th 2007 12:41PM
i playd it on 360 and it also has it's badass framerate for example, episode one when your on the lift and look through the glass bottom it slows down very much and in some other regions too but dose anyone complain about these slow downs on the 360?? no, i think its just that everyone wants to see any difference to make the ps3 bad. teamfortress 2 still lags horrible online after the patch(never playd it before) you have to calculate where your bullets could fly..... as far i can see the only bad thing is just the textures i guess little different. if the slow down just came from the saving then ea made actually a good work i know hard to believe :P.
BananaBoat @ Dec 12th 2007 1:30PM
It lags a bit on the PC during moments like that aswell. In this case though, it really is EA having screwed the pooch. Oh and to answer someone on page 1, yes, HL2 is starting to look insanely dated, as is a few years ago's top game F.E.A.R. Just shows you how far we've come.
Jason @ Dec 12th 2007 12:39PM
Working for the PS3 development division at EA is probably like this :
It's 2pm on a Wednesday and your boss comes to your team (who are recent TV infomercial video game programing school grads) and says "here, get this ported to the PS3 by Friday and we'll have a pizza party!!"
"yea!!! Pizza!!"
Richie @ Dec 12th 2007 12:53PM
sorry double post
B1gC72 @ Dec 12th 2007 12:55PM
it doesnt actually look like there is much difference other than that slow down on the jet ski but the PS3 version is auto saving at that point. but i guess we cant really bank on the auto save thing cause we cant see if the 360 is auto saving at that point too. either way, EA could have worked a harder on this, as they could stand to do with almost all of their games.
never$$hort @ Dec 12th 2007 12:57PM
Looks like this will be a used bargain bin purchase now for me.. No way is EA getting my $$$ for this lame attempt. Ebay here I come!!
Iridium @ Dec 12th 2007 2:17PM
Wow that was incredibly obvious. The PS3 quicksaved and the 360 didn't. The framerate dropped because of that. It also showed the PS3 took about 1 second longer to load, even though whoever made the video could have paused the recording for a slit second to make that happen.
I think ther is some truth that the person or persons making the comparison videos is trying to make the 360 look superior.
I remember Armored Core 4 and how they siad the PS3 looks washed out. NVIDIA and ATI use diferent gamma outputs on their hardware. Simple adjustments to your display can make either platform look washed out or too dark. Once you calibrate your display for what is hooked up to it you are fine.
Pete @ Dec 12th 2007 1:08PM
I don't know why they compared HL2 when it is known that the PS3 framerate issues pop up in Episode 2. Episode 2 uses some more advanced lighting effects and better character animation.
T-REX @ Dec 12th 2007 2:12PM
This is ridiculous. The focus of the video is obviously meant to be on the waterbike part. The fact that the ps3 version is quicksaving discredits any comparison. The rest of the ps3 footage looked fine. Would have to see more... there's probably a slight difference at times but not really noticeable. 1up sux for wasting our time with this bullsh;t.
Jdsprst @ Dec 12th 2007 1:57PM
All this comparison has really done is convince me to get it for PS3. I've been reading so much about the framerate issues and technical problems on the PS3 version that I decided to hold off on buying the game; And I have every platform option available to me. I just prefer the sixaxis over keyboard and the xbox controller.
ryan @ Dec 12th 2007 3:05PM
really? to me, the sixaxis is lacking what makes a 360 controller perfect for FPS games like this: the triggers and a grip on the thumbsticks. had the sixaxis made their triggers like a gamecubes perhaps then i'd reconsider.
Larz @ Dec 13th 2007 5:24PM
I don't see how the triggers are different.... They're both variable, the bumpers are buttons on both controllers. The stick's grippy-ness might be a tad better since they're concave, but I dunno. The sticks have less range on the 360's controllers. Try playing SKATE for a few hours on each system and you can definitely tell the SIXAXIS has a wider range of motion. All in all either is fine except for one thing: I can't stand the 360's stick positions. I can't stand how one thumb is up above on the L analog and the other thumb is down below on the R analog. Call me crazy, but that just annoys the hell outta me.
ronin13 @ Dec 12th 2007 3:39PM
Ok this is gone on long enough it’s to the point that it is stupid. Obviously the frame rate is affected by the saving any moron can see that. Why are 360 fans always trying to compare themselves to the ps3??? Simple the PS3 is the better system period. (Better tech, blu ray, free internet, wi-fi, ect….) If I don't want people to know my product is inferior I will attack my opponent as much as possible… its called a diversion, politicians do it all the time. 360 fanboys attack the PS3 because deep inside in the cockles of there cold black hearts they know the PS3 will over take the gaming community much like the PS2 did. I can make the 360 games look inferior then the PS3 if I mess with different settings ect. But do you see anyone doing it… NO… Why you ask… because we know the PS3 is the better system and we don’t need to prove it, its quite apparent.
Freddie Willhite @ Dec 12th 2007 2:20PM
You morons. The slowdown only occurs when the game is quicksaving. It runs just fine after the quicksave. Check the top left of your screen.
Alien @ Dec 12th 2007 1:47PM
Its still more than playable , but EA didnt do a great job :(
Jdsprst @ Dec 12th 2007 2:20PM
All this comparison has really done is convince me to buy the PS3 version and I have all the platform options available to me. I much prefer the sixaxis over a keyboard or xbox controller. I held off on buying it because of all the framerate and technical problems I was reading about with the PS3 port but watching the video, it didn't look too bad. Any inconveniently timed quicksaves it has, I can deal with.