About Our Head-to-Head This feature series is designed to compare multi-platform videogames. The basic rule of thumb when comparing a game across multiple systems is this: never assume anything. Sometimes the results are obvious, other times they are not. The goal of the Head-to-Head is to arm readers with enough information so they can make their own decision. We will make our recommendation in each area, trying to base the decision on the facts and not personal biases. Whether you agree with the outcome or not, we only hope that you could make a sound decision based on the information we've provided. That is the main goal. All comparisons are drawn on the highest level of equipment possible; essentially, we make sure everything is compared and contrasted in its best form. In the following, we hope you find all the information you need. If not, please feel free to follow up with a question to our mailbag. |
Lord of the Rings: The Third Age (GCN, PS2, Xbox)
With this title, Electronic Arts dives into the RPG genre full storm, using the powerful universe that writer J.R. Tolkien created with Lord of the Rings. It's a perfect match in that many RPGs were already inspired by Tolkien's work and Peter Jackson's on-screen portrayal of the universe lends itself to a videogame perfectly.
This is a great answer for many of the console RPG fans out there looking for something deep to play this holiday season. Available on GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox, you have your choices to make. We're sure this side-by-side comparison will aid you on your quest.
Features
In this section, we examine what relates to the main gameplay experience. Following, we have arranged a simple breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages between each system's gameplay features. If there are no advantages in any specific area, it means both share the same content.
GameCube Advantages
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The Breakdown: No differences for the core gameplay. Lord of the Rings: The Third Age is the same game on GameCube, PlayStation, and Xbox when it comes to features. So, as far as the 20+ hour quest goes, you'll experience all of the same things. There's no online modes, no secret unlockables or anything of the sort.
Winner Ranking:
1. GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox (tie)
Control
Here, we examine the primary functions of a controller. To avoid bias of liking one controller over another, or preferring things like a D-pad over the analog sticks, we simply lay out what the controller map is and make a final recommendation if gameplay is at all affected. Usually, this section is much more personal to the reader (you).
GameCube Advantages
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The Breakdown: As an RPG, there's not a lot you do. You walk around with the control stick. You select commands from menus with one of the main buttons. There are a few extra things to do like shuffling between characters and the like with the L and R triggers, but all three controllers suit The Third Age perfectly. No significant differences.
Winner Ranking:
1. GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox (tie)
Sound
In this section we consider the differences in both the quality of the audio as well as the surround sound effectiveness. For stereo television users, notes about the surround can usually be disregarded.
GameCube Advantages
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NOTE: Custom soundtracks are not supported as indicated on the box.
The Breakdown: The Xbox's in-game Dolby Digital really doesn't offer up a noticeably more immersive sound field, but the quality of effects, voice, and music is better. GameCube and PlayStation are very similar in both the area of surround and quality.
Winner Ranking:
1. Xbox
2. GameCube/PlayStation 2 (tie)
Graphics
Perhaps one of the most-read sections of our Head-to-Heads, this commentary/breakdown will give you an idea what platform features the best visuals. It provides quickly-understood side-by-side screenshots that can be blown up (by clicking on them) and a list of what makes one version better or worse looking.
GameCube Advantages
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Gallery
The Breakdown: First point: none of them look exceptional. The art assets and overall style of EA's Third Age world, but none of the systems are really being unfairly taxed, yet they all exhibit framerate problems. Since Xbox has the quickest average framerate, that gives it a definite advantage, especially in combination with progressive scan support. Mostly, all three versions look pretty similar, but GameCube does suffer from being too dark and slightly "muddy." During fights and even for flashy spell effects, however, it's not a drastic difference.
And while it may vary by your preference, we'd recommend GameCube's slightly darker visuals over the PS2's choppy framerate.
Winner Ranking:
1. Xbox
2. GameCube
3. PlayStation 2
Presentation
Here we critique how the experience "feels" on each platform. Sometimes it's completely identical, other times a developer has improperly ported things like menus, FMV cut-scenes, etc. Load times are usually the most commonly highlighted element of presentation.
GameCube Advantages
PlayStation 2 Advantages
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Load Point | GameCube | PlayStation 2 | Xbox |
Boot-up | 41 sec. | 54 sec. | 38 sec. |
Level Load | 9 sec. | 12 sec. | 5 sec. |
The Breakdown: Honestly, there's no real difference here. For starters, all of the cut-scenes are compressed and don't compare with the DVDs of the trilogy you probably own. Next up, the "load time" you experience is just when you start a new game or boot up for the first time. Otherwise, it's all streaming and really doesn't present a problem. So, Xbox faster or not, it makes little difference.
No corners were cut, really. So, though we may rank them from "best" to "not best," the difference in load time is hardly something to be concerned over...unless you plan on resetting your console every five seconds.
Winner Ranking:
1. Xbox
2. GameCube
2. PlayStation 2
Final Verdict
Looking for our overall recommendation? This is the place to find it. We base this final verdict not on how many "sections" each platform has won. It is not a total accumulating in any way. It's about the overall impact of each element; usually features are the most important because they affect gameplay, but the visuals often carry a lot of weight as well.
Overall GameCube Advantages
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The Recommendation: Unlike some comparisons, this one is pretty simple. Xbox has better audio, better visuals, and even 480p support. Nothing is a major difference, and even Xbox has its troubles with framerate. GameCube has its problems with a muddier display output and PlayStation 2's framerate is problematic, frequently dropping below 30.
Xbox is the most highly recommended. GameCube, secondly, for its better framerate (despite its darker visuals). PlayStation 2 last, simply because the constant framerate dips are distracting.
Overall Winner: Xbox
Winner Ranking:
1. Xbox
2. GameCube
3. PlayStation 2
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