This topic comes up because of a talk between Da Fish, TDF, and myself (sorry the rest of you!) - How do you prefer to play FPS games? Keyboard and Mouse - The ultimate setup for aiming, hardcore gaming, and precision. Assume you will have a killer rig. Controller - Either the 360 or the PS3 controllers (arguably the two best ever made) lose the precision, but gain easy TV play and access to couches and beds.
I've been playing FPS games with mouse and keyboard all my life. I tried the controller, but there is absolutely no way I can adopt it. I don't even want to think about playing an FPS with a controller, and in fact I refuse to. Like you already mentioned, the precision and everything, and because of it, I can't play without a mouse and keyboard.
i absolutely hate fps on the cpu. im different then alot of you guys because you grew up with fps on computers. the first fps i ever played and really recall was james bond agent under fire for the ps2. that was atleast 10 years ago and it was rough coordinating thumb movements in the begining but now ive been playing fps on consoles so long its natural. also i dont like using the mouse because when i do im bad at moving the target reticle smoothly. and i dont like how my fingers are smooshed on the keys and it hurts after awhile. i think they only thing i like is when games allow you to change weapons by using the scroll wheel like jedi outcast. that is awesome.
I was a console guy since May 1982, when I got an Atari for my Birthday. I got a Nintendo 4 years later for my birthday, and it was gaming nirvana. When PC games evolved beyond Math Blaster and Oregon Trail, I hated the idea of moving my character with a keyboard. I refused to play a game like that, and stuck to my guns as a hard-core console guy. I played FPS's on console, and LOATHED them. The control was always so bad, I could never get past it. I HATED Goldeneye, and the last FPS I tried on Console was Halo, and HATED it, too. Then a few years back (around 2005), I built myself a very nice PC. For ****s and giggles, I tried Half-Life 2, because I had heard so many good things about it. I suffered through the gayness of controlling movement with a keyboard, and was rewarded with the single most awesome and satisfying video gaming experience since Ocarina of Time. I found out that playing FPS with console controllers was the reason that I hated the genre for so long. It was like an epiphany to me. I hated keyboard and mouse for most of my life, and it took about 2 hours of "getting used to" time to completely change my outlook on the subject. Now, I enjoy the FPS genre, and can't fathom ever trying to play with a controller. It's like tring to paddle a boat with a hockey stick. It works, but it's nowhere near ideal. Not to mention that the console versions of all these games are inferior graphically. Modern Warfare 2 on 360 vs. Modern Warfare 2 on my PC is like night and day. It's ridiculous how much better it looks on my PC.
I will take the slightly inferior visuals over feeling like I performed a hand plant off a 5 story building any day.
Controller hands down. And I really dont know that playing on a PC is that much more precise then playing with a new/good controller. I mean if the sticks are worn out then sure but otherwise it fairly precise. Plus as pointed out I cant play with a PC keyboard from the comfort of my gaming chair, and when you play as much as I do thats a deal breaker.
Mouse and keyboard. But thats how i grew up. I know people who are console crazy, i know people who hate consoles. Its easier on console, without ever playing, i was fairly decent at MWF in 2 hrs.
I will give you (anyone for that matter) that, the Keyboard and Mouse is WAYYYY more sensitive than a Controller. But the Infrared on a Wiimote just isn't acurate. Not even close. Wii motion plus doesnt help because that's just an extension to the accelerometers. If there was a way to test the Wiimote VS a 360 controller on an FPS I'd take that challenge in a second. I've played every decent FPS on the Wii and none of their controls come close to a standard everyday controller
Nothing like spinning 180 degrees in an instant then taking a split second to put one right between the eyes....you have a point with comfort but for control its not even close.
You're exactly right. FPS on Wii is poop. Metroid Prime: Corruption was decent, but only because I worship Metroid. I would rather use a controller than the Wiimote + nunchuck combo. Although, nunchuck + mouse would combine the best of both worlds. There is a controller on the market called the FRAGnStein, for PS3 and PC. It is basically a hybrid FPS controller that is a nunchuck with extra buttons, and a gaming mouse. I'd post a picture, but I'm too lazy right now. Here's a link: http://www.bannco.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=18 I have been wanting to get this, but have been hesitant to plop down $90 on a controller.
Right now I like the puter....I have a pretty quick rig so the accuracy is pretty tough to beat. But, that could all change with Project Natal and the 360 if its done right.
Ive always enjoyed both for the most part. Each have their detraction as well as their advantages. A personal example is how highly I regard Goldeneye64 for consoles and Half-Life/DOOM on the PC. Certain games make great use of shoulder buttons on the consoles, which do limit the advantage slightly from WASD. Though when you consider remapping options and the sheer number of buttons at your disposal near your movement keys, things do skew towards PCs more. The detractor there is that you are obviously going to need to essentially be a "good typer". When it comes to the mouse vs stick debate...once again outside of comfort the stick just does not offer any real tangible benefits over the mouse. Not only are your reaction times exponentially decreased, but shooters tend to feel a bit better(to me) when you are aware of the high precision. Nobody in their right mind can argue that sniping feels more natural on consoles outside of the actual trigger being pulled. I'll always enjoy gaming on both, but when it comes to a direct comparison I have to go with the Mouse & Keyboard(those of you who know me are not surprised by this revelation ). This is how I break it down though for my preferences.... FPS-Both fun, advantage Mouse/WASD RPG-Turn based=Controller......... Realtime/MMORPG=Mouse/WASD Hands down Sports-Controller, not even close RTS-Mouse/WASD Hands down Adventure- Works fine in either unless its a platformer, but prefer Controller regardless
Strategy games such as Civ or Master of Orion I think are much better on Keyboard/Mouse Current MMORPGs are also better on keyboard mouse
I cant even play RTS on consoles. They are all a shell of their former selves on the PC. I think there is potential for MMO, just not the same type we are used to. They probably need to be more action oriented.
I totally agree about RTS. Anything with a huge map is better on a PC. I think there is as well. Just the type of MMO that exist right now, are better on PC
I like both, but Keyboard and mouse wins hands down. Though I prefer playing multiplayer games on console though.
I've been playing FPS games on my computer since the original GLQuake days. I recently bit the bullet and purchased 2 PS3's... Love the PS3 to death, especially with streaming netflix, the browser and streaming media, but FPS games flat out SUCK *** using the controller. I can not for the life of me see how it takes any skill to use the controller. A mouse and keyboard combo rewards pinpoint accuracy and is, by a factor of 10x, a much more effective way to play FPS shooters... I get so frustrated using the PS3 controller, especially when I need to aim at multiple enemies.. It took me literally a week to master my mouse/ keyboard combo, and after several months of frustrating FPS with the controller I've literally given up.. Long live the Quake 2/3/ Half Life / Counterstrike Beta days, those to me where the best days of gaming. No amount of cinema and technology on these new systems can come close to the pure adrenaline rush you could get in a game like Rocket Arena while flying in the air after a rocket jump, pulling your railgun mid-air and then fragging two people at once. That scenario is IMPOSSIBLE on a console.