OnLive microtest on the example of Mafia 2
The other day, the OnLive service (a cloud-based game service, see details in the OnLive topic - the revolution crept unnoticed ) announced the cancellation of the monthly fee. Things, they say, are going so well that we can afford not to charge users $ 5 per month (immediately after the start it was 15).
Well, the success of any good thing (if it is of course success, and not a convulsive attempt to attract more subscribers) is always good. But in this case, this is also an occasion to try OnLive "by the tooth." Despite the fact that the service was launched almost four months ago, there are not very many user reviews and they are, for the most part, enthusiastic (see, for example, Thoughts on OnLive ). Such unanimity raises certain doubts, doesn't it?
Below are the impressions of one incomplete evening of using OnLive (plus screenshots). Answering the unspoken question “Why is this necessary if everyone is interested can see with their own eyes?” - the service is so far available only in the USA.
Getting started with OnLive is a matter of minutes. In the literal sense: registered (2 minutes), installed the client (another couple of minutes), launched the game (two clicks). Even against the background of the convenient Steam, in which the installation of the game and the necessary libraries and drivers is performed automatically, it looks fantastic.
OnLive client started in 720p resolution, user settings are minimal. You cannot select a data center. From graphics - only brightness.
The first disappointment is the list of games. It is quite short and, to my taste, monotonous - a few shooters, a couple of puzzles, sports games. Mass Effect and Crysis - the hits lured to OnLive a few months ago - aren't on the list. It’s rather strange - first show videos in which Crysis uses OnLive to play on sewing machines, and then not have it in the catalog. Bad sign: the relationship of the service with the publishers and with a reality that is different from the promotional video does not seem so rosy. I choose what to play. Of all that is available (a complete list ), I would buy (and buy at one time) only Mafia 2.
There is a thirty minute “demo” for each game. For the Mafia, which is discussed below - this is not a demo version, but just the opportunity to play the full version of the game for half an hour. On the one hand, this is not bad, since you see the game in the final version, free from the problems of the demo versions. On the other hand, the meaning of the demo version, as well as the trailer for the film, is to entice with interesting moments, to tease. It’s not for nothing that movies are usually advertised in the first five minutes. So the decision is moot, but move on. The game "loads" according to the sensations of thirty seconds. At this time, they show video cutting of game moments of approximately YouTube quality (i.e. very modestly). Screensaver, the main menu (without the ability to change the graphic settings), let's go! Impressions:
Conclusions:
Can I play with OnLive? Can. Is it worth it? Not.
The service has only two advantages:
Minuses:
Finally, a few thoughts out loud.
OnLive in its current form is a service with an audience that is incomprehensible to me. It is as useful as a “consumer loan” for iron. That is, if you need a loan for an iron, then you do not need an iron. The same applies to modern games with sophisticated graphics. If the PC "does not pull", then there are two alternatives: a) consoles, the benefit is almost all multiplatform now, b) old games. They will look no worse than the OnLive video, the price is significantly less.
As my wife aptly noted, this is like a site selling movie screens at the price of BluRay discs.
PS A few more screenshots from Mafia 2 performed by OnLive: The whole photo album .
Well, the success of any good thing (if it is of course success, and not a convulsive attempt to attract more subscribers) is always good. But in this case, this is also an occasion to try OnLive "by the tooth." Despite the fact that the service was launched almost four months ago, there are not very many user reviews and they are, for the most part, enthusiastic (see, for example, Thoughts on OnLive ). Such unanimity raises certain doubts, doesn't it?
Below are the impressions of one incomplete evening of using OnLive (plus screenshots). Answering the unspoken question “Why is this necessary if everyone is interested can see with their own eyes?” - the service is so far available only in the USA.
Getting started with OnLive is a matter of minutes. In the literal sense: registered (2 minutes), installed the client (another couple of minutes), launched the game (two clicks). Even against the background of the convenient Steam, in which the installation of the game and the necessary libraries and drivers is performed automatically, it looks fantastic.
OnLive client started in 720p resolution, user settings are minimal. You cannot select a data center. From graphics - only brightness.
The first disappointment is the list of games. It is quite short and, to my taste, monotonous - a few shooters, a couple of puzzles, sports games. Mass Effect and Crysis - the hits lured to OnLive a few months ago - aren't on the list. It’s rather strange - first show videos in which Crysis uses OnLive to play on sewing machines, and then not have it in the catalog. Bad sign: the relationship of the service with the publishers and with a reality that is different from the promotional video does not seem so rosy. I choose what to play. Of all that is available (a complete list ), I would buy (and buy at one time) only Mafia 2.
There is a thirty minute “demo” for each game. For the Mafia, which is discussed below - this is not a demo version, but just the opportunity to play the full version of the game for half an hour. On the one hand, this is not bad, since you see the game in the final version, free from the problems of the demo versions. On the other hand, the meaning of the demo version, as well as the trailer for the film, is to entice with interesting moments, to tease. It’s not for nothing that movies are usually advertised in the first five minutes. So the decision is moot, but move on. The game "loads" according to the sensations of thirty seconds. At this time, they show video cutting of game moments of approximately YouTube quality (i.e. very modestly). Screensaver, the main menu (without the ability to change the graphic settings), let's go! Impressions:
- additional lags from the network are not subjectively felt. The character reacts to the mouse / keyboard smartly;
- The connection is moderately stable. Three times the Connection problem warning popped up, but the game did not affect in any way. But a couple of times, without any warning, the picture went “squares" like in a "beaten" video - typical artifacts of data loss in the video stream;
- the picture is noticeably “poorer” in details and textures. And no AA. Plus, when opened to the full screen, we feel all the delights of the upscale 720p to 1080p - uneven fonts, etc.
Conclusions:
Can I play with OnLive? Can. Is it worth it? Not.
The service has only two advantages:
- the opportunity to play on a "wretched office laptop";
- the presence of a demo for all games, even for those for which the usual demo version has not been released;
Minuses:
- a meager assortment of games;
- prices - as for the full version. For some titles there are three- and five-day PlayPass, but for most, the only way to pay is 100% of retail;
- there is no way to download the game to your computer (useful if the user still decides to replace the "wretched office" with a normal computer);
- seriously damaged graphics. A possible reason for recalling Crysis from OnLive is that in OnLive-quality this game no longer looks like the flagship of computer graphics. The same Mafia 2 looks like greetings from the early 2000s;
- it is unclear how the DLC works, and the other joys of the casual are achievable. I'm not talking about mods (these are definitely not).
Finally, a few thoughts out loud.
OnLive in its current form is a service with an audience that is incomprehensible to me. It is as useful as a “consumer loan” for iron. That is, if you need a loan for an iron, then you do not need an iron. The same applies to modern games with sophisticated graphics. If the PC "does not pull", then there are two alternatives: a) consoles, the benefit is almost all multiplatform now, b) old games. They will look no worse than the OnLive video, the price is significantly less.
As my wife aptly noted, this is like a site selling movie screens at the price of BluRay discs.
PS A few more screenshots from Mafia 2 performed by OnLive: The whole photo album .