BioShock PC vs Xbox 360 xbox 360 DirectX .0ccompatible MB video card Nvidia 6600/ ATI X300 or better
The lighting on the walls disappears at medium quality on the PC.PC Low Quality vs. Xbox 360
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The PC version of BioShock supports EAX Advanced HD .0 and .0 for surroundsound support, while the Xbox 360 version supports Dolby Digital .. Youre covered on both platforms, but most users have surroundsound setups hooked up to their TVs, not their PCs. A pair of headphones still sounds great on the PC and a regular stereo setup isnt too shabby either.
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This seems to be a problem with the hard drive caching system on in the XBox 360 system software, and we are working with Microsoft to identify a solution for this issue. We have confirmed that the hitching goes away if you clear the hard drive cache.
Supports DirectX 0 and looks better than the Xbox 360 version on higherend PCs
The PC version had a few installation issues at launch. Early buyers found that they could only install the game twice before it ceased to work. The PC launch was also marred by flaky game authentication servers, which meant that users whod purchased the game couldnt even activate it. Fortunately, KGames sorted through the authentication server problems quickly and increased the amount of installations to five on five separate machines. These problems have passed, but potential buyers should be aware of the potential points of ilure. Some users have also experienced a myriad of sound issues that range from audio stuttering to only being able to hear the music, others hear nothing at all. KGames is likely working on a patch at the moment to address these, and other, issues.
Lets start with a quick summary of the good and the bad about each version.
The Xbox 360 version of BioShock has its ir share of issues that a few users seem to have experienced. Some have had the game crash, others experienced random hitching. We did find some information on theKGames forumsthat might help with the hitching though.
As is common with PC games, you can press a single key to quickload and quicksave at any point in the PC version of BioShock. Hit the function key to save right before taking on a Big Daddy or redo battles to save on ammo. The game also automatically autosaves at checkpoints within the game. The Xbox 360 version lacks quicksave and quickload buttons, but you can still manually save anywhere in the game through the menu system.
BioShock makes great use of shadows to create suspense and to cue the player in on nearby enemies. The game wont be as enjoyable if you play on the PC at low quality.
The PC version offers better graphics and better performance if youve got a newer, more powerful machine. But the Xbox 360 version offers a base level of performance thats a better choice if youre unwilling to upgrade your PC, especially if you already have the console hooked up to a home theater system and an HDTV.
Youll be able to play the game at graphical quality settings that rival and surpass the Xbox 360s if your PC meets or exceeds the games recommended system requirements. BioShock takes advantage of DirectX 0 andlooks betterin Windows Vista. If your computer lands somewhere in between the minimum and recommended system requirements, check out ourBioShock Hardware Performance Guideto get an indication on how your computer will handle the game.
You wont sacrifice much quality if you choose to play on the Xbox 360.PC Medium Quality vs. Xbox 360
The singlebutton save and load features arent too important because the game has almost no consequences for death. In ct, you could easily use death as a tactic. When you die, everything remains as you left it, including damage to enemies. Your character will simply blink back into existence at the nearest Vita chamber with the same equipment and ammo load that you had the moment you died. You could feasibly play the game with nothing but the wrench in combat; it just might take a lot longer because some enemies do run around and heal themselves.
To clear the hard drive cache, you must hold down both the RB and LB gamepad buttons while the game is starting. This must be done IMMEDIATELY after the console is rebooted or the game is launched from the dashboard and the buttons must only be released AFTER the red K Games logo appears.
The PC graphics at high quality are comparable to the Xbox 360s, but the PC still offers higher resolutions and extreme antialiasing support.
Creative Sound Blaster XFi series sound card
The Xbox 360 version of BioShock doesnt have requirements aside from an Xbox 360 and a TV. But youll want an HDTV and surround sound to get the most out of the game. Unfortunately, BioShocks current widescreen implementation for both the PC and 360 raised the ire of more than a few users. Unlike movies and just about every other game on the market, the widescreen aspect ratio on BioShock actually reduces how much you see because the game zooms in then crops off parts of the screen. KGames is working on a patch, but it hasnt been released as of this writing. The community has hacked together atemporary fixfor the PC, but Xbox 360 users will have to wait for an official patch.
DirectX .0c or DirectX 0 compatible video card with MB of RAM
The PC versus console choice isnt always clear early in the life of a console when the hardware is new and the PC hasnt had time to reassert its CPU or GPU advantage. Consoles are affordable and have graphical capabilities close to moderately powerful PCs. The new consoles also sport builtin hard disks and can have online services, which begin to chip away at the PCs longtime file download advantage. Were going to break down the differences between the Xbox 360 and PC versions of BioShock in an effort to help you decide which platform is right for you. The game is very similar on both platforms, so your decision will hinge on control intece preferences, what kind of PC components you have, and your willingness to upgrade.
BioShock loses much of its graphical splendor if you run it on a system that only meets the minimum system requirements. Youll have to drop the resolution to 00×600 and live with mediumtolow quality settings to make the game playable. Pay particular attention to the DirectX .0c requirement. Radeon X00 series owners are out of luck. Youll have to have a video card that supports Shader Model 3.0, which means at the very minimum, you need a GeForce 6 series card or ATIs X300 series of cards to even run the game. The online community is currently working onincreasing compatibilityfor older Shader Model .0 video cards.
The Xbox 360 offers the gamepad control intece for BioShock. On the PC, you have the option of playing with either the Xbox 360 gamepad or the traditional keyboard and mouse combo. The mouseandkeyboard setup is more precise for experienced PC players, but you will miss out on force feedback. KGames tweaked weapon switching to give gamepad users an easier time because the game actually pauses while you scroll through your weapon selection.
Supports both gamepad and mouse/keyboard controls
Users have experienced bugs that cause random hitching and other issues.
Not all PCs meet the minimum system requirements.
While the two versions of the games have many similarities, we hope this guide has given you a better understanding of the differences and advantages that each of them bring. Youll have to ask yourself whether youd rather play with a gamepad or mouse and keyboard. Then you need to decide on how pretty you want the game to look, how smoothly you want it to run, and how much mental energy youre willing to put into hardware decisions. The console is the easy hardware solution, while the PC offers the most flexibility and most upside in terms of graphics. The PC also gives players easy access to thirdparty modifications, while Xbox 360 owners will have to wait for official file updates to come through Xbox Live. If youre addicted to the achievement system on the Xbox 360, BioShock offers up scads of easytoearn points. Regardless of the version you choose, BioShock is a great experience waiting to happen.
Dont play BioShock at low quality settings on the PC. Upgrade your system or buy an Xbox 360.
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The Xbox 360 takes the lead once we reduce the PC graphics down to medium quality.
Mouse over the deult PC BioShock screenshot to see the Xbox 360 BioShock comparison .
Users have reported sound issues, graphical anomalies, and crashing.
Requires Windows Vista and a DirectX 0 graphics card to looks its best
Standardized console hardware guarantees performance levels
.GHz Intel Pentium or equivalent processor
More likely to have a living room speaker system for Dolby Digital . sound