Chaldfont said:So what should I go for? The PC is the most expensive but it opens up the possibility of MMORPGs. On the other hand I don't really have the time and money for those.
If you've got the money for a decent PC, you've got the money for a mmorg. They average about as much as catching a movie + popcorn a month. Time and/or the willingness to spend the money those are other issues.
Chaldfont said:On the other hand, consoles are less expensive, but I have to wait for the kids to go to bed before I can play the more hardcore games and I tie up the TV.
Xbox 360 seems like the best bet. I'm dying to play Halo 2 and 3 after playing the first on PC ages ago. This Portal sounds awesome. Do you have to pay extra to play online?
Well even with Bungie's recent divorce from MS, you won't be seeing Halo on any platforms other than PC. But PCs are much better for FPSs than the xbox or PS3 (though the PS3 at least has the option of permitting keyboard and mouse use, only Unreal Tournament 3 actually supports it AFAICT). I don't think Portal currently supports online play. The Orange Box doesn't have any charges for Online play of Team Fortress 2. Microsoft does try to get players to shell out for a Xbox Live Gold which lists for $50 for a year. You don't have to get it, though there are benefits. There aren't currently any charges for any of the PS3 online stuff AFAIK.
Chaldfont said:PS3 just seems way to expensive. What killer games are out for it? Is there any reason I should give it a second look?
Which do you guys like best?
The PS3 seems more expensive than it is. Since it's best compared to the most expensive Xbox + the HD-DVD Player options, which is the same price. The low end 360 is really not a good bargain, since it lacks the wireless networking ($100 if you add it) and you need to buy a memory card for it (512mb $50, the HD add on is only like $100) and it lacks the wireless controller.
Of course one of the main things you are paying for with the PS3 is the Blu-Ray Disk capability (There are various offers for 5+ free movies, but most of the choices suck). However you don't get the full benefit of something like the Blu-Ray movies (or the 360 or PS3) unless you have a decently large tv with an HDMI input. FWIW, I give both of the HD disk formats about a 50-75% chance of both failing long term (3-5yrs) and being "iTuned" by some sort of download system.
The PS3 is quite a capable media hub, if you care about playing stuff from your computer through the tv/stereo. The 360 can do a lot of this as well.