Making the case for a console over a PC with Far Cry 4

[qubit]

I'm a hardcore PC gamer, but sometimes I can really understand why gamers get a console over a PC, despite the much weaker hardware, since the bloody thing most often just works. I'm going through just such an understanding, epiphanetic moment right now, since I've been unable to play Far Cry 4 for weeks due to a combination of faults.

I got Far Cry 4 over a month ago on Steam (the fancy Gold one with all the trimmings in a nice sale) but I've not even got out of the starting gate with it and it's really pissing me off.

First off at update 1.7.0 (when I first downloaded it) it wasn't saving checkpoints, so I sit through the lengthy 9 minute intro sequence, which is very nice once or twice, but not again and again as I try to sort out the problem. Turns out, unsurprisingly, that it's a bug in the game, since I've seen loads of forum posts about it and update 1.8.0 addresses this very problem in the changelog. Great! Except that now, while the game progress is finally saved, it jumps forward by some unknown amount when I come back to it.

Essentially, I'm right at the start, exploring the villa, picking things up like you do and then save the game. I come back to it and the game now goes through a cut scene where I have to go into some little hut which is a shrine to some murdered woman (forget the name). WTF?! Steam shows 3 hours playtime, but believe me, I've not actually "played" it at all - it's all troubleshooting and annoyance.

To cap it all, FC4 has just started crashing at startup - complete lockup requiring a kill with Task Manager. Only I can't quite blame FC4 for this one, since the PC has simultaneously developed stability problems! Note that nothing is overclocked.

Sometimes the desktop becomes semi responsive, forcing the inevitable, reluctant press of the reset switch. Other times control panel windows get stuck and won't close etc. It's all handily tear-hairingly intermittent where the PC can run for hours without problems and then screw up, which is the kind of PC troubleshooting joy I can do without. While it could just be a corrupted Windows install, I have a sneaking suspicion that it's the hardware. Despite the instability, the PC still plays the handful of other games I tried by the way, so FC4 still isn't in the clear over this startup glitch.

I then discover that there are 41 updates from Microsoft waiting to install, presumably from this Patch Tuesday, so I install them. In the few hours since I installed them the PC seems to work ok, but the game still locks up at the start. Fabulous. Just fucking fabulous.

It's the small hours of the night, so of course I'm not gonna start doing any troubleshooting now and will have to find some time over the weekend to my enjoy busman's holiday.

While experiencing this level of problems is rare for me when playing games, there are often teething issues one can live without, so putting all this together can you see why some gamers just say "fuck it!" and get a console?

Specs are as in my System Specs, but here's a snapshot for when they inevitably change:

Ignore the CPU overclock - I removed it ages ago​

UPDATE 14 FEB 2015

After talking about the game saves with a friend who has a PS4, I think they are now working as they're supposed to, it's just that they don't work like you might think they would, in the conventional sense.

It seems that I have to get through the first bit of completing the initial villa run-through (not gonna give away spoilers here) or you get penalized for it, which is what I was seeing according to my friend and works the same way on the PS4.

Also, the game has been at version 1.8.0 for a little while now (which fixed/improved game saves) yet when I started Steam now, there was a 900MB update, but the version remained at 1.8.0 afterwards. Clicking on the News link doesn't reveal what the patch is for, but presumably the game works better with it.

Also, the game still doesn't start completely reliably, but I'm fairly convinced that it's more a hardware problem with the PC or this specific Windows install than the game. It still crashed on startup after downloading this patch, but rebooting the PC allowed it to run.

Note that I checked for a mobo BIOS update and surprisingly, after two years there actually was one! It's version 3703 which states stability improvements as the reason for the update (no details given) and I updated to it two days ago without any problems.

This Windows installation has been a bit problematic lately (not just with games) so I reckon I can fix this with a clean install. Note that the recent NVIDIA driver update didn't improve stability, so I don't think this is the problem.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

The last console i owned was in 1982. Check nostallgic hardware club. There are pics posted.
I am on my phone or i would find them.

Ive never looked back

 

[Naito]

Consoles have their problems too. PS3 had saving issues for an Assassins Creed game. Battlefield 4 corrupts when trying to resume on Xbox One. Firmware issues are common for both sides. The list goes on. It's not a matter of PC or Console, but just more and more developers are getting pushed to meet deadlines for games that are just getting larger and more technical. I'd even go as far and say a standard 24 month or 36 month development cycle isn't enough with the scale of the games these days.

 

[Batou1986]

Enjoy that silky smooth 30fps bro
Secondly Ubisoft coding a shit I'm willing to bet 99% of the issue is their fault, hence the reason I don't buy their games anymore.

 

[THE_EGG]

Yeh totally. I used to be one! haha. In the end though I much prefer PC, but I do still like to literally chuck a game in a console and BOOM game starts.

 

[Kursah]

Ubisoft games generally have crappy stability no matter the platform, I give them the 1-2 year delay before I really care to try them out anymore.

Your PC issues sound more interesting, anything you have done to diagnose or resolve it? You suspect hardware...have you ran any stress tests or validation tests to verify?

I would start with running command prompt as admin, use the command: SFC /SCANNOW

Verify your system files are in order, if not, then this should repair...if not there's other repair options.

I would ensure your drivers are up-to-date, and also look in Event Viewer and filter for errors and critical, and look for errors that happen around the time of the issues you're experiencing. Stress tests like OCCT to verify stability, and calculation errors, etc. Cover the basics if you haven't already.

While PC's are more complicated, they also aren't bad to diagnose in most cases.

Consoles, when they fail, which since the PS3 and Xbox360 days has been pretty bad (remember the Xbox360 1 out of every 3 was failing/RROD-ing?), they are no better off and you don't really get much to diagnose and that leads to repair centers, RMA's, and no gaming. With a PC, if a component fails, replace it, repair it, keep going. My PS3 is a glorified Netflix and BluRay player...shame. But it does quite well at both!

Each has their good and bad, and it all depends on your willingness to deal with the bad that each has to offer...I would weigh those out and see which one you want to deal with. Maybe you should be gaming on the console and that'll make you happier, if that's the case, sell your PC and get your game on! It's all about having fun, not having headaches, so do what you feel is best for you. No sense in fighting something that you don't want to fight in the first place. Go for the path of fun!

 

[rtwjunkie]

My FC4 hasn' had any problems. I bought in November and didn't install until January, and no problems. I also believe if you try and play someone elses platform through Steam, you're asking for difficulties. Sure, it can and frequently does work, but it is another complexity for the PC to work through. I just installed through U-play and haven't looked back. All my Ubisoft games that require U-play are there, and all my EA games that require Origin are there.

 

[Iceni]

For FC 4 your argument is valid. The consoles have that game in the bag. There is little the PC offers that title other than some fancy fog effects. Even the multiplayer has no text based chat option for KB+M users.

For other titles P.C is and always will be king. I'll point you to one big old title Skyrim. Consoles don't get the content that turns that game from a bag of bit's into a coherent world and then turns it into another world. Consoles just can't handle that. In addition they fail to adapt as the market advances. Your not going to see anything new on your console in terms if graphics from day 1. Some companies will learn to optimise and take full advantage of the hardware, but most will go for middle of the line looks in favor of that all important 30fps.

Consoles have their place, It's under the TV for when your mates come over. The P.C is for total immersion in another world. Where your not limited by the device and the controller and your sat 2 feet from the action rather than 2-3 meters. Anything goes on PC. And if you have the knowledge then that goes as far as your willing to push it. You can build a controller, Customise a keyboard, and in some games there is even talk of using a tablet app for interactive map and menu navigation (star citizen).

I can see why some gamers would pick a console over a P.C. This only applies to people who have neither the time or understanding to maintain a gaming rig or that have never used a gaming PC.

My brother is a console user, He is often amazed at just how more involved playing on a PC is and how the game seems to suck you in more.

 

[erocker]

A console vs. PC thread. How cute.




Far Cry 4 is definitely NOT a game I would just go buy a console to play. It's not a game I would buy for any existing platform I own anyways.

 

[Frick]

This only applies to people who have neither the time or understanding to maintain a gaming rig or that have never used a gaming PC.

Good god I hate this forum sometimes. The arrogance is herculean.

 

[Iceni]

Good god I hate this forum sometimes. The arrogance is herculean.

Where is the arrogance in that statement Frick? At no point did I even come close to stating consoles are an inferior lifestyle choice. Simply that some people don't want to maintain a gaming PC, Don't know how to make one, Or don't want to be sat in front of a screen with there back to the world around them.

You assumed wrongly that I look down on consoles when I have at least 8 consoles in the house atm. PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, SNES, Megadrive, N64, Gamecube, Dreamcast, Master system. I grew up on consoles and have more respect for them than you can imagine. This is however a predominantly PC orientated site. And people come here to talk about P.C's oddly enough.

 

[newtekie1]

Now that consoles have basically become computers, and all the games get patched the same way they do on PC, consoles are filled with their own problems similar to what you're experiencing with FC4.

Just look at the number of games that have launch day patches these days. It is insane. Before when console games couldn't easily be patched, the game had to be almost bug free when released(and even then they weren't).

 

[Ralfies]

Troubleshooting is half the fun.

 

[RealNeil]

Your system specs are well above the recommended requirements for the game.
I'm inclined to think that Ubisoft is to blame, but have you contacted Steam support yet?

They may be able to help you.

 

[metalslaw]

To cap it all, FC4 has just started crashing at startup - complete lockup requiring a kill with Task Manager. Only I can't quite blame FC4 for this one, since the PC has simultaneously developed stability problems! Note that nothing is overclocked.

Sometimes the desktop becomes semi responsive, forcing the inevitable, reluctant press of the reset switch. Other times control panel windows get stuck and won't close etc. It's all handily tear-hairingly intermittent where the PC can run for hours without problems and then screw up, which is the kind of PC troubleshooting joy I can do without. While it could just be a corrupted Windows install, I have a sneaking suspicion that it's the hardware. Despite the instability, the PC still plays the handful of other games I tried by the way, so FC4 still isn't in the clear over this startup glitch.

That sounds like memory going awry. I'd get a memtest usb up and running, and let it run.

My own experience with this is similiar (random crashes on old system), and I found out only via running memtest. 1 of my sticks had gone bad.

 

[bubbleawsome]

I voted yes, however just because I understand doesn't mean I agree. Honestly for 90% of people if they took one day to learn how to use a PC beyond email and the basics their life would be better, not just because games. If they took a week or so they could build a computer, that's how simple it is. But yes, I do see why they do.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I think you need to fix your computer problems before jumping to hating Ubisoft/Far Cry 4. Yeah, that save bug was pretty bad but they can't be blamed for general computer instability. Consoles get hardware problems too.


Pro Tip: don't buy games until they're done patching it.

 

[rooivalk]

In regard to your actual case:
In my opinion it's an isolated case or even if you want to extend it, it's just ubi being ubi and steam being 'sell and forget'.

I have almost the same problem with Might and Magic Heroes VI.
I bought the gold version of the game and having hard time to connect to my friend's game or see each other game even a year later.
Ubi support is spambot and Steam support apparently laugh at my case and decide to take a lunch.
With lots of the complaint both in ubi forum and steam's discussion, the game simply doesn't work as intended.

In regard to thread title:
Both have their own merit. That's all.

Where is the arrogance in that statement

In my opinion, your statement sounds like elitism. "You haven't unraveled the mystery of troubleshooting and sacrifice your tears and time, therefore you don't deserve a gaming PC".
Instead of admitting the problem, you (unknowingly I presume) treat the problem as some form of barrier to exclusive club.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

 

[1nf3rn0x]

Via an unbiased view here I really do think you'd require a PC and the console of your choosing to experience the best of gaming.

My reasoning for a console is that there are some exclusives which are really good to play or any games of which their ports are just horrible on pc (looking at you GTA IV). Also some games which make having company fun such as super smash brothers aren't really seen on PC at all.

My reasoning for a PC is to really be enveloped within the game. I find that KB+Mouse is much more engrossing in say an FPS than a controller and the fact that you aren't sitting across your lounge-room lets you really admire the finer details within the games and be a complete graphic whore.

 

[peche]

 

[Liquid Cool]

Left handed controllers would change my no to a yes....

If you'd watched me trying to use an xbox controller, you'd still be laughing. The Playstation controller imo is worse....actually hoping this Steam controller is a win.

As far as comparing graphics on consoles vs. pc....I could care less. If I can make out whats going on in the game...I'm good. Probably because I grew up in the pacman generation...graphics just aren't that important to me.

Best,

LC

 

[RCoon]

Well none of the consoles are actually 1080p, they just upscale. But to be frank, PC owners and console owners are just as bad as each other.

That being said, thank god for the Xbox controller. Has made many PC adventure games much more pleasant. I use spare PS3 controller emulated as Xbox controllers too when we have friends round, and use my steam streamer downstairs to play party games on my steam account using steam streaming, which is pretty cool too.

Then I remember I have no friends.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

By 1982 i'd had enough fun with this. F*** it was brilliant though.

 

[Liquid Cool]

Then I remember I have no friends.

I chuckled at this until I realized I didn't either...

Best,

LC