The Xbox 360 version of Battlefield 3 has a lot going against it right now. With a visually superior PC version to compete with and downloadable content coming first on the PlayStation 3, it is likely many will not be purchasing this title for Microsoft's console. Overlooking the 360 version because of these setbacks is a huge mistake for a number of reasons, and I am here to fill you in on why.
First off the game's longevity and overall value will be dictated by the quality of the multiplayer experience, and if you opt to play on the PlayStation 3, you're bound to run into more issues. Let's face it, Sony's PlayStation Network simply can't compare to the feature rich, community based world of Xbox Live. Sure, you can play Battlefield 3 on the PS3 for free, but the $60 price tag that you need to shell out for a year of Xbox Live Gold is worth every penny. There's no need to worry about network outages, which have become a common occurrence for PSN.
PlayStation fans will argue that since the PS3 has timed exclusive content, it's the superior version. To that I say, have fun waiting for several hours while the content downloads at a snail's pace. Heck, by the time the DLC has finally finished downloading and installing, the content will be available for Xbox owners! Okay, maybe I went a bit overboard there, but I'm just trying to illustrate the disparity between the two online services. Battlefield 3 is a team-based game that requires players to communicate and work together. Not everyone that plays online with their PS3 has a headset, unlike 360 owners who all have headsets because they come packed in with the console. Believe me, if you're looking for a community driven experience, you're much better off playing on the 360, unless you fit into the minute group of people that actually have a solid group on online PSN friends that all have mics and can meet up at the same time.
Oh, yeah, and don't even get me started on the DualShock 3... a controller that is vastly inferior to the 360's when playing first person shooters.
Now, onto the issue of visual fidelity. The PC version is by far the best in this category with some of the best graphics seen in gaming. But let's not forget that the game was running on a PC that probably costs several thousands of dollars, a rig that you likely don't have. If however, you do happen to have a pretty solid PC that can actually play the game, chances are it will likely look about the same as the 360 version, or marginally better at best. And I mean really, those who make the 60 frames-per second argument for picking up the PC version are grasping at straws. 30 frames is perfectly fine, providing a smooth enough experience that doesn't merit the purchase of a super-powered computer. Plus, I bet you the average person wouldn't even be able to tell the difference.
There's no denying that the Xbox 360 Guillotine footage looks pretty impressive
So, if you've got an Xbox 360 and you're looking to pick up Battlefield 3 when it launches next month, you're probably better off going with the 360 version, as it has the best online service, a comfortable controller that is designed specifically for first person shooters, and an affordable option that spares you from shelling out a small fortune on a gaming PC.
