Is The PS3 The Single-Player Console Of Choice?

I only just recently realized that there may be a bigger gap between the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 than previously recognized, and it has to do with the software. Or rather, the intention of that software.

Personally, I have never been into online multiplayer and I rarely get involved in online matches in any game. For one, I simply don't have the time and I've also noticed that those who really get involved tend to get hooked, thereby missing out on some of this generation's most memorable experiences. For instance, I know several people who just can't stop playing either Modern Warfare online - they played the original from the time it was released until now, and have switched to MW2 - and in the process, they completely ignored the likes of Killzone 2, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Batman: Arkham Asylum, inFamous, Assassin's Creed II...you know, basically the best games of the generation thus far. But even if I do have more willpower than these unfortunate souls, the concept of online multiplayer has just never appealed to me and I seriously doubt I'm the only one. And that being the case, I tend to get really annoyed with games that are expressly made for multiplayer with halfhearted attempts at a single-player campaign tossed in.

I played Left 4 Dead 2 last night and not only did it reaffirm my belief that Valve is a worthless developer that hasn't bothered to innovate in a decade, but it also stunned me with the realization that most Xbox 360 exclusives seem to be exactly like this: a lame, almost non-existent single-player campaign and a robust online multiplayer mode. I'm going to play Halo 3: ODST next and I get the feeling I'll find the same thing, although at least that might be semi-entertaining. Really, the only major 360 titles I can think of that boast awesome single-player campaigns are the Gears titles, which absolutely rule. But is that all? Is the last bastion of single-player goodness falling into PS3 exclusives? Uncharted 2? The excellent campaign in Killzone 2? Heavy Rain? God of War III? The Last Guaridan? I can't wait for Alan Wake, either; perhaps that will be a 360 game that might actually satisfy a lone gamer.

I suppose my question is this: would it be accurate to say the Xbox 360 seems entirely dominated by multiplayer-fueled titles while the PS3 is the only console left that hasn't forgotten that some of the most memorable experiences in this hobby are enjoyed alone? The Wii is all about multiplayer, too, of course. I have no problem with this social gaming boom and I think it's getting a hell of a lot more people involved with the hobby. But this fixation is starting to really hurt the single-player aspects of certain games...or should I say, certain titles that might be exclusive to the Xbox 360. In the future, I'd love to see a separation: i.e., split popular franchises into different games, like Final Fantasy XIII is for the single-player and Final Fantasy XIV is for the online multiplayer. Like we've got MGS4 and MGO. Something like that. Because obviously, multiplayer has become a very big deal and it's tough for devs to focus on both elements.

But even so, I'm still ticked off. I really wanted to love L4D2; I had heard such great things about it. But without the multiplayer, it's a total waste of time. And you know, a lot of the 360 games I've played are like that. Not that it's a problem, per se, but it is for me. And it's in stark contrast to the groundbreaking exclusives on the PS3 side. Don't you think?

12/29/2009 9:48:58 PM Ben Dutka

Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter

Comments (159 posts)

Toggle Scrolling | Reload Comments

just2skillf00l
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:20:56 PM
Reply

High quality single player experiences rule! I honestly prefer a great and unique single player experience over, most of the time; mindless time-consuming multiplayer fun.

Last edited by just2skillf00l on 12/29/2009 10:22:06 PM

22 up, 2 down

SnipeySnake
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 3:17:49 PM

Agreed!

0 up, 1 down

Paolo Kutaragi
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 1:32:47 PM

Well said!

0 up, 1 down

outcelgeist
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:22:03 PM
Reply

As much as I agree about Valve being worthless, you gotta give them some credit for Portal. That short little game made The Orange Box worth buying five times over. I never played the XBLA stand-alone though cause I got rid of my 360. Alan Wake is really the only game that makes me want to get another one but I might just rent it on Gamefly and borrow my nephew's 360.

Anyway, the PS3 is starting to appeal to everyone nowadays. Sony really turned the tables in 2009. The trash talk has died down to the point where pretty much only trolls bash it.

Sony's got the single-player vs. multiplayer angle covered. I haven't played MAG or Warhawk but from what I gather, they're both strictly multiplayer.

On a side note Ben, as soon as you hear news on a new Suikoden I trust that you'll post it. I check suikosource and the Konami board daily for any news so if I catch something before you, I'll be sure to let you know.

8 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:30:01 AM

Fine by me. I want Suikoden VI so bad I can taste it.

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:25:41 AM

i thought some other developers made portal. valve just included it on the orange box, right?

3 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:49:00 AM

uh...why would they include it if it wasn't there game? lol but no, it's valve's game

0 up, 1 down

oldmike
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:13:44 AM

they just hired the ones that did
the base build of it.
in fact the one that came up with it just left days after L4D2 hit stores

1 up, 0 down

LightShow
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:16:59 AM

correct, the game that would eventually become portal was created by a couple software engineers in college, i believe as a final project. valve thought it had potential and hired them on the spot, and i think we all can agree it was a good move on their part.

3 up, 0 down

Shams
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:59:09 AM

Portal is the most unique experience of this generation, yet, um, in my experience. I wish it was available on the psn.

2 up, 0 down

fatelementality
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:24:45 PM
Reply

Here's what it boils down to: Some of us have friends, some of us don't :( J/K Ben, but I see your point. Demon's Souls seems to be the best of both worlds at the moment and I wish I could get back to it, but I got ACII for Xmas and haven't put it down for anything. I think I'm in love all over again. It may not be an exclusive, but it's a very impressive piece of work. Some of my favorite single player experiences were with the games of the Legacy of Kain series. Would soooo love to see another. Yeah, they weren't exclusive either though. Hmmmmm........MGS anyone?

Last edited by fatelementality on 12/29/2009 10:25:17 PM

5 up, 1 down

outcelgeist
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:30:42 PM

Demon's Souls was a hell of an experience. I beat it roughly two weeks after it came out. After I beat it, I started getting invaded by other players constantly and slaughtered all of them.

It's been a couple months since I've played it so now I'm too scared to. I don't want to get invaded and killed :/ Seriously, seeing that notification is one of the most heart-pounding things ever.

I guess I could play offline....

1 up, 1 down

OtisFeelgood
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 11:57:44 PM

Legacy of Kain ftw!

4 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:06:20 AM

@ fatelementality - tell me about it. AC2 is a hell of a good time.

1 up, 0 down

Kr3sn1k
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:59:03 AM

@outclegeist its realy fun to invade other peoples games i do it all the time and i always kill them because there stupid and start runing from me leaving them vulnrable 3 soul arrows and their dead its funner when they actualy stay their and fight you it has a bigger thrill to it =)

0 up, 1 down

Deleted User
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:17:35 AM

Not to hijack the board, but did anyone else think that AC2 was boring? Don't get me wrong, it's a polished, deep, and beautiful game. I just found myself getting bored and sleepy a lot while playing it. (Unlike UC2 and Batman.) The pacing in those games were a lot better. (Granted, they're not sandbox games like AC2.) I felt like the story wasn't that smooth and it took forever to get from point to point as well. I'll bite my tongue about the ending in AC2, but that was also a disappointment to me.

0 up, 3 down

photo K
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:59:41 AM

AudiaK - I haven't tried AC2 but I got bored and sleepy with AC1. It's wrong of me to assume that's the same with AC2 but if I didn't enjoy the first title gameplay as much, I probably wont try the second title. Just my opinion.

2 up, 1 down

Deleted User
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:17:52 PM

You're right about "if you don't like the first, you'll hesitate to get the second" mantra. I feel the same way. However, I kept hearing from friends and "industry insiders" that this game fixed everything about the first. (A Gamestop guy was trying to sell someone that game today and the first words out of his mouth were, "It fixed everything about the first one.") Well, it didn't fix everything and that should not be the main selling point of a huge title like this.

0 up, 1 down

The X Factor 9
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:25:40 PM
Reply

I will absolutely have to agree with you that the PS3 has the majority of great single player experiences available this generation.

I would however, argue that the 360 has become my console of choice for RPG's (with major exceptions being Demons Souls and Valkyria Chronicles). Mass Effect and Lost Odyssey are Xbox exclusives and I chose to play Dragon Age and Fallout 3 on the 360 as well.

To be honest, it is looking more and more like the 360 will be home to western RPG's and some shooters here and there. Either way, I like having the choice between the two consoles.

4 up, 8 down

outcelgeist
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:31:39 PM

It will be home to RPGs until a new Suikoden comes to save the day.

1 up, 0 down

Victor321
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:31:41 PM

The X Factor 9, I fully agree with you and I'll stand by your opinion.

=D

Last edited by Victor321 on 12/29/2009 10:32:28 PM

1 up, 4 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:41:23 AM

That's changing quickly. The 360 started out with stuff like Eternal Sonata, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, etc. Being a big RPG fan, I certainly noticed. And if they make another Lost Odyssey, I WILL get it on Day 1.

But with FFXIII (best played on PS3, I promise), White Knight Chronicles, Demon's Souls, and other JRPGs starting to hit the PS3 quick...really, this has changed a lot.

10 up, 0 down

oldmike
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:18:16 AM

your 360 only games you listed are best played on the PC thou

8 up, 0 down

Buckeyestar
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:27:08 PM
Reply

I will always be far more interested in a fulfilling story driven single player experience than the e-peen measuring contest that all multiplayer has devolved into. If the PS3 is the place for my kind of games, then I made the right console choice.

12 up, 0 down

geovanwitdakick
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:28:41 PM
Reply

online multiplayer can definetely be addicting, but I feel free to stop playing whenever I feel the need to. RPG's on the other hand, also last a very long time (albeit not as much as most online experiences). But if I stop playing an RPG midway, then I leave feeling unaccomplished. I don't feel that way with most multiplayer games.

7 up, 0 down

Victor321
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:33:51 PM

You have a good point there, but I've been exposed equally (a lot in fact!) to both the sides you speak of, RPGs and Online Multiplayer, so I guess I'm immune to all this O.o

0 up, 2 down

Victor321
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:31:04 PM
Reply

Sorry for being really off topic, but I thought of a slogan for the PS3 while reading this ^.^

At the end of the commercial, the guy would go:

"Playstation 3. Quality, Defined."

I thought of another one, but this was a while back lol XD

It goes:

"PS3. Limitless Power. Endless Entertainment."

Last edited by Victor321 on 12/29/2009 10:32:08 PM

9 up, 2 down

Banky A
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:23:00 PM

Or something 'a little' less corny:

"PlayStation 3, Awesome-sauce"
"PlayStation 3, Better Than Nike"
"PS3, Who Needs Nikes?"

1 up, 2 down

Doosharm
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:41:38 PM
Reply

I'm a bit disheartened by the recent emphasis on multiplayer modes. Personally, I can't stand the new breed of super hardcore multiplayer gamers. I mean, the testosterone with these guys is through the roof. It makes playing games with them virtually unbearable.

Not to mention that fact that all they care about is the competition. They couldn't care less about the story mode. In fact, most of the people I know who are really into MW2 haven't even played the single player campaign, they just went straight for the online mode.

But unfortunately there are so many multiplayer gamers that they are having an impact upon all games. Can anybody tell me why BioShock 2 needs a multiplayer mode? I'll always appreciate a decent story more than the most amazing multiplayer mode.

Sorry for the rant... I'm tired.

Last edited by Doosharm on 12/29/2009 10:45:21 PM

12 up, 0 down

outcelgeist
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:50:31 PM

I blame it all on little brothers that played Halo and went through puberty with Halo 2. Those new breeds wouldn't last a minute in an old-school Doom deathmatch.

8 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:38:58 AM

I'm with you. In my eyes, online multiplayer has really had a negative impact on the community; it just tends to turn people into complete jackasses.

9 up, 8 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:36:19 AM

Im so glad i stopped playing on live. I couldnt even imagine the dumbass atmosphere on multiplayer games on live. I mean i caught some of it when i was playing modern warfare 1 and a few halo games and i had enough. i just hope psn doesnt turn out like that, although that may be too much to ask for some people(mostly the kids who try to act tough). but almost as annoying as the number of jackass live players is the number of jackass psn player using the damn voice changer. I mean, why the hell did sony put that in? did anyone actually ask for it?

0 up, 0 down

oldmike
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:23:12 AM

BioShock 2 was cut from my list of day one games
do to the fact it added online
after all it has to fit on a DVD
so they need to cut to fit the online
i will not be shocked to hear its only a 6 hour game

mite add it to my rent list

2 up, 2 down

Feregrin
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:43:21 PM

@oldmike: You haven't heard? The PS3 uses BD, not DVD.

Cutting out on the single-player to fit in multi-player...yeah right.

1 up, 3 down

Deleted User
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 6:25:55 PM

Ummm, there are just as many jackasses on PSN as there are on Live. You just don't know it because Sony makes everyone get a Bluetooth headset. Those kids can't afford that and they can't convince their parents to splurge on it.

And Oldmike, did Uncharted 2 need mp? Do you think they made the story shorter to fit it in? Of course not. Buy the game or don't buy the game, I don't care. Just don't tell me it's because they added another feature to a game that is optional to play. Weak.

0 up, 1 down

MyWorstNightmar
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 7:43:47 PM

Guys, he is right to bring up DVD. It will be on XBOX360, remember?

I will give him the benefit of the doubt that he knows PS3 uses Bluray.

3 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:52:19 PM
Reply

I understand what Ben's point is, but after taking a quick survey of Metacritic's top 360 games, perhaps too much of a generalization is being made. I copied and pasted their 20 top ranked games below. Hopefully, these format right when they're submitted.
1 Grand Theft Auto IV 98
2 BioShock 96
3 Orange Box, The 96
4 Gears of War 94
5 Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, The 94
6 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 94
7 Halo 3 94
8 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 94
9 Braid 93
10 Street Fighter IV 93

11 Bayonetta 93
12 Fallout 3 93
13 Gears of War 2 93
14 Guitar Hero II 92
15 Rock Band 92
16 Batman: Arkham Asylum 92
17 Forza Motorsport 3 92
18 Rock Band 2 92
19 Assassin's Creed II 91
20 Mass Effect 91

I'd say fourteen of these top twenty have solid single-player campaigns. But to sympathize with Dan. I see 360 as having more polarized popularity with military shooters. I believe a Sony spokesperson (I forget his name) during an E3 interview earlier this year conveyed a similar sentiment. Basically, he suggested that the PS3, unlike the 360, isn't a one-trick pony. Insinuating that the 360's user-base is far more centralized in a single genre. When I look at sales data provided by VGchartz I do see a correlation with that claim. Anyhow, I'm new to these boards, but have been a reader for some time now, and I am big fan of Playstation.

8 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:37:53 AM

I'm well aware of the list, but I'm talking more about 360 exclusives in this case. 360 exclusives and games that tend to be most popular on the 360. Multiplatform games like Fallout 3 won't really matter; a multiplatform game like MW2 will, as it seems FAR more 360 owners flock to something like that.

5 up, 0 down

oldmike
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:26:30 AM

game scores also dose not count as sales
i like to see that list baced on sales and just the top 10

0 up, 0 down

Shams
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 9:06:41 AM

Ah, "Temujin", Genghiz Khan's actual name.

0 up, 0 down

geovanwitdakick
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 10:54:27 PM
Reply

Bioshock does not need a multiplayer mode, but Bioware wants more people to buy the game. So they added a multiplayer mode, so it can appeal to more appeal, thus resulting in more sales & exposure. Example: Uncharted only sold how many copies? I doubt it ever got to a million copies sold. Uncharted 2, w| the addition of multiplayer? It sure has sold over a million. Sure the story mode is 33% longer, all 7 SPU`s r being used simotaneously in Uncharted 2, but the biggest difference in parts 1 & 2 is the addition of multiplayer.

0 up, 2 down

onsiterecording
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 11:51:49 PM

Bioware is not making Bioshock 2, I believe Bioware is the team behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age:Origins. 2K Marin, 2K Australia and 2K Boston are all working on Bioshock.

3 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:36:01 AM

NO. Uncharted 2 sold more because the game actually had some word-of-mouth going in, unlike the original, which came out of nowhere.

Furthermore, when the original released, there were only a few million PS3s in the world. When U2 came out, there were about 25 million. That's where you're seeing the difference; it's NOT due to the multiplayer.

9 up, 0 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:41:21 AM

hahaha, are you serious? uncharted 2 didnt sell more because of multiplayer. hell, multiplayer wasnt even included until later in the development. even before multiplayer was announced, people were already looking forward to it. most of the people i saw buying it didnt even know it had multiplayer. at first, i didnt even want to play uncharted 1 because....well... i havent heard of it at all. I only loved the game after my brother bought it for me as a present. As for the multiplayer aspects of videogames, i dont really care as long as the single player doesnt suffer.
ohh, and what the hells been happening with offline multiplayer? that should be standard in all multiplayer games. (looking at you killzone 2). nothing against it but some offline player vs player multiplayer would've been nice. same goes for uncharted 2.

Last edited by johnld on 12/30/2009 4:44:20 AM

0 up, 0 down

artson1966
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 3:23:06 PM

I so disagree with your comment on Multiplayer addition to UC2. I rarely play online, but i did log into a few sessions of UC2 and I found very few players online...I do believe the single player was the best I have played since Gears of War 2 and Killzone 2.

0 up, 0 down

NoSmokingBandit
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 11:01:55 PM
Reply

MS loves online-centric games. Keep those XBL subscription fees rolling in...

14 up, 0 down

djbool
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 11:47:01 PM

This is a really excellent point and I don't think alot of people on 360 really think about this. That 50 bucks they are spending every year is a pretty penny considering that is one more game they could buy each Christmas. I'll never forget the time my buddy and I went shopping for games after Christmas and I got a new game while he purchased MS live points. ha!

12 up, 0 down

Larsperson
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 11:09:04 PM
Reply

Give me singleplayer games anyday. A good 95% of my game time is singleplayer and the rest perhaps some co-op every now and then. Im always keen to try out new games and can't be bothered spending countless hours on multiplayer modes.

6 up, 0 down

artson1966
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 3:34:37 PM

I agree with you all the way, I am old school and when games came out there wasnt a online element to any games until the this last decade, so us ole timers don't really care to change.. not only that these online gamers are so disrespectfull and lack good game play manners... constant cussing and the famous gay slang in every comment...I also hate most shooters include snipers,,, it's no fun to spawn and die because you can't see them....

3 up, 0 down

rjmacready
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 11:17:00 PM
Reply

I'm glad to see that you feel the same way about multiplayer online as I do Ben. It just doesn't appeal to me, and I always look for the single player experience first. Whether it be playing the single player aspects of Uncharted or GTA, or playing the computer in sports games like MLB The Show or Madden, I prefer the single player offline modes.
I've tried online playing a few times before, but I find I just generally prefer the single player adventures, or just franchise playing the computer in sports games.

3 up, 0 down

BadBrad
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 11:19:14 PM
Reply

@Temjin001

Half your list is multiplatform ...and if you take em out , it prove's Ben is right.

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 11:23:59 PM
Reply

If it's not a fighter or a racer (sports games at heart) I want the damn game to have a DEEP story mode

I knew I'd be getting Playstation's great franchises (those brought by Naughty Dog,Imsoniac, Konami, SCEJ, etc.)

^All story driven

Amazing that even the hated FPS genre gets a great story with ps3's Killzone 2...

Last edited by Scarecrow on 12/29/2009 11:27:08 PM

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 11:34:17 PM
Reply

<i>Half your list is multiplatform ...and if you take em out , it prove's Ben is right.</i>
Badbrad I looked over Ben's article and he didn't delineate between multi-platform and exclusives to support his claim. The focus of his message was that he suspects the 360 user-base is more multi-player centric. Hopefully that clears up any misunderstanding.

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:46:35 AM

well, the reason that most people choose games for the 360 is usually that my friends have it for the 360 so they want to play with them, even ones that dont have online multiplayer,lol.

0 up, 0 down

Hezzron
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ 11:41:43 PM
Reply

MS charges $50 a year for their online play service. It's in their best interests to have MP heavy games. They make the consumer feel like they're missing out on the greater part of their game if they're not forking out the yearly fee. The Halos and L4Ds do this to perfection.

The fee to play online is an awful trend, and gamers are letting them get away with it.

10 up, 1 down

Highlander
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:03:14 AM
Reply

Ben, I think you have hit on something here, something very significant. The majority of the hardcore gamers are (IMHO) the ones most likely to play multi-player online games, almost all other gamers like the single player experience or local multi-player such as split screen action.

I agree 100% that the PS3 is the console of choice for the single player experience, and I think that this has always been the case with Sony. Just as the emphasis from Microsoft has always been multi-player action titles. It's two completely different approaches, and one has a broader audience than the other. I think you know which I would suggest is the broader audience.

I honestly believe that gaming at it's root is a solo activity. So much of what a good game does is fire the player's imagination. In a multi-player game you are more limited because you rely on everyone having the same experience, so the designer cannot rely on the player's imagination. I think the result is multi-player play that is within a more restricted environment.

Well, perhaps I am biased since I'm an older gamer and my gaming 'career' started with solo gaming. I do think that the PS3 is the better machine and environment for single player games. And I do think that this is a broader and larger market than hardcore multi-player online action.

9 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:34:02 AM

"I honestly believe that gaming at it's root is a solo activity. So much of what a good game does is fire the player's imagination."

100% agree. I'm all about that. And I'm an older gamer, too, so I might be biased as well. But still, I'd like to think the single-player experience is just that much richer due to the SINGLE immersion; the SINGLE memorable experience.

8 up, 1 down

Highlander
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:03:22 AM

You know I just thought of something that I think fits this very well.

What is the very best console accessory you can ever have?

The answer of course is a good imagination. It's like asking which is the best sex toy, the answer of course is a good imagination.

If a developer can tap into the player's own mind for emotions or additional story, sounds visuals or even imagined embellishments to the visuals, their game looks and plays even better than it is. A game that does this well is Valkyria Chronicles.

I think that this factor will always make the single player game that much more immersive, and enjoyable.

4 up, 0 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:54:43 AM

The thing is, sony is also starting to get a handle on the online multiplayer side of video games. Its given that sony games will have the high quality material that you know they will have but with online gameplay is just the cherry on top. Microsoft really needs to get a move on and stop relying on their online multiplayer heavy games like halo and left 4 dead to fuel their gold membership purchases.

on a side note, i kinda feel bad for the people who bought modern warfare 2 on the 360. i mean we're all playing a multiplat game, and as far as i can see theres no difference at all in online and offline, but all i paid for mine is the initial 60 bucks while they have to pay for their live subscription. sure they could've already had the membership before buying mw2 but thats still money coming out of their own pocket.

2 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 7:46:20 AM

I definitely agree that involving the players imagination is important for gaming. I also think that immersion goes a long way to a great game too. I feel that you have to connect with the player and care about the relationships to truly make a great single player experience.

In my early days I was always looking for a great single player experience too, and that's all I wanted in the games that I got. But these next gen systems have really brought a little multiplayer out in me. I still think that there is too much emphasis on deathmatch and not enough CO-OP style play. Deathmatch was great back in college playing Unreal Tournament, but now I want a little more. I loved Resistance 2 with the CO-OP... I just thought it was awesome. And if they're going to continue to grow multiplayer (which they are), then I would also like to see a little more story driven multiplayer in the future.

2 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:15:53 AM

@sven
(thank goodness for the edit button, I fat fingered the tab key...)

Multi-player to me is a combination of the playground and competition. It's the playground because you can play with friends or whoever is already there. You're just horsing around, it's a one off match. The other side is the competition, it's a very competitive environment. I don't think that a competitive environment is conducive to story telling or immersion, and a group of gamers horsing around in multi-player is similarly unhelpful for story telling.

Single player will always in my mind be the medium for immersion and deep character and story driven games. It's kind of like the person that goes to the park and reads for three hours vs the person that goes to the park and plays a quick game of football with friends and acquaintances. Both are enjoyable and entirely valid, but I don't think you'll see the group playing football get together in the park to read through a play or novel together. Individually perhaps, but not as a group activity.

This is why I think that for a story/character driven game multi-player doesn't work nearly as well as single player. Now, in a game like World of Warcraft multi-player does work. Because each player character has a unique history and the game is built around the concept of making your own story. So you and friends build your characters and their history together. Your experience in the game is not driven by the game's story, it's driven by the players. You are - as a group - making it up as you go along. That kind of multi-player gaming can work, but it's not the same animal as the story or character driven game where the stories and characters are created by the game developer and the game unfolds like a novel.

Last edited by Highlander on 12/30/2009 10:26:41 AM

3 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 3:40:54 PM

HA! - good points - and great examples (my imagination is running wild)

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:07:57 PM

I agree with Sven. Less Deathmatch, more Co-op, please.

Other people CAN make better companion characters than AI. They can also be worse, though.

It's why I was originally interested in MAG, until they said it was an FPS. Co-operation to achieve goals is what I want from multiplayer games. But the FPS-players are apparently turning it into a frag-fest.

0 up, 0 down

BlackBriar
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:06:22 AM
Reply

I Love My 60 Gig!

1 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:15:44 AM

I do too!!!

0 up, 0 down

onsiterecording
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:07:15 AM
Reply

fable, mass effect, two series that are 360 exclusive driven by a strong single player experience both with previous entries and upcoming ones. Although there are plenty of rumours about Mass Effect 2 coming to ps3, it hasn't been confirmed so it is still 360 exclusive. The new Splinter Cell also currently a 360 exclusive. Yeah the Ps3 has a good deal of single player games but so does the 360, looking to the future sony's line up appears to be good but i'm sure microsoft has plenty more on the way too

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:32:35 AM

One would hope so. I see little besides Alan Wake that I want on the 360.

I know everyone loves ME but I just hated the original, but you make a good point about Splinter Cell. I LOVE that series.

2 up, 1 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:01:22 AM

just one question, just how open ended is mass effect? i remember reading an article here on psxextreme about having a game with multiple/branching storyline or scenarios tend to end up with endings with less story. When i say less story, i meant that it wouldnt really be a well formulated story/ending. If you are playing a game that is story driven but the story get somewhat watered down as it goes on, i cant even find myself finishing it. I would pick a linear rpg over an open ended one everytime.

0 up, 0 down

oldmike
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:38:12 AM

fable, mass effect are PC also
and the new SC has online also

2 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:55:20 AM

Why did you hate the original ME, Benny?

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:26:17 AM

I just really disliked the setting (not so much about sci-fi), and the game played like a mediocre third-person shooter. I just couldn't get into it.

2 up, 1 down

NoSmokingBandit
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:04:17 PM

Iirc, Splinter Cell is coming to pc. Or are people still saying 360/PC games count as 360 exclusives?

1 up, 0 down

Superman915
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:10:59 AM
Reply

I'm not sure about single player, but it is the console for players who aren't absolutely obsessed with FPS.

2 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:13:29 AM
Reply

hezzron73 I agree that MS wants to increase the value of their LIVE service by keeping multiplayer games in plenty. I do think that Sony wants this for PSN as well. This can be observed in games like Warhawk and MAG. I think a key difference between MS and Sony is found in their business models. Sony leans heavily on micro-transaction revenue in the form of downloadable content. Sony reaches a broad audience by having a free online service. By not having subscription fee barriers one could assume that this would help increase the overall consumption of downloadable content. I think, we the gamers, benefit the most from this. We get the online play for free and get to put our money into increasing the value of our existing games rather than having a generous portion of our dollars going to simply access online play. I think Little Big Planet is custom tailored for just this.

2 up, 0 down

Robochic
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:16:59 AM
Reply

@ Ben great article, I agree with you I love Single player games over multiplayer. I do like multiplayer if it's not online sometimes I like my friends when they are over to jump in on the action but either than that I'm not big for online either. Nothing against it but I do see the addiction to it plus I have no time.

Oh You have made my shift go fast by all these articles I need to read; keep them coming :)

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:31:36 AM

I'll try. But I'm done for the night. :)

0 up, 1 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:25:48 AM
Reply

@Ben,
As a "single mode only" player too, I agree with almost everything single item you listed about it.

"But" and I'm speaking here ONLY from the "collector" side of things, I DO have to disagree with just one thing there that I believe I have to throw it out into the mix too.

Although it might work out better overall to have a single-player only title this time around & then have it done as a multi-player for the next one in the series....as a collector, I'd certainly hate for this to become the norm.

And that's only because I would have to spend tons more money just to keep my collection current & updated by also adding in those multi-player only games....and for which I'll never even play any of them, BTW.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:31:13 AM

Yeah, I know what you're saying. But I only collect games I actually PLAY so I'd just ignore the multiplayer-only games without any problem. ;)

1 up, 1 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:04:13 AM

so did you pass on warhawk ben? its a pretty good game.

1 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 7:52:31 AM

@John: Warhawk is an amazing game. But honestly, after about 30-40 hours online, you know what I kept saying?? I wish this game had a single player campaign!!! It was such a great game...fun, fast-paced, and flying the warhawk (as I've said before) is just SO much fun.... but I feel like we missed out on a great story between these two factions of why they are fighting.

2 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:22:01 AM

I could not stand Warhawk and I don't understand what the fuss was about. The guys look like Lego men. Huh?

0 up, 2 down

___________
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:49:59 AM
Reply

valve is a worthless developer?
so that explains why every game they make gets nominated for GOTY?
i dont understand whats with the valve hate on here, just because they dont like the ps3 does not mean you have to be such bitches about it.
valve have made some of the best games ever released, sure they may be fussy, picky, loud mouthed, and take their sweet bloody time.
but so what?
as long as they deliver in the end thats all that matters.
i for one cant wait for half life 2 episode 3, and am willing to bet my left nut it will be 10 times better and 10 times more innovative than KZ3, uncharted 3 or any other shooter that decides to show up.

3 up, 9 down

Kr3sn1k
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 2:02:22 AM

well valve is actualy a pretty bad devoloping team they make simple minded zombie shooter with bad graphics im sorry to say this but the only reason l4d got nominated was because its practicly the only zombie shooter out their and plus they deserve all the hate they get

5 up, 2 down

swapnilgyani
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:42:49 AM

@ __________,

While I too do not believe that Valve is a worthless developer, no one in their senses could claim that Half Life 2 Episode 3 will be better (or worse) than Killzone 3 or Uncharted 3.

The reason - I have not seen anything about any of those games!! So unless you're secretly working for Valve, Naughty Dog and Guerrilla Games, the speculation beats me :)

Last edited by swapnilgyani on 12/30/2009 4:43:44 AM

4 up, 0 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:14:14 AM

ummm, killzone 2 and uncharted 2 are better than any game that valve has put out right now, quality wise. and if i'm going to go with any hunches, given the quality of games sony's game studios, killzone 3 and uncharted 3 is going to be amazing. so your claim that valve will have a game that is 10 times better and innovative than the sequels to killzone 2 and uncharted 2 is pretty shaky and i believe your left nut will be lost.

Of course i dont really know how you judge which game is "better". if i remember correctly, you had some complaints about uncharted 2 that didnt really bother anyone like the cover button or the game difficulty.

7 up, 1 down

___________
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 7:07:20 AM

meh, as far as im concerned half life 2 is the second best shooter ever released.
first being BLACK.
and i hate L4D its mainly a online game, playing offline is boring, and i hate the way the SP is laid out.
half life 2 had everything.
a compelling story.
good sound, graphics.
great gameplay.
theres a reason why its still one of the most talked about games.
as for half life 2 epp 3, valve have not revealed anything but from what i have heard its going to be a very physics intense game.
think red faction guerrilla times 100!
im hoping it stays as a PC exclusive that way valve can bring the game to the best it can be.

1 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:30:55 AM

Every game they make? What DO they make besides Half-Life and L4D? And the only reason that happens, as far as I can see, is that the critics have been swinging on Valve's di** since the original HL.

5 up, 1 down

___________
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 8:54:02 AM

you forgot portal, team fortress and counter strike.
well, counter strike was a fan made mod, but if valve were not so open with their games we would not of seen one of the industrys most popular games.
even to today many years after release theres still so many people playing it, best hero V terrorist game, better than rainbow six and i really loved that game.
thats the best thing about valve, you can create your own level of one of their games, or a mod of their game, if they approve it goes on the servers for EVERYONE to play.
what other developer does that?
as i said, they take there sweet time to make games, but when they do release something its nothing but pure gold!

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:50:51 AM
Reply

@Ben, yes, & understand
But for me I need them all just for a 100% complete catalog in my collections.

Sigh....there's just sooo many damned few money trees to pluck all those extra bad apples from though, LOL

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:55:03 AM
Reply

@____________
I wouldn't bet the family jewels there, cause I'm thinking you might just have to change your nickname to "Ole One Nut", in the near future, LOL

6 up, 1 down

___________
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 7:02:50 AM

theve never let me down................. yet.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:27:24 AM
Reply

I am soooooo not buying Alan Wake.

5 up, 0 down

Ivan_PSP
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:30:54 AM
Reply

I love online is a must for me i also love offline play.

I own Resistance: Fall Of Man, Resistance 2, Killzone 2, Warhawk, inFAMOUS, UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves, God of War Collection and many more i beat them all at least twice or three times. I also play them offline a lot. Yes PS3 is the console of choice for everything is the best i do own 2 Xbox and 3 backwards compatible PS3. Soon i get MAG i already paid for it in full. PS3 beats Xbox 360 at everything it does. PS3 has the most and the best exclusives plus new IP. Xbox Live is weak for a pay service.

Yes Valve is beyond worthless.

My PSN ID: Ivan-

3 up, 1 down

Oxvial
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:31:45 AM
Reply

The only online I like are the one of fighting games and Demons Souls.

Last edited by Oxvial on 12/30/2009 1:32:56 AM

1 up, 0 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:18:15 AM

i hate online fighting games, i mean how are you supposed to react when theres lag. I tried playing soul calibur 4 online and i just got pissed. I mean how can a game like soul calibur, which is basically all about reflexes for those parries and guard breaks(forgot what its called, its the one you push off your opponents attack) have any lag.

0 up, 0 down

Sol
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:55:32 AM
Reply

Yeah... I'd say the PS3 is better suited to single players. I do game with my friends every now and again but a majority of the time I game alone. That being said I tend to play a lot of single player games. Combine that with the fact that all of my friends have 360s and such I often find them playing games for the online multiplayer. One such friend plays Modern Warfare (360) but has not even touched the campaign.

Back on topic... Out of the list of 59 PS3 games I want to get when I get a PS3, only 5 titles are in there just for multiplayer. So yeah, I'd say the PS3 was the single-player console of choice.

0 up, 0 down

Jian2069
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 3:10:59 AM

lol its going to take him 20 minutes to beat it anyway so why bother

0 up, 0 down

Sol
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:52:53 AM

He doesn't know how short the campaign is. Nobody told him. The point is he'd rather play a multiplayer focused game period. He has several single-player games in his small collection but he spends more time on any and everything that is almost entirely multiplayer. That's all. It had been that way since before he bought his 360... Essentially I am the only person out of my group of friends that really want a PS3. They would all rather buy a 360 (and they pretty much have now) more so for the multiplayer focused games out on it, whilst I maintain my position and continue to purchase (or desire to purchase since I'm broke)games that provide wholesome single-player experiences. I admit that multiplayer modes are fun, I just couldn't care less about them. This is why I don't typically buy them, and this is why the PS3 holds greater value to me... because like I said before, out of 59 games for PS3, only five of them I want for the online multiplayer", though a majority of my time will be spent on primarily single-player titles.

Last edited by Sol on 12/30/2009 5:54:00 AM

0 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 2:32:34 AM
Reply

Games need more campaign co-op.

6 up, 0 down

Jian2069
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 3:10:28 AM
Reply

I haven't been seriously into multiplayer games since I used to play counter strike in CAL

too unorganized for me

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:20:01 AM

just so you know, killzone 2 has clan matches and works pretty good. problem is finding clan mates since the games been out for a while.

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:15:05 PM

PSX clan?

1 up, 0 down

swapnilgyani
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:33:28 AM
Reply

Like most people who have commented here, I am also a "mostly single-player" type of gamer.

Apart from a rock solid single-player mode, I'd like a game to have a good offline co-op mode, that I can play with my real friends sitting next to me, on the same console. I still cannot forget the fun we had with House of the Dead II with me and my friend both going at it on the same keyboard. We broke three keyboards in less than a month!!

I have only recently ventured into online multiplayer mode of the games I own. While it is certainly addictive, it would never be the selling point of a game for me. In the short time I have spent (and enjoyed) playing online, I couldn't help but notice that a lot of players seem to have more attitude than Kratos, and spoil the experience for other players! Anyway, I need the game to have a stellar single-player experience, a fantastic story mode to buy it.

2 up, 0 down

Tequila_Shot
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:07:28 AM
Reply

Wow, great article Ben. One thing I would add is that a great single-player experiance can be a social experiance too. I remember as a tyke when I was playing Mario RPG the seven stars, how much fun I had when my friends were watching me play and making up crazy lines for the characters. Especially today playing MGS4, my brother was watching a cut-scene while I was playing and we started discussing about PMCs and the real effects it has in our world (in case your wondering why so many people think MGS4 plot is chillingly close to our world, read Jeremy Scahil's book 'Blackwater').
Great single stories have always affected more than me. Like great books and movies, it's the discussion and comparing experiances that will have us discussing the story of a Final Fantasy game long after a Call of Duty 12 multiplayer session.

3 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:29:07 AM

Good points. I remember similar circumstances when I was young, too. :)

2 up, 1 down

johnld
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:23:53 AM
Reply

kinda of topic but since when were there advertizements here when i try to view articles. right now i think its guitar hero van halen.

2 up, 1 down

Sol
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 7:25:02 AM

I noticed it too. I see the same thing. It's kind of annoying.

2 up, 1 down

tridon
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:44:30 AM
Reply

I 100% agree with everything you said, Ben. I've always been a single-player gamer first. My moto used to be that I'm going to own whichever system Metal Gear Solid is on, but this generation I became extraordinarily happy with my choice of console due to the selection of games. Sure, I wish I could play the Gears games from the 360, but that is IT. There's nothing else on that system that truly interests me because I'll always be a single-player gamer before playing multiplayer. ONLINE multiplayer, that is. I really, really miss the days of a fun multiplayer experience with someone else in the room with me. Playing friends at their houses and/or complete strangers can have it's moments of fun, but I miss the days where my brother would come over and play some games with me. Now he has his own PS3 so the two of us can still play against each other, but safe to say, I see my brother a lot less now. That's the one thing I'll always dislike about online multiplayer; it isolates you from the real world.

Last edited by tridon on 12/30/2009 5:45:40 AM

2 up, 0 down

JackC8
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 7:05:48 AM
Reply

I agree completely with the article. M$ charges for online, so it makes perfect sense that they want to herd everyone into paying for that. I think these games with a token single player campaign are pathetic, and it always makes me shake my head when I see them getting high scores.

One of the many, many reasons I got a PS3.

0 up, 0 down

rogers71
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 7:42:51 AM
Reply

I agree with you Ben (100%). If you think about it, the 360 goes heavily with the multiplayer aspect to force their users to pay for the gold subscription so they will have access to the best part of their games.

I watched a friend play L4D2 for about 2 hours online and when I asked him what the single player campaign was like he looked at me like I just spoke ancient greek or something. That is what this generation of gamers is coming to.

Give me a great single player campaign experience and I will dish out the dough everytime.

3 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:28:19 AM

Exactly. I should've done more research before asking for L4D2 for Christmas.

4 up, 1 down

LightShow
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:24:50 AM
Reply

as far as i can see, i dont see any big name 360 titles (exclusive or otherwise) that dont focus heavily on online play. Most offer no reason to play through the single player campaign, unless your internet is out.

this is probably why there is a misconception that XBL vastly outpaces the PSN. while online play may be the only thing the 360 does exceptionally, it doesnt mean that theyre vastly superior, or even better.

1 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:53:55 AM
Reply

Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and A Crack in Time were both strictly single player games and excellent in my opinion!

1 up, 0 down

pavlovic
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 8:59:40 AM
Reply

I had some great multiplayer experiences, always playing with my PS console (PS2 and PS3). My old Socom clan is still alive and almost all the players moved onto the PS3. After 6 or 7 years playing together we are good friends.

My multiplayer experience with XBL was terrible, glithces, lag and kiddie's trashtalk.

I really like multiplayer games, but I love single player experiences.

MGS4 and U2:AT are two of the finest SP games, with no equal on any other console or PC.

Sadly the 360 is all about XBL.

And Ben, the Gears SP is fun, but it's not great. I think Gears 2 story is lame and the final boss fight is the easiest boss fight I can remember.

1 up, 0 down

carl0975
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 3:03:12 PM

Agreed, the boss in gears 2 was totally lame, and I still don't get how sinking their own city was supposed to help them at all, when the locust were planning to do the exact same thing.

1 up, 0 down

ebterp
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:00:08 AM
Reply

I don't have a problem with online multiplayer but I do not want it to be implemented in a way that degrades the single player experience. In a way online implemented correctly can give certain people the ability to
jump into a game for a short period of time here and there and enjoy without investing in a whole story line - think busy people - people with kids etc. You really could make an argument for seperate releases. Nothing though and I mean nothing beats investing in a deep story driven well executed single player experience.

EB

0 up, 0 down

gumbi
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:02:15 AM
Reply

Boy you sure hit the nail on the head with this one Ben. Gimme a solid single player experience over MMO anyday!

1 up, 0 down

mothrpe
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:17:02 AM
Reply

Valve isn't worthless, they continue to innovate- steam is the best drm system ever, they have awesome sales regularly, team fortress 2 is constantly updated, portal is totally original, they have free weekends for games, left 4 dead is intended to be a co-op game and it succeeds. The orange box is the best deal ever in gaming software hands down. Single player experiences are great, a great multiplayer can extend play time indefinetly.

1 up, 4 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:27:35 AM

They haven't innovated in a decade. L4D2 feels EXACTLY like Half-Life 2 in how it feels. Maybe it's a little faster or something, but the sliding-on-ice, disembodied hand, no real weight or physics, terrible collision detection in the environment, and other ridiculous 1998-esque pieces of presentation only prove that Valve doesn't bother to do ANYTHING different. And they won't improve on what they HAVE.

7 up, 4 down

photo K
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 11:02:28 AM

Is it similar to L4D1? That game didnt have great physics or good melee type of attacks but it was pretty fun IMO. I'm looking to buy L4D2 but I haven't gotten the time, I'm still catching up on so many titles like SW Unleashed (starwars fan), MDW2 and R&C.

0 up, 0 down

outcelgeist
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:54:45 AM
Reply

I've come to the conclusion that one of the reasons I play games is to avoid real people. Playing online defeats the purpose.

Last edited by outcelgeist on 12/30/2009 10:55:16 AM

3 up, 0 down

LightShow
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:10:52 PM

at least your willing to admit it. ive been in denial for years...

2 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 10:59:44 AM
Reply

The thing that this gen has been missing the most is offline multiplayer or co-op.

Just about every AAA games are either single player or online multiplayer only.

2 up, 0 down

WolfCrimson
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 11:32:17 AM

Yeah, you're right. But the Resistance series had offline doesn't it?

0 up, 0 down

WolfCrimson
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 12:24:46 AM

Bad engrish :). What I meant to say was the resistance series offered offline co-op and multiplayer competitive modes , didn't it?

0 up, 0 down

carl0975
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 3:06:52 PM

Yes, it did, that's why resistance 1 and 2 are the 2 games I usually play when I have friends over(which is like once every 5 months now, I like to keep the awesomeness all to myself).

Edit: Actually, I don't think Resistance 1 had online co-op, I'm pretty sure it was just offline, but Resistance 2 allowed you to play split-screen with a friend, and with other people online at the same time.

Last edited by carl0975 on 12/31/2009 3:09:09 PM

0 up, 0 down

mothrpe
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 11:54:40 AM
Reply

What's this sliding on ice business? And disembodied hand? Left 4 dead runs on the same engine, but the buck stops there. Half life 2 is a scripted single player game with a great story, Left 4 dead is a co-op and versus multiplayer shooter. Portal is innovative with the portal gun, so is the gravity gun in half life 2. Steam is different, it's a system with benefits, you can download your games you own to any pc and never need the disc again, get to play full games on free weekends and it automatically keeps all your games up to date. TF2 came out in 2007 and has had over 80 updates, that's pretty awesome.

The best feature of left 4 dead 2 is its versus mode, 4 special infected vs. 4 survivors, what other game does that kinda thing.

2 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:48:46 PM

Of course it runs on the same engine. That's why it feels the same. Killzone 2 spoiled me for the way a next-gen FPS SHOULD feel, and your last sentence only proves my point.

5 up, 0 down

Deleted User [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:31:35 PM

You both have solid points. The controls for all Valve games seem a bit outdated. (No down-the-sites aiming?) However, KZ2 wasn't that revolutionary with their IP. It uses an engine that was essentially created in-house, but it does not feel any different from most of the shooters out there. If COD had any type of cover system, I would put them ahead of KZ.

0 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 7:05:33 PM

Are you nuts? CoD is old-fashioned, too. The ONLY FPS that feels like I'm using a real human is Killzone 2, and that's that.

4 up, 0 down

Deleted User [Administrator]
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 9:52:26 PM

Ehh... Just because it makes you feel more "sluggish", doesn't mean you feel more like a human. It's like everything had too much weight to it. I realize that a game needs to lend some weight to the character you're controlling, but I felt like I was literally controlling "Doughnut Drake" in a futuristic shooter. Not realistic.

0 up, 0 down

JcBball717
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 11:55:29 AM
Reply

why does Ben have a 360??

1 up, 5 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:49:03 PM

I'm not allowed?

7 up, 2 down

NoSmokingBandit
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:05:01 PM

Because Ben is a gamer, not a fanboy.

5 up, 1 down

LightShow
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:11:36 PM

he has one cuz he can afford it, and he wants (or wanted) one. duh.

2 up, 0 down

JcBball717
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:21:00 PM

well i just thought since ur the writer of a ps3 website i thought u would stay away from xboxes

1 up, 2 down

Deleted User
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 1:22:32 PM

LOL The hits keep coming. If I am to be remembered for anything, it's pointing out the ridiculousness of statements like this. I do it for both sides of the aisle. I'm a multi-plat gamer. Which, in turn, makes me far cooler than any solo-plat...

Kidding, of course. My wife makes me clean out the litter box. I'm not that cool.

3 up, 1 down

artson1966
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 3:38:01 PM

lol I have one too most of us ole timers have all 3 consoles, even though i prefer my PS3 I also enjoy some certain games I can't get on my console of choice. I like Ben love games I don't care what system I have to own in order to play the game I want to play if it's not a mp title...

2 up, 0 down

Banky A
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:24:52 PM

That would be like only sticking with some sweeeet Pumas and never trying out some cool popular Nikes.

1 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:22:00 PM

Banky,

You seem to be obsessed with shoes. How many feet do you have? ;)

1 up, 0 down

Banky A
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 1:33:32 PM

Two... ?
Pumas FTW, by the way haha.

3 up, 0 down

spaceboy
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 12:58:36 PM
Reply

while online mp can be a lot of fun, it's more of just icing on the cake compared to a full meaty single player experience. I've got both MAG and Heavy Rain on my must have lists, but MAG is due more to the innovation it brings than just the shooting. Also I loved Bad Company both the campaign and online. Killzone 2, I preferred the sp campaign...

0 up, 1 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:07:39 PM
Reply

I went ahead and compiled a list of the top 20 exclusives for the Xbox360 according to Metacritic. I filtered out the cheaper more simple games like Geometry Wars etc. I also decided to consolidate the games into franchises. I omitted franchises that began on 360 and eventually arrived on PS3, GRAW for example.

Gears of War
Halo
Forza
Mass Effect
Left 4 Dead
Fable
Shadow Complex
Rainbow Six Vegas
PGR
Dead or Alive
Viva Pinata
Hitman
Perfect Dark
Ace Combat
Kameo
Banjo Kazooie
Lost Odyssey
Top Spin
Magnacarta
Ninja Blade

I also took a gander at VGchartz and made a quick list of 360's best selling exclusive franchises

Halo
Gears
Forza
Fable
Left 4 Dead
Mass Effect
Viva Pinata
PD Zero
DOA4
Lost Odyssey
Ace Combat
Too Human
Banjo Kazooie
Kameo
Blue Dragon
Chromehounds
Shadowrun
N3 ninety-nine nights
The Outfit
Hitman 

0 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 7:05:58 PM

I got it the first time. I don't even know what that list is supposed to prove, besides my point when looking at the current and future PS3 exclusives.

2 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:09:33 PM
Reply

I notice now a few errors I listed.. somehow Rainbow 6 snuck passed me. =)

0 up, 0 down

Banky A
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:25:25 PM
Reply

Yes... yes...
;)

0 up, 0 down

Nerull
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:25:47 PM
Reply

I'm definitely another gamer that grew up in the solo and splitscreen days, which btw YES WE NEED MORE SPLITSCREEN! It will always seem weird when you have to explain to a non-gamer, "Sure we can play this game together, as long as we're not anywhere near each other..."
I still haven't played MW2, OSTD, or L4D2 but I did play L4D1. My first thought was, "ok, not horrible but this is their big guns? Halflife with practically no story and zombie skins? Really?"

4 up, 0 down

piratedrunk
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 9:04:46 PM

Agreed on the splitscreen. My friends and I still bring out the n64 from time to time. No multiplayer online feels as fun as being in the same room with friends

0 up, 0 down

www
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 4:46:19 PM
Reply

I have the L4D2 demo and am sorry but the graphics are bad and its in no way fun to me.

3 up, 0 down

DarthNemesis
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 5:11:37 PM
Reply

that's the way it has been since the PSX.The PS2 was my console of choice because I don't care for MP.This generation remains the same and online is rarely used by me.Games like Valkyria Chronicles,Demon's Souls,Ratchet & Clank,MGS4,KZ2,Ucharted,GOW and Heavy Rain are just better for single player than what the 360 offers.Outside of Mass Effect (also on PC) and Fable,the 360 lacks single player games.

1 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 9:03:35 PM
Reply

I must admit the 3 of us(me, myself, & I)are all in complete unison about preferring single player mode.

1 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 11:10:00 PM
Reply

Ben, my intentions aren’t to upset you. Rather, engage in a intelligent conversation for the benefit of having a realistic perspective on this matter. The data I’ve provided isn’t proof. Rather, empirical research I’ve done to find a correlation between your theory and reality. Your article intrigued me, and so I’ve done some digging around to see if I could find a consistency.

You’ve made two major claims:

“but it also stunned me with the realization that most Xbox 360 exclusives seem to be exactly like this: a lame, almost non-existent single-player campaign and a robust online multiplayer mode. “

Now look at the two lists I posted under Wednesday, Dec. 30th @ 4:07. One being compiled based on the aggregate percentage from Metacritic, and the second being compiled from VGChartz based on sales. Based on this data, “most” 360 exclusives aren’t lacking in single player modes.

Your second claim:

“would it be accurate to say the Xbox 360 seems entirely dominated by multiplayer-fueled titles while the PS3 is the only console left that hasn't forgotten that some of the most memorable experiences in this hobby are enjoyed alone?”

Now your claim has broadened. You haven't specified between exclusives and multi-platform titles. And my first post on Tuesday, Dec 29th @ 10:52 also covered this with a list of the top twenty 360 games. Based on critical acclaim provided by Metacritic, most 360 games do have strong single-player elements.

Hopefully this dissemination of your article isn’t met with anymore rudeness. If it is truth that you seek you’ll recognize that there is merit to my efforts.

1 up, 2 down

bridgera
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 11:55:16 AM

It was clear from context and knowledge of the numbers of multiplat games that he was referring to exclusives.

He also said in a response to you, that he was referring to exclusives.

1 up, 0 down

bridgera
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 11:40:15 AM
Reply

"lame, almost non-existent single-player campaign and a robust online multiplayer mode."

When you said that, I thought That sounds exactly like Halo 3: ODST", wow was that lame.

So I laughed pretty hard when you said

"I'm going to play Halo 3: ODST next"

The 360 definitely depends heavily on multiplayer. I like multiplayer, but there needs to be a solid single player mode to back that up.

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 3:04:40 PM
Reply

bridgera, Halo 3 ODST from top to bottom is underwhelming. Having played ODST's single player campaign myself I will say it's short and uninspired. Though, this is true of the entire package. Recycled assets and goofy animations look near archaic at times. Concerning it;s multi-player content. The inclusion of the --new-- firefight mode with, what? 3 maps, and at the time I played it it thge mode was lacking even matchmaking (I've sold my 360 since then so I don't know if that's been patched).The multi-player disc that shipped with the game, to my understanding, is the compilation of Halo 3's existing multi-player elements, and also, the previously downloadable multi-player packs. I'll be pleased to have someone fill me in if I have forgotten anything. And concerning my responses to Ben. I stand very firm in my statements, and I have yet to see anyone logically respond to it. Please, list the number of 360 exclusives that have released, or have yet to release, that are lacking a good single player component. I can think of two, the Left 4 Dead franchise (not owned by MS), and arguably the completely lacking ODST. I can just as well as look at Sony, and see proprietary shooter franchises for PS3 that are designed to be heavily multi-player such as Warhawk and Mag. The argument was not whether 360 has a very online-active shooter demographic as it is the number of games released that boast huge multiplayer content and lacking single player campaigns. This was exactly what Ben was claiming, I quote -- but it also stunned me with the realization that most Xbox 360 exclusives seem to be exactly like this: a lame, almost non-existent single-player campaign and a robust online multiplayer mode-- Close quote. Even looking into the horizon, 360 has exclusives with single-player emphasis such as Splinter Cell (for now), Mass Effect (possibly for now), and Alan Wake. And as I had sympathized with Ben from the beginning that the large appeal concerning the xbox community is from online shooters. This can easily be seen when looking at the sales of Modern Warfare 2 between the two platforms. Now, check out the sales of the acclaimed Assassin's Creed 2, the ratio is far more even. BTW, I do understand that text based debates are often difficult to convey exact meaning.

1 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 10:01:29 PM

Well said, Tem.

0 up, 0 down

Superdynamite
Friday, January 01, 2010 @ 6:52:36 AM
Reply

You write for a gaming site but you don't have time to play multi-player games???

Hint: MAKE TIME!!! You write for a damn gaming site!!!

just when I though I've seen it all, I see something else.

0 up, 1 down

DeathOfChaos
Friday, January 01, 2010 @ 4:50:14 PM
Reply

Yes! Something I've been noticing too! The 360 plays off Addiction more than gaming, while the PS3 makes it's sales from every type of media imaginable, lol.

0 up, 1 down

Deleted User
Saturday, January 02, 2010 @ 1:09:22 AM
Reply

You'll find that Halo: ODST has the most robust story of any of the Halo games... since the MP is really just Halo 3 MP they had a more focused effort on SP and coop... alas I can't agree with you on the idea that the 360 has less compelling single player games... Mass Effect destroys most every single player game on the PS3 though I will give you this... ever game I want on the PS3 (except LBP) is a single player focused game... me personally.. I'm a coop kind of guy... so I love L4D to death

1 up, 2 down

Please login or register to leave a comment.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories cheats	PSP
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas cheats	PS2
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 cheats	PS3
Need For Speed: Most Wanted cheats	PS2
Resident Evil Directors Cut cheats	PS1
Super Puzzle Fighter II HD Remix cheats	PS3

Do you plan to buy a PlayStation Vita this year?
	Yes, I'll definitely get one in 2013.
	No, but I'll get one eventually.
	No, I have no intention of buying the Vita.
	No, I've already got one.

Playstation 3

Playstation 4

PSP

Playstation Vita

Playstation 2

Playstation

Other

PSX Extreme

Site Stats

Is The PS3 The Single-Player Console Of Choice?

Comments (159 posts)

Leave a Comment

Latest Updates

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews

Popular Sections

Extras

Sponsor

Our Poll

Resident Evil: Revelations review	PS3
Metro: Last Light review	PS3
Zombie Tycoon II: Brainhov's Revenge review	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon review	PS3
Star Trek: The Video Game review	PS3
Injustice: Gods Among Us review	PS3
Dead Island: Riptide review	PS3
Defiance review	PS3
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 review	PS3
Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel review	PS3

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified preview	PS3
Time and Eternity preview	PS3
Ride to Hell: Retribution preview	PS3
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger preview	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon preview	PS3
Spartacus Legends preview	PS3
Payday 2 preview	PS3
DUST 514 preview	PS3
Dynasty Warriors 8 preview	PS3
Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness preview	PS3