How weird is it that I wake up to news of PC gamers complaining about the quality of Portal 2? My Q word was always going to be quality, but now it's taking a different twist.
What's all the fuss about? Apparently, PC gamers are mad that they can purchase DLCs on day one. Yes, I have rallied against pre-order bonuses including DLCs, but I think what's happening with Portal 2 is different. This downloadable content includes stuff like skins for Atlas and P-body. Yes, people are complaining about having the ability to change the color of the co-op characters. Does any of this DLC change the game? No. Is a fancy Atlas better then a regular one? Nope. This DLC doesn't actually impact the quality of the game. Also, from what I understand, all these skins and costumes can be earned by playing the game anyway.
Valve has given free DLC to PC gamers in the past. The DLC that actually counts for something. When the Passing DLC was released for Left 4 Dead 2, PC gamers got it for free. I shelled out cash for it, cause I'm on the Xbox 360. But, I didn't mind because it was new content, a new level of the game.
Another complaint is the quality of the graphics. Now, I can only speak for the version of Portal 2 I played (PS3), but the graphics are really great. In fact, they blow the first Portal out of the water. I have not played it on the PC yet, although I will. The game also runs smoother then the first. In Portal, controlling Chell was a bit clunky. Just this past Monday, I died while playing Portal because Chell would not back out of a door in Test Chamber 19 and I got hit with a missile. (This is the 360 arcade version, btw)
Yet another complaint is the length of the game. The first Portal is short. Portal 2 is a stand alone title, with two different campaigns. I haven't finished the single player, but I'm about 3 hours into it. And I know I'm nowhere near finished. I haven't even touched the co-op yet. If I get about 7 hours from single and 5 from co-op, that's a decent amount of time. Plus, I replayed the hell out of the first one. A lot. So even if the game was a mere 4 hours, I know I'll replay it cause it's fun.
I don't see what the big deal is. Just because you're offered new skins, that doesn't mean you have to buy them. They don't change the quality of the game. Portal 2 is not broken, it's a gorgeous looking game that's entertaining. And that's all that matters to me.
IT' just a different model that they're not used to, but console gamers don't know any different. Modders might have less control on steam releases, so they get less free content.
ReplyDeleteQuality is lacking on the consoles too, we wrote an article recent on http://www.hardandsoftgaming.com about the PS3 struggling with reboots of PS1 games.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
I wrote about quality today too, but in an entirely different context. Good post.
ReplyDeleteI’m A-Z Blogging on Langley Writes about Writing and Langley’s Rich and Random Life
Quality is always important, at least in my opinion. What's a DLC by the way? Not heard of that before.
ReplyDeleteDLC is downloadable content. Usually, it refers to a new map or missions that you can buy after a game comes out. But some games also offer costumes and other cosmetic things
ReplyDeleteQuality is important, but alas just one of many factors that make a game good
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