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This is a pointless debate, I'm not even sure why you had to type it up - it's like comparing apples to oranges.

Console games can have shitty plots.
Online games can have shitty plots. (And btw, you can SOLO/HENCH them, so you can still screw yourself up.)

For me, my computer is MINE, I can play games all day. I don't own my own TV, and can get kicked off at any time with the PS2 or XboX. You're only allowed online a certain amount of time, and have never played an online game before that I remember - you will always prefer console, like I will always prefer a PC.

It's all personal preference.

Like how you insisted I play Diablo II with you online once with your friends since GW is laggy? >>

I think you should just put it down to one word - FUN. Both are fun, but you have to remember some games are only available for one console and vice versa. (Probably the only reason we have an Xbox - To play Jade Empire, and since Dad's out during the summer me and my brother play that more then the PS2.)

But overall, and I'll emphasis it again.. IT'S PERSONAL PREFERENCE.



How can you not love that? XD

Dec has actually played some online games before! You on the other hand have no claims to back up why you love FF12 so much.

So until you do, I'll say for the third freaken time - ITS PERSONAL PREFERENCE!

.....I played though all of FF7, so don't give me that. I'm sorry I'm so rattled but the fact that I don't own my own TV - I could see you getting pissed off when you've been playing for an hour and suddenly get kicked of the TV and.. OH NO WHERE'S MY SAVE POINT!?

So excuse me for liking a PC better and being able to save anytime.

Online RPG gaming is not for me, it has to be said.

For a start I am constantly too broke to afford the fees and my laptop doesn't quite have the power needed to run them and my internet connection isn't the most stable in the world.

Pushing past all that, the games themselves, while creating your own character and progressing them yourself is worthwhile itself, I feel that I get so much more involved if there is some character and plot development. I find online games usually have a lot more plot development than anything else, though even that is usually bland and 'one-size fits all' baggy. The expansive and constantly growing worlds are indeed awesome, giving rise to almost infinite playability, which is always a plus (unless you have OCD, then you're screwed cuz you'll NEVER BE FINISHED!). One area where I think online gaming is indeed a boon is in games like Timesplitters, SSX and Burnout, where the whole idea is to just thrash your opponents in to the ground in a bout of mindless fun. There's no need or even want for anything more than direct competition, when it's fine. It does, however, lose out in terms of atmosphere at times. It's perfect for the really tense situations where one false move could mean total humiliation, the total silence as you hide with a sniper rifle waiting for your chance to strike. But when it's something fast and frantic you really want to be in a room full of friends as you play together running around in a panic as all hell breaks loose.

Offline games, in contrast, seem to push more emphasis in the direction of characterisation and plot...erisation xd . I feel this helps me get more involved, helps me care about the characters and what happens to them. I find if I'm interested in them I enjoy finding out what happens to them a lot more, I have even been known to shed a tear or two when something rather sad happens, or jump with excitement when one of the heroes is finally giving that good-for-nothing evil git a verbal barrage just before a boss fight, or feel a chill run down my spine when i know something bad is going to happen. They do occaisonally tend to be more linear, but that's just down to preference, I like my freedom but I need some linear structure or everything just feels too disjointed and tacked-on. They are also finite, they have an end point. When it's over and you've done everything then all you can do is start it again, and again, and again. Online games there's usually something new along every so often.

Returning to reacting to games irl... i remember one time when I was playing Grandia and there was a boss character who really really annoyed me. When I finally got the chance to fight him I made sure to unleash all my most spectacular moves, even though I didn't need to, just because it made me feel like I was finally giving him what he deserved. I was even shouting at the TV ("Take THAT you son of a b***h!"). I've never heard of anyone getting that worked up over an online game.


More when I think of it, the beer is starting to take hold.